New Desert FJ owner looking for advice from the pros

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Bartel

Joined
Nov 1, 2012
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Hey guys. I live in the High Deserts of CA. I just got my FJ40.(i hate jeeps) lol. anyway everyon out here has a jeep and i love showing up for the trail rides with something different.

Here is a pic of me going through the "V Notch" in Last Chance Canyon.

227556_4023991833586_1613842164_n.jpg


as of now the FJ is bone stock and runs great. I love the lookof it being a little beater.

I am trying to keep this a budge build and keep the over all "sleeper" look to it.

It is running 31 inch tires and i think i want to keep them that size. I dont realy want to lift the truck much. but it could probalby use an inch or two. the tires rub when the suspension starts to flex.

anyway i have been looking at lift kits, both 2.5 and 4in. But not sure if that is what i want to do.

Can i get away with just doing some bigger shackels? Or Teraflex revolvers?

This FJ is used 80% off road and is not my daily driver.

I want to show up on the trial ride with a rig that looks bone stock and looks like it might break down half way through. but once we hit the hard obsticles i want to be able to get over just about anything that is put in my way.

Let me know what you guys think i should do.

Here are some more pics just for fun.

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I'm no expert but I would recommend an Aussie locker for the rear before the lift. Wheel it awhile longer then decide on what size lift. With that locker and good driving skills you will go anywhere those other things in your pictures will, and still have that sleeper stock look!
 
Nice. 31s and a rear locker will take you a long way. IMO, a 2 1/2" lift will clear 31s but not effectively clear 33s, but a 4" lift will clear 33s or even 34s (some people clear 35s with a little trimming). The taller you go the tippier you can be, so there's a tradeoff there. And then you may find that as soon as you step up in size then something will come along that will make you want to go bigger, so some folks say to just skip all the 2 1/2" or 4" SUA lifts and go straight to SOA or linked suspensions and do it once, do it right.

Search around the site for pictures of lifts (there are many threads on this) and decide what you want to go with. You will probably want power steering before too long too, if you don't have it already. Having taller shackles may help you clear the 31s for now, but be careful of using extended shackles on the front axle because it can change your steering geometry. There is also the so-called add-a-leaf (AAL) lift folks have done to clear 33s with basically stock springs.

I think revolver shackles help with suspension flex, not necessarily with lift and tire clearance.
 
Ya i dont have power steering yet and i am not in a big hurry to do it. It is kind of fun gettin back to old school style driving. These jeeps i roll with have auto everything and it kind of takes the fun out of it. I get no greater pleaser than when a 50k$ jeep goes around an obsticle cause he does not want to scratch his paint. and then i just roll right over it with my stock FJ, power nothing! haha

Like i said dont really want to lift the truck. I would not mind another inch and some more flex out of the suspension though. I like the sleeper look. I am def going to be looking into a rear locker.

Another question i have is there an after market locking hub that does not stick out so far? My stock front hubs are always getting caught up on rocks. You can check the above pic and see what i am talking about. I can no unlock my front driver side hub after the V notch. It got chewed up pretty bad.

what is all involved in doing a SOA? how much is it going to lift the truck? what other mods do you need to support this conversion.
 
it will no longer look stock with an SOA, just sayin' - a spring lift is much easier

I agree that locker/s will bring a noticeable improvement

but the only thing that really improves your wheeling in the long run is: more wheeling :steer: seat time and experience is what gives you the greatest advantage, ultimately
 
I bet that '40 outdoes all the Heeps.

:)
 
Shorter hubs are found on 81-newer Cruisers. Get the front knuckles & birfs & Aisin steel hubs off an 81-85 minitruck, or an 81-90 Cruiser. This will get you stronger birfs, large bolt pattern steering arms, and the shorter stainless steel Aisin hubs.
 
if you really want to be the "sleeper", install some lower gearing options like an SM465 tranny or toybox or non-US H41 cruiser tranny, then you can crawl over the harder terrain versus having to use momentum. Getting a skinnier tire would help clear the rubbing, even a 33 x 9.50 as mentioned......
 
If you're going to do a lot of off-roading, get yourself a full roll cage. I know that kind of counteracts the "sleeper" look, but I think it's a necessity.

Cool rig!
 
Great job running the V-notch. I heard about your rig from the Lancaster crew that was out there.

I'd stay away from doing a shackle only lift as they can mess with caster/driveline angles and compound issues that the rig has not shown yet. Sent you a PM with my suggestions for light mods.

Catch you on a trail ride out here in the High Desert sooner or later.
 
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