ROTW - 1phrogguy

[1phrogguy]

Hey everyone, here's my junk.

SPECS
1978 FJ40:
NOV 77 build date
aprox 20k on rebuilt 2F
Aqualu tub
JTO rear disc
4 inch HFS lift
split case
Weber carb
Warn winch
Tuffy


I guess I was one of the lucky ones who found MUD before buying. I looked for quite a while before purchasing and before finding this site, MUD really let me know what I was about to embark upon and more importantly what to look for in a 30 year old truck.

Well one day I was talking to a guy who was restoring a 77 and he told me about one he saw the next town over. I found out where it was and a week later it was in my driveway. After more than a year of researching and reading on this site I know I got lucky.
Ok enough chat, here is what it looked like when I picked it up.



Not a bad starting place at all.

PO had replaced the tub with an Aqualu, installed the Tuffy, Warn, and Weber, and the PO before him had the engine rebuilt. The truck has been in NC for at least the past 10 years. I also got a pile of parts, and a soft top with the rig.

[1phrogguy]

I fixed a few minor things (t-stat, oil press sender, fluids) and installed the JTO rear disc conversion. Then ran it for about 6 months before I decided to go with the lift and then my troubles and learning really started.

Here is what it looked like after the lift and new tires.

[1phrogguy]

The rear driveshaft was definately the hardest thing I had to deal with after the lift. I had about an inch of spline showing.


I live in an area that is not renouned for its stellar machine shops so after three attemps with the local rednecks, I'd had enough. I decided to go with a CV and an early 60 series front shaft was the perfect fit (minus having to cut out the torque tube). Got one from another MUD member and no more issues after shimming the rear axel to get the pinion angle correct.

[1phrogguy]

Got some new seats from DACICCI, and wheels from TEXX. I slapped on the tires it came with back on and am waiting to do a power steering conversion before I go to a bigger set, probably 35x10.5 so I don't have to get different wheels (I like the later stock wheel look).

Here is what it looks like now.

[1phrogguy]

WHAT I HAVE DONE: and no I am not yelling, this is just my to do list that I made up a while ago.

RDB CONVERSION
LIFT AND SHACKLES
ALL FLUIDS
OIL PRESS, WATER TEMP AND VOLT METER GAUGES
FIXED SOME RUST
POR'D SOME STUFF
105 AMP ALT (THANKS FOR THE HELP PINHEAD)
VALVE ADJUSTMENTS
FUEL PUMP (CDAN)
REPLACED SEATS (DACICCI)
NEW WHEELS (TEXX)
EBRAKE (MY SUPER GHETTO FAB SET UP)
REBUILT FRONT AXEL
FRONT INPUT PINION SEAL

METALTECH JACKSON'S CAGE coming this week!

WHAT I NEED TO DO:

INSTALL LOCKRIGHT AND NEW REAR BEARINGS/SEALS WHILE I'M AT IT
FUEL GAUGE
POWERSTEERING (sooner than later)
WELD IN NEW CROSSMEMBER TO REPLACE TORQUE TUBE
FIX SOME MINOR RUST ON HARDTOP/DOORS
DIFF BREATHERS
SLIDERS

WHAT I WANT TO DO:

GET OEM SHIFTER
AUTOMETER GAUGE CLUSTER?

well there you have it folks, my junk exposed for all to see. Wish I had some wheeling photos to share but coastal carolina is pretty flat and mostly swampy.

Hope you like it.

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

Nice rig, dude!

Definitely do a power steering conversion; you will love it!
I did the classic Saginaw PS swap on my FJ40 a few years ago and now can't imagine what is was like to turn 33X12.5s with the stock manual 'box!

Good luck with the rig!

Alan

[dirtywilks]

Looks great! I'm impressed!

[bj42turbo]

Love the colour but I may be biased

BJ

[jus cruzin]

nice work..........and nice find!

[Weedhopper]

You lucky duck ! Nice find.

[1phrogguy]

Thanks for the replys guys,

Yes, powersteering is going to happen this summer and I am defiantely looking forward to it.

In case anyone is wondering what a superghettofab ebrake set up is, here's a photo. I used this to pass inspection, and it worked like a charm. Don't freak out people, I use this when I run into the store and when I get gas so I don't have to shut my rig off. Not to hold on steep inclines but I do believe it would work, 550 chord is strong stuff. I think its awesome.

[LT]

Super clean cruiser you have there

[rusty_tlc]

Nice job!
I really like the bootyfab brake idea. I may try a variation to extend my e-brake cable.

[1phrogguy]

Originally Posted by LT

Super clean cruiser you have there

Thanks LT, I plan on getting it dirty at URE once I have my cage installed. It should be here friday and with any luck I will have it welded up, painted and installed by the end of the weekend.

[crazylandcruiser]

Wow gorgeous looking rig that paint looks good on a lifted 40. looks like you do all your work to perfection... keep up the work! good choice on the cage!

[Fast Eddy]

Originally Posted by 1phrogguy

waiting to do a power steering conversion before I go to a bigger set, probably 35x10.5 so I don't have to get different wheels

Check out TSL 34x10.5s. They're tall & skinny. You should be able to run them without PS. They'll look perfect with that lift and those rims.

Those seats are awesome. Are they original or repros?

[1phrogguy]

Originally Posted by Fast Eddy

Check out TSL 34x10.5s. They're tall & skinny. You should be able to run them without PS. They'll look perfect with that lift and those rims.

Those seats are awesome. Are they original or repros?

funny you should say that, I have some 34x10.5 LTB's sitting in my garage (seen in post #2). They are bias ply and I plan on using them for my wheeling tires. They ride like crap so I was planning on getting some radials that will ride better on the street.

I got those seats from DACICCI, I believe they are originals out of his 78. There is one minor seam tear on the pass side, hard to notice though.

[1phrogguy]

Originally Posted by crazylandcruiser

Wow gorgeous looking rig that paint looks good on a lifted 40. looks like you do all your work to perfection... keep up the work! good choice on the cage!

Thank you, although I can not take credit for the paint job. PO had it done before I picked it up. It was originally code 653 Olive brown.

As far as perfection, uh, I don't know what to say about that. Kidding aside, thank you. I do try to make it right the first time even if it costs a little more. Disregard the booty ebrake set up.

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

You know, re-building the stock t-case mounted e-brake assembly is *not* that big a deal nor that expensive! Properly adjusted it will hold the rig just fine.

Regards,

Alan

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Originally Posted by 1phrogguy

Thanks for the replys guys,

Yes, powersteering is going to happen this summer and I am defiantely looking forward to it.

In case anyone is wondering what a superghettofab ebrake set up is, here's a photo. I used this to pass inspection, and it worked like a charm. Don't freak out people, I use this when I run into the store and when I get gas so I don't have to shut my rig off. Not to hold on steep inclines but I do believe it would work, 550 chord is strong stuff. I think its awesome.
Attachment 145349

[missipboy]

good build up.

[1phrogguy]

Originally Posted by Josie'sLandCruiser

Hi All:

You know, re-building the stock t-case mounted e-brake assembly is *not* that big a deal nor that expensive! Properly adjusted it will hold the rig just fine.

Regards,

Alan

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Agreed, and I would go that route but I have a split case so I am SOL in that department until I get a kit. Its not really that big of a deal to me so spending $$ on one isn't going to happen any time soon. Thanks for the heads up though Alan.

Jon

[trekker]

very nice.

[Ducks]

Most excellent. Sounds like you went about getting it the right way. A great looking cruiser. Do you like how it rides with the lift and new seats?

Chad

[1phrogguy]

Originally Posted by Ducks

Most excellent. Sounds like you went about getting it the right way. A great looking cruiser. Do you like how it rides with the lift and new seats?