**DONE!!!!!**1988 SAS build - need advice for beginning
- Thread starter Brownfaux
- Start date
KidVermicious
New member
That really looks like it's been self-clearanced. Maybe somebody lost a wheel bearing or something and forgot to unlock the hub. I think you can run it like that, it looks like there's plenty of metal left.
slowpoke99
New member
^^^what KidV said. I too will say that you'll be fine running it like that. Almost every solid axle I've built showed similar contact from the birf. Now stop worrying about it and get it done already! :biggrin1:
Haha. I'm working on it! Got all bearing and seals pressed out this morning.
I'll be cutting the frame holes this afternoon and maybe start cutting the front crossmember to inset the spring hanger.
I'm going to assemble as much of the axle as I can without putting the birfs back in (rotor, spacers, ect). I'm thinking by the time I'm ready to install the axle I may have enough money for longs. We'll see.
I'll be cutting the frame holes this afternoon and maybe start cutting the front crossmember to inset the spring hanger.
I'm going to assemble as much of the axle as I can without putting the birfs back in (rotor, spacers, ect). I'm thinking by the time I'm ready to install the axle I may have enough money for longs. We'll see.
KidVermicious
New member
Put the shims back how they were, then measure the steering preload ($5 fish scale from the sporting goods store works great). The RIGHT way is to use the Toyota SST centering tool, but nobody has one of those so we just use the same amount of shim top and bottom and hope the axle isn't bent. 
I think you should only have one spring pad, because one or the other of the springs are slightly taller than the other? I forget which side is which though.
I think you should only have one spring pad, because one or the other of the springs are slightly taller than the other? I forget which side is which though.
Hyde802
New member
Then you will need to re shim. The kit should have come with a shim packs, you can also re use your old ones if you need to. The '85 FSM has great instructions on how to set up the bearing preload. My only tip for setting them up is use the bottom shims for setting the knuckle height, and the top shims for setting the preload.
If you cant find the plate, any piece of 2x5 3/8th plate will work.
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KidVermicious
New member
Awesome. You'll be done in no time.
yotaman808
New member
Nice!! Just went through the same process. finished my swap a month ago. 3" tg HD springs up front with 4" on rear. Stoked to see the rest of your build good luck bro. Check out my set up. Running stock tires for now to break in but got my 36 iroks coming
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Hyde802
New member
Flyin right through it! Keep us posted!
1988 SAS build - need advice for beginning
Well, caught pink eye from my kid. Boss said to stay home. That means bearings are going in and front crossmember is getting cut and spring hanger is going to be clamped and tacked. I will be hanging the axle tonight hopefully and checking the angles and what not.
The big question is when I will weld the front hanger. I only have a 110 Lincoln, which is rated for 1/4 with multiple passes. I'm eyeing the new 210mp from Lincoln, rated to 5/8 with stick and over 1/4 with mig.
Ask anyone on welding web and they will tell you my Lincoln will barely weld 1/8 properly. However I can blow holes through 1/8 with it, so I'm skeptical about their assessment. But most of them are well trained and wouldn't be leading anyone astray just for kicks.
That being said I think with preheat and flux core wire I can get plenty of penetration, but I don't want to chance it. I'm going to try and bump up my timeline to get the 210mp, so the project may get put on hold until I have a welder definitely capable of making this safe.
Good news is that may only be 2 weeks, which gives me time to do other things. I don't just let it sit when I hit a snag, I move to a different section of the project.
Well, caught pink eye from my kid. Boss said to stay home. That means bearings are going in and front crossmember is getting cut and spring hanger is going to be clamped and tacked. I will be hanging the axle tonight hopefully and checking the angles and what not.
The big question is when I will weld the front hanger. I only have a 110 Lincoln, which is rated for 1/4 with multiple passes. I'm eyeing the new 210mp from Lincoln, rated to 5/8 with stick and over 1/4 with mig.
Ask anyone on welding web and they will tell you my Lincoln will barely weld 1/8 properly. However I can blow holes through 1/8 with it, so I'm skeptical about their assessment. But most of them are well trained and wouldn't be leading anyone astray just for kicks.
That being said I think with preheat and flux core wire I can get plenty of penetration, but I don't want to chance it. I'm going to try and bump up my timeline to get the 210mp, so the project may get put on hold until I have a welder definitely capable of making this safe.
Good news is that may only be 2 weeks, which gives me time to do other things. I don't just let it sit when I hit a snag, I move to a different section of the project.
KidVermicious
New member
Do you have 220v? I have a great big beasty of a buzz box sitting in my garage waiting for me to find something to do with it. I'd be happy to learn how to stick weld on your truck.
1988 SAS build - need advice for beginning
Haha. I do have 220v ready to go. It's what my plasma runs on. Just depends on your plug. I had my neighbors thunderbolt for a while but i think something was wrong with it. I only got a good arc going once. Don't know enough about stick to troubleshoot. Figured a machine sitting for 15 years may have some unknown problem. However when the puddle got going my mig experience helped me see what to do with it. You can swing by I've got a ton of scrap to practice on!
Haha. I do have 220v ready to go. It's what my plasma runs on. Just depends on your plug. I had my neighbors thunderbolt for a while but i think something was wrong with it. I only got a good arc going once. Don't know enough about stick to troubleshoot. Figured a machine sitting for 15 years may have some unknown problem. However when the puddle got going my mig experience helped me see what to do with it. You can swing by I've got a ton of scrap to practice on!
