SAS Done - Thanks to "Those Guys"

Kauaibuilt47 · Dec 24, 2006

Stats:
88 Waggy D44's w/ flat tops from 77 D44. 4.88's w/ ARB Front and Detroit rear.
ARB compressor mounted in stock vehicle jack compartment (a little loud in the cab but its not on long).
All pro toyota 5.5" lift flexy leaf springs.
TT Fab's D44 Spring perches.
FS Ford shock towers.
Bilstein 5150 14" travel shocks.
Tom Woods D-shafts.
Transfer Case Express 231HD case.
Novak Adapt 231 manual shift kit.
Sky-Mfg shackle hangers.
AA-Mfg rear disk brake brackets w/ El Dorado calipers.
Custom tie rod/drag link, front spring mount, front shackles, flat skid plate (using modified stock crossmembers).

Oh yeah, Im 5'11"

What need improvement/future mods (when I get the money):
1. Spring rate too low - already getting axle wrap up front. Gonna go w/ custom Alcan's and drop from 5.5" to 3" or so of lift and add my cut-out flares.
2. Steering wheel off center/bump steer: Guy on another board w/ a similar set-up suggested using a pan-hard up front to center axle, probably gonna do that.
3. 33's right now, gonna go to 35's.
4. Possibly go w/ a DD machine 231 doubler.

Gonna get action shots later.

landbruiser1 · Dec 24, 2006

Sweet rig. TTFabs makes some strong stuff. Tad is a pretty cool guy and I am defanatly going to order soa parts for my FSJ very soon.

jjduedall · Dec 25, 2006

why are you dropping to 3 inches of lift? anyways looks good but it needs some new meats:flipoff:

Kauaibuilt47 · Dec 25, 2006

jjduedall said:
why are you dropping to 3 inches of lift? anyways looks good but it needs some new meats:flipoff:

Its just an idea. I gotta see where the never-ending upgrades take me and decide then.

crash2 · Dec 25, 2006

skinny_pedal · Dec 25, 2006

props for having a unique and sicc rig:cheer:

cisco · Dec 25, 2006

2. Steering wheel off center/bump steer

Post up some more pictures of your steering setup. It looks like your caster angle is good. Cant quite tell, but pinion should be parallel to ground. Looks like problem might be your drag link. If your drag link is going down at too steep of an angle, every time the suspension compresses it will push the steering arm away from the box causing your rig to turn right. You may be able to use a drop pitman arm. When you lower your suspension a little that should also help.

Kauaibuilt47 · Dec 25, 2006

cisco said:
Post up some more pictures of your steering setup. It looks like your caster angle is good. Cant quite tell, but pinion should be parallel to ground. Looks like problem might be your drag link. If your drag link is going down at too steep of an angle, every time the suspension compresses it will push the steering arm away from the box causing your rig to turn right. You may be able to use a drop pitman arm. When you lower your suspension a little that should also help.

S10CC has a bunch of guys that SAS'd and theyre all telling me that I need to get the trac-bar to help w/ steering. Seems to be a problem that the S10CC guys are running into, Of course we all have similar set-ups. May do a currie sway bar at the same time too.

Im thinking about a longer pitman arm at the same time though - anybody know where to order one? I was thinking about rusty's off road 3" drop one (the XJ's have the same box S10's do IIRC).

cisco · Dec 25, 2006

Are you having a problem with the steering during hard braking or when you drive over bumps? If its hard breaking than a track bar would help. I'd wait on the pitman arm till you get the new springs in. Flex out the driver side and check clearance between the arm and the springs.

Kauaibuilt47 · Dec 25, 2006

Problem: d-shaft angle bad and steering issues. Springs may end up being too soft - gotta let em break in and see what happens.

Answer:
1. New heavier rate 3" lift springs (down from 5.5"), trac bar possible.
2. HP front axle, longer pitman arm, trac bar.
3. 231-231 doubler, longer pitman arm, trac bar.

I gotta see what the final tire height is gonna be before I decide on lower springs or not. Again, never-ending upgrades could include D60 down the road so Im leery about altering the height. I still gotta put on the cut-out flares that ive been told will allow for 37" tires....Hmmmm!

Other than the steering the truck drives great on road. It really feels like the front axle is wandering a bit - hence the trac bar theory. I cant wait to flex it out tomorrow and get the steering fixed.

Anybody know anywhere in Tacoma, Puyallup, nearby that I can flex it out? I found an empty lot around 160th in Puyallup area that I MAY be able to do it.

stompinjab1 · Dec 25, 2006

The rig basically has about 11" of lift. The shorter/stiffer springs would make a huge diff and you could probabley get the Cs cut and turned for pinion angle. It would be cheeper than getting a new front and haveing it built like yours. The main problem with the steering is the S-10 box is mounted at such an angle that the pitman arm dosn't really drop. Could look into re-mounting the box or a different one

Kauaibuilt47 · Dec 25, 2006

stompinjab1 said:
Could look into re-mounting the box or a different one

DOH! Forgot about that one. The Astrovan Pitman arms points forward and bolts right up so I could stretch my wheelbase more. I heard a scout box works too, dont know why though - gotta research.

Good call!

stompinjab1 · Dec 25, 2006

Kauaibuilt47 said:
DOH! Forgot about that one. The Astrovan Pitman arms points forward and bolts right up so I could stretch my wheelbase more. I heard a scout box works too, dont know why though - gotta research.

Good call!

The scout pitman swings from the front. It dosn't need a new box just yours re-mounted would be fine

S10slayer · Dec 25, 2006

u might wanna check out trail-gear.com yota leafs but good ****! im running the rear leafs on the ranger ooowee sic rig!

wheelinjp · Dec 25, 2006

I just wanted to say I saw this the other day on canyon road and it looks very good. Those guys do nice work huh. It looks like you can run a 37 if you wanted, it looked like it needed much bigger tires.

Kauaibuilt47 · Dec 25, 2006

wheelinjp said:
I just wanted to say I saw this the other day on canyon road and it looks very good. Those guys do nice work huh. It looks like you can run a 37 if you wanted, it looked like it needed much bigger tires.

Thanks. yeah those guys do awesome work and OUTFREAKINGSTANDING customer service. I get a reply email w/i a day or so normally, even though I told him not to worry about it over the holidays.

I NEED NEW SHOES! Looking at 35" BFG Muds right now.

what Im thinking about doing is getting an aftermarket HP44 housing and putting my stuff into it (only extras needed are housing, R&P, install kit) since i already have to cut and turn my knuckles. May consider a 9/44 or 9/60 though.

JOOP · Dec 25, 2006

Clean rig. Saw that the other night when I stopped in and farted in Pat/ Jeff's office a few times. :redneck:

So when you taking it out on the trail, for its maiden voyage?

Kauaibuilt47 · Dec 25, 2006

I wanna get the steering/driveshaft stuff fixed and new shoes on her....THEN! Of course I may be in Cali by then so its gonna be rockcrawling.

I may take her out for a little trip to see how she flexes though.