Aussie 1978 FJ40 Buildup

Twisty · 12-05-06, 08:38 PM

Thought I'd start a bit of a buildup thread for my FJ since I installed the lift last weekend.

This is how I bought it off a mate.....(I've got to give him the rims and tyres back when I get rid of my 37's and get some 35's) See my intro thread for my pics/details from when I bought it.
New Aussie FJ40 owner!! - IH8MUD.com Forum

I installed the 4" custom springs that came with the truck last weekend.....Couple poser flex shots with the std. springs (no shocks)

The std. front springs at the top, the new front springs on the bottom. You can see the taller clamps that are on them, which allows the leafs to open up a little on down travel.

Same again, but the rears. I ended up having dramas with these....as you'll see below.

Twisty · 12-05-06, 08:41 PM

It's new side on look.......very down in the bum....the front came up around 5", but the rear only 2"......

Looks good from the front but.

Back on the dirt mound for some poser shots.

Twisty · 12-05-06, 08:44 PM

Coudln't get it to max out the travel on the mound, so got the fork lift better....and was stoked with the results!

Twisty · 12-05-06, 08:46 PM

The guys that custom made the springs will be "hopefully" sending another set down soon if my mate I bought it off can find the invoice for them. Which will then bring the rear up to match the front.......Will then fit the new skyjacker shocks I bought, and some 35's.

dunntexas · 12-05-06, 08:56 PM

I think you got sent a set of 4" springs for the front and 2" springs for the rear. What brand were the springs? Nice looking rig though.

Twisty · 12-05-06, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunntexas

I think you got sent a set of 4" springs for the front and 2" springs for the rear. What brand were the springs? Nice looking rig though.

Springs are Dobinsons (Aussie Company)
http://www.dobinsonsprings.com/site/

They don't do a 4" spring...only 2".....So the guy I bought it off got them to make a one off set with longer mains and to his own specs which was meant to give it 4" lift. But atleast it looks like dobinsons are going to fix it up for me at no charge.

Ethan · 12-05-06, 09:18 PM

nice rig. whats your plans?

Twisty · 12-05-06, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ethan

nice rig. whats your plans?

Next will be - 35x12.5 MTZ's or TrXus MT's on 15x10 Mickey Thomson Classic Locks

Then soon after some tube front fendres, TJ rear flares, then some cheap auto lockers front and rear.

Then internal cage, and custom front/rear bars and sliders.

DallasFJ40 · 12-05-06, 09:47 PM

Very nice, but you'll need to fix the rear before the 35's. The color (colour in your world) looks too good to bash in the rear quarters.

Renoron · 12-05-06, 11:26 PM

Nice work! Color is sweet! The lines of the truck really stand out. Reminds me of when i was a child sneaking a can of silver paint from my pop's garage and paintn my Tonka trucks.

Way to go....

Twisty · 12-16-06, 10:54 PM

The old owner wanted the 15x10's and 33's back to put on his Patrol for our Fraser Island trip for New Years....So I've got his 35" Bias claws on until my rims get sorted. I've sold my old 37" Iroks, and am getting some imitation beadlocks welded to my 15x10 Classic II's. Once they're done some 35x12.5 TrXus MT's will be fitted.

Heres what the rims will look like.

Am pretty happy with how it sits on 35's too, and am actually thinking of lowing the front down to match the back instead of lifting the rear up. You can see the front has settled a bit since installing the lift too. The bias claws drive surprisingly well to, but it sounds like a 747 his flying above you once you get up to speed.

Have also taken the spare tyre carrier and towbar off, which cleans the back up a lot. Next to go will be the current number plate holder & lights in favour of a more slimline setup.

Have also decieded to do a spring flip in the rear....and will do that once I get some TJ Flares.

_Mitcho_ · 12-17-06, 12:52 AM

by far the best looking 40 in oz! looks great!

aussie_bj40 · 12-17-06, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Mitcho_

by far the best looking 40 in oz! looks great!

X2 - Nice one.

brisveganbj42 · 01-01-07, 09:07 PM

hey twisty.. glad to see you made it onto ih8mud..

this has got to be one of the best cruiser resources on the web!!.. can't wait to get out on the trail with ya! :P

lots of love.. Ironpaw

_Mitcho_ · 01-01-07, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brisveganbj42

hey twisty.. glad to see you made it onto ih8mud..

this has got to be one of the best cruiser resources on the web!!.. can't wait to get out on the trail with ya! :P

lots of love.. Ironpaw

^^ that last part scares me^^

90 Weight · 01-02-07, 06:55 AM

great lookin cruiser- i love te stance they take with 35's

Twisty · 01-16-07, 02:28 PM

Very small update.....polished the front bar on the FJ up on the weekend....It came up pretty good...could have got it heaps better, but after doing the 4runner's 5 rims, then this, I was really starting to get sick of the polishing grinder! My arms were killing me! Might do it better down the track.
Some before pics. (I had started to sand the bar with 1000 wet and dry)

After

My rims should soon be ready to be picked up from fourbys with the imitation beadlocks added and some 35" TrXusMT's fitted....Am also getting some rear TJ Jeep flares off them.....so the rear will be right to start trimming/tubbing soon! (will do a spring flip in the rear when I fit the flares)

Twisty · 01-26-07, 02:44 AM

Decided to remove a couple of leaves out of each of the front spring packs today to see if the front would come down to match the rear. Pretty easy job, and worked quite well....The front is still a little higher than the rear, but I guess it might settle a little more now that two leaves have been removed.

The front is also riding heaps better! Much softer!! I think I might end up dropping a leaf out of the back spring packs to get the rear a bit softer....will wait to see how the front settles first.

Lastly, am taking it offroad for the first time tomorrow, and hopefully again on sunday!! Can't wait!

But for now, heres some pics from todays effort.

Top of picture is before removing the leafs, middle pack is the finished product, and at the bottom, the two leaves I removed.

Making sure it still flexes. The shocks in the front are a phew inches short at the moment....but can't fit the new ones till I sort out some power steering....Will probably end up getting longer ones anyway once I do the spring flip.

It's still a little down in the bum, but heaps better than what it was!!

With my 4Runner.

Twisty · 01-26-07, 02:47 AM

Forgot the pic of the new shackle angle......getting better!

Twisty · 01-27-07, 05:53 AM

Heres some pics from today. Was just playing around in the clowntown quarry, got some good little sections, but only fills in a hour or so.

Twisty · 01-27-07, 05:55 AM

Twisty · 01-27-07, 05:56 AM

Was pretty stoked with how well it went. The wasn't much overly difficult out there, but it crawled everything I pointed it at, even without any lockers. The 35's were rubbing bad on the rear tubs, and on the steering in the front, but at 8psi the bias claws are awesome! I think I will get a set of these down the track.

Was also the first time doing tracks without power steering, and its sucks!! Definetley need to get that sorted soon as it's a constant battle with the steering wheel when offroad.

Twisty · 01-27-07, 04:49 PM

A phew small vids.

brooksy · 01-28-07, 03:08 AM

Hey Dave,

Nice removal of the tailight, won't be needing them anyway once we get into cutting it up & making the barwork !!

brooksy

LukeO · 01-28-07, 04:05 AM

The silver looks great in the pictures!

I wish Toyota did the same thing and stuck a new Toyota emblem on the grill of a new FJ40 instead of this FJCruiser.

Nice ride!

Twisty · 01-29-07, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LukeO

The silver looks great in the pictures!

I wish Toyota did the same thing and stuck a new Toyota emblem on the grill of a new FJ40 instead of this FJCruiser.

Nice ride!

Thanks mate....I'm actually going to put a factory 'TOYOTA' badge back on it (when I get one). I prefer it over the emblem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brooksy

Hey Dave,

Nice removal of the tailight, won't be needing them anyway once we get into cutting it up & making the barwork !!

brooksy

Nice to see you made it to Mud Brook!!

Just for others to know, Brook is the guy that built all the custom barwork on my 4Runner, and will eventually be doing the same to my FJ40.

Twisty · 02-02-07, 07:23 PM

Picked up the new tyres and modified Classic II's yesterday, and bolted them on this morning! am stoked with how it all looks, and drives. Release how bad the Bias Claws really are when you go back to a radial.

Tyres are 35x12.5 TrXus MT's....really love the design of them! So far they drive great on the road, and are pretty quiet too! Looks like they'll be sweet offroad as well!

Some pics...

35x12.5 R15 Bias Claw (left), 35x12.5 R15 TrXus MT (middle), 315/75/R16 (35x12.5) MTZ (right)

Twisty · 02-02-07, 07:23 PM

Next mod is a 80 series power steering conversion and spring flip front and rear!

DallasFJ40 · 02-02-07, 08:49 PM

That is one sharp rig. Keep us posted. Cheers.

Twisty · 02-10-07, 05:50 AM

In a few weeks time I plan to get the power steering converion done. I spoke to a engineer today, and everything is straight forward to get it all approved. As long as no steering link/shafts are welded, chassis plated and with crush sleeves he'll be happy. Said he'll approve a set of tube shock hoops too, so no more searching for F250 shock towers. (almost impossible to get in Oz)

Heres what I've got for the conversion so far.
Power Steer Pump, Lines, Engine Mounting Brackets, 60 series steering arms, and a 80 series power steering box. (from what I've been told anyway, it came free with my old zook when I bought it).

To finish the conversion I've gotta get a 75 series drag link and tie road, a 80 series intermediate shaft, and some shock hoops.

Am going to extend the wheelbase 8 inches at the same time (spring flip front and rear). Will trim the rear of the tub and fit some TJ flares, and get some tube front guards made.