Rotw: Sputnik40

Sputnik40 · 04-02-07, 02:34 PM

Aka Lost Betty's Lucky 13 - My home computer is down - so it's gonna take some searcing to get most of the build pics posted here.

The story with this 40 started shortly after I sold my mustard yellow 79 FJ40 (got married with this one) due to various frame rust and mechanical problems. The following week, my now exwife, son and I spent a week up touring the Carolina's and I was looking everywhere for a good project vehicle - but nothing popped up - mind you this was around 98, so I wasn't fully up on website sales and what not. Needless to say - 14 days after selling the 79, I picked up this 76 within one mile of my house on Singer Island, Florida. Paid too much for it, towed it home, parked it in the garage and fully dissassembled everthing except the engine, tranny, t-case and diffs. and did a full frame off restoration.

The entire frame, tub and all sheetmetal was sandblasted, and then I sprayed with a PPG marine epoxy primer. Used a nice glossy two part epoxy PPG paint on the frame, and PPG Acrylic Enamel on the body. Did a small amount of rust repair to the tub, and added new fenders. Tons of new Toyota parts, tires, glass and it was looking pretty good. The rebuild included swapping in my friend Jim's 81 2F.

In the following years I ran a set of 33" M/T's on classic slots, or 33" x 9.5 M/Ts on OEM wheels with hubcaps. Added lockers, mini truck power steering, and a Ramsey 8,000 winch. Blew the engine and did a complete rebuild and generally enjoyed some mild wheeling trips and lots of daily driving.

Here's a pic of where it kinda ended up in teh first few years:

johnkappus · 04-02-07, 02:36 PM

sweet cruiser!

looking forward to more pics of the build....great job!

Sputnik40 · 04-02-07, 02:50 PM

As I started wheeling more and more, I finally moved up to 35" x 16" Boggers, won a gift certificate at GSMTR for an ARB, so installed a front ARB and air compressor. Scored a rebuilt SM420 with AA adaptors and most the hardware needed for the swap - added in a high angle driveline long travel front shaft. Flipped the rear springs and added 4+ u-bolt flip kits. Saved up for a brand spanking new 8274 with the big motor, swapped out the bench seat the wife originally wanted and went back to buckets. Bent up a 6 point family cage. Added a new header, had Jim C. rebuilt the carb, and installed a non-USA dizzy. Flipped the rear springs, added a track bar, enlarged the wheel openings and added rock sliders to the tub. Wheeled it like this for a few more years, moved up to 37" MTR's and continued to enjoy as a daily driver but with the pains of the SM420 2nd gear not working well with the fuel injection. Nonetheless, it wheeled well and did 80 mph on the interstate with ease - except for a bit of wandering.

In the last 3 years, I picked up a Downey GM fuel injection conversion, DUI dizzy, completed a springover with low profile shackle reversal, cut/turned and powder coated axle, added 30 spline longs, mini truck rear shaft fabbed up by Jesse, AGR power steering conversion with a flaming river shaft and JTO pump bracket, installed 4x4 labs highsteer with one ton TREs, picked up a set of brand new Aisin hubs, and moved up to Stazworks double beadlocks and a used set of 38.5 TSL/SX's. At this point the tub was starting to rust from the inside out (I had a house on the beach that the ex got - so I guess the salt air didn't help). Started hitting more rocks with it, and generally caring less about how it looked.

Currently: I've just added Polyperformance chromoly rear shafts - I'm in the process of fabbing up a beefy skidplate that I fabbed up with 1.25 x .125 square tubing and 5/16 plate, have fabbed up tract bar brackets to use a FJ80 front trailing arm as the traction bar with a shackle/heim to attach to the skidplate. Just got a set of 17" WE beadlocks and skored a set of 39" Red Label Krawlers. Tons more going on, just can't remember it all but I'll see if I can't find more pics, and wheeling pics to boot. So here's where I'm at this past week - with a serious need to put the cut off fenders back up front:

Sputnik40 · 04-02-07, 02:53 PM

One of the nicer things I like about this is the fiberglass repro grill I got - I had a steel one I brought back in my surfboard bag years ago one a trip to CR or Panama, but I ended up trading that to someone for the glass version and $100 - which was a good deal to me at the time - and someone got a OEM grille that is in better hands than mine

.

Also - has a 360 degree military pintle hook bolted into the rear cross member - kool touch if I only had the trailer to go with it.

90 Weight · 04-02-07, 03:06 PM

man thats an awesome looking rig. I love the stance..My next cruiser is definately going to be one that I can chop the rear for tire clearance...without feeling bad.

Sputnik40 · 04-02-07, 03:11 PM

Right line on Slick Rock back when sprung under. Broke the right front frame horn forcing it into the rock trying to get a tyre up over - made it where a buddy with 40" MTR's and sprung over couldn't get traction

.

VTFJ40 · 04-02-07, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOUNTAINCRUISER

man thats an awesome looking rig. I love the stance..My next cruiser is definately going to be one that I can chop the rear for tire clearance...without feeling bad.

x2.

Who makes those beadlocks?

Sputnik40 · 04-02-07, 03:20 PM

Various build pics:

Finishing the spring over and trying to get it looooooweerrr...

Sputnik40 · 04-02-07, 03:26 PM

Wheeling in Florida...

Gundy · 04-02-07, 03:35 PM

Great rig Sputnik40. I've really enjoyed watching it morph
over the years. I can't wait till you get up here to Pumpkintown
before Tellico. Those new casings are Da Bomb!

DevilDogCruiser · 04-02-07, 08:05 PM

Cool rig man! More pics please?

redcorn · 04-02-07, 09:29 PM

very nice!

john

AKcruiserfreak · 04-02-07, 10:56 PM

She was so purty! It's definitely way more capable now, but kinda sad to see a pristine 40 turn into a rock crawler. I guess I'm just partial to mustard yellow cruisers.

TK

badass · 04-03-07, 08:18 PM

Great rig bro, mustard is the way to go

Slowerthanu · 04-04-07, 12:28 PM

Nice rig you have there.

camcruiser13 · 04-04-07, 03:36 PM

great pics, looks like fun to me

FJFOOL · 04-04-07, 07:32 PM

Great pics and build, Sputnik !! You've got a nice wheeler there. One question, in your pic of wheelin at Slickrock you mentioned making it up that spot sprung under where your buddy SOA didn't get enough traction. What differences have you noticed in both configurations? Thanks for the input, am enjoying your ROTW.

Quazii · 04-04-07, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKcruiserfreak

but kinda sad to see a pristine 40 turn into a rock crawler.
TK

Remember they were all pristine once

Nice rig Sputnik, Is that an Eshan top?

tlcruiser66 · 04-05-07, 04:36 AM

Sweet lookin' rig you got yourself.

Kevin

lowtideride · 04-05-07, 08:03 AM

Looking good man, ready to put a beating on it next month? ...see ya next weekend. Ill burn an old surfboard for the wave gods this week so there will be waves when ya make it up here.

BladeRunner80 · 04-05-07, 09:10 AM

Nice!

Sputnik40 · 04-05-07, 09:55 AM

I agree - there was once a time when I planned to own both a daily driver and a wheeling rig - but being divorced, dating, having a boat, taking surf trips and trying to restore a historic house kill my limited funds. Something had to give - and the Cruiser is a great way to let loose frustration

.

Note that when I did the frame off I restored back to original from a mild rock crawler. It was a basket case when I got it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKcruiserfreak

She was so purty! It's definitely way more capable now, but kinda sad to see a pristine 40 turn into a rock crawler. I guess I'm just partial to mustard yellow cruisers.

TK

Sputnik40 · 04-05-07, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FJFOOL

Great pics and build, Sputnik !! You've got a nice wheeler there. One question, in your pic of wheelin at Slickrock you mentioned making it up that spot sprung under where your buddy SOA didn't get enough traction. What differences have you noticed in both configurations? Thanks for the input, am enjoying your ROTW.

Night and day. I prefer the SOA hands down. Widening the stance helps on the street with the softer ride. There are a lot of variables to the differences between my SUA and the SOA I did. SU was super stable and plenty flexy - I run cut off fenders on the trail, and if I had tubbed the rear I think it would have been near perfect. The best functional investment on the SU was the u-bolt flip kits. That combined with tubbing the rear and a low profile shackle reversal would have been damn nice.

The SOA is nice because of the low profile shackle reversal and flipped springs on both ends - my approach and departure angles are good, I've got a decent track width for stability and love how soft it rides on the faster parts of the trails - I'll be going waggy springs or 4 link next year and prolly call it good for this vehicle.

I busted my frame ramming the SUA part of the shackle into the rocks to get up and over - Mike couldn't make it due to lack of traction with 40" MTR's - he's solving that this year with 39" Krawlers like mine and a rear 4 link - he'll probably kick my rear with that set up.

Sputnik40 · 04-05-07, 10:02 AM

Fawk yeah - even with the ripped shoulder, I'm bringing boards and will be available to surf Sat. and Sun. a.m. I'll catch you either late Sat. after rehearsal dinner party, or Sat. a.m.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowtideride

Looking good man, ready to put a beating on it next month? ...see ya next weekend. Ill burn an old surfboard for the wave gods this week so there will be waves when ya make it up here.

Sputnik40 · 04-05-07, 10:04 AM

Got my 6 bolt high steer arms from Luke last night - will post up pics of them and the 6 bolts tomorrow a.m.

Might be selling my small pattern knuckles and 4x4 labs high steer for low profile shackle reversal with SOA. PM me if interested.

redcorn · 04-06-07, 03:53 PM

shoot me a pm on the knuckle and arm combo.

killer rig, love color.

Capt. Jim · 04-08-07, 06:20 AM

Nice truck you got there, Sputnik. Here's another pic from Slickrock.

04-02-07, 02:34 PM	#1
Sputnik40 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 TLCA# 6187 Posts: 1,376	Rotw: Sputnik40 Aka Lost Betty's Lucky 13 - My home computer is down - so it's gonna take some searcing to get most of the build pics posted here. The story with this 40 started shortly after I sold my mustard yellow 79 FJ40 (got married with this one) due to various frame rust and mechanical problems. The following week, my now exwife, son and I spent a week up touring the Carolina's and I was looking everywhere for a good project vehicle - but nothing popped up - mind you this was around 98, so I wasn't fully up on website sales and what not. Needless to say - 14 days after selling the 79, I picked up this 76 within one mile of my house on Singer Island, Florida. Paid too much for it, towed it home, parked it in the garage and fully dissassembled everthing except the engine, tranny, t-case and diffs. and did a full frame off restoration. The entire frame, tub and all sheetmetal was sandblasted, and then I sprayed with a PPG marine epoxy primer. Used a nice glossy two part epoxy PPG paint on the frame, and PPG Acrylic Enamel on the body. Did a small amount of rust repair to the tub, and added new fenders. Tons of new Toyota parts, tires, glass and it was looking pretty good. The rebuild included swapping in my friend Jim's 81 2F. In the following years I ran a set of 33" M/T's on classic slots, or 33" x 9.5 M/Ts on OEM wheels with hubcaps. Added lockers, mini truck power steering, and a Ramsey 8,000 winch. Blew the engine and did a complete rebuild and generally enjoyed some mild wheeling trips and lots of daily driving. Here's a pic of where it kinda ended up in teh first few years: Attached Images __________________ "The devil made me do it the first time. The second time I done it on my own."

04-02-07, 02:50 PM	#3
Sputnik40 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 TLCA# 6187 Posts: 1,376	As I started wheeling more and more, I finally moved up to 35" x 16" Boggers, won a gift certificate at GSMTR for an ARB, so installed a front ARB and air compressor. Scored a rebuilt SM420 with AA adaptors and most the hardware needed for the swap - added in a high angle driveline long travel front shaft. Flipped the rear springs and added 4+ u-bolt flip kits. Saved up for a brand spanking new 8274 with the big motor, swapped out the bench seat the wife originally wanted and went back to buckets. Bent up a 6 point family cage. Added a new header, had Jim C. rebuilt the carb, and installed a non-USA dizzy. Flipped the rear springs, added a track bar, enlarged the wheel openings and added rock sliders to the tub. Wheeled it like this for a few more years, moved up to 37" MTR's and continued to enjoy as a daily driver but with the pains of the SM420 2nd gear not working well with the fuel injection. Nonetheless, it wheeled well and did 80 mph on the interstate with ease - except for a bit of wandering. In the last 3 years, I picked up a Downey GM fuel injection conversion, DUI dizzy, completed a springover with low profile shackle reversal, cut/turned and powder coated axle, added 30 spline longs, mini truck rear shaft fabbed up by Jesse, AGR power steering conversion with a flaming river shaft and JTO pump bracket, installed 4x4 labs highsteer with one ton TREs, picked up a set of brand new Aisin hubs, and moved up to Stazworks double beadlocks and a used set of 38.5 TSL/SX's. At this point the tub was starting to rust from the inside out (I had a house on the beach that the ex got - so I guess the salt air didn't help). Started hitting more rocks with it, and generally caring less about how it looked. Currently: I've just added Polyperformance chromoly rear shafts - I'm in the process of fabbing up a beefy skidplate that I fabbed up with 1.25 x .125 square tubing and 5/16 plate, have fabbed up tract bar brackets to use a FJ80 front trailing arm as the traction bar with a shackle/heim to attach to the skidplate. Just got a set of 17" WE beadlocks and skored a set of 39" Red Label Krawlers. Tons more going on, just can't remember it all but I'll see if I can't find more pics, and wheeling pics to boot. So here's where I'm at this past week - with a serious need to put the cut off fenders back up front: Attached Images __________________ "The devil made me do it the first time. The second time I done it on my own."

04-02-07, 02:53 PM	#4
Sputnik40 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 TLCA# 6187 Posts: 1,376	One of the nicer things I like about this is the fiberglass repro grill I got - I had a steel one I brought back in my surfboard bag years ago one a trip to CR or Panama, but I ended up trading that to someone for the glass version and $100 - which was a good deal to me at the time - and someone got a OEM grille that is in better hands than mine . Also - has a 360 degree military pintle hook bolted into the rear cross member - kool touch if I only had the trailer to go with it. __________________ "The devil made me do it the first time. The second time I done it on my own."

04-02-07, 03:06 PM	#5
90 Weight IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Durango Colorado TLCA# 17115 Posts: 827	man thats an awesome looking rig. I love the stance..My next cruiser is definately going to be one that I can chop the rear for tire clearance...without feeling bad. __________________ 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!

04-02-07, 03:11 PM	#6
Sputnik40 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 TLCA# 6187 Posts: 1,376	Right line on Slick Rock back when sprung under. Broke the right front frame horn forcing it into the rock trying to get a tyre up over - made it where a buddy with 40" MTR's and sprung over couldn't get traction . __________________ "The devil made me do it the first time. The second time I done it on my own."

04-02-07, 02:36 PM	#2
johnkappus IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 130	sweet cruiser! looking forward to more pics of the build....great job!

04-02-07, 03:20 PM	#8
Sputnik40 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 TLCA# 6187 Posts: 1,376	Various build pics: Finishing the spring over and trying to get it looooooweerrr... __________________ "The devil made me do it the first time. The second time I done it on my own."

04-02-07, 03:26 PM	#9
Sputnik40 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 TLCA# 6187 Posts: 1,376	Wheeling in Florida... __________________ "The devil made me do it the first time. The second time I done it on my own."

04-02-07, 03:35 PM	#10
Gundy IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Dweller on the Threshold Posts: 2,041	Great rig Sputnik40. I've really enjoyed watching it morph over the years. I can't wait till you get up here to Pumpkintown before Tellico. Those new casings are Da Bomb! __________________ bench seat, 3 speed, F forever Upstate Cruisers

04-02-07, 08:05 PM	#11
DevilDogCruiser IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fayetteville, Ar. TLCA# 15193 Posts: 85	Cool rig man! More pics please? __________________ 1978 fj-40 88,000 mi. 33x12.50's and lockrite in the rear. 4 in. HFS finally installed, and a Metal Tech profile cage, waiting for me to get back from Iraq to install. 1997 Tacoma 205,000 mi. " Woooh Pig Sooooie "

04-02-07, 09:29 PM	#12
redcorn IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: near my girls Posts: 562	very nice! john __________________ if you can cut a Tcase in half with a cheap circular saw you can do anything. BIG WAGONS RULE

04-02-07, 10:56 PM	#13
AKcruiserfreak IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Pole, Ak Posts: 596	She was so purty! It's definitely way more capable now, but kinda sad to see a pristine 40 turn into a rock crawler. I guess I'm just partial to mustard yellow cruisers. TK __________________ 1971 FJ-40 2" shackle lift, 33" BFG,PTO winch, lots o' miles, con fer roof rack, safety yellow, weber 38dgas, Downey header. 1973 FJ-40 parts rig with a 350. 1993 FZJ-80 112k, cdl switch, 7-pin mod, new ecu, ARB/Warn12k, Wild Country TXR 285's,Astrostart autostart, 1" Slee spacers, Blue hub.

04-03-07, 08:18 PM	#14
badass IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Alabama TLCA# 16412 Posts: 1,662	Great rig bro, mustard is the way to go __________________ 79 fj40- Safari Snorkel, Mini-truck ps, 4:88 gears, ARB Rear Locker, Aussie front, Shackle Reversal, 35 MTRs, 5.5 SUA lift front, 2.5 inch OME SOA in rear, ARB Bull Bar, Choctaw Sliders, Kaymar Hi-lift mount on passenger side, and a solid 8 mpgs

04-04-07, 12:28 PM	#15
Slowerthanu IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 288	Nice rig you have there. __________________ "I want to conquer the world, give all the idiots a brand new religion!!!"

04-04-07, 03:36 PM	#16
camcruiser13 Me and my Big Wheel Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,035	great pics, looks like fun to me __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

04-05-07, 09:10 AM	#21
BladeRunner80 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle, WA TLCA# 17776 Posts: 310	Nice! __________________ 67' LAND CRUISER FJ40 ● 07' FJ CRUISER PROJECT EYE CANDY!

04-04-07, 07:32 PM	#17
FJFOOL IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The dreaded South Hill Posts: 337	Great pics and build, Sputnik !! You've got a nice wheeler there. One question, in your pic of wheelin at Slickrock you mentioned making it up that spot sprung under where your buddy SOA didn't get enough traction. What differences have you noticed in both configurations? Thanks for the input, am enjoying your ROTW.

04-05-07, 04:36 AM	#19
tlcruiser66 IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Auburn, Wa. Posts: 652	Sweet lookin' rig you got yourself. Kevin __________________ 1966 FJ-40 Under Construction. 1985 4Runner. Something to play with while the 40s out for mods. 2003 GMC Sierra Quad-cab. Duramax diesel w/ all the toys. Diablosport Predator tuner and 33" tires.

04-05-07, 08:03 AM	#20
lowtideride Ride On... Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Florida TLCA# 14891 Posts: 7,049	Looking good man, ready to put a beating on it next month? ...see ya next weekend. Ill burn an old surfboard for the wave gods this week so there will be waves when ya make it up here. __________________ www.NFCruiserheads.org FJ45 Crawler and a 1983 Hilux... has had no peers for 50 years...

04-05-07, 10:04 AM	#25
Sputnik40 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 TLCA# 6187 Posts: 1,376	Got my 6 bolt high steer arms from Luke last night - will post up pics of them and the 6 bolts tomorrow a.m. Might be selling my small pattern knuckles and 4x4 labs high steer for low profile shackle reversal with SOA. PM me if interested. __________________ "The devil made me do it the first time. The second time I done it on my own."

04-06-07, 03:53 PM	#26
redcorn IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: near my girls Posts: 562	shoot me a pm on the knuckle and arm combo. killer rig, love color. __________________ if you can cut a Tcase in half with a cheap circular saw you can do anything. BIG WAGONS RULE

04-08-07, 06:20 AM	#27
Capt. Jim IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida TLCA# 5390 Posts: 1,669	Nice truck you got there, Sputnik. Here's another pic from Slickrock. Attached Images __________________ Capt. Jim Florida Land Cruiser Association North Florida Cruiserheads Upstate Cruisers TLCA #5390