Dog bones

[racerrad8]

Pats adjustable dog bones are 5 1/8"

Baldy's Stock dog bones 4 7/8"

Randy - RPM

[aviationfred]

Just throwing out a WAG. 

Could the 91' and newer steel swing arms have a slightly different dog bone attach point, and that the stock 91' and newer dog bone length be different than the 89'/90' dog bone length???

Fred

[FJmonkey]

Just throwing out a WAG. 

Could the 91' and newer steel swing arms have a slightly different dog bone attach point, and that the stock 91' and newer dog bone length be different than the 89'/90' dog bone length???

Fred

This man is on to something... I have a stock set of bones marked 3CV and they have a C to C distance of 105mm (or 4.133in). I think my efforts all for naught... I need to fit up the new link and measure.... Thanks everyone....

[fj11.5]

Just wondering ,is it possible to use the early shock linkage, spaced out to fit onto the original  swingarm linkage  , like an 88/89 fz1 style arm, or will I just have to try ,

[chocker]

Hi,
if anyone is interested, the torque setting for the dog bones is 47 ft/lbs.  I have the 1/4 inch flat bar from Home depot and some other flat bar that a friend gave me which is just a little less thick. That may work better. I have the 1/2 inch drill bit but since I am pretty anal and it annoys me that there is 0.7 mm difference I am going to order a 12mm drill bit to be exact. So Mark (FJMonkey), how's it coming along?

Mark

[movenon]

15/32 drill bit works just fine. I have made at least 4 sets with no problems. While I have to say that H.D. steel is not the best, I have used used it. I just put it on my "watch / inspection" list. I have had no problems so far. I increased the width of bar to have more meat around the bolt holes which is where it would probably fail first. I think I used 1 1/4 inch wide bar. 

George

[ribbert]

I increased the width of bar to have more meat around the bolt holes which is where it would probably fail first.

George

It may be overkill but I did the same.  There is plenty of room down there.
These are mine which have been in service for about 50,000 km's, unpainted.



Noel

[movenon]

Noel, it's not over kill. The only ones that we have see pictures of that failed were around the bolt holes..
George

[chocker]

The bar I have is 1 inch wide. Would that be enough? That would leave approximately 1/4 steel on either side of the bolt hole. It's 1/4 thick.

Mark

[movenon]

The bar I have is 1 inch wide. Would that be enough? That would leave approximately 1/4 steel on either side of the bolt hole. It's 1/4 thick.

Mark

Here is some reading on the subject. I can't tell you what is right or wrong.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2792.msg22472#msg22472

Scroll down and look where these failed at.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2936.msg45856#msg45856

I would go 1 1/4 wide and you can go a little longer on one end. IMO the more steel the better and radius all the corners.......
George

[MOTOMYSZOR]

I started my dog bones modification.
I used stainless steel 5mm thick, very strong. Cut the bars and drill first hole was nightmare..... I don't even try to make those bars end round......
So just want to ask: Will be this material good for my FJ?

[movenon]

I don't have an answer to the strength question but when you mount the bars you will probably have to radius or round off the corners as I remember.
George 

[Mark Olson]

Yes , steel is good ... you will have to round them off a bit so they will fit without interference .  If you use a grinding wheel as the metal gets too hot to hold cool it down with oil not water . This will prevent weakening the metal.

With time the holes may become wallowed out after thousands of miles of use , so check them once a year at least as part of your annual maint.

[TexasDave]

Stainless dogbones will be slightly softer than steel ones but won't rust. I would watch the holes for wallowing out over time because it is softer. AS far as drilling you should buy some cobalt drill bits as steel bits get hot and dull extremely fast drilling stainless. When it gets hot cool off with water, won't weaken like steel. Just my 2 cents worth. I have drilled hundreds of stainless holes.  Dave

[Mark Olson]

Stainless dogbones will be slightly softer than steel ones but won't rust. I would watch the holes for wallowing out over time because it is softer. AS far as drilling you should buy some cobalt drill bits as steel bits get hot and dull extremely fast drilling stainless. When it gets hot cool off with water, won't weaken like steel. Just my 2 cents worth. I have drilled hundreds of stainless holes.  Dave

Good point on the drill bits Dave.

Yes with stainless steel, water can be used I just prefer oil.  Very old habit of mine.