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

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Then I got it all mocked up, and just tightened the U-bolts. I'm not going to weld the spring perches until I get the body and drivetrain on it.

Also the Chevy springs are really nice, very flexible.

Now for some frame heights:
The stock height of the frame on the unladen FJ62 frame at the rear bumper was around 22".
Swapping the 63" Chevys brought it up to 23".
Now the rear I measured is at 33".

That number is going to come down a bunch once I lift the front, its got a crazy stink-bug rake going on right now.

 

[alaska60]

This is gunna be very cool.
I am excited for you too. And "no" on the beach house. My mom is there May - September and in Key west Oct - april
I would love to get out there this summer but Alaska is my busy time in the summer.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I figured I would give it a shot.
But if you ever need someone to house watch/do some repairs let me know.

I'm pretty pumped about the springover too. I'm gonna try to get the rears hung up front soon.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Alaska, You do like fishing trips and stuff up there during the summer right?

 

[alaska60]

Alaska, You do like fishing trips and stuff up there during the summer right?

flyfishing guide in alaska summer / backcountry heli ski guide in utah winter

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Do you take Tonto for the flyfishing trips?

 

[alaska60]

Do you take Tonto for the flyfishing trips?

TONTO goes back and forth to AK and UTAH. Sometimes we drive and sometimes we take the ferry from Washington to AK
Its 4,100 miles from my house in Utah to my house in AK. 7 days drive and 5 days ferry.

 

[alaska60]

right now im in between seasons with some skiing still going on here in Utah. There is still 175 inches of snow here in the Utah mountains.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Thats a long drive.
Those jobs sound pretty great, you definitely couldn't do that in Jersey.

 

[alaska60]

Thats a long drive.
Those jobs sound pretty great, you definitely couldn't do that in Jersey.

Long but... "BEAUTIFUL" drive.

fishing in Jersey..............yes!
heli skiing in Jersey........NOT!

although there is BELL mountain just north of trenton near Lambertville...

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I'll have to agree, there is some pretty nice fishing in Jersey.
There are some hidden little places to go. Right by where I live a local pulled a 54# carp out of a creek.
This creek is only about 6 feet deep and 15 feet wide too.
I can't wait for it to warm up and get some fishing in.

 

[alaska60]

I miss striper fishing off the beach and jettys!

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

That's one of the things I plan on doing in this truck.
Taking it down to LBI and Island beach state park and doing some beach fishing.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Well I got some more done on the rolling chassis tonight.
I got the front driver side spring pulled and put one of the beefed up rear springs hung in its place.
Nice thing was that even though the rear springs are longer by about 3" I was able to reuse the stock spring mounts.
I bought some anti inversion shackles and they were long enough to be perfect, plus it gives me some piece of mind knowing that I won't invert and mess up a spring.
Pics will come tomorrow, I just don't feel like getting them off my phone tonight.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Here are the pictures:
First is the stock front shackle hanger with some minor clearancing needed to keep the AI shackle stiffening bolt from hitting.
Pictures 2 and 3 show the rear hung,
How do you like my new ubolts?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Your shackle is on backwards.

Other than that, looking great! I didn't realize the rear springs would pretty much bolt into the 60's front.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

When I put it on I didn't have a picture so I Just guessed.
When I switch the other one I'll be sure to fix that.

Yeah I was surprised it fit too, I was expecting to need to weld a new hanger to the frame.
Its good news for you Johnny, if you get some rears to hang they pretty much bolt right up if you are running longer shackles.
If you need a set of FJ60 rears I'll have one in june.

 

[Spook50]

Here are the pictures:
First is the stock front shackle hanger with some minor clearancing needed to keep the AI shackle stiffening bolt from hitting.
Pictures 2 and 3 show the rear hung,
How do you like my new ubolts?

Did your front axle stay put as far as forward/aft movement when you put the rear springs up front? How long of a shackle did you need to go to to get the shackle angle right?

 

[alaska60]

So are you stretching the wheel base on this, or are you keeping the axles where they originally were?

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I believe the front axle was only moved about a half inch forward, keeping the stock locations of the spring and shackle hangers.

Not sure about the length of the AI shackles, I'm gonna be working on the other side today so I'll measure it for you.
The angle is a little bit shallower than 45* so hopefully with the body and drivetrain on it it should be pretty close.