if your considering relocating the shock mounts give the u-bolt flip on the rear a look. as it is now u-bolts are pionting down thru a plate that holds the shock mount all below the axle. a flip you would have the u bolts pionting up with a plate w/o a shock mount on top of the springs. much cleaner with more ground clearence. for new mounts weld tabs on top of the axle just inside of where the springs are mounted. build or use the cross member on the frame above the axle to weld top mounts to. the farther you angle the top of the shock towards the center of the truck the longer the shock can be, vise versa. try to have the shock be half extended when truck is at ride height, be sure it does not over extend or bottom out at full flex. research it out its pretty simple and ez to do. front about all you can do is raise the top mounts to fit your application.

 

Ya , trying to keep the lift to a minumum is turning out to be a chore. If I flip the u bolts and mount the shock to the axle it gives me about the same shock length even if i angle the shocks inward to a cross member. If I put a little more angle on the shocks , put the overload springs back on the chevy springs and move the mounts higher I think I can get 3.5 inches of upward travel from the trucks resting place. Got all the armor welded to front axle housing today and ready to reassemble front suspention. Had to take it to a diff shop first though, turnes out the housing was bent and needed to be straightend. Should have my gears tomorrow . 4.88s . moveing forward. Im a hammer and nails guy so posting pictures is out of my computer capabilities.

 

Makeing progress. The last couple weeks I got the front and rear axles rebuilt , knuckles, berrings, seals , gears, Detroit locker in the rear, did the brake uprade with the FJ rotors, V-6 calipers and master cylender, made new brackets for the rear shock mounts and now have 5 inches of upward travel for 12" shocks, hoops in front with 10" shocks and finished it off with a high steer kit. Suspention is complete ! Time to go to work on the motor. Few things to fix and tune up. Time will tell what kind of damage a ten year nap will do. Once I get her runnin good I plan on getting to work on bumpers and wenches.

 

Did a compression test today. Assuming since the fireing order is 1-3-4-2 the cylinder closest to the front of truck is #1 and the farthest back to the firewall is #2 ? or is is 1-2-3-4 front to back? Any ways the front 3 were within a pound or two from 170lbs and the farthest back was 155 lbs. Anything to worrie about ? Maybe a bad valve ?

 

I doubt most build their own. Most people can't for any number of reasons.

I personally have loved my ARB.

The TJM's look like a good option, and I know that Marlin makes quality products as well as Trail Gear, etc.

 

Any updates on this rig? Sounds like a nice build. Using http://www.photobucket.com you can post pics and then put a link here to show it.