Npulver's 71 Fj55 Build "Sea Unicorn"
- Thread starter npulver
- Start date
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Npulver,
37" tire is tall, are you planning to regear or stay with the 4:11's.
I regeared to 4:11's and useing 33" tires. Something to think about.
37" tire is tall, are you planning to regear or stay with the 4:11's.
I regeared to 4:11's and useing 33" tires. Something to think about.
yes, 79+ discs is a larger birfield bell with a shorter stub/spindle and the later wide pattern knuckles.
to get the 79+ to fit is a matter of a little bit of grinding on the ball portion of the axle...easy fix. you also will need to get the later shorter hubs and spindles. 79+ are stronger, but also because they don't stick out as far are less prone to hub damage. throw in the fact that they are more readily available. i'd upgrade hubs/birfs/spindles and, if $ allows, the wider pattern knuckles.
you can measure the bolt pattern at the knuckle where the steering arm mounts and post up what those dimensions are...the later knuckles have the wider bolt pattern...also, how long are your lock-out hubs? this will tell your birf length. I just slapped some 295/75 16s on my rig with 4.11s- that is like gaining an inch in diameter from the 33/12.50s, and losing an inch of width.....I do half and half mountains/highway/city/freeway and am under the impression that the 295s are going to require more cooth when operating the clutch and pointing uphill. I think I may have found my limit on tire size with these gears for my driving style(s) your ranger will help alot if it is able to shift on the fly, you should be able to keep your overdrive gears and reap full reward from those tanker tires.....
Here is what I think should be correct for a '78 front axle, although my feeble understandings would be subject to correction by folks like Ige or Pighead...
Disc brakes if coming from a US market Pig (maybe "duh" to some folks, maybe not)
Narrow bolt pattern on steering arm
Long birfs
Long body lock-outs - these should look like the Aisin (did I spell that right?) lock-outs that came on the 60 series, except the dial face and surround will be silver (vs. the red and black). Dial face should say "ASCO" (yes, this post could go downhill quickly now that I said "ASCO") vs. Aisin.
Fine spline pinion - this was introduced in '78. When in '78? I do not know. My '78 40 w/ a Sept '77 build date has a coarse spline pinion. My understanding is that Pigs got discs & the long-body ASCO lock-outs (w/ the long birfs) from '76-'78, so a front axle off a '76 or '77 Pig could match everything else, but not have the fine spline pinion.
Someone with a lot more knowledge than I could probably tell you how the brake lines should run on a '78 front axle, but not I...
Hope that helps.
Man, those are going to look SWEET! Can't wait to see them mounted.
And wow, what a bruise.
And wow, what a bruise.
- Thread starter
- #50
I also talked to the guy doing my spring over again, drove the 55 over to him to see it for the first time. I have it scheduled in for the end of next month (hes 3 weeks out on projects right now)
Im getting antsy, yet have some much stuff to gather and get done!
Im getting antsy, yet have some much stuff to gather and get done!
Man, they do look good. Did I miss what kind of wheel are you going with.
- Thread starter
- #52
I havent said Ron, up until a few days ago i still was deciding (making sure i knew what would fit) Im going with.
Going with something simple 17x9, 4.5 backspacing with a 4.25 center hole. They were about $500 shipped to my door.
Going with something simple 17x9, 4.5 backspacing with a 4.25 center hole. They were about $500 shipped to my door.
- Thread starter
- #56
Bobm, yes they are a satin/flat black, i wanted something simple and not shiny. Im not a huge fan of "bling" on my vehicles.
btw, im REALLY hoping after doing my suspension stuff i have some money left over for some body stuff. Hopefully i'll be contacting you at the end of next month.
btw, im REALLY hoping after doing my suspension stuff i have some money left over for some body stuff. Hopefully i'll be contacting you at the end of next month.
- Thread starter
- #58
Got the 37's mounted and balanced today, put them on for giggles. Glad i went with 37's. Obviously i cant drive with it like this as i only have about 1/4 clearance in a few spots in the rear. Also didnt think about the size of the wheel spacer (inside diameter) As the spacers wont go over locking hubs. So i'll have to have them milled out. no biggie. I also measured to see how much more clearance my garage door has to go after i put the 37's on. I still have about a foot higher i can go before i run into any issues.
Man, they do look good on. What do you figure with the SOA, @ six inches higher. It's going to get close to the header board.
