Builds My New Project

[scrapdaddy]

Please don't take this as a total hijack, but I just bought a 71, with no engine or trans. It has OME springs on 60 axles with a 2 inch body lift. Do you think I would still have clearance problems, using a Vortec engine. I'm watching your build with close attention, as I'm right behind you with mine. Is the main reason you lowered your front mounts, so the vortec cover doesn't hit the hood.

Forgot to add, mine is SUA and would like to stay that way. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

[scrapdaddy]

I'm not real sure as I didn't buy them. I think 2 1/2 inch lift. Would going to another type 350, get me the clearance. Didn't you use a certain oil pan also.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Thanks Lil' John and Thanks to NikP for letting me get away with the Hijack. I'll be following along and starting my thread in the coming months. Ron

 

[NikP]

Transmission mount fabrication

I got to spend a few hours in the shop with a tubing bender and welder to come up with the initial makings of a transmission cross member. I plan to use the bottom of the AA casting and fabricate a mounting to the cross member tubing. I did some research tonite and think I came up with a good use of some left-over leaf spring bushings so when I get that done, I'll post up some pictures.

In the picture I removed the adapter and transfer case housing so I could get better access for drilling and bolting.

I will likely skin the bottom of this to provide a skid-plate for protection. I just need to get far enough along on the mounting design to make sure I'll still be able to get at bolts in the event I have to remove something.

 

[NikP]

It's been a while. I was in Holland, South Africa and Australia for work and it's hard to get shop time after being away from the family for so long. I did get the transmission mount mostly finished up.

I also got some time to remove the front clip now that the motor mounts are tacked in where I want them.

 

[NikP]

I was also hoping to start work on my FJ60 axles but my Ruffstuff shipment got held up waiting for spring perches. I'm going to use they're diff cut perch so hopefully it won't be too difficult.

In the meantime, I'll just shoot a few pictures to give ideas on clearance for the 5.3L.


Tomorrow, I'm going to drop doors, hood and misc body parts off to get media blasted. I like making progress but it's still way too long until I can drive it. This one is harder to get motivated about when compared to my 40 build. I think it's because I know what's really ahead of me and therefore I'm realistic in my expectations now.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Looks good! Are you going to use a 60 power steering box.

 

[NikP]

Looks good! Are you going to use a 60 power steering box.

Yes, that's the plan.

 

[NikP]

So I started working on the 60 series power steering install. I'm looking for some inputs on this one. I've got the engine mounted 1 inch to the driver's side and when I space out the power steering gear and place it ahead of the axle so I get some leverage on the tie rods, I don't have much clearance.

Is 1/4 inch sufficient? I'm not too worried about it since it's the lip on the power steering pump which I bet I can grind down to get more room.

Second question, how far to the front do I need it mounted... any science to this?
I may be able to schooch it back a little an get some more clearance. But I might have some exhaust clearance problems (don't know since I haven't bought my headers yet).

 

[NikP]

And speaking of clearance issues

I'm not convinced I'm going to have adequate driveshaft clearance with the 5.3L truck oil pan. I've seen a post where someone cut a bit out of the side. I might give it a try since it won't cost me any money.

 

[NikP]

Do I have enough clearance?

So I got my high steer kit from 4x4 Labs and proceeded to piece things together.

So I need some advice. Do I have enough clearance on the oil pan and the pitman arm?

The oil pan measures 5.5 inches and the bottom of the steering rod measures 4.5 inches to the spring. I'm assuming I'm okay and will have to reposition the bump stop just to make sure.

Let me know since I'm not quite sure how much the springs would typically deflect.

 

[NikP]

GM column installed

I also finished fabbing up my GM column bracket for the dash and firewall. Now just waiting on Borgeson joints and also need to figure out my final resting place for the FJ60 steering gear.

I have the steering gear temporarily bolted into the rear hole of the stock shock mount. I'm not sure I can get away with mounting it that far back. My worry is exhaust manifold clearance. I just ordered some Sanderson CC1LS1 ceramic coated headers so I'm crossing my fingers this placement will work. It would solve my problem with little clearance on the low pressure return line and power steering pump clearance.

 

[Gonzo55]

What is the degree of that pumpkin off the flange?

 

[NikP]

I believe I set it at 15 degrees, I can't remember for sure. The stock fj60 axle was 12 and most guys on the forum were between 14 and 16 so I picked the middle number for lack of trying to put science to the calculation.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Man, that is turning out nice. I'm behind you aways, so I'm learning as you go . Question, you moved the motor off center, by one inch? is this for more room at the pumpkin/oilpan area. In my situation -SUA- I'm just starting with the smaller oilpan and hope it works.

 

[NikP]

Man, that is turning out nice. I'm behind you aways, so I'm learning as you go . Question, you moved the motor off center, by one inch? is this for more room at the pumpkin/oilpan area. In my situation -SUA- I'm just starting with the smaller oilpan and hope it works.

I was mainly trying to get the stock air conditioning compressor to fit. I used a 1 inch offset with my FJ40 and I think it's mainly to allow the rear driveshaft to no have any lateral angle. That's less of an issue for the FJ55.

The offset does allow for a bit more front pumpkin clearance - you can see in one of my previous posts the diff flange just touched the oil pan as I was mocking things up with SUA in place.

 

[NikP]

So I received my Sanderson headers and a few Boregeson joints and finalized the placement of the FJ60 steering gear. Looks like its going to work out just fine. I was able to split the different so I had header clearance and also room for the return line without having to fabricate more. Just have to do my final welding.

I'll probably pull the motor and set it in storage and haul the body to my work where I have a bit more amps on the welder. My little Lincoln just isn't enough.

I've got most of the major undercarriage work done so I can pull the body and have it media blasted. I still need to figure out shock mounts but that shouldn't be too difficult. I have access to a bender so a loop with a couple frame tabs and it should be relatively straight forward.

 

[NikP]

I have a little more than 1/4 inch clearance with the headers but I can always bush the steering gear out a bit more if needed.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Man, that does look close. How thick is your fish plate?

 

[NikP]

Man, that does look close. How thick is your fish plate?

3/8" ----