So I want to mimic the geometry of the drag link? That sounds easy enough. I'll have to take a look at the front fame side mount tomorrow. Going high steer should make the drag link even flatter, maybe the skyjacker track bar brackets will be sufficient up front.Stuka wrote:You don't want to make the axle side taller. The frame side has to be dropped to the same level as the pitman arm. If the track bar and drag link have different angles, you will induce nasty bump steer.
But I would be willing to bet the main difference between the two is the sway bar, not the track bars. Track bars help sure, but are less noticeable than the sway bar, which your 74 did not have from the factory.
I'm gunning for leaf sprung land cruisers, not 80 series and newer.Blake wrote:You will NEVER get a FSJ to 'wheel like a Toyota. Just sayin man. My Honcho can't even begin to keep up with my 'cruiser.
That being said - you might get real close if you ditch the leaves and go with coilovers with good shocks, but that is obviously a whole other story.
I can tell you that with my most recent FSJ build (the '88GW that I sold) was SOA on tons and was too tall/heavy. I think sway bars would have helped a bunch...
Perfect, and yes high steer is already part of the plan. I'll have the flat top knuckles off of the 74.derf wrote:I agree on the body mounts, spring bushings, etc. probably contributing to the disconnected feel.
I also agree that, at least on the front, you really want the geometry of the track bar and drag link to be close to stock to prevent bump steer, etc. And, btw, if you're not planning on doing high steer on your SOA conversion, you absolutely need to start that planning. You want the drag link to be pretty much level to the ground (or as close as you can get it) when the vehicle is sitting level. Raising up the connections at the axle end is mandatory in my (not so) humble opinion when you're doing that much lift. The drop pitman arm only compensates so much. When you factor in the track bar, you need it to match the geometry of the steering or, as was said before, you get bump steer. So look where the bars are sitting on the stock vehicle and try to match that as close as you can. Even if you need to do some raising of the axle side mount and dropping the frame side mount at the same time, do it.
In the rear, the track bar doesn't have any steering to match so you have a lot more flexibility there. (pun intended) Though it would also be a good idea to mix some frame side drop and axle side raise at the same time because flexing the suspension will induce some minor geometry changes.
As far as the swaybar(s), just get longer links. Make sure the arms of the swaybar are parallel to the ground when you're parked on flat ground. Make up the difference with longer links.
haha cool manNikkormat wrote:I'm gunning for leaf sprung land cruisers, not 80 series and newer.Blake wrote:You will NEVER get a FSJ to 'wheel like a Toyota. Just sayin man. My Honcho can't even begin to keep up with my 'cruiser.
That being said - you might get real close if you ditch the leaves and go with coilovers with good shocks, but that is obviously a whole other story.
I can tell you that with my most recent FSJ build (the '88GW that I sold) was SOA on tons and was too tall/heavy. I think sway bars would have helped a bunch...
I typed an hour long response about why a wagoneer is better than an FJ60 in every regard for expedition wheeling in most of the world, but my session timed out and it did not save upon login.
Basically wagoneers are cheaper with better parts availability. And are cheaper to build. Can be built with greater range. And don't rust nearly as bad. And come stock with a flat belly. And look way better. And we have a friendlier online community.
Gabe, can you post a picture of this 74 factory sway bar please?Nikkormat wrote:...The 74 does have a factory sway bar...
Sure thing, I'll see if it's in the TSM too.Tad wrote:Gabe, can you post a picture of this 74 factory sway bar please?Nikkormat wrote:...The 74 does have a factory sway bar...
I have parted put a lot of FSJ's over the past 16 years and have never seen a factory sway bar on a pre 76 FSJ frame (except for the one I removed from an 85 and added to my rig and that was not a simple cut it off and weld it on deal) and I'm pretty sure they were just options for 76-77.
The 75 and older frames are vastly different up front.