J10 front soa hp 60 swap info... NEED HELP! come on in!

[Xtremeworkz]

hey guys..been on the board surfing for awhile now.... building a 80's j10....@ the point where I need to order everything for front suspension..the springs and shackles to get the hp60 under it...read many builds on here and looking for some experienced soa guys with 40's or larger for input. Looking to buy new springs and anything I may need and want to do it right and looking to order parts fri..if you could do it over again or the best way to do it.. Im ready to build it..lol... thinking soa with 4" springs...will be more trail machine.. want to maximize flexibility...will be doing some fender trimming...just need some help!!!! here is where I'm @ and need to get this thing rolling asap! PLEASE HELP! lol
Im a open book and need some schoolin! hahaha

I have no front suspension parts or hardware @ all..just my built 60, spring plates and u bolts! Also have my 42" Iroks on H2 wheels

open to welding and fab work..but want to stay on leafs

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/680.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/679.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/684.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/681.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/946.jpg

[FleXXedOUT88]

i am no expert by any means but i just finished up my spring over set up with a 8 lug 44. i used 54in chevy springs with custom spring mounts... i plan on using 64in springs in the rear but if your lookin for the best flex you can get the longer the springs the better. so i would do 64in springs all the way around with a shackle reveral. if you plan on fender trimmin i woud keep it as low as possible, while still getting the tire fender clearace u need. good luck and let us know waht u end up doin and def post pics!!!!!!

[Xtremeworkz]

thanks FleXXedOUT88....any pics of your front set up? I plan on cutting off the fender flair no more...plan on finishing the fender and want to make sure it clears after the lift and trimming with ease.. what is the length of the factory j10 spring? lol H2wheels are temps... will order new rims after axles is under and can measure for the correct backspace.

[FleXXedOUT88]

im not sure on a j10 i know my front waggy springs were 44in and i put chevy 54in springs under the front. and i will try and get a pic of my setup and post it... i havnet put my 8lug d44 in yet im waiting on my high steer knuckle to get the axle back togather... so i kept the narrow stock d44 in there so i can still roll it around. but i hopin to get my steering arm in tomorrow or wends and get the full width d44 in there and then i will get some pics up...

[fsjman1978]

Well no advice but I can see this is going to be an AWESOME build. Keep us posted with pics

[Xtremeworkz]

thanks guys..will take a lot of pics and post em as I go. need to get the truck rollin asap..thanks and hope for more people to post some pics and add some input!

also i was told 4" chevy lift springs but soft ride is the way to go for thefront..also found them want to keep the center of gravity down but want to be able to clear when flexed.....

[onesunJ10]

Sweet. In case you can't tell, I love J10s on 4Ds.

I am very happy with my set up. Here's my list of advice:

Don't use long springs in the front. Axle wrap and Death Wobble are much more likely.
Instead use a moderately long spring like a Chevy Blazer 52". I started with 57" springs and hated them. Re-did everything with the Blazers and I have never looked back.
Cut of all the factory mounts.
Do a shackle reversal. With the 52s, you can hole saw a bushing sleeve right in between the body mount ribs.
Build a beefy drop hangar for the front.
Set your caster to about 7*. Mine is closer to 11 and it's just too laid back.
Have fun figuring out you driveshaft issues. Haha. :thumbsup:I can grab pics of whatever you need.

Mah Pile...
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/onesun06/DSC_0021-1.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/onesun06/DSC_0010.jpg

[Xtremeworkz]

onesunJ10..looks awsome!

-how much lift spring did you run?
-whats size tire are you running?
-front mount looks good..ummm might have to copy it..lol...
-how long of a shackle did you run on there for your shackle reversal?
-any pics of what you did on the mounting of the rear of the front spring?

being Im using a High pinion dana 60 I think drive shaft issues shouldnt be as bad...well I hope..lol

[onesunJ10]

-how much lift spring did you run? None
-whats size tire are you running? 40in MTRs / 39in Krawlers
-front mount looks good..ummm might have to copy it..lol...
-how long of a shackle did you run on there for your shackle reversal? 7in
-any pics of what you did on the mounting of the rear of the front spring? This was after is sat on my sideyard for 9 months... It's all painted and pretty now...
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/onesun06/stuff030.jpg

With the 40s, I had some rubbing on the inner fender, but it didn't really bother me. I just cut the fat off and hammered it flat.

I want to run 42s as my next set of tires, and I think I want to move the axle forward 2 - 3 more inches. Right now the axle is very close to the stock location, making the wheelbase the same as factory. I'd like to push the front end forward for multiple reasons, but, one of them being the ability to keep my firewall. If I move the axle forward I also have to relocate my steering box. Not looking forward to that.

But, for your sake, you might be able to get away with a mild lift spring, well place bump stops and a little cutting. Depends on how low/high you want to go. My J10s hoodline sat/sits lower on 40s/39s than my roomate's 85 Yota on 37s.

[Blake]

here is my '78 J10 on 2" BJ's springs, D60/14b and 42" IROKS

I don't think you need 4" springs to fit the 42's

http://blakeoffroad.com/vps/Attachments/IMG00137-20091013-2247.jpg

[Xtremeworkz]

shepherdblake...looks cool....did you use the stock location and hardware (hangers, shackles and so on) ? The thing is I want to make sure I clear them with minimal cutting and when twisted up....might just go with the chevy soft ride ..

[Blake]

the front suspension is using the factory spring hangers f/r and 2" "stock" springs from bj's.

I just bolted the front D60 right up there.

[Xtremeworkz]

shepherdblake....sounds easy and simple...might be the way I go for now.. how well does the BJ's springs flex? are they stiff? if you had sheet metal still..lol...do you think when flexed it would clear it or do you think the 4" springs would be a better way to go for clearance? you think 44's would fit with 2" or go 4" for sure....thinking my 42 iroks for the trails and some boggers for the mud days..any pics flexed up?

[Xtremeworkz]

question... what is the difference between a waggy front leaf and blazer front leaf? does it move the axle foward or rearward more?

[ol HICKS]

Gearhead 1990 has some good threads on chevy springs. Hope this helps. http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=92965&highlight=chevy+springs [2] http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=95419&highlight=chevy+front+springs

[Xtremeworkz]

thanks ol HICKS! good info..... startin to figure out what route I will be going for now...will order h parts for the front this weekend..get it rollin next weekend then start the rear....will post pics as I go

[jeeping1974]

I ran Rusty's 4" lift springs with a D60 fron ton my j10 and the 39" boggers that I had looked small. I also cut the flares off. You can fit 44s easy with that type of set up.

[Xtremeworkz]

thanks jeeping1974! thats what I like to hear... think I know what I am going with for the front


4" Skyjacker softride front leaf springs
part # 825-C140S for 73-91 Chevy/ GMC

will use factory mounts as of now but will do a shackle reversal soon

this should be soft enough flex and give me the lift I need...plus after a few good trail rides and after I do the doubler they wont be 4"....lol..

if it ends up being to tall they offer the same spring in a 2.5" lift spring but think I will need the 4"

I like the idea of the axle moving forward and inch...will be needed.

so any suggestions on front shackles for this or just use the factory ones for now?

then time to figure out the rear to match the front..lol

frame will be getting 12" take not of the rear of the frame then bobbed @ the rear spring hangers.. any ideas on the rear guys?
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/682.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/683.jpg

[Sambo]

if you cut the frame,please cut it at 45 degree. it helps with frame flex.
a straight cut will end up breaking the metal around the welds if not fish plated(diamond shaped plates) correctly. or you could cut it and box the whole frame in!

[Hard Knocks]

If your gonna bob the tail at the rear hanger,why not cut the frame there?Its alot less hassle.Guess I just dont understand what your goin for.Its gonna be a sweet build,show pics of the progress

[alwomac]

if you cut the frame,please cut it at 45 degree. it helps with frame flex.
a straight cut will end up breaking the metal around the welds if not fish plated(diamond shaped plates) correctly. or you could cut it and box the whole frame in!

The right way to weld a frame is to "Z" cut it at least 6" long. You can then come back and plate over it or box it in. Especially if you are looking to run that big a tire, that is a lot of twist on the frame under load. I don't have any pictures for you, but I bet somebody on here does.

[newtojeeps]

Hey guys if you have good fenders w/flairs offer them to someone w/some good none flair fenders, than hack them up.

[toyjeep]

I am running SOA Skyjacker 4" up front on a HP D60.

I cut off to the bottom of the tape:

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll21/toyjeep1/Fender%20Hack/IMGP0584.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll21/toyjeep1/Fender%20Hack/IMGP0663.jpg

I get this much flex that is limited by bump stops:

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll21/toyjeep1/River%20Rock%20-%20Fall%2009%20WFTW/IMGP0770.jpg

I had to trim a touch more at the front of the fender under the marker light and had some interference issues with the inner fender well. The last trip I went on I had my crappy stock front shackle reverse on me and lock up flat against the frame. That was a joy to undo, and it added a little extra arch to my spring.

[Xtremeworkz]

toyjeep THANKS! that helps alot! ....howwide are those 42's? lol

and what is your rear set up? any pics?

[Xtremeworkz]

ok... little update....installed front 4" chevy soft ride springs (part# skyjacker # 825-C140S)...minus the bushings..wont be in until next week..lol....the are equal to a Waggy 2" like from BJ's height wise...then the HP dana 60.....pinion angle isnt to bad...well the 41" Irok radials are a good size for it..here are a few pics... will post ore pics as I go..hope to get more done in the next week or 2...questions comments or suggestions welcomed



http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/017-1.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/016.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/018.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/020.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/021.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/019.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/022.jpg

[jaber]

Looking great!!!

The more I'm seeing those rims the more they are growing on me.

[onesunJ10]

Those 41s look awesome. My next set of tire might be 42in Iroks. Just get rid of those fender flairs!

What's your caster?

[Xtremeworkz]

onesunJ10..not sure on the caster..just got it rollin..still need the leaf spring bushings and new front leaf shackles before i can measure and adjust it...

[FleXXedOUT88]

Man looks sweet! I'm jelouse!!! And I agree those h2 wheels don't look bad! Especially in black!

[Xtremeworkz]

thanks FleXXedOUT88... if they work they will get powder coated..but thinking the offset will be wrong..we'll see...

need some people to start posting rear suspension pics!

[FleXXedOUT88]

Ha as soon as I get my rear shackle situation worked out. It's on to the rear! I have the 14 bolt torn apart right now! It will be happening soon!

[jeeping1974]

Xtremeworkz,

Do you have a long bed or short bed frame?

When I did mine, I moved the front spring mounts under the frame and where you want to cut at that cross member for two reasons. First, with the crossmember right there, it strengths that parts of the frame. When your suspension goes to flex, its going to be pushing up on the frame right there and in the back. The second reason with doing this is so that you don't have to worry about boxing in the frame for added strength, the crossmember already gives it to you.

Also, then all you have to do is add in a rear crossmember where your spring hangers are going to be and then you can cut off the rest of what you want. When I did it with mine, I ran 63" chevy springs because of how well they flex. This will also put the center of your rear axle right that the beginning of the where the frame is maxed out height wise.

[jeeping1974]

If Photobucket didn't mess up my photos, I'd post how I set up my rear suspension.

[Xtremeworkz]

jeeping1974.....long bed frame...keeping cross memeber eitherway...even if I section the frame and I will boxing most of he rear also...really hard on my trucks..lol

need pics of rear suspensions guys

this is what I have for the rear suspension so far..need springs and shackles....

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/027.jpg

[Xtremeworkz]

well quick up date..cut 12" out of the frame the spun rear springs around for a shorter decent..yesi did cut I straight.. only had camera phone for pics...will post more pics of frame and what I did to reinforce it.. ended up with 116" wheel base no way could I go shorter with the 41's...will hack of the rear frame section and finish rear shackle set up this weekend when I get more material... will take lots of pics... all and all I got the frame back within 1/8" an cant complain about that...Oh..ended up using stock springs ..hadto use what had...

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/j10frame1.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/j10frame2.jpg

[toyjeep]

toyjeep THANKS! that helps alot! ....howwide are those 42's? lol

and what is your rear set up? any pics?

The tires are 42x15x16.5 Rockers on recentered H1's. They really are not that wide vs. tall.

My rear supension is pretty ghetto :grumble:, I did the front part before I new better and redid the rear part in a hurry before a trip :rolleyes2:. So, it needs to be reworked to work better and not be boogerweldz. Oh, and about 25% of my flex is body because I don't have a cage yet :eek:.

The springs are 4" Superlift rear :thumbsdown:, 4" Skyjacker front :thumbsup:. And yes i know my rear shocks are toast, I used them as bumpstop/limitingstraps on my last trip.

This is how it looks now. I had to cut the rear fenders a little more.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll21/toyjeep1/Suspension/IMGP1009.jpg

Rear hanger.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll21/toyjeep1/Suspension/IMGP1010.jpg

Front hanger:


http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll21/toyjeep1/Suspension/IMGP1011.jpg

[RAMBLINFSJ]

What year and makes are you guys getting these dana 60's out of, especially the "bolt in" ones?

[toyjeep]

What year and makes are you guys getting these dana 60's out of, especially the "bolt in" ones?

Mine is a '79 Ford. The only "bolt in" part of it was my front spring perches did not need to be moved. I suppose a newer FSJ with driver side drop would have been a little easier. I had to change my t-case to driver side, so I changed my transmission, so I said if I am doing all that .. might as well do a doubler. ...... :banghead: :eek: :banghead: :eek: :cool: :cool: :cool: :thumbsup:

[RAMBLINFSJ]

Thanks toyjeep. Mine is the later model with a driver drop but I'd like to have a passenger side drop so I can have more t-case options:D :D :D .

[Xtremeworkz]

toyjeep- that rear set up doesnt look that bad! looks fine to me...pretty much the same route Im going..what are you going to do different? what is your wheel base? Looking cool..wish I would of started with a Chief! lol...



RAMBLINFSJ- My HP Dana 60 is also out of a 79 F350 ford truck


worked a little more on mine today..will try to post pics of frame chop tomorrow after a little work..

[toyjeep]

toyjeep- that rear set up doesnt look that bad! looks fine to me...pretty much the same route Im going..what are you going to do different? what is your wheel base? Looking cool..wish I would of started with a Chief!


These days I would have spent a little money up front and gotten some premade spring hangars instead of chopping some front ones off of a junk frame. I would have also inboarded my springs under the frame. I would have also gotten Chevy springs. I would have also not made it so tall. I would have also pushed the rear shackle back a little more in anticipation of the springs loosening up, thus making my shackles limited in travel by my frame. I would have ...... lol...... should ahve just linked the dam thing.


My major issue that I have with it now is:

1) The shackle locks flat against the frame when the sping goes into major compression. I can fix this with a little 'bump stop' of sorts to limit the travel, but that is just a bandaid.

2) My front one does it as well (all stock location) if I get into full droop and on the throttle, but it locks backwards and wants to overarch the spring. That one is a real PITA to undo, and it bent my spring a touch when it happened (twice).

[RAMBLINFSJ]

Mine is a '79 Ford. The only "bolt in" part of it was my front spring perches did not need to be moved. I suppose a newer FSJ with driver side drop would have been a little easier. I had to change my t-case to driver side, so I changed my transmission, so I said if I am doing all that .. might as well do a doubler. ...... :banghead: :eek: :banghead: :eek: :cool: :cool: :cool: :thumbsup:

Is there a passenger side axle that bolts in like the ford axle? As long as the spring perchs are in the same spot as the Jeep I can handle everything else. I guess the dana 60's with the passenger side drop are in Dodges? If I can get a passenger side dana 60 that bolts to the stock J-10 springs then I could bolt up a Dodge (208 if I remember right) transfer case to my 727 and I'll be gravy right? I have to replace my front axle anyway so I'd like to upgrade to 3/4 ton or one ton axles and while I'm at it swap in a t-case that is more readily available and has a stick instead of a vacuum switch. Any info would be appreciated. I don't mean to hyjack Xtreme's thread just looking for some quick simple info and advice.

[Tad]

Is there a passenger side axle that bolts in like the ford axle? As long as the spring perchs are in the same spot as the Jeep I can handle everything else. I guess the dana 60's with the passenger side drop are in Dodges? If I can get a passenger side dana 60 that bolts to the stock J-10 springs then I could bolt up a Dodge (208 if I remember right) transfer case to my 727 and I'll be gravy right? I have to replace my front axle anyway so I'd like to upgrade to 3/4 ton or one ton axles and while I'm at it swap in a t-case that is more readily available and has a stick instead of a vacuum switch. Any info would be appreciated. I don't mean to hyjack Xtreme's thread just looking for some quick simple info and advice. GM front D60's are a bolt in along with their 3/4 ton cousins (the 8 lug 10-Bolts and D44's). Folks here been swapping them in for a long time.
You still have your steering stuff to deal with but that's all very well covered both here and on other boards.
There's also always the 75 and up FSJ J20 fronts, add some perches to the top and you pretty much created a GM 3/4 ton axle.

[RAMBLINFSJ]

There's also always the 75 and up FSJ J20 fronts, add some perches to the top and you pretty much created a GM 3/4 ton axle.

That's why I want to swap to something that is readily available because J10/J20 parts just don't exist around here. That's why I've been hunting for a recipe of axles and t-case. Thanks.

[gotmike]

you made a perpindicular cut on your frame??? now you will need to fish plate the outside and box the inside otherwise it will break... it's just a matter of when... just so you know...

[Xtremeworkz]

gotmike...yes I did! lol...... and here is a few pics of it as I am going..can bet it will not break...and still not finished boxing the inside and re installing the factoy crossbrace....

welded inside and out...flappered smooth welded diamond shape plates..spring hanger welded over cut and then boxed and cross member reinstalled..think it will be ok...lol

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/006-2.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/007-1.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/008-1.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/016-1.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/013-1.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/014-1.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/017-2.jpg

[gotmike]

yup... it'll hold... very nicely done... when i cut my frame i cut it at a diagonal and then fish plated it... all i saw in the earlier pic was a cut and weld then ground smooth...

[Xtremeworkz]

thats cool..id say something to..lol... I like people telling me there opinion and always open for suggestions...

[Xtremeworkz]

well thought I would hack up the frame a little more..needed a rear hitch..so did this....

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/j10frame3.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/j10frame5.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/j10frame9.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/j10frame8.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/j10frame10.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/j10frame11.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/j10frame7.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m5/TurbodBuick/j10frame6.jpg

[del]

Nice to see the J10 is living on in a different role. Some very nice work you've done there. I'd like to come by and look at it sometime. Hard to believe it's the same truck that sat in my garage for 2-3 years. Hope it will be rolling soon.....Del

[house]

Looks good, ready to rip that Waggy apart? cant wait to see this in person, maybe Ill trade ya something for it when its done..:thumbsup:

[del]

The more I see those wheels, the more I like them. Wish I could get a set for my waggy.
Got anything else done on the J10? keep the pictures coming....Del

[del]

any progress lately?