I got the spring perches finished on my front axle housing yesterday. The short side was a bit of an issue since I did not want to outboard my springs. I used the Dodge spring perches and cut up a ubolt for the short side studs. One of them will still need to be shaved a little so the diff will clear.

Cheers,

tp

Another pic

One More

SWEET!!!!

Finally!!!

Good pics of this!!!

How much higher does the spring pad end up being than a normal SO?

Originally posted by Jason M
How much higher does the spring pad end up being than a normal SO?

From that photo, and considering I just had my springs out on my SO this past weekend and run those same perches, it's NO higher....same as a "normal" 40-series axles SOA.

It is VERY close to the long side. If anything, it is only 1/8" higher. Had I moved the short side perch in a full inch, it would have raised it close to 1/2". I didn't want the added heigth, so I just moved the long side perch in a little more. Yes, my axle will be offset to the driver's side, but who is going to notice a 1/2"???

Cheers,

tp

but who is going to notice a 1/2"???

you will, but weather it bothers you is all that matters.
nice job BTW

Originally posted by fj40tom
It is VERY close to the long side. If anything, it is only 1/8" higher. Had I moved the short side perch in a full inch, it would have raised it close to 1/2". I didn't want the added heigth, so I just moved the long side perch in a little more. Yes, my axle will be offset to the driver's side, but who is going to notice a 1/2"???

Cheers,

tp

That is why I am thinking of notching the housing..


Tell me if it bothers you will ya?
;)

Damn, that is easy....build up the low side......use a block....

Not an issue.

what are you going to do If or when you strip the threads on your welded u-bolts? I generally tend to strip or screw the threads up on my ubolts every other time I pull them off (more often than I would like). I think a vice bent ubolt might be a better way to go, although much more work probably

Originally posted by sixty
what are you going to do If or when you strip the threads on your welded u-bolts?

This is a real concern of mine. Notice how I have the nuts on the studs protecting them. If I strip them, I'll cut the MF'ers out and go with something else. I seriously considered going with a custom bent ubolt, but the studs are easier for now. We will see what happens, if it doesn't work I'll go to plan B.

I also considered nothching the housing, but we (LSLC) have a big run in Poteau over Labor Day and I am running real short on time finishing this project, so it was faster not to notch the housing.

Cheers,

tp

ANTI-SEIZE...............
Butch

I have never stripped a Ubolt.

Not to say it won't happen, but I never have done it and bad things generally happen to me.....:flipoff2:

I have to track down the pick of my front end. Its a really good set-up for a 60 housing on stock 40 location

Dan

If I can source them for cheap enough, I will go for J60 axles front and (FF discked) rear on my BJ40, but SU this time... That may be fun, too...

Bye,

Looking good TP. Poteau is not too far away... Can't wait...

CK

Originally posted by wngrog
I have never stripped a Ubolt.

Not to say it won't happen, but I never have done it and bad things generally happen to me.....:flipoff2:

I've stripped many a u-bolt, and have 4-5 spares along, just in case.

Nolen, they usually get buggered up due to rust and such, and your's are on and off SO frequently for axle swaps, they never get the chance! ;)

Most guys I know that have stripped there ubolts don't use a torque wrench when tightening them. They just use a impact gun and pull the trigger!:rolleyes:

If you use a grade 8 you shouldn't have too much trouble with stripping them. Grade 5, "Rancho grade" and I might be concerned. I was thinking the same thing - if they're used U-bolts make sure you check them every month or so incase they get loose, happens all the time on my SOA 60 even when I tighten the crap out of them. How come you didn't want to extend the spring width, loss of articulation?

Andre

yeah, mine looks similar, i used grade eight fine spline bolts

these pics are clearer than mine, cuase i have the spring on when i did it

looks sweet mate

one thing, it is important to get the diff centred under the vehicle, turn a tight corner, it will scrub out the tyre, the turn radius or something will be stuffed up,

itll be alright for trail, and light street, but will steer funny....

i lifted my perches and got it dead centre...but then again i have to drive mine every day :rolleyes: so if not driven all the time, i hardly think it would matter....... half inch, is probly within tolerance......

photos look good, i was worried about stripping it, but nylock nuts, grade eight bolts, anti seize, and also welded the bolts to a piece of angle, so i can remove them, the have one side, notched and LOCK into place when doin up or undoing and can be removed...with a grinder, and replaced easily....... and turn your spring plate, it gets close to the top of your housing...

looks sweet and awesome roatation too

I've stripped grade 5 & grade 8 ubolts. I use a torque wrench & tighten to about 110lbs. I live in rust free Nevada & am SOA on an fj60. I think they see so much stress that after a couple uses (especially on a SOA fj60 driven like a Porche) the threads deform enough to screw things up when you tighten them. I usually don't have any problems w/ them coming loose if I re-torque them once. W/ the cheapie grade 5 u-bolts I can usually re-use about 1 in 4 after their first use. I have the same experience on my brothers SOA fj40. I guess I do too much axle swapping!!!!

Originally posted by dieselcruiserhead
[How come you didn't want to extend the spring width, loss of articulation?Andre [/B]

I just didn't want to outboard the spring hangers.

Cheers,

tp

Not that I typically use a torque wrench on my U-bolts but the manual calls for 90 lbs. Same situation with me, Sixty, I think once they stretch they don't have the ability to clamp down tight and remain that way because the initial stretch of newbolts is what keeps it all tight. That's why you're supposed to replace your U-bolts "every" time you remove them though we all know it can become unneccessarily expensive, and it's probably not as necessary with a SOA truck as a SUA one. I've seen some pretty sweet setups where the shackles and spring hangers have been widened. Next time I see either of these trucks I'll be sure to snap some picts and post them. Only downfall is some loss of articulation (though this can be compensated for) but then again loss of stability as well. Plus you'll need longer shocks. All in all I think each front spring was widened about 1.5."

Andre