Need help on SOA conversion!

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T

TuffMudder

Still working on my FJ55!
10 Year
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Oct 2, 2013
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Location
Fort Smith, AR
My builder is doing the SOA conversion on my FJ55 with 60 axles, and he's ran into problems with mounting the leaf springs.

I had called Ruffstuff specialties, let them know what I was doing, and they recommended this kit, which I have, but now believe to have been a mistake.

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com...arch_Begin_Only=&sort=&range_low=&range_high=

The shackles are about twice the length of stock and the shackle mounts wont work with the shorter stock shackles. This results in a couple of problems.

1. If the leaf spring mounts are put back in the stock positions the axles will be off center. This can be corrected but moving the mount points back about 3 inches. Is that an acceptable solution or do I need to address this differently?
2. I was counting on the Spring over adding about 5-6 inches of lift, but these larger shackles look like they'll add another 3-4 inches ON TOP of that which is just too much. I can't do shackles in frame because with having to move the shackle mount points back, the front shackle is even with the frame crossmember. One option would be to have new shackles cut that are closer to the length of the stock shackles, but is that the best way to address it?

I'm having trouble posting pics, but i'll try to get some pics poste with everything tacked into place. I'd really appreciate some advice.
 
Wow, that's disappointing. Answers a lot of questions, but also leaves me in a bit of a pickle. So, any idea if i can make this work with the kit I have, or perhaps the kit I have but order the missing frame outriggers and mounting platforms? The idea of scrapping a $450 kit and buying a new one is less than appealing.

Still can't attach pics for some reason
 
Btw, my experience with ruffstuff has been way underwhelming. Recommended the wrong kit on this, and then a month ago (Sept 3rd) I ordered a differential master rebuild kit. It hadn't shipped after 3 weeks so I emailed and they said they'd get it right out, it arrived 4 days later cash on delivery despite the fact that I'd paid in full. Called (it was a friday), they said they'd get it fixed monday. Still hadn't heard from them today, so had to call back, they now say they are express shipping. We'll see.
 
I had an issue with some Ruff Stuff products and one call to them and they bent over backwards to make it right.

I would call them and see if they will help first.
 
Lets see if this works

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1412738574.137029.webp


ImageUploadedByTapatalk1412738587.515499.webp
 
Call and ask for Dan Fredrickson, you need different parts if you're using 60 axles.
 
J Mack said:
I had an issue with some Ruff Stuff products and one call to them and they bent over backwards to make it right.

I would call them and see if they will help first.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'll call them tomorrow, but not sure what they can do given I've used a signifcant portion of this kit. Thanks J Mack
 
Thinking out loud here, if you weld the shackle mounts in the stock position, then you would need to move the spring perches in, because the 60 axles are longer than 55s. Since you're using new perches and welding on top of the axle, should work good, yes? As far as the shackle length, modify the ones you have or cut smaller ones.

On mine, which is SUA, the shackle mounts are outrigged and used the stock location for the springs. You could make your own offset mounts, just weld a piece of flat stock to the top of the mount and brace it to the frame.

Hope all that made some sense.
 
Thanks Ron, That does make sense, and I'm glad you said something, because I had overlooked the need to outrig. The kit I should have ordered has a provision to outrig the shackle mounts, though in regards to stock position, the current setup already requires me to abandon that in a front to back sense as opposed to left to right (outrigging) to keep the axles centered.

My first attempt will be as JMack suggested and I'm calling Ruffstuff this morning to see if maybe I can swap the parts I haven't used and buy the parts not included in my kit. I suspect they're cooperation may be limited, because I have no way of proving that I called and order the part number on the advice of one of their people, and several pieces in the kit have already been welded. I experience this first hand and even I have a hard time thinking they should be willing to fix it without proof.

If I can't get them to work with me, I'll have Jessi fab shorter shackles and an outrig setup
 
Spoke with Ruffstuff specialties and they were more accommodating than I expected. They can't do anything about those parts that have been welded obviously, but I can send in the unused parts for the parts from the proper kits and then buy the outrigger parts.

Here's the interesting thing. Those large ass shackles are the same size on both kits, so I'll be stuck with the same situation it appears. As far as i can tell its necessary to move the spring and shackle hanger locations back on the frame to keep the axles centered either way?

The spring and shackle hangers are already tacked, so I can't swap them. I can buy new ones, but I've already had custom bushings made to accommodate for the wider hangers I had.

So here's what I'm thinking.
  • Keep the wider spring and shackles hangers and use the custom bushings to accommodate for the added width.
  • Move the hangers back on the frame from stock position to keep the wheels centered. Shoot for the 30 degree shackle angle Lil' John recommended.
  • Swap out my ubolt plates and spring perches for the correct ones (im not entirely certain this is necessary)
  • Buy the frame outriggers and mounting platforms that come with the 40 kit to keep the perches at the stock location on the 60 axles.
I know what the outriggers are, but not sure what the frame mounting platform is. It's in the 40 kit, but not the 60. Anyone know?

I'd appreciate input to know if I'm about to screw something up. Do I need to bite the bullet and get new spring hangers, shackle hangers and bushings? Am I on the right road moving the hanger locations to keep the axles centered?

Opinions on the best way to proceed appreciated.
 
I would not trust that any one fabbed piece will fit exactly the way it should.I had to grind my diff side perch considerably to make it fit the way I wanted.It was from ruff stuff and I only purchased the perches and spring plates.I had to experiment with a few different shackle lengths to find my sweet spot.I even moved my spring hangers a few times.My hangers are outboarded approx. 1 1/4" each side which meant snugging the perch a little closer to the diff.(reason for the extra grinding)I also did a shackle reversal through the frame.It took a while to get everything right but it drives like a dream at 70 now and I couldn't be more happy with how it turned out
 
Thanks Sawtooth. It helps to know experimenting is a necessary part of this.
SAWTOOTH 55 LC said:
I would not trust that any one fabbed piece will fit exactly the way it should.
Click to expand...
Are you referring to the bushings I mentioned or something else?
 
No nothing in particular. Just seems there is always something that may need a trimming or better reinforcement. I would suggest having the motor in or comparable weight on the front before welding up your hangers.
 
Alright, looks like I've got a plan. I ordered the outrigger parts today. I'm going to stick with the 60 spring and shackle hangers with the bushings I mentioned. We'll try to set up the shackle hangers with full weight shooting for a 30 degree shackle angle as a start point.

Thanks for the input guys
 
I'd like to question the 30 degree angle on the shackle. The angle of mine, in the picture, is at 31 degrees and I believe it's too steep. Not very much travel before it bottoms out. I understand mine is SUA, but is that 30 degree angle gospel?

IMG_2609.webp
 
Thanks for the clarification you two. Please keep discussing :D
 
If I had a bare frame in front of me and was going SOA....no question I would go shackle reversal sleeved through the frame. Proven to work very well when done right and imho a cleaner set up than 2 bulky outboarded hangers. Just another opinion:)
 
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