A New Whatever - MCR14 Break in.

[Duffil]

Hey Thad, nice pics man. Glad to see you still rockin the lowest rig at MCR!!

[4x4yota]

very cool I like the sleeper look...

[BigMike]

Found Wermz at this year's Round-Up:

[Duffil]

[OCD]

Hey Wermz, my wife and I met you and your friends at the bottom of Cadillac Hill last weekend. We have the red 85 w/ the seatbelt harness bar you were so fond of. Thank you and your girlfriend for taking pics of my wife and I at the top of Cadillac Hill at the observation point. That made my wife very happy! We got such a great response from you and others on our rig that I am going to start a build thread this weekend. Thanks again!

[OCD]

Shouldn't you have some pics of the new lift on here by now??? And how is anyone going to recognize you without your low rider...

[*** YELLER ***]

Shouldn't you have some pics of the new lift on here by now??? And how is anyone going to recognize you without your low rider...

X 2 he's right ya know . . . . get on it 

[Wermz84]

Shouldn't you have some pics of the new lift on here by now??? And how is anyone going to recognize you without your low rider...

lol.   I'm working on it i swear.     I'm bummed about the non-lowrider status.   

X 2 he's right ya know . . . . get on it 

[Wermz84]

Well, I know this has been a long time in the making, and that it had become somewhat of a long running joke, but it's finally here.  I have got everything I can get and more out of the old stock suspension and she has no more to give.

So I'm terrible at documenting stuff so here it is probably in a sporadic format as that is how my brain works best.

After some time gathering parts, and figuring out what I wanted to do (John Doe gave me a lot of good ideas), here it is. Below is my parts gathering/note taking list.  Not all of it will be completed in round one.

Wermz Lift
Goal 3 – 4" of total leaf spring suspension lift (not accounting for new tire size).  Aiming for no more than four inches total suspension lift, we'll see how close I can get.    I am a big fan of low COG.

Leafs
Front springs:  Rears up front. I was given an unknown 2ish" bolt in Toyota second gen spring set. (Courtesy of JohnDoe), unknown amount of usage but looked to be in decent shape. Will be experimenting with spring pack to suit needs.

Rear springs:  Went with OME 3rd gen rears 2.25" lift spring set, three inches longer than what I currently had.  I was planning on Alcan's made at 57.5 but I got these at a fraction of the price. So I figured why not give it a shot.  I got the heavy duty so I can easily remove leaves as I need, and possibly use any up front if needed or will fit.

Hysteer
IFS Box Mount kit
IFS Box   (Hydro assist one day)
6 Stud Marlin High steer arms
Flat Pitman arm possibly.
MC 25mm Steering Pin kit!

Hardware   
Shocks   Calculate when done
Shock hoops   Need front. Have rear
Shackles   Calcualte length
Rear spring Hanger
Rear Shackle hanger
Bushings/Hardware

Brakes
Brake line extensions Front and Rear (braided stainless steel)
Possible not enough room with the 6 hole HS arms to use factory front caliper hard line (Caliper, Male M10X1 to Male An-3 for. Hose - 45 Degree AN -3 Female to Toy 10mmX1.0 Female)
V6 Calipers and FJ60 Rotors
Master Cylinder
Remove LSPV
Manual Proportioning Valve
larger Slaves for year drums
New Rear Drum kit for 86 Axle
Brake booster upgrade possibly

Front Axle
Diamond Housing Widened 58.25 WMS (Measurement is calculated with SA Hubs)
minitruck Long side, FJ60 Short side) for axle Shafts
Weld on Knuckle ball Gussets
FJ80 Tie Rod ends 23mm thread
Ubolt Plate
U-Bolt kit
Nothed spring perch /w welded Studs. Same hight as higher perch on factory setup
4deg up on pinion: 3-4" total lift, dual cases, 22re, staying low pinion,
5deg castor Angle
Re Gear Yukon 5:29
inner axle seal   
Knuckle Rebuild Kit   
4x4 Labs add on knuckle
Figure Shim Stack. Make my own shims for extra bolts, have extras, most likely cut in half.
RCV Chromoly Axle Shafts. Minitruck long side/FJ60 Short Side
Use SA Hubs, keep scrub radius shorter.
Bearings
New Knuckle bolts (ARP from Diamond)
Shock Tabs
See Brakes

Rear Axle
Wider Axle from 86 Toyota
U-bolt flip kit
R Axle Leaf spring perch
Re Gear Yukon 5:29
ARB Locker
Yukon Cromo Axle Shafts
Shock tabs
See Brakes
      
Wheels
Allied Wheels
17" X 9" Width, (classic steel soft 8 for starters)

Tires
Most likely 35's to start.

Other
Trim sheet metal to fit! 


Some pics for fun.


Cutting down the Yukons.  My first time cutting brand new $300 CroMo axles, made me nervous.




After clean up, on my way to 4x4Labs


After 4x4Labs.  Cool guys, had misfits playing in the shop. I hung out and helped them move some stuff around.


Some more clean and prep work.


This thing is just so freaking sweet [peter griffen voice]  It's a work of art.


Sweet pair. hehe


Australian for spring mate


So much stuff.


More to come.

[*** YELLER ***]

Awesome, i want yer axles lol

[John Doe]

Last weekend was  and  and and more  and finally 

When we left the shop it was sitting on its own weight. Still needed to build front axle as well as many more things. I'll let Wermy post pics.

Oh and .....

Some more clean and prep work.

These are Original  Arms that Wermy got from Me.

[Wermz84]

Lol.  and lots and lots of grinding. 

Some front end removal.








A quick comparison shot of the old front spring (right) and the newer one going in (Left)

Time to run to work.  the rest will be up tonight.

[HogCanyonHopper]

way too exciting Thad!!  

[Wermz84]

I forgot this pic in the last post.  Check out my custom Hollister Hills tie rod.   It has S bends up and down as well as front to back.



So at this point, since I forgot to mention it in my list. The front hanger I had made custom with as little drop as possible. Every thought into the entire lift process was keep it LOW.


With things tacked into place, we wanted to test fit the front housing. Just because.


After playing with the new housing and while things are still tacked, we bolted in the old front axle and wheels to set it on the ground and see where we were at.  Took a couple tries to get to where we liked it, while planning for a little settling and spring pack work.  I like how far forward the tires are.




With that set for now, it was time to give the rear some love.   





From there we pretty much sucked at taking any pictures until we got to where it sits right now.  The back is a hair higher but it looks the opposite in the pic. 


It is resting on it's own weight with a long way still to go. We took measurements to see where we are at and it is 6" of suspension lift right now, 23" from ground to bottom of frame in the same four points measured before we started. Yikes.  Still going to experiment with some leaves, and shackle lengths.  I think three inches total might be reaching too far this time without "frenching" and other stuff. But 5 for sure and maybee even 4 if I get lucky!

Going to be working all upcumming weekend on it and see where we get. 

Still need to get the front axle assembled, frame bracing made and in, set the IFS box.

[fordh8r]

Looking good, Brother! Keep up the good work. 

[fj-rankenstein]

that thing is HUUUUUUGE!!!!!!!        well, its huge compared to before..       that doesnt look like your truck!        it will settle a bit after a few runs on it..   nothing but the best parts for you...   looks good!   

[twistedtoy92]

I want those Marlin 6 bolt steering arms, straight up BEEF!!!! Awesome collection of parts man, can't wait to see pics of this thing in action!!!

[HogCanyonHopper]

are those Marlin steering arms? or are they  ?

[John Doe]

that thing is HUUUUUUGE!!!!!!!        well, its huge compared to before..       that doesnt look like your truck!        it will settle a bit after a few runs on it..   nothing but the best parts for you...   looks good!   

We swapped a few things around and it sits lower now. the "lift" is all but done but there are plenty of clean up projects to do still.

are those Marlin steering arms? or are they  ?

They are  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[1985CRAWLER]

huge fan of keeping it low! love it!

my runner is at 24" on 37s, ruf and 63s. takes alot of work to get everything to work but its worth it.

keep up the good work wermz!

[HogCanyonHopper]

I had no idea Marlin made 6 bolt steering arms. 

[Wermz84]

I had no idea Marlin made 6 bolt steering arms. 

Technically they do not anymore.  It's an old story that is best not to bring up again.  But know that I have been sitting on them for seven years or so just waiting to figure out what to do with them until now.   

[Cartman Voice] BEEFCAKE [/Cartman Voice]

huge fan of keeping it low! love it!

my runner is at 24" on 37s, ruf and 63s. takes alot of work to get everything to work but its worth it.

keep up the good work wermz!

Thanks! I appreciate it.   

I had no idea of some of the things I would encounter trying to keep it low.  Like hitting the stock body mounts. Notching pics to follow. 

[Wermz84]

A couple of action shots from yesterday. Just because...

JohnDoe making some noise.


Me having some fun prepping the frame.




I got some more work done solo today.  It was a light day but productive. 

I finished prepping the frame for bracing!




I also spent some time to do some body mount Notching.








Here is a 35" tire lying around the shop, just to give me an idea how it will look.


Here it is right now from ground to frame.  Remember I started at 17" from ground to frame on the 31's.  So with 35's I should be around two inches taller.  And this makes me very happy!! 

[John Doe]

Notch more of that body mount, as it is you will hit quick when you start to compress/ stuff the front. If you do notch it the shackle will eventually bend it if you do not set bump stops to prevent that.

[fj-rankenstein]

looks great!  this thing is only gonna sit even lower once you get some seat time back in it again..     

I wish Marlin Crawler could get their together and build some 6 stud stuff again..  i would have bought 6 stud knuckles 3 times over now and those arms are great..    very cool to know that you have one of the very few sets of original 6 knuckle arms around..   you better throw some paint on those though because they wont stay pretty for too long..

[Wermz84]

Notch more of that body mount, as it is you will hit quick when you start to compress/ stuff the front. If you do notch it the shackle will eventually bend it if you do not set bump stops to prevent that.

Yeah, right after I put it on the ground I had B help me by compressing the front while i sat under and watched.  They hit about a 16th of an inch before the leaf wrap hits the frame. So I will be doing a touch more notching.

looks great!  this thing is only gonna sit even lower once you get some seat time back in it again..     

I wish Marlin Crawler could get their together and build some 6 stud stuff again..  i would have bought 6 stud knuckles 3 times over now and those arms are great..    very cool to know that you have one of the very few sets of original 6 knuckle arms around..   you better throw some paint on those though because they wont stay pretty for too long..

I've already wire weeled them once.      I will be painting them some color.  I'm thinking color matching them and a few other parts to match the grey stripe on my body.

[Wermz84]

Still left to do:
Brace Frame
Mount IFS Box
Order Forged flat pitman arm (doing right now)
Mount shock hoops/brackets/tabs
Calculate shock length decide on who, and order
Pinion angle and burn in rear
Rebuilt/new drive lines for new lengths
Remove LSPV
measure length and order braided lines
some hard line brake work
MC and Booster install
final build on front axle
mount and run new rear breather
mount and run new air line for rear ARB locker.
brake proportioning valve
Get tires, mount/balance on new wheels
shake down run
rinse and repeat

Hmm let's see what else

Edit: forgot bumpstop stuff

[Dwill817]

Sounds almost exactly like my build!

I'm running a 4 leaf RUF pack.. Top 3 leafs from an 87 rear pack and then a rear AAL for the bottom. Flexes great. I max out 12" shocks.

I'm running the 3rd gen OME rears also. Flex okay, but not great. Besides that, they are good leafs. They handle a load well and ride nice.

I've got an IFS rear with disks. IFS hubs, Tacoma rotors, V6 calipers, high steer, front hanger that I've yet to put on.. Soon though..

And some 5.29s and I wanna try and fit 37s, but I'll prolly stick with 35s.

[John Doe]

Progress???

[Wermz84]

Progress???

LOL.  I suppose I should update my own thread.  I figure I could just do a "it's done post" 

Sounds almost exactly like my build!

I'm running a 4 leaf RUF pack.. Top 3 leafs from an 87 rear pack and then a rear AAL for the bottom. Flexes great. I max out 12" shocks.

I'm running the 3rd gen OME rears also. Flex okay, but not great. Besides that, they are good leafs. They handle a load well and ride nice.

I've got an IFS rear with disks. IFS hubs, Tacoma rotors, V6 calipers, high steer, front hanger that I've yet to put on.. Soon though..

And some 5.29s and I wanna try and fit 37s, but I'll prolly stick with 35s.

Sounds very similar indeed.  I'll have to see it.