SOA,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Help....Advise......

[Flinny]

Well, it is time to get "Flinny" ready for the trails by the summer....

It is a 79 fj40 and looking to do a SOA. I have been reading here on mud but I am not sure where to start...

I am planning on using the stock springs because they are flat and I believe they would work out ok for this purpose.

I read about "Cut and Turn" the front axle....any advise on this...We are getting a welder soon but I am not sure this is something you can do at home or not. If not, who can do it locally?

Also, do I need to do the same for the rear axle??

I am aware of needing longer brake lines and driveshafts too.

Any info will be appreciated.....

Maria

 

[R.K.]

You could write a book on a SOA conversions. There are so many options as to how you can do it. I guess it kind of depends on how much time and money you want to spend, and if you want to do it the right way and not cut any corners. That being said, I'll give my opinions, and I'm sure others will have varying opinions.

I would definetly cut/turn the knuckles on the front axle. This allows the pinion to be pointed at the t-case to help your driveshaft u-joints from knuckling out, while keeping the knuckle geometry correct. It also gets the front pinion up out of the rocks a little better.

Weld the perches onto the axle after you have the knuckles cut/turned and have the weight of the truck on the springs. This way you can get the pinion angle you want.

I know a couple of local guys who might do the cutting/turning of the knuckles for a fee if you're interested. I think Proffitt's Cruisers will sell you a front housing already cut and turned. I'm pretty sure they have complete SOA kits also.

I would do a shackle reversal on the front while you're there. It will help the Cruiser steer better, and greatly improve your approach angle. You should also flip the front springs around to keep the military wrap on the correct end, and it will move the front axle forward about 3". The added wheelbase will make it more stable on steep climbs and help on your aproach angle.

You don't need to cut/turn anything on the rear axle. To point the rear pinion at the t-case you put you new spring perches in position, get the pinion angle you want (with the weight of the truck on the springs) and weld the perches onto the axle.

You can also flip the rear springs to move the rear axle back about 3". Once again making the Cruiser more stable on climbs and helping the departure angle.

You are already going to need to have your driveshafts lengthened and probably get longer brake lines, so the extended wheelbase won't really be an added expense.

Buy a good set of shocks, something like Bilsteins - not Ranchos. Get a good high steer kit, don't do the POS double steering arm. You'll want to have the tie rod above the springs so you won't trash it on the rocks. The 4x4Labs high steer kit mounts the tie rod behind the axle, where it's well protected.

 

[Flinny]

Thanks RK..

One more question,. The 72 fj40 we restored did not have any perches on the top of the axle but this one does...so i am confuse d..Do I need to cut those and move them or I can just use them like that......see pic below

 

[Trollhole]

Thanks RK..

One more question,. The 72 fj40 we restored did not have any perches on the top of the axle but this one does...so i am confuse d..Do I need to cut those and move them or I can just use them like that......see pic below

SUA, SOA, SUA, back to SOA. lol

Your not going to know about if you can use those perches until you have the axle off and under the springs and see where the pinion is pointing. The right one looks a little low on the pumpkin.

What kind of welder do you have or planning on getting?

 

[Flinny]

Planning on a 220 volt mig....

 

[1974FJ]

X2 on the 4x4labs high steer. Marlincrawler has a nice kit too
also, cruiseroutfitters.com sells pre-cut and turned axles.
I flipped both my front and rear springs and love the extended wheelbase.
Looking for a extended brakeline....marlincrawler.com has a nice one for flipped rear springs that are longer than anybody else's i could find.
Dont take short-cuts, its too important to take shortcuts and too scary if you do.
Bilstiens 2125s are awesome!