Frame flex or body mounts?

Land Bruiser · 07-20-06, 01:44 AM

I recently got my 1967 FJ40 out of paint and back wheeling after a couple years of B.S.. Anyhow, my issue is that I have noticed that the hood is sliding back and forth quite a bit while flexing. I can look out the side window at the hood and see the front sliding back and forth side to side as I twist the suspension down trails. It dosnt take much, and the hood hooks have bashed up the paint pretty good on both sides from hitting the upper fender/apron, as well as the hood has ground down the hood bumpers completely from sliding back and forth on them so much... I can just imagine the force being put on things when I am really flexed. I have inspected the frame and found no signs of cracks or anything. The hinges are tight. I suspect this isnt normal, is it? Niether of my 55's ever did this. Should I be looking somewhere else? Have the rivets on the cross members of the frame loosened up too much over the years, or am I just missing something? Any ideas are greatly appreciated... thanks

Poser · 07-20-06, 08:35 AM

Frame flex....

Mine has done that same thing for many years....even with 33's...long before 42's and Dana axles.

projektdotnet · 07-20-06, 10:45 AM

mine doesn't do this too bad really actually. odd

Land Bruiser · 07-20-06, 12:14 PM

Has anyone ever done anything to the frame to try and fix this? It dosnt seem right...

Poser · 07-20-06, 12:28 PM

Are the bolts attaching the fender to the body tub and frame tight?

Have you verified that the tub mount under your and the passenger feet is not seperating the spot welds that hold it together?

Shit man, it is a 40 year old truck with a hot riveted frame that has had god knows what done to it in the time before you purchased it..

Look for cracks from the body tub mounts forward on the frame...around the engine mounts up front and rear, where the frame is boxed up front....

If you want it to end/be limited, install a frame mounted cage, and tie it into a hoop protecting the engine area/radiator.

This occurs every time that I go out with the truck....no big deal. Paint is going to get removed, glass will break, shit happens.

John Smith · 07-20-06, 12:34 PM

Mine does the same thing when flexed up. The first time I noticed it I freaked out also. Now I find it somewhat amusing, especially since I don't have body or paint to really worry about.

honk · 07-20-06, 04:02 PM

I think most of the movement of hood to apron/bib is a result of sheet metal flexing.

Do you still have the steel struts from the radiator frame to the cowl and/or to the frame? All of the sheet metal bolts installed and tight?

If so I'd get some delrin and make a set of bigger stronger hood spacers to replace the rubber on top the aprons and bib and enjoy. Watch someone else's 40 series for that movement. I'd swear that the cowl flexes some and I know that the whole bib and fender assembly rocks back and forth. Sometimes it looks the bib and the cowl move in opposition to the other.

numtel · 07-20-06, 04:55 PM

I just unhook my hood when its wheeling time. One of my hooks is bent pretty good but it still works.

thewatergoblin · 07-20-06, 05:01 PM

if i ever get mine back together ill chime in and let you know.

bustanutley · 07-20-06, 06:07 PM

Some people weld the two C's of the frame together to stiffen it, as well as box the rest of the frame. I haven't done this, but my 6 point tied to frame cage has stiffened the rear of my truck a grip. I think that when I add an engine cage it will be pretty stiff through out.