sbechtold's Project FJ Cruiser SAS

[sbechtold]

OK, back from the shop and ready to post up some more progress shots. Today we removed all of yesterday's work on the rear and started over. We Frenched the rear shackle hanger into the rear section of the frame just behind the body mount. Actually turned out great and adds a little of that Demello bling to the mix. We got everything welded up, the leaf pack reassembled, leafs mounted to the axle and installed on the FJC. Then we set the rear wheels on the ground and man was it T A L L. Wyatt pointed out that the front jack stands were causing the rear to droop, so Jason got out the forklift and we removed the front jack stand and the height came down quite a bit (almost too much). It's hard to tell where exactly it will end up until we get the front axle setup and on wheels. We will fine tune the height with longer shackles or if it's too tall or french in the front spring hangers. The good news is that we are on the ground. Nothing is aligned and shackle angles are off, but progress was good today. Tomorrow I head home (gotta go see the wife and kids) and Jason will be working on the front links and link mounts.

Frenched shackle mounts in the rear of the frame:


Lots of plating work to be done:


Jason welding up the front spring hangers:


That's why you were a welding helmet:


WOW that's tall! This was on the front jack stands and drooping a bit:


Off the front stands and a little better height. It should settle even more once we get it completely off jack stands and all 4 wheels:


Deaver leaf springs mounted up and setting on the ground (shackles and axle placement aren't adjusted yet):


Another one:



The distance between the OEM bump stop mount and the U-bolt plate was about 10" in this picture. This should be close to ride height:




We also put the front axle under the front so Jason can start working on the link placements:


Diamond where it should be!:


Next update will be once I get home and Jason sends me some pictures. Until then you'll need to use the Demello Porn Cam to check in on the progress.

[Sean K.]

Dom previously said:

Ok, I'm amazed at the flex in the deaver leafs in one of the first pics and I read why Sol wants to do the leafs first. But, my question is for the labor part. If this were to be done with coils and shocks over the leafs, aside from probably having to make the shock mounts thru the wheel wells, is the labor less intensive than doing the leafs?? Or are they both pretty much the same in terms of labor, just each set-up requires focus on different aspects??

Having done both.....links are FAR more complex. You have to really be mindful of geometry as well as clearance of existing components (especially gas tanks and exhaust, as well as the frame rails themselves if you have a lot of stuff).

Leaves are much simpler by contrast. Leaves are great too....very durable and simple. Unfortunately, soft ones that flex alot can lead to wheel hop problems if you try to "get it" on a big vertical.....but for crawling around.....they are hard to beat.

Sean

[FJ #8]

Pretty F'n crazy. I wouldnt be able to take seeing my FJ all in pieces like that,LOL.

[jeshua]

bandi previously said:

Ahhhh... Hey... I luv' You guys too !!... ...

(that was funnnyy... ... Thanks)


[edit] Clarity - I was watchin' the live feed cam,
and I was wondering if someone could close the
door to give a wee bit more LOS... Just then,
someone closes the door, and puts a note up in
front of the cam, saying they are experiencing
tech difficulties, the a second note pops up that
read "Bandi - We luv you !!!...

again, Thanks for the Smile !!!...

[edit] Work and Vid feed at same time eh !!... ...

Civil Engineer? I am a draftsmen for a small Civil Engineer company. I think I need to get dual monitors and have autocad on one and demello porn on the other


sbechtold, thanks for the update pictures, looks to be coming along very nicely. I think the rear ride hight wont be to bad once all is put on.

[MissFJ]

some people would be a little squirmy if someone cut into their frame. Not the brave ones tho

[sbechtold]

MissFJ previously said:

some people would be a little squirmy if someone cut into their frame. Not the brave ones tho

we've cut at least 100# of steel off the frame so far and probably more to come. Nothing like molten metal falling from your undercarriage.

[gsgmac]

This is awesome Sol! Great work Jason!

That is fawking bad a$$....

[sbechtold]

BudBuilt previously said:

Looks AWESOME Sol!
You are making me drool on my keyboard.
Your tank skid is on the way. Glad to have a tiny part in your buildup!
Bud

Thanks Bud! I noticed you're selling your Tacoma. I think you need an FJC to build.

bandi previously said:

Ahhhh... Hey... I luv' You guys too !!... ...

(that was funnnyy... ... Thanks)

I figured you'd like the sign. I read the thread and had Chris make up the printouts. Glad your enjoying the Porn Cam. I unfortunately get to drive home tomorrow and will have to live vicariously through the porn cam for a while.

[JDEMELLO]

Sean K. previously said:

Having done both.....links are FAR more complex. You have to really be mindful of geometry as well as clearance of existing components (especially gas tanks and exhaust, as well as the frame rails themselves if you have a lot of stuff).

Leaves are much simpler by contrast. Leaves are great too....very durable and simple. Unfortunately, soft ones that flex alot can lead to wheel hop problems if you try to "get it" on a big vertical.....but for crawling around.....they are hard to beat.

Sean

I'm still a big fan of leafs in the rear of the truck. The only real reason to do a rear 4 link is ride quality and eliminates axle wrap issues. These Deaver, much like allot of the newer springs out there have a built in anti-wrap top leaf. This helps with the common axle-wrap issues soft springs have. They run 10 leafs all very thin leafs that ride pretty good and also flex really good. I have a set on my 99 Tacoma and you can't really flex much more than they do and still use it. They are not stiff like the common used Chevy springs.

These springs are actually meant for the rear of trucks and you can easily pull 20in of travel out of them set up right. On a rock crawler where it's more about articulation you have to limit allot of that.

But then again a well set up front and rear 4 link 3 link truck is really cool!

[sbechtold]

JDEMELLO previously said:

But then again a well set up front and rear 4 link 3 link truck is really cool!

You're thinking about it again aren't you...