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

[Spook50]

None of the FF axles have removable covers because there is no need. The removable cover on a SF axle is so you can access the c-clips for axle shaft removal and since there is no c-clip on a FF axle, there is no cover.

Beefy guard man, I like it.

Huh, I just learned something new. Makes sense.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Yup gotta love MUD for that.

So I got some quotes on the new wheels and am on the fence about the diameter. What does everyone think, 16" or 17"

 

[Spook50]

Yup gotta love MUD for that.

So I got some quotes on the new wheels and am on the fence about the diameter. What does everyone think, 16" or 17"

I prefer having smaller wheels with more rubber so it can flex around trail obstructions more when you air 'em down and "grab" for better traction. That said though, tires for 17" wheels IIRC are going to cost less than for a 16" wheel. It really just falls to what you want to do with your rig when it's done

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

For some reason the price of the tires go up with the rim size.

315/75/16 km2's are $250 a pop on tirerack, whereas 35" ones are $283.
I know 315/75/16 aren't "true" 35" tires, but 34.6 is pretty darn close.

I like having more tire than rim.
I just want to be 100% sure there won't be any clearance issues with the 16" wheels though before I buy them.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

After Reading everyone's posts, and doing some more research, I am comfortable enough that a 16x10" wheel will fit, so I placed an order for some custom rims to be made up.
They should be ready in 3 weeks or so.
Also I put a down payment on some KM2s.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I got some more work done on the axle last night.

Finished the armor, which included another piece of 3/8th plate right under the fill plug, and then cut a hole in some quarter inch stock which I welded to the bottom of the axle around the drain plug. I then made a lip of weld around the stock protective ring surrounding the drain plug to strengthen that.

And now the pictures:
Also I tested the effectiveness of the armor with an 8# sledge, with a full swing it barely made a dent.

 

[Dirtgypsy]

that is some serious armor!

Clint

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Thank you, I'm pretty proud of the work I did on the axle.
I love having my truck at this shop. The owners are extremely generous and said I could help myself to any of the raw stock they had.
I'll most likely do something similar to the front axle as well. I feel its always better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Spook50]

Holy chit dude. You should go into business selling armored 80 axles converted for 60/62 installation

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

If enough people were interested I would totally do that.
I'd even be willing to armor peoples axles.
Once I am done with my SOA and frame swap I'll have a front FJ60 axle and two rears, a FJ60 and FJ62 I could armor.

 

[remy1974]

Just came across this thread def following along, you are doing great

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Thanks, I'm trying to do things the right way the first time.

Got a little bit more done on the new rear axle tonight.
Not much else to report. If the weather was better I probably would have had it hung under my rolling chassis.
Hopefully I'll get that mocked up soon. While I'm waiting for my new wheels to get made i'll just leave the calipers off and keep some 15" wheels on.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Johnny, You are running the 60 rears up front right?
Did you have to change your spring perches around?
I measured the rears and they are only 45" long.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I'm not, I want to. Suspension re-working may or may not happen later this summer.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Oh ok, I was just checking.
I was told I should probably do a shackle reversal up front.
But I have been reading up on shackle reversals and am not sure if I will be doing one.
I think I will leave the stock spring hangers up front and if need be weld a new shackle hanger on the front of the frame. It will result in the front axle getting moved a bit but oh well.
Last thing I would want is for my transfer case to get punched in the face by my driveshaft.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Oh ok, I was just checking.
I was told I should probably do a shackle reversal up front.
But I have been reading up on shackle reversals and am not sure if I will be doing one.
I think I will leave the stock spring hangers up front and if need be weld a new shackle hanger on the front of the frame. It will result in the front axle getting moved a bit but oh well.
Last thing I would want is for my transfer case to get punched in the face by my driveshaft.

The biggest reason why I see to get a shackle reversal is to get the spring higher away from boulders up in front. I broke a spring last year because I jammed the bottom of my shackle into a boulder, which cracked the spring. I'm not saying it's less likely to bang one with a SR, but the leading edge of the spring will be higher and because of the angle the spring will be at, the spring can be used as a slider of sorts.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I understand that aspect of the SR, its just that there really aren't that many rocks around where I wheel.

If I was gonna make a rock crawler with leaf springs I would probably do one, but for a trail/beach truck I think I'll keep the stock configuration.

Hopefully there will be some nice weather coming up so I can get that 80 axle cleaned, painted, and mocked up in SOA under the rolling chassis.

 

[alaska60]

Lookin good Stevo.
and yes the beer was spelled wrong. Its been a while since I have been to NJ.
We also still have a house on LBI in beach haven. havent been there in years either.
nice shop your rig is in too.
Tom

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Thanks for the compliments guys, I really appreciate it.

Alaska, you should totally let me use that beach house in the summer.
But seriously if you ever come to visit you should let me know.

I really love working in that shop, it has everything I need. I can't wait until june, once I get a section inside to keep the truck in.
I'm gonna get so much done.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Made some progress with the FZJ80 axle and rolling chassis last night. Finished the cleanup of the axle and got it painted real nice.

Then pulled the old FJ62 axle off the rolling chassis.
It looks like its floating.