'77 FJ40 buildup in Charlotte (finally)

[Cirbo]

Test fitted a Flaming River tilt column with a BTB firewall mount.

[Cirbo]

After I was done with all the test-fitting I cold think of, I pulled everything back apart and sent the tub out to the local line-x dealer to have the underside, firewall, and inside shot.

[voyager:01]

nice clean build u got here.. enjoying the thread.. thanx for sharing.

[Cirbo]

I've been asked to share in the past, but the build was just going too slowly to even be able to keep up. After we sorted out the problems witht the painter, it's seemed to pick up speed.

After flipping the springs, I test-fitted a rear driveshaft from Carolina Driveline. This thing just might work?! The shaft ended up being 18 inches in total.

[antFJ]

how much to linx the inside and the underside? lifetime warranty? and did they do the prep themselves?

lookin good

thanks,
ant

[camcruiser13]

drool

someone is dropping some serious coin on this rig.

looks fantastic

[Cirbo]

Originally Posted by antFJ

how much to linx the inside and the underside? lifetime warranty? and did they do the prep themselves?

lookin good

thanks,
ant

Full bill on the linex for both sides was $1100 (including the fenders and dog house). They did all the prep. I delivered the parts to them in epoxy primer. I was worried about the CCOT fenders being too thin to take a good rock shot from the treads. I'm hoping the linex helps that cause.

[CruisinMT]

that looks sick. I want to do that some day when I make my millions

[Cirbo]

Got some new shoes for the old girl. I had to make some new upper shock mounts for the rear shocks, due to moving the axle back three inches. A couple 5/8 bolts and nylock nuts did the trick.

[Cirbo]

Before going to pick up the tub for final assembly, I tried to wrap up a bunch of small jobs that would be much easier with a bare frame. One thing that concerned me was the distance between front engine mounts, and rear transfer case mount. All that multiplied torque acting on the transmission housing didn't give me the warm fuzzies.

After seeking input here, I decided to add a removable crossmember and urethane bushing under the transmission. It was designed to allow for the front driveshaft on one side, and exhaust routing on the other.

[Cirbo]

Might be overkill, but with 400 lb-ft of torque, better safe than sorry.

[SouthBostonFJ]

What are those tires? They look different than any BFG M/T I've seen.

[Cirbo]

Originally Posted by SouthBostonFJ

What are those tires? They look different than any BFG M/T I've seen.

They are the new KM2's with the Krawler pattern.

[Cirbo]

Got the body back from paint the other day. For the first time, I tried to bolt it completely down to the chassis. It might be a pilgrim thing, but the mounts don't seem to want to work. I started from the back, and worked my way forward. When I got to the mounts at the firewall, they are about a full inch higher than the frame outriggers. WTF? Grafting the tub to the firewall was not rocket science, so where did it all go wrong? The only thing I can figure is the 3/4 tub mounting points are off.

Oh well, time to cut some spacer blocks and try again.

[jfz80]

Lookin sick man, looking sick! hope to catch up w/ you and 77cruiser soon and check both of these new toys out. I just let a local member know about you cage as well (highlandcruzer)

[cruisen4bumps]

Hey the ride looks great you do great work. I am building a 77 cruiser. So far all I have done to it is a rear half restoration. I install 1/8 diamond plate tub and inner finders. Built an new tube outer frame that goes from side to side without ever installing a tail gate. I'm getting ready to skin the outside with 18 gauge rolled steal. I want a stout ride for the trails here in Kansas and Mo. I am though having trouble with the roll cage. The original cage sucks so I want a new one. I would be interested in yours or some ideas on building my own. After seeing your project I know you are the guy to talk to. LOOKS GREAT

[Cirbo]

Originally Posted by jfz80

Lookin sick man, looking sick! hope to catch up w/ you and 77cruiser soon and check both of these new toys out. I just let a local member know about you cage as well (highlandcruzer)

J-

Thanks for keeping an eye out for me. If I can't sell the cage, I'll just cut the front off and redesign. I'd rather start from scratch though.

jC

[Cirbo]

Originally Posted by cruisen4bumps

Hey the ride looks great you do great work. I am building a 77 cruiser. So far all I have done to it is a rear half restoration. I install 1/8 diamond plate tub and inner finders. Built an new tube outer frame that goes from side to side without ever installing a tail gate. I'm getting ready to skin the outside with 18 gauge rolled steal. I want a stout ride for the trails here in Kansas and Mo. I am though having trouble with the roll cage. The original cage sucks so I want a new one. I would be interested in yours or some ideas on building my own. After seeing your project I know you are the guy to talk to. LOOKS GREAT

Thanks for the kind words. I understand your cage issues, as I've been struggling myself. I want a full cage, tied into the frame, that will allow for retaining the padded dash, folding down the windshield, and still rolling back a full soft top.

Tough nut to crack.

jC

[FJota]

Don't leave us hanging. We need an update and pic's.

Looking very nice.

[Cirbo]

Should have an update and pictures by the weekend. The paint shop rejected a bunch of parts and is redoing them as we speak. They want the truck back assembled for a final buffing, so I should have some shots by the weekend of a partially assembled rig.

[Cirbo]

pre-assembled panels onto rig. It needs sent back to the paint shop for final buffing and detailing.

The *#(&@^ "high dollar" half doors from Heritage don't fit worth a damn. Be aware that they are

[dgangle]

It is looking really nice. I gotta hand it to you, you are spending the coin and I am enjoying seeing your progress too. What color is that? Please also tell me more about the 1/2 doors. Any pictures of the fitment problems to share? What are your options now?

[Cirbo]

Hung the half doors to find that the latch doesn't even come close to hitting the striker. Shimmed the striker out twice (about 3/16") without success. The hinges are already adjusted to their maximum. It appears that the door positions the latch at a steeper angle than stock also. The only thing left to do is oval out the hinge plate bolt holes more, or manufacture a replacement striker plate of some kind.

Be aware, these are the Pilgrim doors sold under the Heritage line. The factory doors line up fine, and appear to be in the center of their adjustment range.

Will try to capture and post shots as well.

[dgangle]

Judging by this and a statement in an earlier post about the cab mounts not lining up, didn't you assemble everthing B4 paint?

[Cirbo]

I had bolted the four rear mounts across the back of the frame, and the two under the firewall, but didn't bother to try the middle mounting points. It was the two under the cab floor that needed cut down to fit.

As far as the doors were concerned, I did hang both full and half doors, but didn't mount the striker and latch assemblies. (my bad) I hung all major body panels to test for fit, but didn't get to the smaller parts.

[alwayscme]

very motivating! more pics please!!

[Cirbo]

Took the plasma to the roll bar today. I didn't like the look when the windshield was down, so it's going to be redesigned. The front half was scrapped, but I'm hoping to retain the B-hoop and rear section.

I'd post a picture, but I'm out of photo posting space.

[Cirbo]

Truck went back to the paint shop for final buffing and touchup. I couldn't bolt anything on that would interfere with the process, so I placed a few items on the firewall.