Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

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Phils67
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

Update 4/4/20:
Went to the furthest hole on the rear shackles to make it 1" higher in the rear. The front rollers are 8.25-16.5 and the rear rollers are 9.5-16.5 so that inch should compensate for the tire difference right now. The front tires are about an inch shorter at the moment so I should be sitting level once they're all the same size.. My quest for wheels and tires continue. Image

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1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.

rocklaurence
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by rocklaurence »

I just linked this project to a member of the other site. Everyone with an older FSJ has limited options regarding their suspensions. Now--there's no reason to re-invent the wheel because your have done it with success.
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Phils67
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

I HOPE it is a success. Really haven't driven it yet, but its assembled and on the ground and does drive around and bounce lol
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Phils67
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

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Going to pick up a set of GM 8x6.5 16" wheels with 235/85R16 tires today. Hopefully these will clear the calipers. I'm thinking they should. If not at this point I'll add spacers in the rear if necessary. Once I mock them up, I will dismount them, sand and paint them semi gloss white, remount and balance them and call it a day. After that all that I have left is weld the lower shock brackets on the front axle, get an alignment and all new shocks/stabilizers and this project can actually get a real road test
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Stuka
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Stuka »

Are they aluminum or steel?
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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Phils67
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

Steel, 73-87 style. Really hoping these fit
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Phils67
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

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Picked them up and just got home. Got a speeding ticket along the way which is impossible since my Comanche is a gutless 2.5 with a 4spd that barely wants to do 55. Either way, the GM 16" steelies clear the rear caliper, not by much, but enough that they will work. Tires are "legal", which by my standards means they are above 2/32, are black, round and hold air... Just dismounted the first one, scuffed and sprayed the first coat of semi gloss white. I am happy, this will open up future tire options. $100 well spent. Image

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1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Stuka
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Stuka »

Wow, speeding ticket in a 4 banger Comanche, impressive :P
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

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Well he said he will "reduce" it to failure to obey a traffic device. I asked him if this is necessary or if it's because with everyone staying home business is slow and the state needs money lol
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Phils67
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

Side note I have to make arrangements to go get a basket case FC170 I bought via text sight unseen half hour ago for $350. Lol my wife is gonna kill me when I drag this home. I blame Yeungling. Just to get it sitting in my yard is worth that price lol
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Chubbinius
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Chubbinius »

Phils67 wrote: Fri Apr 10, 2020 5:31 pm Side note I have to make arrangements to go get a basket case FC170 I bought via text sight unseen half hour ago for $350. Lol my wife is gonna kill me when I drag this home. I blame Yeungling. Just to get it sitting in my yard is worth that price lol
Nice grab on those wheels! Already looking nice in white...but, even nicer grab on the FC170...jealous! Too cool
1970 1414X Wagoneer "The Pig"
-Custom Special
-Dauntless 350 V8
-D27 front/D44 rear
2006 XK (65th Ann Edition)-DD
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Phils67
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

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God knows when I will pick it up but she said its mine whenever I want to go get it
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Phils67
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

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Its rough lolImage

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1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Phils67
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

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Its rough lolImage

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1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Stuka
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Stuka »

The windshield is worth that alone if its not cracked. So they are super rare.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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Phils67
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

Needs alot of love. It hasnt moved in probably 20 years or more. Its missing at least 1 door, has the bed framework of a dumping stake body, but I think most of the glass is still there. It needs alot of bodywork on the cab but it's not like there are fenders and a hood. It's basically just a cab which other than all of the rounded portions you'd think would be a fairly easy body to work on
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Chubbinius
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Chubbinius »

Rough, maybe. But it's all yours! How cool would a nice flatbed platform look in some bright maple, or even full wooden sides?
1970 1414X Wagoneer "The Pig"
-Custom Special
-Dauntless 350 V8
-D27 front/D44 rear
2006 XK (65th Ann Edition)-DD
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Phils67
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

I'd say keep it spruce tip green, paint the grille area and roof white, and the bed maybe maple or cherry. Or just get it running and enjoy it. Or just put it in the garage, drink beer and smile while staring at it lol. Either way, it's going to be a nightmare to extract it from where it is. It's like 1/2 mile up a cliff edge to where it is sitting in the middle of rocks, woods, and about 30 other old rotting jeeps. So worth it. Might not be for a few months but hope to have it home at some point this summer. It's not going anywhere. If it proves impossible to remove the whole vehicle I am at least taking the cab and putting it on something else, maybe a TJ chassis?

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Last edited by Phils67 on Sat Apr 11, 2020 9:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Phils67
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

Back to the original post, got one of the wheels painted, mounted, balanced and on the truck with 8 new stainless lugnut. Other 3 wheels just got dismounted and the first coat sprayed. I'm loving the look of the fresh white wheels on it. Image

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1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Phils67
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Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

just down to shocks and an alignment and I'm driving this pig again. Wheels and lugnut are done. ImageImage

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1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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