Build Rocklander 77-series build

[OGBeno]

Are you doing a CnT on the front, Ian?

 

[SNLC]

Are you doing a CnT on the front, Ian?

100%

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

I went and set pinion angle, after that I squared up my leaf spring perches on the axle, I was off side to side a 1/4”. With that done I have tacked it on.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Putting some compression and droop in it just to see how it behaves. The axles with this limited amount of travel seems to have much less axle wrap than with shackles. It also seems to stay centered more as it flexes vs moving front or rear in the wheel well.

The other benefit from a leaf spring slider vs a shackle is the slider maintains a Constant Spring rate through the suspension travel while a shackle does not.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Compressed side, it’s only compressed 1” from ride height. The leaf slider has moved 1/4” as a result, hence why I am not sure I need to move them back.

Man I am already really liking this, you can see the axle has hardly moved from center droop vs compressed.

Now that is only 5” of travel, it’s barely tacked on and I don’t want to push it. Plus to really flex test it I need to tear the leaf packs down to just the main leaf. However this is rad!!! I was measuring for shocks in the rear and it seems like a 10” would do the trick but if it can use all of a 12” shock I am all for it!! I never fully realized how much side to side slop you get with leaf springs using bushings and a shackle. It will be interesting if torque causes the rear axle to squat vs twist.

Cheers

 

[bj70bc]

so is the idea that, properly set up, the slider bolt never reaches the end contact point in the box?

 

[SNLC]

Flex test.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

I don’t need to move the leaf sliders back, plenty of room for the leaves under compression. Sure looks like the 10” shocks what I want as well.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Alrighty here we go, rear axle pretty well done and mocked up in terms of leaf springs, the leaf sliders, this leaf spring pack and the leaf perches on the housing.

I tore it all out earlier today, squared things up, cut and tack welded as needed, reinstalled it all back under the Cruiser and lastly tore the leaf packs down again and flipped the spring I wanted to flip! This was all after the flex test earlier today.

This is with weight on the axle and leaf springs, OH YEAH!!

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

I am real happy with this! I even ordered the rear shocks, the Fox in 10” variety.

I have new OEM 80-series rear hubs but didn’t have a bearing and seal kit so ordered that yesterday. I think it is ready to weld on the leaf sliders. I don’t see a rush on the perches on the axle housing, we can burn those on after the front is mocked up. Just so we can double check the pinion one last time with both front and rear at ride height. The front is sitting lower right now with the janky JDM suspension and the 38’s vs how the rear will be now with SoA.

For the rear there is still shock mounts and shock configuration as well as the Currie torsion sway bar. I will work on that and tearing out the front axle + suspension this weekend.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

This again is close to ride height, it’s a big Cruiser with 38’s! Good thing I went 80-series axles and widened it 7” front and rear. Wider helps offset height.

Ground clearance for days!

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Here is some fun rot pictures!

Cheers

 

[thatcabledude]

I was wondering where the rust was.

 

[SNLC]

I was wondering where the rust was.

It’s well hidden and has been hidden for a long time. They duck taped over rust holes and then spread silicone and or what looks like tile caulking (like grout) over the duct tape. Then they painted over that with undercoating. It’s a real s*** show.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

To me this is just really funky.

Time to yank it all out!

9.5” housing getting prepared for the build.

I decided screw it, I don’t want this 1HZ H55 combo. So we are pulling it right now and I listed it for sale. It has like new compression!

SOLD Thread '1HZ/H55/Split tcase combo'

Apr 20, 2026

I am selling a 1995 1HZ engine. Included is the transmission which is an H55 and the tcase is also included which is a vacuum activated spilt case just like in a FJ62.

This combo includes everything from fan to tcase output except the following;
-no a/c compressor
-no alternator
-no starter

I am keeping those parts for my conversion other wise the combo comes with everything to install in your Cruiser.

This combo has 472,400kms on it or 293,000 miles.

Compression is excellent on the engine, like new! Everything worked fine like the clutch, trans, tcase.

$4500 + shipping

FSM...

• SNLC
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Classifieds: Diesel & JDM

• 

Cheers

 

[OGBeno]

Great deal for the powerplant.

 

[SNLC]

80-series knuckle balls next to 62-series.

Cutting the axle tubes to remove the knuckle balls.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Front axle is out!

Front shock “towers” cut off the frame.

Rear leaf sliders are welded to the frame.

Cheers

 

[Owyhee Jackass]

To me this is just really funky.

View attachment 4125841

Time to yank it all out!



Cheers

As funky as leaf spring sliders?

 

[SNLC]

Front 62-series 9.5” housing is the base we are building our front axle off of. Getting it prepared right now.

These are the axle tube extensions I got from @matzell

Cheers