SJ-410 4-Link Project

Drone637 · Mar 17, 2009

SJ-410 Project

Putting up pictures from the last few weekends of building on the SJ-410.

Axle looks like we can move it back about an inch and still clear the gas tank.

Full picture set can be found at http://picasaweb.google.com/CrawlersNW/4Link#

Shots from the first weekend.

Upper link base, front side.

Upper link brace, back side.

Upper link brace with mount sitting on top. We ended up replacing the mount.

Upper link mounts, found square stock just the right size for the Johnny Joints. They are used often.

Lower Link Mounts sitting in position.

Lower Link Mounts, frame side, sitting in position. No bracing has been added yet.

Lower Spring Pad + Lower Link Mount. We had a couple designs on the spring pad design, we ended up modifying this one next week.

Upper spring pad mount with brace. The pad is just tacked in at this point in case we need to move it.

As the axle sat for a few weeks until we could get back to it.

Drone637 · Mar 17, 2009

Pictures from the work finished up this last Sunday. Links are done, mounts are built. The steps for next weekend is to tack the frame mounts in place, put the bump stops on the upper spring mounts and make sure nothing binds up. Then weld it in place and give it a quick test. The new exhaust and shock mounts will probably wait for the week after.

Lower spring pads. You can see the spot that allows us to just screw the springs in to hold them in place.

Spring on said pad.

The Stone Henge we have for the upper links. Someone else called it Link Henge, which makes more sense.

Dad cleaning up a bracket.

Dad notching the tube old school style.

Going with solid bushings on one end, JJ on the other. We can always replace them later if we need to. The ends were cut off of the springs I replaced so we can use easily available bushings.

Links ready for installation. Lower links are at 35", upper links at 26.75"

It looks like a real suspension finally.

Under the body with the lower mounts just sitting in place resting on the springs.

AnnaBanana · Mar 17, 2009

heard plenty about it, good to finally see the project in motion

with any luck you could have this thing out for the spring cleanup?

Drone637 · Mar 17, 2009

It should be ready by then. We are hoping to have it rolling next Sunday, might even get a test run in before the Cleanup.

Fordzuki · Mar 17, 2009

Now there's some raw function if I ever seen it. :redneck: Looks good. :awesomework:

What coils are you using?

Drone637 · Mar 18, 2009

Using some stock Tracker rear coils, 3.5" so we can go with longer springs if needed. We also have a set of TJ rear coils we might try swapping in that have a bit more spring to them. It should sit about the same height as my old SPOA did in the rear.

Drone637 · Mar 23, 2009

Today I will be picking up new bolts, as all the parts stores were closed yesterday. Then putting the brakes back on so I know what needs to be replaced. New bushings will be here tomorrow. When I'm in Seattle... Oh well. Full size pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/CrawlersNW/4Link#

So instead of making a test drive yesterday we made sure everything moved properly, put the bump stops and spring pads on (cut off of the front end of a parts Tracker), finalized the welding and painted everything. We are keeping the stock shocks, with different lower mount placement, in order to limit our flex so we don't drop the drive line.

Look, no binding!

Bit more flex available then with the springs.

Springs from a Tracker rear in place with bump stops.

Shot of the SJ sitting on the springs. We sit about 1/2" higher in the rear then before, that should be taken care of once I load tools and such in the back. She now sits almost completely level. The rear axle is only an inch further back, but you can't really tell by looking at it.

Then we put primer on everything then painted it with Hammerite using the paint gun. It certainly made everything go faster.

Boosted · Mar 23, 2009

Just out of curiousity, why didnt you move the rear axle further back and give yourself a little more wheelbase for added stability and better departure angle?

Drone637 · Mar 23, 2009

I didn't want to have to move/replace the gas tank. If I move it any further back I'll run into it on compression.

Fordzuki · Mar 23, 2009

If you throw a limiting strap/cable right in the center of the rear axle, you can have all the flex your setup will allow, without trashing your shocks, and without dropping the driveline.

Drone637 · Mar 24, 2009

That's a good idea, I'll see how it runs then might give that a try.

Drone637 · Mar 29, 2009

Ran into some issues with repairing the brake lines, mainly due to the spares I thought I had not actually existing. A trip to the auto parts store provided the wrong parts, then we raided the parts tracker for something that looked like what we were looking for.

So that meant it was time for a field test! In this case literally.

When doing the road test it leans a bit more then before, but controllable. It leans to a point then stops, it does not keep rolling when doing a slalom run. I can now do broadies in the dirt, that is new. And when taking off across the field it just soaks up the bumps instead of bouncing around, not a harsh ride at all.

Now all that is left before the trail runs is to rebuild the front axles and fix the exhaust.

WHITE TRASH1 · Mar 30, 2009

Extra horsepower... :haha:

Nice job, looks like the coils are just stiff enough to get the job done without being too harsh.

Drone637 · Jul 17, 2009

50 Dollar Paint Job

We had 50 bills burning a whole in our collective pockets and wasn't sure what to do with it. So why not get a gallon of paint, some thinner and sand paper and make the SJ look nice and presentable for the 4th of July parade?

Some additional shots of the vehicle during prep will be added later.

Papered up with the first coat of paint on.

Left to let the paint dry.

In the sun enjoying the new look. Highlights were added to the rocker panels, the bumpers repainted and the wheels given a quick coat of paint. The SJ-410 logo's were given a white highlighting to bring them closer to stock and stuck back in place.

We even managed to save the Team Trophy Challenge 2007 sticker, as there aren't replacements available.

Since we used the base Safety Red without mixing, and we have a gallon of it and this took a little over a quart, we can re-paint as needed as I scrape paint off. Before winter we will paint the targa bar and doors along with a new windshield frame with a plexi-glass windshield from Roadless Gear.