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!

12-05-06, 08:38 PM	#1
Twisty IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia Posts: 261	Aussie 1978 FJ40 Buildup 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. __________________ 1978 FJ40 4" Lift, 3F, F&R AirLockers Daily - 33 MTZ 15x10 ClassicLock Offroad - 35 TrXus MTs 15x10 ClassicII Buildup Thread Visit my Shed Last edited by Twisty; 02-25-08 at 05:45 AM.

12-05-06, 08:41 PM	#2
Twisty IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia Posts: 261	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. __________________ 1978 FJ40 4" Lift, 3F, F&R AirLockers Daily - 33 MTZ 15x10 ClassicLock Offroad - 35 TrXus MTs 15x10 ClassicII Buildup Thread Visit my Shed

12-05-06, 08:44 PM	#3
Twisty IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia Posts: 261	Coudln't get it to max out the travel on the mound, so got the fork lift better....and was stoked with the results! __________________ 1978 FJ40 4" Lift, 3F, F&R AirLockers Daily - 33 MTZ 15x10 ClassicLock Offroad - 35 TrXus MTs 15x10 ClassicII Buildup Thread Visit my Shed

12-05-06, 08:46 PM	#4
Twisty IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia Posts: 261	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. __________________ 1978 FJ40 4" Lift, 3F, F&R AirLockers Daily - 33 MTZ 15x10 ClassicLock Offroad - 35 TrXus MTs 15x10 ClassicII Buildup Thread Visit my Shed

12-05-06, 08:56 PM	#5
dunntexas IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Lufkin, Texas Posts: 109	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. __________________ '79 FJ 40 - currently stock - undergoing chemotherapy (now in remission) and treatment for the vertically challenged (presrciption applied and working fine).

12-05-06, 09:18 PM	#7
Ethan IH8MUD Junior Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 86	nice rig. whats your plans?

12-05-06, 09:47 PM	#9
DallasFJ40 Ruffo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, TX TLCA# 16474 Posts: 577	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. __________________ 3/79 FJ40 "Red Sled" -- 2.5" springs, 1.5" shackles, Thornbirds (free), mini PS, and a lot more work to do. Lone Star Land Cruisers

12-05-06, 11:26 PM	#10
Renoron IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sparks, NV. Posts: 141	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.... __________________ 76/4 FJ40 Rustic Green, Ford 302, C4 Auto, EDL 1406 Carb., 35" WC's, '76 2F going back in soon as 302 dies. 76/4 FJ40 Freeborn Red, 2F-087055

12-16-06, 10:54 PM	#11
Twisty IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia Posts: 261	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. __________________ 1978 FJ40 4" Lift, 3F, F&R AirLockers Daily - 33 MTZ 15x10 ClassicLock Offroad - 35 TrXus MTs 15x10 ClassicII Buildup Thread Visit my Shed

12-17-06, 12:52 AM	#12
_Mitcho_ IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 135	by far the best looking 40 in oz! looks great!

01-01-07, 09:07 PM	#14
brisveganbj42 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: brisneyland.qld.au Posts: 290	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 __________________ '84 BJ42 with all the fruit - fun to drive 7 days a week! 1GB Free Image hosting @ PHAT42.COM! Join the crew @ phat42! my 'shed' 3rdrock4x4 club

01-02-07, 06:55 AM	#16
90 Weight IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Durango Colorado TLCA# 17115 Posts: 847	great lookin cruiser- i love te stance they take with 35's __________________ FOR SALE 1978 FJ40 ...Aqualu Alum tub, 35" MTR, TBI SBC 350, TH350, Painless, MT protection Buildup Thread: http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/110920-my-first-landcruiser-78-frame-off-resofication.html "Id take a FJ40, IH Scout, or an Early Bronco over a jeep any day"- some guy on a jeep forum!

01-16-07, 02:28 PM	#17
Twisty IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia Posts: 261	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) __________________ 1978 FJ40 4" Lift, 3F, F&R AirLockers Daily - 33 MTZ 15x10 ClassicLock Offroad - 35 TrXus MTs 15x10 ClassicII Buildup Thread Visit my Shed

01-26-07, 02:44 AM	#18
Twisty IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia Posts: 261	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. __________________ 1978 FJ40 4" Lift, 3F, F&R AirLockers Daily - 33 MTZ 15x10 ClassicLock Offroad - 35 TrXus MTs 15x10 ClassicII Buildup Thread Visit my Shed

01-26-07, 02:47 AM	#19
Twisty IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia Posts: 261	Forgot the pic of the new shackle angle......getting better! __________________ 1978 FJ40 4" Lift, 3F, F&R AirLockers Daily - 33 MTZ 15x10 ClassicLock Offroad - 35 TrXus MTs 15x10 ClassicII Buildup Thread Visit my Shed

01-27-07, 05:53 AM	#20
Twisty IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia Posts: 261	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. __________________ 1978 FJ40 4" Lift, 3F, F&R AirLockers Daily - 33 MTZ 15x10 ClassicLock Offroad - 35 TrXus MTs 15x10 ClassicII Buildup Thread Visit my Shed

01-27-07, 05:55 AM	#21
Twisty IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia Posts: 261	__________________ 1978 FJ40 4" Lift, 3F, F&R AirLockers Daily - 33 MTZ 15x10 ClassicLock Offroad - 35 TrXus MTs 15x10 ClassicII Buildup Thread Visit my Shed

01-27-07, 05:56 AM	#22
Twisty IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia Posts: 261	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. __________________ 1978 FJ40 4" Lift, 3F, F&R AirLockers Daily - 33 MTZ 15x10 ClassicLock Offroad - 35 TrXus MTs 15x10 ClassicII Buildup Thread Visit my Shed

01-27-07, 04:49 PM	#23
Twisty IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia Posts: 261	Aussie 1978 FJ40 Buildup - Offroad pics and vids added! A phew small vids. __________________ 1978 FJ40 4" Lift, 3F, F&R AirLockers Daily - 33 MTZ 15x10 ClassicLock Offroad - 35 TrXus MTs 15x10 ClassicII Buildup Thread Visit my Shed

01-28-07, 03:08 AM	#24
brooksy IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane, Qld, Australia Posts: 40	Hey Dave, Nice removal of the tailight, won't be needing them anyway once we get into cutting it up & making the barwork !! brooksy __________________ C44F Custom 4x4 Fabrications mob : 0400 443 802 custom4x4fab@bigpond.com

01-28-07, 04:05 AM	#25
LukeO IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: absolutely surrounded by V Posts: 332	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!