New FSJ Owner seeks help!

[GaWd]

Hi!

I'm the proud new owner of a 1966 Wagoneer. As this is a Jeep, and not terribly known to me or any of my close wrencher friends, I need a little help.

1- I need a good parts house for brake parts

2- I need suspension help. I am looking for clearance and had settled on 3" of body lift and about 4" of suspension lift, but it seems to be difficult to find anyone who makes FSJ kits. Any suggestions?

3- Does the bolt pattern fo the Jeep match other American patterns?

Thanks, in advance for your help! http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/smile.gif

-Sam

[Ralph]

Here's an auction for a brake booster:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=527970004

[Baker]

2.) Rough Country makes a 3" lift, Skyjacker has a 4", and Rusty's Offroad just unveiled a 4" and a 6" kit for FSJs. All of them are available as 4 new springs, or front springs/rear blocks.

I don't think the RC and Skyjacker will fit a '66, but Rusty's will. (pre-'73 Wagoneers had longer rear springs than later models)

As for a body lift, the easiest way is to get 2 CJ kits and haves a few spare blocks http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/biggrin.gif. There are made-for-FSJ body lifts out there, but I don't know where.

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Baker
'84 Grand Wag, now a parts truck. (http://www.3weasel.20m.com/jeepwreck.html)

[edit: added the body lift part]

[This message has been edited by Baker (edited December 17, 2000).]

[GaWd]

Bah! Ok, Baker/Gunslinger http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/biggrin.gif somebody needs to tell this here Jeep virgin what I can/can't do to this thing before I start wrenching! http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/smile.gif

I have high hopes for the vehicle to be a real cool ride and also take me into the bush on assorted forays real soon and I need to get things squared away.

Thanks againf or all of your help guys!

Sam

[River Beast]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GaWd:
Bah! Ok, Baker/Gunslinger http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/biggrin.gif somebody needs to tell this here Jeep virgin what I can/can't do to this thing before I start wrenching! http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/smile.gif

I have high hopes for the vehicle to be a real cool ride and also take me into the bush on assorted forays real soon and I need to get things squared away.

Thanks againf or all of your help guys!

Sam<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

WELCOME Sam!!!! There are NO LIMITS to what you can do.. if you have the time determination and "mechanical know-how"...
www.4wheelparts.com (http://www.4wheelparts.com) had the 3" bodylift for around $70.

Search the tech resources archives for ideas on you lift.... you can have springs made or buy them. You can do a Spring-Over Axle conversion (SOA) on the front to gain an easy 5-7" Shackle flips in the rear, shackle reversals in the front... you name it... it's probably been done to a FSJ or 2. Most people here fab parts if they can't find a supplier, but that's no biggy either.

If you want to lift you rig, 4" suspension and 3" bodylift will fit 33x12.50's on a 15x10 rim... for an example. 35's on an 8" rim will work here, too.

My best advice to you... RESEARCH&lt; RESEARCH and MORE research. Find out all you can aobut the different styles of lifts and options you can take and THEN make your choice. Don't rush into something without full knowledge. It's worth the effort to research and complete a project right... the first time. Good Luck and welcome again to the BEST bunch of people on the planet!!! http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/biggrin.gif



------------------
Todd
78 Wagoneer, "River Beast"
360/TH400/QT
Dana 44's locked w/ 4.89's
39.50x15x15 Super Swamper TSL's
7" SOA in front-7" Rear Shackle Inversion Mods
4" Skyjacker Softride
3" Trailmaster Bodylift
My FSJ site: http://www.geocities.com/spazz4life (http://www.geocities.com/spazz4life)
My E-mail: monster_fsj@hotmail.com
"If you can't stop...SMILE as you go under!"

'93 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban...a.k.a. "FSJ Hauler"

[GaWd]

Thnks for your replies, once again.

I know I can do anything to this truck, and there are many kits, but I notice that most are for later model trucks(1974-on), is there a difference? Will these later model kits work on an earlier model truck?

Is my combo of 3" body and 4" suspension a good one that won't beatt he hell out of my kidneys? http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/biggrin.gif Do I need that power brake booster?

Thanks again

[Baker]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GaWd:
I know I can do anything to this truck, and there are many kits, but I notice that most are for later model trucks(1974-on), is there a difference? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes. The length of the rear springs was changed in '74.

[GaWd]

Ok, I've called everyone, including Rough Country, Trail Master and a few other companies and nobody makes pre-74 suspension kits. http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/frown.gif Not a one, zip, zero, zilch!

so, if I need to find a way to get a lift(obviously suspension lift, the body lift seems easy enough with 2 CJ kits), how do I do it? What need to be fabbed, or salvaged, or machined Etc. to get a goof 3 or 4 inches in suspension?

Frustrated now.

Sam

[Rob]

Welcome Sam !

Did you try Rusty's ?

There's a lot of info here:
http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/Forum2/HTML/001827.html http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/Forum2/HTML/001828.html

[GaWd]

Rusty says he doesn't yet have a kit for a 66, just 74 and later. He said to try him back in a week or so to see the status on a possible early setup, but it doesn't sound terribly hopeful, IMO.

Grrr...

-Sam

[jamchico]

I put a Rancho 3in lift on mine. Has new front springs, add a leaf with a block in the rear, and 4 Rancho 9000 shocks. I am a happy camper. Although you will have to change your drive shaft, but thats a good thing in the end.
If you don't have power brakes that unit on Ebay sounds great! It has 4 days to go and it is at $20. Definately an improvement you will appreciate down the road. Plus you have time to call a couple parts stores and see what price an aftermarket setup would cost. I think they run like $200 to $300.
Allen
69 wag

[GaWd]

THank you Jam...but now you've got me seriously confused.

The front end didn't change on the Jeeps, but the rear did, right? So you just bought a 74 & later front lift, and bought an add-a-leaf and a block for the rear?

As far as the driveline goes, what was it replaced with?(make/model, or custom).

I'll look into power brakes, and I was looking into a disk conversion...but then I figured that sand+disks might be a bad combo.

-Sam

[jamchico]

Rancho had a lift that is listed for the year 69. I was just saying what it included. I am not sure, but I don't think there is a difference between our rigs. After the lift was installed the angle ratio between the dif and the trans was way out. I thought the whole drive train was going to shake off. My original connection from the tranny to the driveline was a "t" connection that was worn from 30+ yrs and had play in it that I could not get out (CLUNK into gear). So going to a modern cv joint took out the play and angle ratio. Just had to put in a shim and it rides smooooth! So call Rancho or have your local shop do it. You will want a GOOD drivline shop for that work because most shops don't have the tech or equip to do it right. Good luck.
Allen
69 wag