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02-04-08, 01:32 PM
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#1 |
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IH8MUD Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 447
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ROTW: 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..... 
__________________ Hovis Custom Front Bumpers!! FJ40/45 1974 FJ40, Freeborn Red, SOA, 35s, Locked  1977 FJ40, Smurf Blue, 2.5 lift, 33s. "Correct me if I'm wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers, they're gonna lock me up and throw away the key" Last edited by 1974FJ; 02-04-08 at 07:27 PM. |
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1974FJ|
02-04-08, 01:33 PM
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#2 |
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IH8MUD Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 447
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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.. 
__________________ Hovis Custom Front Bumpers!! FJ40/45 1974 FJ40, Freeborn Red, SOA, 35s, Locked 1977 FJ40, Smurf Blue, 2.5 lift, 33s. "Correct me if I'm wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers, they're gonna lock me up and throw away the key" Last edited by 1974FJ; 02-04-08 at 03:34 PM. |
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02-04-08, 01:40 PM
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#3 |
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IH8MUD Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 447
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it wasnt long before i need to build a traction bar. This is what i came up with..
  
__________________ Hovis Custom Front Bumpers!! FJ40/45 1974 FJ40, Freeborn Red, SOA, 35s, Locked 1977 FJ40, Smurf Blue, 2.5 lift, 33s. "Correct me if I'm wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers, they're gonna lock me up and throw away the key" |
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02-04-08, 01:48 PM
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#4 |
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IH8MUD Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 447
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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.. __________________ Hovis Custom Front Bumpers!! FJ40/45 1974 FJ40, Freeborn Red, SOA, 35s, Locked 1977 FJ40, Smurf Blue, 2.5 lift, 33s. "Correct me if I'm wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers, they're gonna lock me up and throw away the key" Last edited by 1974FJ; 02-04-08 at 07:29 PM. |
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02-04-08, 03:19 PM
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#6 |
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IH8MUD Addict
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: North Pole, Ak
Posts: 596
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Holy Cow! That is going to be a killer 40! Great job, and keep up the good work.
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. |
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02-04-08, 05:55 PM
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#7 |
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IH8MUD Rookie
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Seremban, NS, Malaysia
Posts: 69
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1974FJ,
Excellent transformation..... Keep the pic and storey coming.... regards, HelimanBD. __________________ 1981 BJ40 Stock/Standard- B 3L Diesel - 33x10.5x15 - Toyota PTO ..... total rebuild from scrap... |
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02-04-08, 06:57 PM
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#8 |
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Dog is my co-pilot.
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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 |
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02-04-08, 07:22 PM
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#9 | |
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IH8MUD Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 447
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Quote:
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. __________________ Hovis Custom Front Bumpers!! FJ40/45 1974 FJ40, Freeborn Red, SOA, 35s, Locked 1977 FJ40, Smurf Blue, 2.5 lift, 33s. "Correct me if I'm wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers, they're gonna lock me up and throw away the key" |
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02-04-08, 09:21 PM
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#10 |
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IH8MUD Lifer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: CrAwLoRaDo
Posts: 1,523
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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. |
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02-04-08, 10:20 PM
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#11 | |
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IH8MUD Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 447
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Quote:
 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? __________________ Hovis Custom Front Bumpers!! FJ40/45 1974 FJ40, Freeborn Red, SOA, 35s, Locked 1977 FJ40, Smurf Blue, 2.5 lift, 33s. "Correct me if I'm wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers, they're gonna lock me up and throw away the key" |
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02-04-08, 11:03 PM
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#12 |
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IH8MUD Lifer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: CrAwLoRaDo
Posts: 1,523
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it will keep your rear end from hopping. In realitive terms, your wrap bar creates a high antisquat number.
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02-04-08, 11:20 PM
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#13 |
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IH8MUD Regular
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Sweet truck....I've got a 74 Freeborn red, also....although, yours looks like it's twin on steroids...goodtimes.
__________________ 74' FJ40 Freeborn Red, 114kmi, 31x9.50 ssTSLs on stock steelies, stock, except non USA Dist. Awesome. |
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02-05-08, 12:05 AM
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#14 |
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IH8MUD Regular
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: CAPE TOWN
Posts: 318
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Very, very nice truck! Congrats
__________________ Theo 105 1HZT I/C BJ 42 LX 11/83 - 3b H55F P/S 3 wipers and slidin windas
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02-05-08, 06:02 PM
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#16 |
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IH8MUD Regular
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 304
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Very nice 40. BTW, when are you going to start making bumpers for 60's?
__________________ 1985 fj60, 6.2 military diesel, NV4500, long range fuel tank, Frankenstein 3" lift mostly OME, Con ferr roof rack. |
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02-05-08, 07:21 PM
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#17 |
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IH8MUD Rookie
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 20
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alright easy with the fugly comments haha
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.
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02-08-08, 02:19 PM
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#18 |
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IH8MUD Junior
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: El otro lado
Posts: 95
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Another great looking 40!!
Thinking of selling the roof racks as well? I'd give it a look if so... __________________ 69 FJ40 The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable. |
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02-09-08, 07:27 AM
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#19 |
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IH8MUD Lifer
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Nice rig, keep us posted on the progress of the 4BT swap.
__________________ 73 FJ40 trail rig, 79 FJ40 sloooooowly rebuilding, 64 FJ45LV project, 83 FJ65 project, 04.5 Dodge 2500 CTD, 04 VW Jetta TDI |
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02-09-08, 09:53 AM
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#20 |
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IH8MUD Lifer
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That thing is bad ass!!! Great work.
__________________ 2000 UZJ100, OME 865, OME T-bars, Slee Diff Drop, Slee SliderSteps, TJM T3, PowerStop Cross Drilled & Slotted Rotors, 295 Terra Grapplers M101 Trailer - Sold 1993 Bontrager Race Lite MTB |
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03-03-08, 06:30 PM
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#21 |
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IH8MUD Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 447
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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! 
__________________ Hovis Custom Front Bumpers!! FJ40/45 1974 FJ40, Freeborn Red, SOA, 35s, Locked 1977 FJ40, Smurf Blue, 2.5 lift, 33s. "Correct me if I'm wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers, they're gonna lock me up and throw away the key" |
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03-03-08, 09:12 PM
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#22 |
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Dog is my co-pilot.
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Hi All:
Is that a SM420 tranny attached to the 4BDT? Regards, Alan |
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03-03-08, 10:13 PM
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#23 |
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IH8MUD Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 447
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This is the side of tranny.....
 465? __________________ Hovis Custom Front Bumpers!! FJ40/45 1974 FJ40, Freeborn Red, SOA, 35s, Locked 1977 FJ40, Smurf Blue, 2.5 lift, 33s. "Correct me if I'm wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers, they're gonna lock me up and throw away the key" |
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