Waggy Tear down [Archive] - Virtual Jeep Club

BobnJeep

02-12-2005, 11:36 PM

I started to tear apart the Waggy again this weekend. First the Gas Tank since I have always smelled gas, and I won't wheel it with that goin on. It has obviously never been off in it's 25 year existance. One broken bolt so far. It has a big arse skid and I have soaked the rest of them in WD-40. There are 2 small bolts close to eachother that are turning, and I can't get behing them to hold with a wrench. I guess I'll just cut them off and replace them on the rebuild(?). BTW, the tank is empty.

I want a Rusty's Complete 6" lift! Anyone know of a better/cheaper option out there for a FSJ, other than marrying money?

Also, there is tranny fluid on the T-Case....tear it out too? OMG :(

FlexyXJ

02-12-2005, 11:47 PM

The rusty's kit is a good kit for the FSJ. Its BIG!!! You will like the ride quality of the kit. I just saw my first FSJ Magazine in B&N last night. I bought one...(the mag)

Joe

BobnJeep

02-13-2005, 06:39 AM

I subscribe to it, and I have to reup already. As I see it, the biggest bummer is it's quarterly. We need more subscribers so it becomes monthly.

Brainstorm: Have a contest on this site, and whoever is the first to install a Rusty's 6" kit on my Waggy gets a two year subcription!

Oh I gotta take this to the Moderator Forum. It's brilliant!

Marv Miller

02-13-2005, 07:15 AM

For rusty bolts you want to use PBlaster. It actually penetrates to lube the rust particles. Great stuff. I have a CJ, so have had my experiences :p

WD40 just bounces off the surface.

Can't comment on the lift or mag.

Triple-XJ

02-13-2005, 11:45 AM

Linda

02-13-2005, 12:39 PM

Why not just do a SOA? I know the rear is a little difficult. When we did the J20 frame for the Willys wagon project we put the rear leafs under the frame. This gave Willys a 6-7" lift with a slightly forward rake (1-2 degrees). It's enough to fit 35" tires (a friend did the same to his Cherokee Chief).

Look in the SOA/SUF Album (http://community.webshots.com/user/p14175) Since the J20 was a 1980 I had to replace the front knuckles since they could not be converted to high steer so the cost was a little bit more. I didn't have the time or desire to look for a set of D44 GMC steering knuckles so I purchased a set from Parts Mike.

BobnJeep

02-13-2005, 04:07 PM

Linda

02-13-2005, 04:20 PM

I was going to say, the rear Springs are already over the axle, but I see you moved them under the frame. I'll have to do something different with the gas tank since it is bolted to the left side frame, but I guess i could just move it to the inside of the frame with some new mounts. Then do a SOA on the front and I didn't understand the steering knuckle situation though.

I saw that you list a 1980 Wagoneer in your signature so I am assuming that's the wagon getting the lift.

For the most part, 1980 and newer FSJs (Wagoneers and trucks) use D44s with left drop front differentials. Though I am sure there are some exceptions. In the process of switching from right drop to left drop, Jeep dropped the type of steering knuckle that could be converted to high steer. The older D44 axles (pre-1980) have the type of knuckle that is easily converted.

The SOA/SUF on the Willys project is just short of being completed. We still have spring perches to enclose and need to fabricate a traction bar for the rear. The frame still needs a rear cross member also.

FYI. I am planning on using a 27 gallon Chevy Blazer fuel tank (military diesel) on the Willys. The tank looks more like a 31 gallon tank for gasoline. It fits nicely inside the frame and doesn't hang down too much. I got it from Coleman's Army Surplus (located on the East Coast). The shipping cost more than the tank. Coleman's Army Surplus (http://www.galleria-e.com/cgi-bin/Colemans.storefront/en/searchmask), type tank in the search input box.

BobnJeep

02-13-2005, 08:32 PM

I was shopping again, and I noticed a difference between BJ's and Rusty's Complete 6" lift Kits. BJ's 6" lift has 4 New Leaf Springs (no blocks) and ES3000 Shocks ($720). Rusty's 6" has 4 new leafs, the rear is only a 4" lift with 2" blocks, and "4 New Shocks" no brand mentioned ($729).
Doesn't BJ's sound like a better deal?

Doesn't matter I guess, since I'm going to take Linda's advice, tow the Waggy to my fabricators shop, and let him do the spring over infront and move the rear springs over to the frames. I'm also looking into the Tera-Flex Revolver Shackles for more flex. Anyone use these?

Linda

02-14-2005, 07:06 AM

If you are interested in one of those Blazer fuel tanks, I had to purchase new tank straps for mine since the wagon's gas tank mounting is not even close. I got them from some fuel tank company. I can look for the receipt and part number if you think you might need it.

We also followed James Towle's suggestion on using CJ-style front shock mounts. These are bolt-on but required a little modification to get them to line up with holes on the frame. They increase the top mounting point height by about 6 inches.

Anyway, post pictures when you can. :)

BobnJeep

02-14-2005, 11:05 PM

Okay I'll put it out there: Does anyone have any of these bolt on CJ front shock mounts? Does anyone know where I can buy them?

Linda

02-15-2005, 06:44 AM

Okay I'll put it out there: Does anyone have any of these bolt on CJ front shock mounts? Does anyone know where I can buy them?

4-Wheeler's Supply (602)273-7195 has them. My receipt shows a line/part number of DAR 103, HD Shock Towers. They cost $107.98 for a pair.

We had to 'oval' out the lower mounting hole to get them to bolt onto the J20 frame. The truck and Wagoneer frames are very similar.

fatbob309

02-15-2005, 08:07 AM

Have you hooked up with the AZFSJ club yet? You can find them on http://www.ifsja.org/index.shtml

Also the Tera-Flex Revolver Shackles... A few of the guys I know have bee getting rid of them. They ran into some problems... If you hop on www.ifsja.org and ask someone will give you the scoop.

BobnJeep

02-15-2005, 06:34 PM

I found all of the FSJ Links worldwide, and have been to that one but I can't find an Az Chapter.

OlneyJeeps

02-15-2005, 08:58 PM

Wholy crap bob.... call me (I have only owned about 8 or 12 of those things... lost count).

After 7 years of fun, just sold my wife's (to a good home I think). Although I am giving the buyer a whole bunch of stuff, I still have more.

Have to check, but 97.318% sure I have one of the newer plastic tanks (from '85). Also have shock mounts and a whold s load of other good quality road tested stuff that I am letting go cheap (tcases, tailgate, wire harness, door crap etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc (that's a lot of stuff) :eek:

Steve 602-482-2428

fatbob309

02-16-2005, 10:07 AM

http://www.azfsjc.com

BobnJeep

02-16-2005, 12:41 PM

http://www.azfsjc.com

Right after I posted that I didn't know how to find that link, I found it and signed up.
Thanks Bob

BobnJeep

02-16-2005, 12:52 PM

Wholy crap bob.... call me (I have only owned about 8 or 12 of those things... lost count).

After 7 years of fun, just sold my wife's (to a good home I think). Although I am giving the buyer a whole bunch of stuff, I still have more.

Have to check, but 97.318% sure I have one of the newer plastic tanks (from '85). Also have shock mounts and a whold s load of other good quality road tested stuff that I am letting go cheap (tcases, tailgate, wire harness, door crap etc (that's a lot of stuff) :eek:

In the intrest of space I deleated about 100 or so etc's :eek: I will be very interested in what you have. Imediately the gas tank and shock mounts. "Door Crap" is interesting since I'm in need of regulators and electric motors. I just was going to get this thing lifted and running before I worried about any "Poormans A/C".

Lets let your wife in on the fact that I can help with the "Sanford and Son Factor" around the house, and then see how cheap it goes :D

AZXJ

02-17-2005, 01:14 AM

Steve,

Got any 208j t/c's for sale ??? 21 spline..???

BobnJeep

02-17-2005, 10:06 PM

According to IFSJA (International FSJ Association):
An option for lifting is a spring-over conversion in front, which requires some welding on the axles to swap some things around (I'm not sure of the actual procedure or what's involved). These expensive steps must be taken otherwise, you entirely lose camber in the front wheels, which means that the truck will wander around -dangerously- on the road. Not cool. Runs somewhere on the order of $300 for the conversion. On the other hand, it gains you about 5" or so.

Is this corrected with Stabilizer, or Tortion Bar?

Linda

02-18-2005, 06:58 AM

You need to be careful whom you talk to about SOA conversions. On the FS Jeeps, you can pretty much mirror the perches on the front axle and then shim if needed. On the J20 frame, the front axle was sitting flat when it was SUA. It might need a shim; we will find out later. No caster issues, but then I changed knuckles and went to a high steer setup.

Welding on the SOA perch near the differential housing requires that the front axle be totally disassembled since it needs to be heated prior to and during the welding process. The axle then needs to be air cooled. I am not sure how hot the area needs to be, but I think it is around 400F. I can check that later today. I have a CNC project to get through first.

I had Desert Fab (Todd McCullen) do the perch welding for my SOA. Since the perches were "mirrored" there wasn't a lot of setup time involved. He did a very nice job. I would say $300 would be the high end for this welding project. It really shouldn't cost more than $150.