Stevo's Unofficial Build Thread, FJ60 + FJ62 + FJ80 Axle = FJ68?

[StevoJonesFJ60]

The perches I am using for the SOA have a provision for moving the axles forward and back, in the rear I set the axle back 1" from stock, and in the front it will be about 1.5" forward.

 

[alaska60]

Having longer springs ...I was interested if you kept the front of all the springs in the stock location flipped the fronts and moved the axles back to the center of the new longer springs......
Departure angle would increase nicely...

So you will have an extra 2 1/2 inches of wheel base now...SWEET!
shouldnt have to do too much to the wheel wells when you get the body back on....
Maybe a slight trim?

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Yeah, I thought about doing that with the rear.
I still haven't made my mind up on it though, I guess it will depend on when I get the body back on and I get to measure the departure angle.
I figure the SOA will help out a lot in that department.

As of right now I don't think I will have to do any trimming, I already did some when I did some rust repair, Plus the 63" chevys in the rear gave me a bunch of lift, I don't think there will be any rubbing issues.

 

[alaska60]

I meant trimming for added wheelbase not stuffing the tire up in the wheelwell.

happy easter to you too.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Thanks you too.

Yeah trimming should be minimal, unless I move the rear axle back 5 inches.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Well I got the other rear spring hung on the passenger side, for those who wanted to know, the shackles I used were 5" from the centers of the bolts.

Here is how it looks with the shackles on the right way.

 

[alaska60]

Lets talk about the front springs. I like the shackle angle, however when the motor and body goes on that angle will change for the worse. You may want to consider cutting the front hanger off and moving it 2 - 3 inches to the front of the frame....what do you think?
MO or 2 cents.....

 

[alaska60]

Keepin that OEM chrome front bumper?

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I totally agree about the shackle angle, I hopped up on the frame to see how it flexed and realized that once the body and drivetrain are on it the angle will be no good.
Looks like I will be moving it approx. 1.5 to 2" forward. I have new hangers so i'll probably just remove the old ones and put the new ones in.

Stock front and rear bumpers are going to get pulled once the body and drivetrain is back on. I'm planning on fabbing up some custom ones.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Keep that shackle where it is. I don't expect the rear springs to settle much with the weight on it and that angle will produce some WICKED droop.

It is very likely that I will be bolting on some of those springs later this summer.

 

[alaska60]

Keep that shackle where it is. I don't expect the rear springs to settle much with the weight on it and that angle will produce some WICKED droop.

It is very likely that I will be bolting on some of those springs later this summer.

what about stuff Johnny?? those shots are from the front springs.
You dont think it will collapse on the anti rev bolt to the spring? No motor... no body...

 

[GLTHFJ60]

what about stuff Johnny?? those shots are from the front springs.
You dont think it will collapse on the anti rev bolt to the spring? No motor... no body...

I think it would hit the anti rev bolt, but with a shackle angle like that, there is no need for anti-inversion shackles.

 

[alaska60]

Ha ha ha good point!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Ha ha ha good point!

Steve, take that bolt out or fab up some stupid simple shackles out of 3/16" plate and be done with it.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Good point, the bolts can be pulled pretty easy, the only reason I went with the AIs is because I had them laying around. If I pull the stiffener bolt it should be fine.

If not I could always cut them down with the band saw or fab up some new ones.

 

[alaska60]

Good point, the bolts can be pulled pretty easy, the only reason I went with the AIs is because I had them laying around. If I pull the stiffener bolt it should be fine.

If not I could always cut them down with the band saw or fab up some new ones.

id still move the front perch 1 1/2 - 2 like you wanted too. Otherwise fab up some regular shackles for the front only.
I like the idea of moving the perch forward. Thats me....

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I'm gonna test it out by throwing a bunch of weight on the front of the frame with a forklift and see what happens.
If the shackle angle is too severe I'm going to move the hanger forward (I think it will need to be done), but if not I would love the droop the setup would give me.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

So today during my lunch break I decide to walk across the street to the Steel Fab company that is there.
I walk in and am greeted by the owner, real nice guy, and ask if they happen to have any 5x5x3/8th angle laying around. A quick check reveals that they have some on a rack outside.
I ask for two 36" lengths and right away they have a worker hop on a forklift and grab it for me.
They get the lengths cut and I walk back to the office to pay.
"Just take 'em, no charge" Is the response I get when I ask the price. So I thank him, go out to the shop, shoulder the steel, and practically skip across the road with a smile on my face I'm so happy.
Nothin makes your day like free stuff. Here it is.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

So I have been planning on doing a custom bumper for a while now, and since I can't finish the SOA or bodyswap until June, I figure now would be the perfect time to get those custom bumpers made up.

I would like to thank all of the people I have taken inspiration from. But in the end I wanted something unique but practical and utilitarian.

Here is the concept for it.
(Alaska60, I'm posting my concept up on top of your cruiser for perspective, I hope you don't mind. If you want, I could remove it just let me know.)

 

[MANUCHAO]

If I were yah I would try weighting the drivetrain and body to guesstimate how much weight you'll be putting on to the frame... Or not worry about this until after yah gots everything on to the frame...