[79fj40moneypit]

Looks like you could lengthen to front frame horns that would get your springs forward like a fj40 frame, then your front axle can move forward and even better a longer wheel base.

[paranoid56]

Originally Posted by 79fj40moneypit

Looks like you could lengthen to front frame horns that would get your springs forward like a fj40 frame, then your front axle can move forward and even better a longer wheel base.

but my steering box cant go more forward with out hacking up the stock front grill. as my tie rod is almost hitting my drag link. i wonder if i coudl go to lukes arms which puts the tie rod benind the axle. mnnnnn

[projektdotnet]

FJ60 steering box, puts your pitman in front of the box although you'd have to move the box back a lil as not to hit the spring hanger.
best pic I can find, if you look close you'll see the 60 box/pitman placement

[paranoid56]

yep, looks like a FJ60 steering box is in order

Shane

[PScottBx]

Very nice build coming along.




Scott

[projektdotnet]

Originally Posted by paranoid56

yep, looks like a FJ60 steering box is in order

Shane

If I had the money to throw in the saginaw i'd sell ya my used fj60 stuff (box pump n lines) for dirt cheap just to get it off my rig, the way it is setup doesn't work to well for a 40 series chassis, bet it would work killer on a mini chassis though

[paranoid56]

what saginaw parts to you need?

[paranoid56]

well, got the center body mounts almost done.
i have some extra bracing under the center of the car. and this will tie into it.

and in place. this will attache to that large 2x2 bar that goes from side to side, and to th back part of the stock tub.

and with the body mount. i decided to rubber mount the body and tie the cage into these same mounts. trying to keep it clean.

a pic of it tac welded on the truck.

[paranoid56]

next up was the frame part of the body mount. i decided to make a set like the stock ones. i would have just reused those, but i was sawzaw happy when i removed them
this is what i started with this

i cut the top piece to go over the frame. and the other piece is the starting of the bracing

i put a tac weld in the center and bend the bracing around the top piece. super simple.

[paranoid56]

side shot almost done. this pic shows the use of the stock mini truck body mount cup.

pic with the unde brace. i added this to help strenghen the mount. this should help out a lot.

top pic.

and a side by side shot of the body mounts.

[Volunteer]

I'm thoroughly enjoying watching your work, you have serious Skillz

[paranoid56]

ok, got that bodymount mounted. boy, looked better in person

next up was the front bodymount. i took a stock mini truck mount and added a top frame over piece and some extra inside braces. i also angle cut it so it would come off the frame streight.

then mocked it up in place and welded it up. boy, this body mounting stuff is taking me forever. such simple stuff takes time

[Jakes40]

those look awesome, great work

[UNO_RACING]

Very nice tig welding. My hat is off to you!

[Isotel]

looking great!

[paranoid56]

well, worked on the rear body mounts on saturday. got them all finished up.
just used some scrap steel and another stock bodymount holder thingy


now with the body mount thing welded




and welded to the body. i am using the stock rubber body mounts from the mini truck.


then i went ahead and pulled the body off again to fully weld up the front mounts.

these should be strong enough.

[paranoid56]

once the body was off, i started to address the rear shackle. i wanted to lower the truck some so i decided to put the bushing mount on top of the frame
I also figured i would reuse the stock bushings.


another shot of the bushing mount.


aligned them with my nifty tool and welded them up


and yes, there is a major flaw with this. not sure why i didnt think of this, but after sitting and thinking about that last night i relized that wouldnt work as the body sits right on the rear of the frame (maybe 1/4" of clearance)

so, i redid my work (i hate doing that) and came up with this. since i cut up the top of the frame, i made a bracket that would go over all the holes. this should be nice and strong. i fully welded the bushing on the inside and outside. this tube uses standard autofab 2" bushings.




and with the truck sitting on it, looks to have lowerd it around 1" or so. more when the body is on. i also moved up the mount to give me a better angle (when the body is on)
I will fab up some boomarang shackles so it doesnt hit the rear bumper.

[paranoid56]

got the front of the frame all cleaned up.
ready for the front stretch. man, maybe i should have used the stock LC frame


now, what i have in mind, is that i am going to sleeve the whole front of the frame with new tubing. and cut the back piece so it doesnt create any stress risers.

this is about how far its going to sleeve.

[paranoid56]

well got the frame extended today. not too bad.
still wondering if i should have just used the fj frame
i made these out of some 3.5x4 ( i think)
these slide over the frame and extend onto the exsiting fram to help support

tested fitted. looks good

all welded up with the front xmember and hanger. this is the allpro hanger that was on the old frame. i put some extra gussets under it, and some corner gussets.






now, i am going to do some more reenforcments and what not. also adding a winch plate and some tubing for a bumper hoop and a hood hoop. so it will be stong

got all the stock shock mounting stuff off the frame. got it all cleaned up and ready to put the shackle mount in tomorrow.

[speedn3]

very nice. Cant wait to see it completed

[paranoid56]

got some more work dont today, not as much as i wanted but oh well.
i drilled the frame for the new shackle hanger. i measured before i moved them (45.5 from eye to eye) and drilled away. broke 3 pilot bits in the proccess also used my trusty broom again for the alignment. measured like a billion times and weld them in


made a little metal ring like the orginal setup. cut and ready to weld.


and fully welded up. worked out well


and a new shot from the side. looks much much better.
befor the frame stretch.

and after. funky how the shackle angle doesnt look as good. hopfully it will go more down after i get the rest of the stuff installed.

[paranoid56]

oh the new WB is right at 109"

[1974FJ]

Looks awesome! please keep workin hard, more pics soon i hope

[projektdotnet]

this is one sweet buildup

[Xray]

wow
great buildup

[mr_manny]

Originally Posted by paranoid56

hopfully it will go more down after i get the rest of the stuff installed.

If the front angles don't improve, shortening your front extension by 3-4" should do the trick...
You know how you like re-doing stuff

awesome build-up

[BladeRunner80]

Hey Paranoid, looks REALLY good! I remember seeing this over on pirate a while back.....you have made alot of progress. Keep up the good work, I can't wait to see the finished project!

[paranoid56]

Originally Posted by mr_manny

If the front angles don't improve, shortening your front extension by 3-4" should do the trick...
You know how you like re-doing stuff

awesome build-up

ha, yea i know that will work. dont really want to do that though

guess i will add a few hun pounds to the front or maybe remove a leaf

Shane

[projektdotnet]

Winch and really heavy bumper should do it

[paranoid56]

ok, forgot the camera on satruday, so here are the pics from then
got the shackle finished. i think i am going to have to go back to the under the frame type.


also, started the front winch plate. didnt get far just got it cut. man, i wish i had a plasma cutter. this would be soo much eaiser.


took the rear axle out to cut the crap off and make some new spring hangers. as i need to rotate the housing some.
i also cut out the stock drain plug so i would stop cetching it on everthing


also figured i would make some extra holes incase i wanted to move the axle back.