Topic: Somebody Stop me!!

[Dooner]

Hey guys I got a delima.
I have a perfectly good 71 FJ40 with a 327/400 conversion with an advanced adapter output to the vac shifted 3 sp transfer case w/ Saginaw P/S. The cruiser needs axle, transfer case steering and misc upgrading. The thing is that I also have a perfectly good 86 Suburban with a 350/400/NP205 with a Dana 60 front end and a 14 bolt rear with 4:56 gears. I took some quick and dirty measurements and found that the spring pads are about 4 inches wider on the full size axles. I also found that the burb bellhousing to rear driveshaft flange is about 5 inches longer than the same on the cruizer. I am thinking that this would be a possible swap if I stretch the wheel base out and mount the springs outboard of the frame. I am also thinking of swapping in a SM 420 or 465 to shorten the drive train and gain some gearing.
Any thoughts out there would be appreciated.

[WHITE_TRASH]

If you dont do it give it to me.  Ill make it happen in a couple weekends and beat hte shizzle out of it....

[Dooner [OP]]

Im gonna do it, Ive heard good things about using F150 springs from the early 90's anyone know how long they are? Anyone in Fresno know of a good drive shaft shop? Ill post some pictures of our two unknowing participants!

[donkeykong]

Fresno Drive line...they are on old 99 south of Jenson.  they do good work

[scheid6996]

hey that sounds like a cool build, but dont use that 14 bolt, they R stronger then , but they also weigh a freaking ton, id use a Dana 60, but I'm jus some punk kid, wut do i know!!

[dirtbag]

shave the bottom of the 14Bolt, you'll gain a bit of ground clearance. use a swazall & a grinder, otherwise it's a rock anchor. the 14Bolt is heavy, but it's beef. Run it. Don't look back.   

[freds40]

Fresno Driveline service does some sweet work. They are actually south of Jensen on Golden State. Not sure if he is still there but Big Mike (no relation    ) really knows his stuff. He used to be into the wheeling scene so he knows what is necessary. I'd say run the 60 and 14 bolt since you have them and they are already geared the same. On springs, if you flip your springs, turn them around, you will gain 4" in wheel base on each end. Not sure but that might be enough to make up you're drivetrain length. Like previously stated, shave the lip on the 14 bolt and if done right you can gain as much as 1.5" of clearance.
Where in Clovis are you, that sounds like a nice project I wouldn't mind checking out.

[Dooner [OP]]

Thanks for the tip on trimming the 14, I imagine the same can be done with the 60. Sounds like cheap insurance to keep from rearrainging trails. How much grinding is needed to fit 15" wheels on the 60? Im gonna be stuck with the 16.5's w/ 35" BFG AT's for awhile but Im looking to go to some TSL's in the future. My desire is to keep it relatively low with flexy suspension. Im thinking some sheetmetal work will be the order of the day ( ill have to send my wife out shopping so I can fire up the sawzall )! Since Im already going to have to replace the spring hangers outboard of the frame, I might as well go with a longer spring F150? Chevy springs? If so, what model, year of donor truck?
Drop me a line Fred Ill probly need the help!

Thanks, Mike             fireaxe2u@netzero.com

[freds40]

From what I hear, to fit the 15s, it takes a lot of grinding, like a couple of hours each wheel. I'm running Hummer wheels on my 60 so I get the big brakes and I don't have to grind. If you want a kit, you can get one that uses 3/4 ton stuff and allows you to fit 15s with no grinding. Another option is to run 4WPW's monster wheels. There are reversed rims that allow 15s on a stock 60 with little to no grinding. Bummer is you can only get like 2.5" or 4" back space.

[scheid6996]

this gringing on them?? i havent ever heard of that, is that on 3/4 tons also?

[freds40]

60s run large brakes since they are for 1 ton applications and generally need more braking force than 1/2 and 3/4 tons. Since the brakes are larger, the wheels are as well to fit over them. 16s usually fit but 15s are too small without grinding the heck out of your calipers for clearance. 3/4 tons "usually" don't need excessive grinding as the calipers and rotors are smaller. 

[scheid6996]

o i c, so i dint rly need to worry about a 3/4 ton, cus I'm tryen 2 pick one up 4 my truck, and a Dana 44, u dont happen to know anyone with any do ya?

[alwayzbroken]

I had a 78 chevy 3/4 ton with a dana 44 and I could fit 16s but not 15s. I found that the caliper backing plate was more of a problem than the caliper itself. The caliper was easy to grind but the backing plate sucked. I had to take material off the backing plate in a few spaces and in one place I had to take so much off it actually discolored from the heat so I know it was getting really thin. I spent a few hours total on grinding to make my 15s work, which in the end was well worth it since I did not have to buy a new set of TSLs. Not difficult, it was just a bit time consuming, I would do it again if I needed to. But even with 3/4 ton you will need to grind.

[scheid6996]

o, ok thankx
Chris scheid

[Suprarunner]

Full width FJ's             


Why the hell would I stop such a beautifull thing?? I dream of owning an FJ like that one day, 'cept I say 4 link the back