Rotw: 65cruiser

65CRUISER · 08-13-07, 05:47 AM

There have been alot of great Cruisers featured before me; I hope that mine can measure up in some small way. I am not sure how many PO’s there were before I was able to rescue the Cruiser from a local junk yard 11 years ago. The drive home that first day was one of the scariest rides of my life (probably not the smartest either). The engine would barely run, the column shift linkage was so worn out shifting was difficult at best, and the brakes were just downright dangerous.

All that said we arrived home safely and the work began. The original F engine was pulled and disassembled to begin a rebuild only to find that the block was cracked. I found a 1976 low mile 2F that we rebuilt and mated to a H41 4spd with the original 3spd transfer case that was also rebuilt. The transfer case was converted to a floor shift and the drive shafts were altered to work with the new setup.

Both axles were rebuilt and retain the original 4:11 gears (may change soon). The rear diff has a Lock Rite installed and the front is the open with the original ball and claw axles. I figured I’d run the front until it blew up, that hasn’t happened yet although I have a new front axle under construction now.

The rig is still SUA running 2 ½” lift springs, LC Advanced Handling shackle reversal (also known as rock finders); the front shock mounts have been replaced with F-250 mounts and rolls on 35’s. Also a ¾” body lift was added so the bracing on the bottom of the tub would clear the transfer case after the tranny swap.

Other modifications include Saginaw power steering, York on board air, Poser T-case saver, home brew front bumper with Warn 8274 winch and rear swing out tire carrier.

phocus · 08-13-07, 06:41 AM

Super nice ride!

green73 · 08-13-07, 07:30 AM

Very nice! Awesome save from the crusher.

'74 UA FJ · 08-13-07, 08:50 AM

Bling, bling. Nice cruiser.

78-FJ40 · 08-13-07, 09:28 AM

Nice rig. Is that a Man-A-Fre swing out tire/cooler carrier on the back?

65CRUISER · 08-13-07, 10:05 AM

It's a home made carrier on back. I'll post up some pictures when I get home tonight.

jb2073 · 08-13-07, 12:14 PM

Good stuff! If only I could get mine running again.

65CRUISER · 08-13-07, 06:41 PM

Here are some pics of the rear tire cooler carrier. The carrier will it a small cooler or 3 nato gas cans.

65CRUISER · 08-13-07, 06:47 PM

The hinge is made of a 4340 shaft with thrust bearings top and bottom with everything swinging on a greasable bronze sleeve.

Josie'sLandCruiser · 08-13-07, 09:07 PM

Hi All:

Thanks for sharing your rig with us!

This "ROTW" thread is neat because we get to see how different folks build their '40s.

You have done a great job on this '65 FJ40!

Regards,

Alan

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 65CRUISER

There have been alot of great Cruisers featured before me; I hope that mine can measure up in some small way. I am not sure how many PO’s there were before I was able to rescue the Cruiser from a local junk yard 11 years ago. The drive home that first day was one of the scariest rides of my life (probably not the smartest either). The engine would barely run, the column shift linkage was so worn out shifting was difficult at best, and the brakes were just downright dangerous.

All that said we arrived home safely and the work began. The original F engine was pulled and disassembled to begin a rebuild only to find that the block was cracked. I found a 1976 low mile 2F that we rebuilt and mated to a H41 4spd with the original 3spd transfer case that was also rebuilt. The transfer case was converted to a floor shift and the drive shafts were altered to work with the new setup.

Both axles were rebuilt and retain the original 4:11 gears (may change soon). The rear diff has a Lock Rite installed and the front is the open with the original ball and claw axles. I figured I’d run the front until it blew up, that hasn’t happened yet although I have a new front axle under construction now.

The rig is still SUA running 2 ½” lift springs, LC Advanced Handling shackle reversal (also known as rock finders); the front shock mounts have been replaced with F-250 mounts and rolls on 35’s. Also a ¾” body lift was added so the bracing on the bottom of the tub would clear the transfer case after the tranny swap.

Other modifications include Saginaw power steering, York on board air, Poser T-case saver, home brew front bumper with Warn 8274 winch and rear swing out tire carrier.

FJFOOL · 08-13-07, 10:30 PM

Nice Cruiser and write-up !! That is a real nice carrier on the rear, the wheels are turning , as that is in my near future !!

Alex

REZARF · 08-14-07, 10:29 AM

Wow, great rig man! I love that tire carrier, it looks great. Do you have any pics before you started? I can see all the work you have done from junk yard to now, but it would be sweet to see how you started.

Thanks!

Drew

65CRUISER · 08-14-07, 12:52 PM

I'll dig around for some pics, may have to scan a few.
Thanks for all the kind words

splitshot · 08-14-07, 01:01 PM

Good looking older cruiser

Just curious, where was the crack in the f block? I've got a 2f and a fourspeed sitting in the shop because mine has a hairline crack above and below the rear side freeze plug.

fzj80kidpen · 08-14-07, 02:31 PM

Nice ride

65CRUISER · 08-14-07, 05:15 PM

The crack was between cylinders 3 & 4 where the web between the bores is the thinest. Very strange

AKcruiserfreak · 08-16-07, 03:27 PM

Looks great! Wish I had that rear bumper.

Tk

scouthead · 08-17-07, 10:52 PM

Looks good.

I kind of want a 40 now...

mncruiser74 · 08-18-07, 04:54 PM

Very nice rig. I can't wait to get mine in that shape. Really like the tire carrier. Did you just attach the bottom bar to the bumper? Also where do u pick up a chromolly hinge set up like that?