1974 fj40 build up in New Jersey

fj40taz · 08-05-09, 08:42 AM

well after thinking about selling it, then changing my mind to keep it then wanting to get it running so i could wheel it this year i decided last night to say screw it and am gonna do a frame off on the dam thing.

what i am starting with is a 1974 fj40 build date 10/73, has a 350 chevy conversion in it from the PO along with a 3 speed tranny.

what i have gooten so far is a front axle from a 78 with disk brakes and a 4 speed from a 78 also. my plans are to install the 4 speed with the 3 speed transfer case and for the front axle i am just gonna pull the outers off and put them on my axles.

i also have done the saganaw power steering conversion on it. i used a jeep power steering box along with a bracket i made(got the patter from thsi site) and i used downey for the rest of the components.

well last night i started the process of tearing into it. broke off 2 of the body bolts and 2 or 3 came out okay and one i had to cut the head off.

hopefully friday i can jack up the body and remove the rolling chassis from it.

the running boards are shot so i will need new ones but at this point i am not sure if i plan on putting them back on.

now onto the questions..

1. is it worth it to box the frame?
2. who makes the best rear motor mount for the transfer case?
3. i assume i am going to need an adapter for the 4 speed tranny to 3 speed transfer case?
4. i also know i am going to need a special bellhousing to mate the 4 speed to the 350. i think i know where there is one local, just need to call the guy.
5. headers what are all you guys using for headers who have 350's in the cruiser. as you know there is not much room between the steering rod and motor. right now i have fender well headers, not sure if i want to stick with them or not.
6. with fender well headers has anyone ever run the exhaust thru the frame so you can have a full exhaust under the cruiser instead of under the side rails?

i think that is all for now..

this is what i started with..

dgangle · 08-05-09, 09:42 AM

1. debatable and subjective
2. what is your definition of 'best'? many of the 'propeller' style used with success
3. no, you will need an adapter to go from the SBC to the transmission if you are using the stock 4 speed & transfer case
4. yes. see #3 these show up used all the time
5. over-the-framerail headers suck (leak/burn up everything/need continual tightening, rust through easily and force one to hack the sh it out of their inner fenders). may prefer ramshorns and block huggers. 1000's hrs of reading if you will look and spend the time to read it
6. just because one can, doesn't mean they should. that system would be a mess. If you want it inside the frame for protection, those headers route it outside the frame so you will have to cross back under. Again 1000's of hrs of read and many documenting their well thought-out builds

What do you do for wipers when it rains?

fj40taz · 08-05-09, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgangle

What do you do for wipers when it rains?

man i have never driven the dam thing. i have most of the parts i believe, anyway i hope.

i drove it off of the trailer into the garage where i proceded to install a 4" lift and saganaw power steering.

i tried to hook them up but did not have power to the wire connector on the windshield. not sure if is a switch issue or other wire problem..

just another thing to add to the list of crap to fix. LOL

i guess i should measure my clearance between the motor and steering shaft before i yank the body off and see what type of block hugger headers i can buy.

PUPTLAM · 08-05-09, 10:06 AM

You have a beautiful truck to start with. I have an 11/74 FJ40 with original 4 speed and aftermarket rust issues.

cruiser enthuiser · 08-05-09, 10:13 AM

Yeah, good looking rig there. Is there lots of rust hiding under it? Otherwise, why do frame-off?

fj40taz · 08-05-09, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiser enthuiser

Yeah, good looking rig there. Is there lots of rust hiding under it? Otherwise, why do frame-off?

i want to paint the frame and make it look nice. it will also be easier to yank the engine and clean it up and install the 4 speed. the body has it's issues under the rear quarters but the floor is all solid.
i figure i amy as well do it once and be done with it.

right now it has a 4" lift but i am not sure if i may pull that and do a spring over.. i guess i have tons of reading to do..
it is a bds 4" lift that i picked up.. i also have bilstein 5100 shocks for it.

jeffj40 · 08-05-09, 10:56 AM

Why not just get a used 4 speed case? The gear and bearing are kind of expensive to install the 3 speed and it doesnt gain you much. I have an extra one if you want it.

Looking forward to see another cruiser on the road in SJ.
Good Luck

fj40taz · 08-05-09, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffj40

Why not just get a used 4 speed case? The gear and bearing are kind of expensive to install the 3 speed and it doesnt gain you much. I have an extra one if you want it.

Looking forward to see another cruiser on the road in SJ.
Good Luck

i have a 4 speed trans and t-case.. i think i am missing some of the t-case shifter stuff though..
what do you have an extra of???
yeah price is going to determine what and how i do stuff. first i need to find the bellhousing and start from there.
i got a good 4 speed with case and drive shafts..

fj40taz · 08-05-09, 12:35 PM

here it is with the 4" lift installed.

fj40taz · 08-06-09, 06:27 AM

well last night i was able to get the tranny hump out, what a pain in the butt...

i actually just put the stupid thing back in about 3 weeks ago.. oh well it just does not seem right if i do not have to do stuff a couple of times.

anyway do most guy leave the cowl on the frame when removing the body or take it off as a whole??

dgangle · 08-06-09, 07:07 AM

what brand soft top is that?

fj40taz · 08-06-09, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgangle

what brand soft top is that?

best top... just bought the top, the half soft doors came with the cruiser when i got it.

bought it from quadratec.. really really good price.

dgangle · 08-06-09, 08:04 AM

In your experience with it, are there any downsides?

http://www.quadratec.com/products/pr...XX&h=&spg=&cv=

they advertise for $702.99. Do you think that is a good price or did you get a better one?

fj40taz · 08-06-09, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgangle

In your experience with it, are there any downsides?

Bestop Supertop Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 Soft Tops - Quadratec

they advertise for $702.99. Do you think that is a good price or did you get a better one?

snap less.... it attaches just like the jeep ones..

there is a metal rail that attaches to the tub and the soft top has that hard palstic tab around the bottom that slides into it.

i could take some pics if you wanted.

i had there soft tops on a few of the jeeps i have owned and liked them.. i just wish they made them with tinted windows is about all. fit is nice and quality seems good... i did find my rear tub rail is out of whack.. just one more thing to fix.. LOL

joeyg1973 · 08-07-09, 02:23 PM

Join Gotham City Land Cruiser. Dave Crum is your local man for doing a cross member, he is over in Butler. There are plenty of us Jersey folks willing to lend a hand or even a wrench or 2.

Joe

fj40taz · 08-07-09, 04:11 PM

cool thanks for the heads up.. i am looking at the advance adapter kit... but am open to suggestions.

joeyg1973 · 08-07-09, 07:32 PM

I do have a healthy 1f sitting in my storage shed doing nothing. PM me if you are interested.

fj40taz · 08-10-09, 08:13 AM

not much done over the weekend.. started to lift the body off of the frame. got it about 2" up off of the frame..

my main goal for right now is to get the frame cleaned and painted and the motor and 4 speed together and properly set in place. also gonna work on the axles while the body is off.

the acutal landcruiser body i may do in the future but not right now. my hope is to have it drive able for next summer.

fj40taz · 08-29-09, 08:33 PM

got them serperated today...

here is the body all wrapped up on my little trailer.

fj40taz · 09-09-09, 09:21 AM

well i pulled the front fenders and grill off of the frame the other night, thanks to aaron for lending me a hand.

also over the weekend i tore apart the 78 front axle i got for the disk brake parts. now i just have to clean it up and paint the stuff.

that is it for now.... just waiting for my headers to get here so i can fit them and then i will pull the motor and axles off of the frame and send it to get blasted.

fj40taz · 09-28-09, 08:17 AM

well i was able to get the frame stripped down and off to the blaster. he got it back to me the same day. WOW that was quick work..

anyway I got it all sprayed with etching primer for now while i do my welding and fabrication on it.

waiting for my 4 speed bellhousing and rear cross member to come in. once i get those i can drop the motor in and get that all finished up, then pull it back out and paint the engine and tranny.

still need to get new bushings for the front motor mounts. i also need toget new bushings for the front and rear shackle mounts.

i pulled out the rear frame support that connects to the side framerails and rear cross member, it was messed up so i am gonna replace it with thicker steel. need to make a run saturday and pickup what i need.

fj40taz · 09-28-09, 08:21 AM

off to the sandblaster

frame all blasted..

rear cross member i pulled out.

alkarich · 09-28-09, 08:41 AM

The progress looks great! Nice looking rig to begin with.

Dedtruk · 09-28-09, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fj40taz

well i pulled the front fenders and grill off of the frame the other night, thanks to aaron for lending me a hand.

also over the weekend i tore apart the 78 front axle i got for the disk brake parts. now i just have to clean it up and paint the stuff.

that is it for now.... just waiting for my headers to get here so i can fit them and then i will pull the motor and axles off of the frame and send it to get blasted.

It was fun hanging out. Glad I could help! BTW, that H42, TC, and driveshafts that you got from me are all from a '79 FJ40, not a '78. I saw the donor rig and it was in good shape, so those parts should be too.

Now to get off my lazy

and post my own build thread ...: rolleyes:

fj40taz · 09-29-09, 06:13 AM

well i got the frame set level in the garage and also got the front motor mounts bolted in temporarly.

waiting for some parts..

also got the engine cleaned up pretty good.

fj40taz · 10-05-09, 06:57 AM

well over the weekend got a good amount done..

Sat:

went and picked up the steel for the rear cross member and my bumper build. got the rear cross member all fabbed up and welded in. actually looks better then factory and def much stronger. also got the motor and tranny mocked in place. rear cross member bolted on and also got the tranny and t-case and bell housing bolted up to the motor. rear cross member is all welded in place also and the scab plates for the AA rear cross member are welded in also.
part of the rear cross member.

new rear cross member.

motor and tranny sitting in place.

Sun:

on sunday we just finished up the welding. now i need to grind down all of the welds and primer all of the bare metal. oh wel also got the axle back under it to make it a roller again.
plan on putting the body back on to make sure everything clears before i paint the frame. only thing i am relaly worried about in the sterring shaft clearance on the header.

Dedtruk · 10-25-09, 05:51 PM

Hey Taz, get your azz movin' and update your thread! Like I got room to talk seein' as how I haven't even posted mine yet.

fj40taz · 10-26-09, 07:08 AM

hahaha good one Aaron....

well this weekend we got the body put back on the frame to make sure everything fit..

had plenty of clearance for the steering shaft by the header which is what i was really worried about...

shift is a little close to the heater but we may heat and bend the handle and also maybe get creative with the bottom of the heater... not sure yet...

front motor mounts were welded in place now onto the rear mounts. drive line angles look goo so far..

took the body back off and put it to the side for now. once the rear mounts are welded in place it will be time to paint the frame and motor and trans...

oh i also got the front disk brakes installed for now, i will have to blow it all back apart and install new seals gaskets and also center the knuckle but for now it is just a roller...

also gonna hit up poser to get his rear disk brake setup since when i removed the rear drums from the axle the brake pads just fell off....

i ordered the t-case saver and rear flange for the 4 speed drive shafts from georg, they are sitting on my shelf waiting to go in.

also got new body mount bushings from energy suspension..

looking to order heavy duty spring plates... and a few more greasable shackle bolts...

that is about it for righ now.........

this week i hope to get the rear motor mounts done and maybe i will get my drive shafts built...

fj40taz · 11-02-09, 12:20 PM

well this weekend got a little more done..

got the rear trans/t-case brackets welded in place...

also got the new radiator mounts made. will need to take pics this week of it.

pretty much drive train is set in place and where it is gonna stay, now i need to pull it all back out and do final prep for paint.

also did some wire tracing in the body while i have it inside the garage. had a few wires hanging under the dash that were driving me nuts cause i wanted to know where they went. found out where they went but now i have no idea what they are for..

anyone have a decent wire diagram for the under dash wires, and under the hood..

JERZY7640 · 11-05-09, 09:29 PM

Hey Taz did u make those Rear gussets!!