Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Area to show off your Custom Build threads.
Post Reply
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Stuka »

That looks REALLY good!
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
User avatar

Chubbinius
Posts: 351
Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2018 11:33 am
Location: SD, CA

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Chubbinius »

Very nice. The white looks great with the green. 30 other jeeps?

I wish places like that grew out here! Haha
1970 1414X Wagoneer "The Pig"
-Custom Special
-Dauntless 350 V8
-D27 front/D44 rear
2006 XK (65th Ann Edition)-DD
User avatar

Topic author
Phils67
Posts: 1011
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

30 near it. Probably 100ish total there. Its rare to find a place like this. I got lucky. It's not open to the public. Invite only
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
User avatar

Topic author
Phils67
Posts: 1011
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

Stuka wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 6:06 pm That looks REALLY good!
Thanks Stuka. I wish it drove as good as it looks. Just went to get gas down the street and guess what I still have a problem with.. death wobble. Ugh this is frustrating. Right back to where I started thousands of dollars later. I'm going to add a steering box brace, if that doesnt help then I'll add a track bar, if that doesnt help I'll replace the steering box and column. If that doesnt help I'm buying another truck for the chassis and starting fresh. I feel like I am just throwing parts at this thing now. This should NOT be an issue after all of this. Literally everything from the frame rail to the ground is brand new in all 4 corners. First I am going to check my castor though here in a few, I know the rocklaurence kit is supposed to maintain castor but I'll start there since this isnt a later model like the kit is designed for :banghead: :banghead:
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
User avatar

Topic author
Phils67
Posts: 1011
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

Update: sitting level I have 9° at the spring plates and 11.5° at the top of the knuckles which is beyond good. Even when the springs compress and rock the axle rearward it should never roll the axle beyond the correct castor numbers, and I built this front axle by the book, every measurement and spec is 100% straight from Spicer. So at this point, WTF....
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Stuka »

11.5 on the top of the ballpoints is way too much. Too much can be just as bad as not enough. Not saying this is your issue though.

What’s your toe in set to?
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
User avatar

Topic author
Phils67
Posts: 1011
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

Inboard 1/4". My buddy stopped by and we shook things and checked all kinds of stuff. Now that my front end is new and tight I see the sector shaft has tons if play on my steering box. So now I am going to buy a new box and reinforce the sh!t out of it and go from there.i wont drive it until that's done. Not chancing the vibration destroying all the new parts.
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.

twisted frame
Posts: 637
Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:41 am
Location: Massachusetts

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by twisted frame »

The stance is dead-on! It's got the classic, no-nonsense work truck stance. Non-suspension question: Did your truck have the chrome/bright/stainless rear cab trim and door window frame trim? I noticed you don't have the strip that runs the length of the truck and I've been thinking of adding a little chrome/stainless to my truck, which has none.
73 J4000. 360, MC 2100, T18A, D20, stock closed knuckle Dana 44 front, 60-2 rear. Warn Lock-O-Matics, Warn/Belleview electric winch, true duals with glasspacks, old-school front diff skid plate, used 265 Toyos on 16" AR wheels.
User avatar

Topic author
Phils67
Posts: 1011
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

Originally the bumper was white, grille was body color and the trim on the back of the cab was also body color. It didn't have the door trim. I added all the chrome, well actually my wife added the grill, she ended up buying it for me a couple years ago for xmas. The front bumper came from the north west, Washington state if I remember. The rear cab trim I got at a jeep graveyard off a custom cab truck, door window trim came off a grand wagoneer, I also have windshield trim but it doesnt fit correctly so I never installed 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.
User avatar

Topic author
Phils67
Posts: 1011
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

This thing has made me hate jeeps. New steering box and a thick steel box spacer have been ordered.
Last edited by Phils67 on Mon Apr 13, 2020 5:27 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.

rocklaurence
Vendor
Posts: 2565
Joined: Sat Mar 30, 2013 6:53 am

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by rocklaurence »

I measure Caster at the bottom ball joint. I try to run at 6-2 degrees with big tires [top of knuckles leaning back/pinion pointing down].
User avatar

Topic author
Phils67
Posts: 1011
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

Update 4/18/20. Went to look at the FC closer. Unfortunate buzzkill, I will pass. That poor thing actually sadened me. I regretfully will leave it where it is so it can spend its final days with friends. It's where it needs to spend it remaining days. My Gladiator on the other hand just recieved it's new steering box so tomorrows project is that. Will update afterwards if it cured the death wiggles.i DID find a C104 Commando there that has potential to be saved, time will tell. Right now the focus needs to remain on the Gladiator. Maybe I have an actual Jeep problem, but I feel empathy for these things at the graveyard, like if I did anything with them thats beyond an honorable restoration or salvage at this stage it would be like sacrilidge and karma would ensure the jeep gods fist f**k me for it. Idk. For the first time I felt humbled there. Poor b*stards...I want to save and love them all but its beyond me
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
User avatar

Topic author
Phils67
Posts: 1011
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

I absolutely love the Mini-Ductor II https://s.amsu.ng/g6lUpWHM7EPN
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
User avatar

Topic author
Phils67
Posts: 1011
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

So as of yesterday I have a new steering box installed. It did not solve any death wobble issues. I checked the caster multiple times and come up with around 9 degrees positive every time on level ground. A dana 44 should be about 5 degrees positive, with that said I ordered steel 4 degree shims to adjust me closer to 5 degrees. Hopefully that will be what I need. I have done some reading about too much positive caster and it seems too much can also cause a death wobble condition and also alot of side to side motion since the contact area if the tire isnt at its widest point during a turn, kinda like when you go too fast with a shopping cart and the wheels go crazy. I'm going to adjust the caster and then take it for a good alignment. Side note, after the steering box I now have no turn signals. The steering wheel did not move during the swap so I have no idea what is going on now with this. I'm really getting sick of this truck.
Last edited by Phils67 on Thu Apr 23, 2020 12:34 pm, 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.
User avatar

Topic author
Phils67
Posts: 1011
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

Just ordered a GoPro Hero7. I plan on mounting it under the truck in various places and recording slo-mo videos of every moving part that could cause death wobble. $200 purchase but if it can finally pinpoint my issue then I'll call it worthy of the price. I am determined to figure out what the cause is if it kills me. This has gone on WAAAAAY too long now
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.

RamJetFSJ
Posts: 431
Joined: Fri Mar 22, 2013 12:36 pm
Location: Carpinteria, CA

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by RamJetFSJ »

Went back and couldn’t find the answer, but are the tires new? Maybe try swapping them front to back.

Does the death wobble start instantly once you reach a certain speed, or is it induced when you hit a bump?

Definitely get the caster on point and make sure the toe is correct.
80 Wag in 73 attire, Ram Jet 350 power
User avatar

Topic author
Phils67
Posts: 1011
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

It's not a tire issue. Did it with the last axle and springs, multiple sets of tires as well.
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Stuka »

I have used a GoPro to pinpoint steering issues before on my old JK. On that, it ended up being an after market track-bar that I had that was actually flexing. Replaced it with a solid forged track-bar and bam, problem was solved.

Hopefully you can narrow down what it is.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
User avatar

Topic author
Phils67
Posts: 1011
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

Yeah hopefully. This problem has been going on way too long. When I finally pinpoint it you guys can expect a video. Castor shims and alignment need to happen first though
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
User avatar

Topic author
Phils67
Posts: 1011
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: Axle/suspension upgrade early FSJ

Post by Phils67 »

On some good news for a change, I figured out why I lost the horn and turn signals. The last time i got the death wobble it was so violent it knocked the wire off the horn under the hood and knocked a wire off under my dash for my turn signal relay. Jeez. GoPro should be here today or tomorrow and the shims for the axle are scheduled to be here tomorrow as well. Saturday is the only day this weekend they arent calling for cold and rainy so I'll be testing it back apart Saturday and hopefully getting it to where I can drive it to the alignment shop which is about 8 miles from me. I called the guy to ask him some questions and he surprisingly seemed to know alot about old FSJs so there IS hope still for this truck. I'll have to setup the appt once I get my shims in. He explained to me in detail how too much positive caster can cause this exact issue and it makes sense. Time will tell
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
Post Reply