Builds Stevo's 6BT60 Build Thread (8 Viewers)

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Well for the past two days I have been installing a 2" lift on a FJ80, nothing too hardcore about that other than the stupid amount of issues I ran into installing it. But oh well its finally finished and I can work on my own truck again.

Today I installed the leaf packs on the Dana 60 and cut off all of the existing bracketry on the frame.



I welded up the new front shackle hangers as well. Unfortunately because I was exhausted and unable to simple math I installed the first rear hanger in the wrong place.
I only tacked it in so its just a matter of 10 minutes of grinding out the weld and putting it in the right spot.



I wanted to attach a pic of the current wheelbase of the truck, as it sits in the picture below it is set at 115".



I need to move the rear spring hanger back an inch or so due to the fact that I am running out of frame to attach the front shackle hangers to. I could run longer shackles but am not sure at what point they start to get excessive.

So two questions I have are whats the maximum when it comes to front shackles? What is the most angle you can you have in your drag link front to back? I know parallel to the axle would be best but what would be an acceptable limit.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I ran into a few issues with the welder but I after getting that worked out I burned in the front hangers and got the passenger side spring hanger tacked in place.

Right now I am running a lot of angle on the front shackles but that should come down with the motor, trans, and front bumper reinstalled. Plus it should settle a bit as the packs cycle a bit.

 

[BGarcia88FJ62]

Q: You gonna box the end of the frame in to keep it from twisting?
Btw the saginaw has worked perfectly one of the best upgrades I've made .

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Q: You gonna box the end of the frame in to keep it from twisting?
Btw the saginaw has worked perfectly one of the best upgrades I've made .

I'm actually going to tie the shackle hangers into my front bumper by welding plates with 4 holes in it that line up with the bumper mounting bolts on the frame. That should be pretty strong. If I notice any flex in the front frame I will box it in.

Glad to hear that my old setup is being put to good use, I loved how easily it turned my tires.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Front suspension is finished for the time being and the truck is standing on its own legs again.



A quick check of caster showed it to be +2 I am going to throw on the 5 degree shims I had on the cruiser axle. Hopefully 3 degrees will be enough. If it's not I guess I'll cut and turn the knuckles.

At work I cut down the old motor crossmember from the dodge and made some scab plates for welding to my cruiser frame.

Cut down crossmember:


Finished crossmember:


Tomorrow I will hopefully get the motor mocked up in the engine bay. I will see if it is possible to run the stock mechanical fan on the 6BT with the cruiser radiator.

 

[klinetime574]

Been a while since I checked in. You're doing great work. Keep it up. Front shackle angle looks pretty good.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Been a while since I checked in. You're doing great work. Keep it up. Front shackle angle looks pretty good.

Thanks, glad that your still tuned in.

Some progress from today:
I tried fitting the motor into the truck but unfortunately it would not clear the steering box so tomorrow I will pull that and clean up the inner frame rails a bit, there are some remnants of the old motor mounts in there.

 

[alaska60]

Man, your getting closer....looks sweet!

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Man, your getting closer....looks sweet!

I know, I can't wait to take it out when its finished.


In update news, I picked up a locker for my rear axle.







I decided to go with the Grizzly due to the fact that they have had pretty good reviews. Its also is designed not to grenade if a shaft breaks. Which unfortunately might happen some day.

 

[Slowerthanu]

Are you going to space the box out from the frame or move it forward? Both are feasible with your width and wheelbase changes.

 

[fireflyr]

You had me at 6BT

Wow. I need to get over here more often. I have that motor in a big, 'ole, heavy Dodge and love it. Hope all the major pieces can stay in formation behind it. Cool build.



I really think it is the best truck motor out there. Good luck.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Are you going to space the box out from the frame or move it forward? Both are feasible with your width and wheelbase changes.

I plan on tying the shackle hangers into my front bumper, I will probably also throw some flat stock to tie both frame rails together too.

Wow. I need to get over here more often. I have that motor in a big, 'ole, heavy Dodge and love it. Hope all the major pieces can stay in formation behind it. Cool build.



I really think it is the best truck motor out there. Good luck.

They fall into place rather nicely if I must say so. Thanks for the support, stay tuned for more its gonna get good soon...

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

All I can say is this motor fits this truck like a hand sliding into a glove.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Even the stock shifter for the transmission lines up in the right spot.



Plenty of clearance for the radiator too.



Another thing that works out is that the stock FJ62 transfercase crossmember is in the perfect spot for a support for the tail of the transmission.

 

[brokenparts]

Excellent. Love it.

 

[RogueFab]

Killer swap. That shifter is huge! Looks like a good fit (lines up).

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the 3rd smaller hole in the shackles for?

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Excellent. Love it.

Same here, I can't help but smile whenever I am in the shop now. I can't wait to button it up but there is still a bunch of stuff to do before its ready.

Killer swap. That shifter is huge! Looks like a good fit (lines up).

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the 3rd smaller hole in the shackles for?

Yeah the shifter is getting cut down a bit but it comes right in the stock shifter location so the stock boot will be reused. I was pretty happy with the way things line up overall. Some things will need to be addressed, like the lower radiator hose, but for the most part things fit really well.

The third hole on the shackles is for an anti-inversion bolt. I was dumb and spent a bunch of money on them from man-aint-fre so I figure I might as well use them since I had them laying around. Otherwise I would have made them from some 3/8ths plate.

 

[disassociative]

All I can say is this motor fits this truck like a hand sliding into a glove.

...so jealous.

Awesome progress, love watching a perfectionist work!

 

[Elbert]

How much room are you going to have at the rear of the trans for the transfer case....?

Sent from DROID device.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

...so jealous.

Awesome progress, love watching a perfectionist work!

Thanks,
It's all in the prep and planning. I do a lot of thinking about this build.

How much room are you going to have at the rear of the trans for the transfer case....?

There is still a bunch of room, approx 50" to the rear axle, I'll need to get a measurement of that to figure out how long of an intermediate shaft to run.

I will probably end up with a short rear driveshaft and a long front one.