[1974FJ]

So here it is...
When it came time for me to get my first car I had to have a fj40. I got this 1974 fj40 in Marietta Georgia some 5-6 years ago and it was completely stock and in beautiful condition. After a couple of high school years of abuse its not quite as pretty. My dad and I have spent alot of time learning everything we could about this car and it has been a delight spending time with him building this rig. I cant thank him enough for the time that we shared over the years and the thousands of things ive learned from him on the way. My brother got his 77fj40 two years before i got mine and after spending all that time building it and restoring it with my dad, i had to have one myself to keep the fellowship alive. But..
After i got the stock version home, I put a 2 1/2 inch lift on from JT Outfitters and went with 33 firestones. I put a powertrac locker is the rear(which is the best upgrade IMHO). Once i got my welder and my metal working tools, was when i decided to make my own bumpers and tube doors. I even made a roofrack for both my fj and my brothers 77fj40.









Once I got out of high school, i decided to go with the SOA with 35s.
So it began....
I changed my front axle out with a 78 disc that had already been cut-and-turned. I used 4x4labs high-steer kit which i love!
















When I did my SOA, I decided to flip the front springs around, and once complete i decided that it was too high up front.....







When I did the SOA in the rear, I also decided to flip the rear springs. This set the rear wheels farther back.....

[1974FJ]

so I took 2 leafs out of the front packs to let the cruiser sag down some and be level with the rear....











more pose...




I ended up buying a winch off ebay and mounting it with the bumpers that I make and sell for fj40s..
http://forum.ih8mud.com/merchandise-...t-bumpers.html






I then made a rear tire carriar that would hold my 35s..




Both mine and my Brothers 77fj40



A little wheeling at URE..






Love the SOA..

[1974FJ]

it wasnt long before i need to build a traction bar. This is what i came up with..

[1974FJ]

My latest project is putting a cummins 4bt out of this...



This project was inspired after reading an article in diesel power magizine about 2 years ago of a guy with the 4bt in his wrangler, i did alot of research and almost got out of the idea completely until i spent a weekend at Devils Playground in NC and got to witness this 4bt powered buggy. then i really got back into the diesel idea.
Smokin 4BT videos from friends & fun videos on webshots

Im going to mate this 4bt to a dodge NV4500 with a np205 t-case. Im putting in a tacoma(v6) rear axle with a fj60 front axle. I cant wait to finish this project!! I will post write-up when i start..

[Splash]

Great looking vehicle and excellent pictures. Thanks for posting.

[AKcruiserfreak]

Holy Cow! That is going to be a killer 40! Great job, and keep up the good work.

TK

[HelimanBD]

1974FJ,
Excellent transformation.....
Keep the pic and storey coming....

regards,
HelimanBD.

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

"1974FJ," great "ROTW" thread! Your story is awesome!

Might I suggest, however, that you find another FJ40 to do the 4BT swap into - your rig looks pretty good now, if you put in those wider axles you will need to chop the body even more.

Oh, and BTW - build your brother a new front bumper for his FJ40 - that thing is fugly!

Thanks for sharing with us!

Regards,

Alan

[1974FJ]

Originally Posted by Josie'sLandCruiser

Hi All:

"1974FJ," great "ROTW" thread! Your story is awesome!

Might I suggest, however, that you find another FJ40 to do the 4BT swap into - your rig looks pretty good now, if you put in those wider axles you will need to chop the body even more.

Oh, and BTW - build your brother a new front bumper for his FJ40 - that thing is fugly!

Regards,

Alan

Thanks Alan!
I know what you mean about picking another fj40 to do the swap, but my plan is to not change the appearance of this cruiser. The rear axle will only be 3" wider along with the fj60 front. And when i do the swap, im going to run wheels that dont stick out like my 2.5"backspacing ones do now, so it will close to the width it is now. So no chopping will be involved at this point.
Also, my F 1/2 that i have in there now i think has the flu, haha. It needs rebuilding badly! and i would much rather add MORE POWER!!!!(As Tim the Tool Man Taylor would say) to help push those 35s down the highway seeing as how im a college student.
As for my brothers "fugly" bumper....I cant tell you how many times ive tried to get him to change that POS over to mine. I even offered him a free bumper(as any decent brother would..) and he turn it down. He likes it and i guess thats all that matters. Im still trying to convince him to paint the bezel white. Maybe ill do a write up on his cruiser one day that we spent alot of time on! its as beautiful in person as it is in the photos.

[bustanutley]

Be careful, that is a clean ass truck, mine used to be that straight... I went big boy and now it is BENT but it is a lot of fun I kick myself now for not building a beater in the beginning.

Not to rain your parade but I am not impressed with the way a 4BT runs in a wheeling truck, I think my tired F runs better than that heavy smelly turd, even in the vid you posted that thing is bogging bad and having a hell of a time turning its tires, the cool factor is just not enough for me but to each his own.

Once agian very nice truck, oh, and you should lengthen your wrap bar as well as lower the frame mount, it will make a world of differance.

[1974FJ]

Originally Posted by bustanutley

Be careful, that is a clean ass truck, mine used to be that straight... I went big boy and now it is BENT but it is a lot of fun I kick myself now for not building a beater in the beginning.

Not to rain your parade but I am not impressed with the way a 4BT runs in a wheeling truck, I think my tired F runs better than that heavy smelly turd, even in the vid you posted that thing is bogging bad and having a hell of a time turning its tires, the cool factor is just not enough for me but to each his own.

Once agian very nice truck, oh, and you should lengthen your wrap bar as well as lower the frame mount, it will make a world of differance.

Yeah, but to be honest, this is more of a mall crawler than a true wheeler. I cant afford right now to beat it like most do. So your not telling me anything i dont already know. But its mainly for the fuel mileage and overall power(ft/lbs). Ive been in vehicles with the 4bts and im very impressed. But you are right, the guy that owns that buggy has already taking the diesel out of it because it couldnt create the wheel speed he wanted(rpm's). So in the essence of a true off-roading machine, it is probably not the desired motor. But its one i desire!
As for the trac bar, its not very smooth, so im sure your right. But what does lowering the frame mount do for me along with lengthing the tracbar?

[bustanutley]

it will keep your rear end from hopping. In realitive terms, your wrap bar creates a high antisquat number.

[Ziffdaddy]

Sweet truck....I've got a 74 Freeborn red, also....although, yours looks like it's twin on steroids...goodtimes.

[tmarx]

Very, very nice truck! Congrats

[FJFOOL]

Nice truck!! Hard work pays off, as usual.

[made4surf]

Very nice 40. BTW, when are you going to start making bumpers for 60's?

[UNCFj40]

I guess i can start to defend myself a little now. Thats my fugly bumper and ride you are referring to. Haha. thats fine glad to be part of the forum. talk to you guys soon.

[tglaser]

Another great looking 40!!


Thinking of selling the roof racks as well? I'd give it a look if so...

[Gus]

Nice rig, keep us posted on the progress of the 4BT swap.

[pint]

That thing is bad ass!!! Great work.

[1974FJ]

Got 4BTA out of truck....
Took about 4 hours to get it out, If i get the chance to do it again, it might only take 2 hours. This motor comes through the passenger door of the step van, alot of lip lickin and finger crossing got this thing out.


Power steering pump on it, now its just going to take some time and parts to build it up. Looks like i may trade this motor with a friend for a complete running one plus ca$h. Ill keep posting up the build, im excited for sure!

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

Is that a SM420 tranny attached to the 4BDT?

Regards,

Alan

[1974FJ]

This is the side of tranny.....



465?

[Tvaldriz]

Real sweet rig. Great shop to work in, and I like your fabrication skills.

Awesome project! Good luck in college, and don't forget to study.

[Buckethead]

GREAT JOB!

STRETCH IT OUT!

[pb4957]

You fab those tire racks for the 35's as well? yours looked pretty clean and I think im going 35's here real soon.

[1974FJ]

Thanks, I sure did. I had the original square one that wouldn't support the 35. I looked and couldn't find any build pics, I tend to be so caught up in building something that i don't take the time to step back and take pictures. haha, but i plan to sell this one to a friend, and im going to make another. This one wobbles alittle bit and i need to redesign it so that it does not. I may consider making more in the future. Ill mark you down and when i start making some, ill send you a PM and see what youve come up with. Take care

[1974FJ]

oh yeah! This is the motivation for me... H1C stock turbo for the 4bt. I think im going to change the exhaust housing for the 12cm housing in the future.


I think I'm going to drive to a friends this weekend to pick up the running/complete engine and give him this one. Also picking up necessary parts(flywheel, adapter plate, clutch assembly, starter and so on) for the nv4500 swap. Still looking for a dodge nv4500(94-02) and dodge np205(89-93) if anyone has one.

[allan man]

Really nice! Thanks for sharing,what gearing with those 35s?

[alwayscme]

Excellent write-up. I am so hopped up ready to start my FJ40 experience. Are you going to make rear bumpers as well? Hell, put me in for a front would ya? Great job!