Slow Build Up of the Woody

[jynx]

thanks Matt! ill need to talk to you more about your 80 sometime. it just looks so.. right! haha, i must make aidans look that good!

Thanks Patrick, I appreciate that. I have to say that I'm not sure I can come close to the amount of work you have put into Woody.

I bumped over to your build thread and I am glad that sears took care of you. That would have hacked me as well, but I had a bad experience at my local shop once. Similar to you, a quick conversation with the manager and he fixed me up. I think they all have bad days, just glad they did the right thing.

 

[robustbambi]

Thanks Patrick, I appreciate that. I have to say that I'm not sure I can come close to the amount of work you have put into Woody.

I bumped over to your build thread and I am glad that sears took care of you. That would have hacked me as well, but I had a bad experience at my local shop once. Similar to you, a quick conversation with the manager and he fixed me up. I think they all have bad days, just glad they did the right thing.

Haha i don't know, probably tied, we both have swapped fzj80 rear ends under our trucks
You've definitely blown me out of the water with the Sami... That thing was pretty much rebuilt top to bottom overnight it seemed haha.

And yeah, that was a nightmare. I don't talk much and It takes a lot to make me angry, but they managed to get me to do a little bit of both haha. But they made up for it today

And that's awesome Hugh. One of the more capable 100s out there!

 

[TFJ4runner]

I believe it was you I waved to as I was pulling out of QT Monday morning. Nice Rig

 

[robustbambi]

Yep that would be me. It's changed a little since I saw the whole 4 runner crew in November. Glad you kept the truck! Unless its still for sale, in which case I'm sure that nice a truck will be sold any day now

 

[TFJ4runner]

Yeah it looks different for sure. I decided not to sell it but come spring time I'll probably have a new platform to work with.

 

[Steve97TJ]

I saw you in traffic the other day on 285. Might have been tuesday when i was trying to get back to the shop before mayhem happened. Good looking toyota.

 

[robustbambi]

Thanks! I was probably sitting there waiting to get on 400. I hate that junction.

 

[robustbambi]

So today Aidan got me thinking about terrible things. why not ditch this shackle reversal set up and just go sprung over... Infinitely better flex, no relocating spring hangers, no embarrassingly huge shackles, more things to practice welding on, better ride, blah blah blah. The SR was a fun little project, but i shouldn't have done it.

So, for anyone who's SOA'd their truck, what am i in for? What would y'all replace while I'm at it (longer drive shafts, high steer, etc? Ive been doing a ton of searching and it has been helpful, but talking about it (hopefully this weekend) would be great as well.

And yes, i do plan on asking for the other Ga Cruisers help on this haha. I know theres a ton going on now to get done before GSMTR, so I'm not really in any hurry. Besides, it gives me plenty of time to get $$$ to keep the beer fridge very well stocked!

 

[TeddyBoy]

new spring perches, longer brake lines, new steering setup, longer shocks, new drive shafts, etc etc etc... The list is long but we did it on Josh's 40 a couple years ago. Better be careful though, you're starting down the road to a pseudo hard core rig that's basically a pavement pounder 99% of the time. Just sayin' things change on the rig when you start making major modifications like this.

 

[AuburnFJsexy]

x2 with what Ted said...Think about the type of trails you go on and the overall general purpose of the Woody, do you really need SOA setup? I know you dont want to thrash your rig (yet ) so the benefits of the SOA really arent going to mean much for your trail capability on the trails you currently go on, but will really change its road manners. Most people that do a SOA conversion are planning on joining the Hardcore group and and EXPECT carnage...If this is really what you want, then bring it on

 

[robustbambi]

Thanks guys for giving it to me straight! I get where y'all are coming from, I drive thousands of miles in between the 8 miles of bunny trails i accomplish during events lol, but after speaking with a bunch of other 60/62 guys who DD their SOA trucks that have helped me solve problems in the past, its hard to see any downsides compared to the current suspension. Its already tall, hard to drive, bumpy as s***, hates corners, etc. So making more changes that may possibly make things slightly worse or better on road, but make things immeasurably better off is something that sounds alright to me.
But if the woody does go SOA, don't expect me to be dumb enough to follow you guys, to me at least, SOA doesn't have to equal full caged buggy and body damage hahaha :flip off:

Parts list:

"Front Kit" - http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/LCFTSOA.html (10 degree caster
($125+)

2.75" O.D. shackle hangers- http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/merchant.mvc?

Lower Front Shock Tabs - http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SBRKT-FLT
($15.90+)

Knuckle Gussets- http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/TOYKG-OEM.html
($20+)

Antiwrap Bar - http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/AWKIT.html (Traditional, Baby, 4' lower, 4' upper)
($216.70+)

Front Shackles - (8) http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=4SHK
($72+)

Hydraulic Assist - (Stage 2) http://westtexasoffroad.homestead.com/hydrosteering.html
($499+)

Histeer - (Marlin Crawler) http://www.marlincrawler.com/steering/high-steer/high-steer-kit-fj60)
($460)

Driveshafts - 60 series DC driveshaft
(100 shipped)

Shock Towers - (F250) http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/index.php/ford-style-upper-front-shock-towers-e5tz-18183-a.html
($34+)

345/75R16 - KM2s ($1691.79) http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/searchTiresBySize.do?fl=&sortBy=prca&r=GAAINT|pc|30080&ar=75&fqs=true&rd=16&cs=345
(then try to price match from tire rack, $327 per)

Many flap/cutoff wheels/Beer/other shop stuff -




Suppliers:
RUFFSTUFF Antiwrap bar- $264.87 (with 10% OFF COUPON CODE: PBB10)
(Paid) RUFFSTUFF SOA kits/other stuff - $265 shipped
(Paid)West Texas Offroad - $499 + tax/shipping
(Paid)"Secret Histeer Source" - $460 shipped
(Paid)Mud Partout Section - $100 shipped
Lowrange Offroad - $34 + tax/shipping


Remaining:
$298.84+ tax/shipping
(Not including the actual expensive stuff- tires, surprise stuff)

 

[CID 96]

Don't forget 37" tires. Those 35s will be to small.

 

[AuburnFJsexy]

Don't forget 37" tires. Those 35s will be to small.

I can take those 35's off his hands when he moves up, the white 80 needs new shoes

 

[robustbambi]

Don't forget 37" tires. Those 35s will be to small.

I was bored with the 35s anyway

 

[robustbambi]

I can take those 35's off his hands when he moves up, the white 80 needs new shoes

If I'm able to get enough support with this haha, then yes, a nice quick local sell would be so nice... I hate selling tires

 

[robustbambi]

Well, SOA isn't nearly as expensive as i thought!! Until you start thinking about the expensive things
Good thing Home Depot is giving me more hours. Then I can open this can of worms.

 

[robustbambi]

ordered my histeer setup today. was gonna get the 4x4labs 6 stud kit because its beautiful, but instead spent half that amount on some marlin crawler goodness. I'm sure it will more than adequate for me. also snagged an early 60 series front DC driveshaft from the part out section. yes i was gonna wait til i could buy everything at once but id probably just end up buying a couple guns or something instead. ill probably buy my shock towers and all the stuff i need from ruffstuff this weekend after i get paid!!!! Then, its just rims, tires, bushings, hydro assist/steering box rebuild, shop supplies, and any other stuff i unexpectedly need.

 

[AuburnFJsexy]

ordered my histeer setup today. was gonna get the 4x4labs 6 stud kit because its beautiful, but instead spent half that amount on some marlin crawler goodness. I'm sure it will more than adequate for me. also snagged an early 60 series front DC driveshaft from the part out section. yes i was gonna wait til i could buy everything at once but id probably just end up buying a couple guns or something instead. ill probably buy my shock towers and all the stuff i need from ruffstuff this weekend after i get paid!!!! Then, its just rims, tires, bushings, hydro assist/steering box rebuild, shop supplies, and any other stuff i unexpectedly need.

What is your estimated time frame for this build?

 

[robustbambi]

Ill probably have all the parts i need to finish (not including any unwanted surprises) by the end of summer, so soon after that maybe?

 

[Sam Stewart]

Ill probably have all the parts i need to finish (not including any unwanted surprises) by the end of summer, so soon after that maybe?

You plan on wheeling it this summer I assume? I would wait until after the "wheeling season". Every time I did any major work on the mini it was down for a month or two. Just easier to do it when there are no events going on and there's no pressure to finish.