saginaw mount too close to shackle?

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2fpower

2fpower

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Finally got some one on one time with the FJ, and thanks to Erik had a good pattern for the Saginaw mount. My question is that when I put the mount in place it appears that the bottom front hole for the saginaw appears to be partially blocked by the shackle attachment. See pics below. It appears that you may be able to put a bolt in that is a short head, or maybe a stud in the unit and a nut on this side. It just seems a little tight. I started to shorten the mount so that it would move back, however it looks like the power steering lines are already pretty close to the crossbrace, I don't want to have to cut out the crossbrace for the lines to connect.

Any thoughts... see pics
DSC03002.webp
DSC03004.webp
 
You might try bolting up your steering box now. Jack up the truck off the front of the frame to get full droop from the springs and check clearances. That will be worst case for your shackle. Under compression it will turn away from the steering box.

The shackle angle in your picture isn't "normal" - should be rotated about 30 degrees to the front.
 
Left turn Clide.....

Well, I was worried about the clearance for the bolt, but now I am concerned with my springs.... The prior owner put a lift kit on this FJ, I do not know any more than that. Currently it is just frame and engine/powertrain, no tub or anything if that makes a difference for the shackle position.

Good idea about bolting up the steering box, however I was waiting to cut the hole in the crossmember when I had the final position of the mount set. I guess I can throw caution to the wind and give it a try.

Is there anyone around shawnee/lenexa that could drop by and take a look at the spring set up and other things on my FJ? I would love to fix the issues before I get too far......
 
you mean you can't get the bottom bolt in as it's hitting where the shackle hanger is on the frame? that's normal.. cut a notch in the shackle hanger with the grinder and you can use it. mine used to be like that a few incarnations ago.
when the plate is on the truck drill from the inside and sleeve it with DOM tube so you don't crush your frame as well.
and it is orange's mount so don't sweat on that part.
 
Erik-

Do you have any thoughts on the shackle?

Kelly
 
Engine and powertrain is in.
 
my thoughts.. get it together.. run it. can't remmber what lift or if you have one? if it's lifted.. break it in first.. don't worry bout springs right now.. get it all together. then fix stuff like that. its' gotta steer and drive before you can invert a shackle on the trail.. ask chris.. its not that hard to fix an inverted shackle!
 
reading your posts.. its' a new kit.. run it.. it'll break in or we'll break it.. either way it's gotta move to break.
 
The BTB +4" springs on the back of mine had a tendency to invert the shackles. A rock bar works well at undoing that. When I first installed them I put 9 or 10 90# jackhammers in the back and let the thing set for a couple of weeks. Helped some, but ultimately flexing the crap out of it on the trails did the most good. I also took at the 2nd from the bottom leaf to make them a little softer. Never reinstalled that.

That said, I've managed over the years to put a slight bend in the main leaves so they'll eventually need to be replaced.
 
Awesome advice.

Thanks all!
 
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