I just picked up an 85 SFA.



I checked out the axle seals, they seem good enough, I tipped the axle to pool fluid on each end, no leaks, will replace in the future.


Plans:
Front Axle:
IFS hubs
IFS calipers
FJ60 rotors
I?ll machine some spacers for the disc/hub
Gusset front axle
Armor both housings

Steering:
Machine draglink & tie rod to fit fj80 TREs
Design/machine high steer arms.

Suspension:
Makeup some Shock mounts for the front.
ProComp 14? travel shocks (el cheapo)
Rear leaves up front
63? chevys out back


Anyone got suggestions or questions?

I wont be able to post pics, my digital camera got stolen? effing crack heads. I?m going to take pics the old fashion way and scan them in, until I get a new digicam.

 

Cool, good luck with the build, I hope to do a SAS sometime in the future. How much did the SFA cost you?

 

I had to buy the front and rear axles. 100 bucks. IMO a really good deal.

 

$100 is a great deal!

 

Yeah 100 bucks is a sweet deal. in Mn i have seen them go for 150 to 200... and they are rusty. nice score.

 

I've seen them go for around $250......sweet deal

 

Got some work done today.

Made my high steer knuckle arms.(I call them that, not sure the real name)
bent up some 3/4" cold roll steel in a 100ton press. Each was cut 3" wide, then machined all the critical surfaces and drilled/reamed holes. I haven't done the ball joint holes, I waiting on a guy to let me borrow the tapered reamer.

Made the rear spring hangers for the 63" springs
I ordered some FJ-80 Tie rod ends.

I have to have to make the pins for the knuckle arms tommorrow.


Once I get the TREs I'll be able to make my tie rod.

 

I am a practicing ME.

1. Depends on how you made your custom steering arms.

2. Yes, typically on a high steer for a Toyota you have (2) LH & (2) RH TREs. I know they are 23mm threads but not sure of the pitch. Measure the ones you ordered when you get them as I'm sure you dad the machinist has the tools.

Good luck.

 

Couple thoughts....

I have 12" Bilstien shocks on the front, and I don't think 14" would give me anymore down travel. You might find it easier to fit 12's and give you what you need length wise. Most kits come with 12's, although the rears in front may allow for more down travel I suppose.

If you are tearing down the axle, I'd do the seals and perhaps bearings while you are at it. With everything apart... now would be the time. Seams like you'll have to tear it down to the housing for all the welding anyway.

 

I will consider the 12" shocks, it makes sense to me. I am planning on installing ford shock mounts, MAYBE making them, but either way I think I'm gonna wait like a month or so after I have started to drive with the SFA to figure what shocks I need.

I've "scheduled" the axle seals/bearing for when I got back to clarkson, I'm taking a semester to take humanities type classes at a cheaper school for the semester. Up there, there really is nothing to do in the middle of winter, and we have a couple big heated bays to work in. edit, I'll probly hold off on welding on the axle gusset till then too.


Wabbit,
How do you machine the tapers for the cone washers on the arms? I ground the out of a junk drill, to be pretty close to the stock arms.

Do you have LH & RH taps for the TREs?

guess im gonna have to do some math to figure out my drag link. darn.

 

FOR ANYONE SEARCHING
The FJ 80 (FJ80 for searching purposes) ball joint thread is M23-1.5

 

Progress has been slow, college budget/time.

I just got to school last week, and I've got to wait on some woman to give me a haz. chemicals training.

And I need a pair of brake lines, gonna get a couple out of the rear of a toyota pickup and use them for extension lines. Besides that just need to cut out IFS, and weld in spring hangers, remount PS box, extend the steering shaft.

I borrowed m buddy's camera and took a couple pics. There will be more when I start putting shiz on the truck.

Here are ends of the tie-rod and drag links, single pointed these threads, it was a bitch. made of 4140.



What do you see?