Project Space Shuttle - 5.0 powered '84 FJ60 on Coilovers

[FordFascist]

But the Wagongear panels have doors with nice hinges and latches so you can store stuff in the otherwise wasted space.

Not sure if that adds up to $700 though.

I didn't want to sound like I was bashing his products, because by all accounts it's very well-made and useful for storage. It's just not for me.

I also plan on hiding a power inverter behind the driver's side panel so I can turn this thing into a quasi-mobile office in the future.

 

[FordFascist]

Today I finished up my sliders and mounted my offroad lights. I bought these $25 Amazon specials and wired them to a relay. I have to get under the dash and wire in my secondary rear defrost switch to activate the lights. I typically like to wire lights to the headlight feed so turning off the headlights turns off the auxiliary lights.

 

[SNLC]

needs meaty 37's and a slightly wider stance but it is killer none the less.

Cheers

 

[HoJo 61]

One of my favorite projects, nice job!

 

[mongoose2231]

man, some people have mad skills!

 

[cruisermatt]

Have you driven a lot of 60's with stock front suspensions? Is the 3-link worth the effort? It really is appealing to me.

I want to put my 62 on an 80 chassis one day (radius arms up front and 4-link rear), but thinking since i would be going to the trouble might as well just do a three-link on the stock frame. I guess my question is, would the benefits of a linked front suspension be lost if the truck is at close to stock ride height and 35" tires?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I guess my question is, would the benefits of a linked front suspension be lost if the truck is at close to stock ride height and 35" tires?

**take this with a grain of salt as I've never built a linked truck**

The benefits would not be lost under your conditions. Linked suspensions have more easily tunable suspension rates, are always more reactive and generally allow for more overall travel with less binding. It is considered an advantage of a linked suspension to be able to get a lot of wheel travel without a lot of suspension lift.

 

[FordFascist]

needs meaty 37's and a slightly wider stance but it is killer none the less.

Cheers

This is a mild wheeler. Any bigger on the wheels and tires, I would have gone with Super Duty full width axles. I already have a rock crawler and wanted to keep this thing closer to the highway than my GPW.

Have you driven a lot of 60's with stock front suspensions? Is the 3-link worth the effort? It really is appealing to me.

I want to put my 62 on an 80 chassis one day (radius arms up front and 4-link rear), but thinking since i would be going to the trouble might as well just do a three-link on the stock frame. I guess my question is, would the benefits of a linked front suspension be lost if the truck is at close to stock ride height and 35" tires?

It definitely rides nicely and doesn't exhibit brake dive like a spring over, shackle reversed LC. The steering is extremely tight and the suspension flex and droop is awesome. Coil overs give you amazing amounts of tunability that you don't get on other platforms. If you aren't after all of this, I don't think you would see that great of a return from a 3 link coil over front end/ You may be better served dropping in a complete FZJ-80 front end and running Jeep spring buckets.

My 3 link was a real pain, mainly because it depended on my engine placement. You will have a lot of trouble placing the links and keeping it low - especially with a 2F in place. The biggest specter on this was keeping the tie rod and track bar the same length and on the same plane to eliminate bump steer. You pretty much have to go to an inside frame steering box if you opt for high-steer.

Also note that driveshaft clearance is going to be a big deal. I have a different trans and t-case and my front driveshaft is 38.5" long vs stock of about 18". A 3 link will cause havoc trying to use those components.

**take this with a grain of salt as I've never built a linked truck**

The benefits would not be lost under your conditions. Linked suspensions have more easily tunable suspension rates, are always more reactive and generally allow for more overall travel with less binding. It is considered an advantage of a linked suspension to be able to get a lot of wheel travel without a lot of suspension lift.

To get proper link separation, you will need to get at least 4-6" of suspension lift over stock.

 

[FordFascist]

I'm sure this has come up multiple times in this thread: How much does project Space Shuttle weigh?

Here's the stats:

• 5.0L SEFI V-8
• ZF S5-42
• Dana 300
• 3 link front end with Barnes 4WD Enduro Joints
• 14" dual rate coil overs
• TK1 Customs Sway bar
• Chevy 63" rear springs
• Recentered FZJ-80 rear axle
• Stock FJ60 front axle
• 37 inch tires on stock FJ Cruiser 17" wheels
• Stock frame
• Full treatment of MLV / Dynamat
• Full length rock sliders
• ARB front bumper
• 12K HF Badlands Winch
• Custom rear bumper
• Class 3 trailer hitch
• Stock tank, full of fuel

The Challenge
Whoever gets within 25lbs of the actual weight will win. Extra prize for getting the front / rear weight balance percentage correct.

Example of a guesstimate
1000 lbs | 10/90%

The Prize
I will mail the winner a 40 or a bottle of Night Train - winner's choice. Extra prize for getting the weight and bias correct.

End
The challenge ends at 9:00 PM tonight.



P.S. - if you're underage or a recovering alcoholic, I will send you something non-alcoholic or an A/C amplifier. Perhaps an assortment of random metric fasteners.


To show I've actually weighed it legitimately:

 

[cruisermatt]

5246 lbs. 59/41 front /rear

 

[dirtEJohnson]

4886#. F55/R45.

I'll take the 40. Something imported.

 

[Jokenring]

4994 f57/r43

 

[nfranco]

A metric s***ton.

 

[FordFascist]

4994 f57/r43

You are the winner (1/2):

The weight distribution is 50.8 / 49.2

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I need some scales like that. How much did they run you?

 

[cruisermatt]

I need some scales like that. How much did they run you?

Let's just say those are the kind it's better to rent, or better yet borrow.

Make friends with a race team.

 

[FordFascist]

I need some scales like that. How much did they run you?

They are roughly $2-3k depending on capacity and manufacturer. My dad races cars, and bought these in 1991, so we have clearly got our use out of them.

 

[NCFJ]

Johnny, check the Charlotte CL tools section. I have seen scales on there in the past.

 

[Jokenring]

You are the winner (1/2):


View attachment 1112442


The weight distribution is 50.8 / 49.2

Winner winner, chicken dinner!

 

[jcj_78FJ40]

I built a new in tank pump sending unit by using A&A Manufacturing spring plates. I didn't take detailed pictures, but I used a round 5.5" spring shim combined with a similar spring shim with a 3.5" hole in the center to make the reinforcing ring. I then made a beef pump bracket and installed the thing. I will add more details in the future.

View attachment 1080424

View attachment 1080427

This is awesome. With the popularity of a TBI or 5.3 conversion, I'm surprised a Mud vendor hasn't picked this up...hint...hint.