Build Rocklander 77-series build

[EngineBlockEggs]

Despite the steering issues, I would say you’re pretty lucky to just have an original steering wheel. That seems to be a rare commodity on a lot of JDM Cruisers.

Dude, when I bought mine it had a red leather steering wheel lol. The first purchase I made was a replacement Sparco steering wheel. My interior is "oak" and it's hard to find the right OEM steering wheel for it.

 

[SNLC]

Trying to decide if I truss the top of the housing a bit. Other than some small welding and clean up that’s it! Well besides leaf perches, sway bar mounts, brake line tabs, more work/fab on skid and …..

Like I say I ordered a RS 9.5” housing for the front. No idea how long it will take to ship so might as well get all kinds of parts rounded up here for this axle swap-build plus suspension!

Cheers

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Right on Ian, excited to see this build One of these days I need to get off my butt and do something with the 77 I chatted with you about a few years back. The 1HDFT/H152/HF2A combo would be absolutely rad in a HZJ77 for extended travel.

Fwiw, we've done many SOA conversions using de-tuned OME springs over the years on 4x, 6x and 7x Cruisers. For many years stock springs were the go-to for SOA’s, but as supply of decent springs dwindled, the OME ones proved to have better compliance and longevity in the SOA configuration. Denver and Alcan can make killer springs too but off-the-shelf OME solutions with loose-top spring clamps works really well with the flex wants of an SOA and providing for spares in the event you bend or break a spring, something we do see with any spring, particularly flex ones. I’m not a fan of SR in SUA applications but love it on SOA applications, I’ve had SOA 40’s, 55 and 60’s with both way and I’d do a properly frame pivot SR again in a heartbeat. I love the ride and flex of my blue 72 40, it runs 4x front OME springs and 6x/7x OME rear springs (on 6x axles). The frame pivot lets you lower the front end a bit and the back is easy to lower with longer springs. I miss the days when folks were doing tons of SOA’s to Cruisers because it often yielded far more difficult trails being run with clubs and events in vintage fashion

Likely not workable on your timeline but we have stock-height Japanese manufactured springs in process for the 7x Series. 70/71/73/74 first and then 75/76/77/78 next. We’ve had fantastic results with them from our 40 and 60 customers, all to my knowledge are running them in SUA configuration but I think they would make a great low-height SOA solution too. Unfortunately the 76/77 rear springs are down the production list.

Not a great pic but OME SOA BJ70 and my SOA FJ40, both on 6x axles in the Swell a few decades ago. I was on stock springs at the time but went thorough 2-3 front leaf packs (cracking at clamps or military wrap) before I finally said screw it and did the OME conversion. I’ve broken several rear axles, a driveline and a handful of birfs in that time… but still rocking the same OME springs.

 

[NM Frontier]

This is going to be really fun to watch, I remember you saying a few times you wanted to build a 70 for the rocks. Rad to see you making that happen!

 

[mjw4]

Is the only difference between the 70 axles and 80 axles the width? If I remember correctly parts for an 80 series front axle/suspension fit my 76.

 

[SNLC]

Right on Ian, excited to see this build One of these days I need to get off my butt and do something with the 77 I chatted with you about a few years back. The 1HDFT/H152/HF2A combo would be absolutely rad in a HZJ77 for extended travel.

Fwiw, we've done many SOA conversions using de-tuned OME springs over the years on 4x, 6x and 7x Cruisers. For many years stock springs were the go-to for SOA’s, but as supply of decent springs dwindled, the OME ones proved to have better compliance and longevity in the SOA configuration. Denver and Alcan can make killer springs too but off-the-shelf OME solutions with loose-top spring clamps works really well with the flex wants of an SOA and providing for spares in the event you bend or break a spring, something we do see with any spring, particularly flex ones. I’m not a fan of SR in SUA applications but love it on SOA applications, I’ve had SOA 40’s, 55 and 60’s with both way and I’d do a properly frame pivot SR again in a heartbeat. I love the ride and flex of my blue 72 40, it runs 4x front OME springs and 6x/7x OME rear springs (on 6x axles). The frame pivot lets you lower the front end a bit and the back is easy to lower with longer springs. I miss the days when folks were doing tons of SOA’s to Cruisers because it often yielded far more difficult trails being run with clubs and events in vintage fashion

Likely not workable on your timeline but we have stock-height Japanese manufactured springs in process for the 7x Series. 70/71/73/74 first and then 75/76/77/78 next. We’ve had fantastic results with them from our 40 and 60 customers, all to my knowledge are running them in SUA configuration but I think they would make a great low-height SOA solution too. Unfortunately the 76/77 rear springs are down the production list.

View attachment 4099196

Not a great pic but OME SOA BJ70 and my SOA FJ40, both on 6x axles in the Swell a few decades ago. I was on stock springs at the time but went thorough 2-3 front leaf packs (cracking at clamps or military wrap) before I finally said screw it and did the OME conversion. I’ve broken several rear axles, a driveline and a handful of birfs in that time… but still rocking the same OME springs.

Appreciate your input Kurt!

I am sure you know this is not my first rodeo and we have a 45-series in the shop we built that is SoA. I have also fixed multiple SoA done incorrectly.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Is the only difference between the 70 axles and 80 axles the width? If I remember correctly parts for an 80 series front axle/suspension fit my 76.

The reason I am using them is they are wider.

Coil springs are not the same 70 series vs 80. Radius arms may be, panhard is not.

Cheers

 

[Broski]

I thought that 80 series had bigger knuckles and birfilds than the 70 series ?

 

[SNLC]

I thought that 80 series had bigger knuckles and birfilds than the 70 series ?

From 1990 onwards they are the same size as an 80. Pre-1990 are small like a 60/62. 1990+ 70-series front axle is basically a narrow 80-series axle on leaf springs.

*Edit: Kurt says 1998/9 was the year change on 70-series big birfields. I don’t really disagree and will be posting a bunch of pics and measurements of the stock 1990’s era axles during this build.

Another interesting 70-series fact or two; steering boxes went to big sector shaft at the same time as the 105-series. Panhard/steering box is designed differently on a 70-series with the release of coil front suspension in 1998. It fixed the cracking frame problems. Frames are much more stout for all series of 70’s (besides the Prado) than other Cruisers.

Cheers

 

[Broski]

From 1990 onwards they are the same size as an 80. Pre-1990 are small like a 60/62. 1990+ 70-series front axle is basically a narrow 80-series axle on leaf springs.

Another interesting 70-series fact or two; steering boxes went to big sector shaft at the same time as the 105-series. Panhard/steering box is designed differently on a 70-series with the release of coil front suspension in 1998. It fixed the cracking frame problems. Frames are much more stout for all series of 70’s (besides the Prado) than other Cruisers.

Cheers

Interesting, thanks for sharing !

 

[Owyhee Jackass]

Cool project. So this will replace your green 80? Are you going to pull the rear seat out, or build drawers up to the back of the seat?

 

[SNLC]

Cool project. So this will replace your green 80? Are you going to pull the rear seat out, or build drawers up to the back of the seat?

Yes replace green 80, yes back seat coming out. I got to sleep inside it!

Cheers

 

[mjw4]

The reason I am using them is they are wider.

Coil springs are not the same 70 series vs 80. Radius arms may be, panhard is not.

Cheers

Good to know, I wasn't aware of those differences.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Good to know, I wasn't aware of those differences.

90-99 era 7x's are an interesting front axle. High pinion 8" like the 8x/450, but significantly narrower as Ian pointed out. They also use a knuckle assembly more similar (but different) yet an identical spindle to the 1/79-1/90 4x/5x/6x/7x. Their birfs are similar in splines to the 4x/5x/6x/7x (27/30 spline) but a tad longer bell, but ~10% smaller bell then the (24/30) spline 80 birf. All in there are about 20 different outer axle variants for the Land Cruiser through it's years, some changes are oddly minor.

 

[Guyute]

90-99 era 7x's are an interesting front axle. High pinion 8" like the 8x/450, but significantly narrower as Ian pointed out. They also use a knuckle assembly more similar (but different) yet an identical spindle to the 1/79-1/90 4x/5x/6x/7x. Their birfs are similar in splines to the 4x/5x/6x/7x (27/30 spline) but a tad longer bell, but ~10% smaller bell then the (24/30) spline 80 birf. All in there are about 20 different outer axle variants for the Land Cruiser through it's years, some changes are oddly minor.

That AI? I know that you know your sh1t and all, Kurt ... but that reads like AI.

Or just high I maybe.

Either way. Good info all up in this thread already.

 

[mjw4]

90-99 era 7x's are an interesting front axle. High pinion 8" like the 8x/450, but significantly narrower as Ian pointed out. They also use a knuckle assembly more similar (but different) yet an identical spindle to the 1/79-1/90 4x/5x/6x/7x. Their birfs are similar in splines to the 4x/5x/6x/7x (27/30 spline) but a tad longer bell, but ~10% smaller bell then the (24/30) spline 80 birf. All in there are about 20 different outer axle variants for the Land Cruiser through it's years, some changes are oddly minor.

Interesting info. I thought that some of the older 70's had a similar axle in the front 9.5" like the rear, but I may just be mixing things up. I have a 2002 76, I'm guessing it also has the 8" front like the 80's?

Were the smaller bells on the older models weaker than the current ones?

 

[SNLC]

90-99 era 7x's are an interesting front axle. High pinion 8" like the 8x/450, but significantly narrower as Ian pointed out. They also use a knuckle assembly more similar (but different) yet an identical spindle to the 1/79-1/90 4x/5x/6x/7x. Their birfs are similar in splines to the 4x/5x/6x/7x (27/30 spline) but a tad longer bell, but ~10% smaller bell then the (24/30) spline 80 birf. All in there are about 20 different outer axle variants for the Land Cruiser through it's years, some changes are oddly minor.

Ya that is why I am doing a 9.5" RuffStuff housing, 80 knuckle balls welded in. So 9.5" diff with the larger birfs. Should be pretty sweet and work well in this Cruiser.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Interesting info. I thought that some of the older 70's had a similar axle in the front 9.5" like the rear, but I may just be mixing things up. I have a 2002 76, I'm guessing it also has the 8" front like the 80's?

Were the smaller bells on the older models weaker than the current ones?

Yes you have an 8", high pinion just like an 80. Yes the smaller birfields (CV joint inside the knuckle) are weaker than the 80-series (105-series too) or later 70-series.

Cheers

 

[cruiseroutfit]

That AI? I know that you know your sh1t and all, Kurt ... but that reads like AI.

Or just high I maybe.

Either way. Good info all up in this thread already.

Zero AI, that's my fingertips. Not high... to my knowledge.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Interesting info. I thought that some of the older 70's had a similar axle in the front 9.5" like the rear, but I may just be mixing things up. I have a 2002 76, I'm guessing it also has the 8" front like the 80's?

Were the smaller bells on the older models weaker than the current ones?

That is true for the 11/84-1/90 7x, 9.5" low pinion front. Exact same birf, knuckles, spindle, etc as the 1/79-1/90 4x/5x/6x. Width and leaf spring mount locations is where they vary. All the 1/79-1/90 (and 9/75-1/79 4x/5x) share the same short side axle ~438mm. Length varies on the long side, 735-800mm's.