ROTW Trollhole

Trollhole · 11-07-05, 07:45 AM

It (the cruiser itch) started back 14 years ago when I was tired of driving my 84 s-10 blazer. I had wheeled the crap out of it and it and me knew it was time to part ways. I was driving around Greenville when I spotted this white top in the back of a old run down car lot. It was a 74 Fj40. I looked it over not knowing anything about them and swapped the guy even for mine. On the way home (2 miles) it broke down twice but I got it home and the fun began. I learned a lot on that first cruiser. I learned that looks aren't much if you cannot keep it running and running well. I as like most college students had no sense of heritage and a couple years after owning it I sold it. I put an add in the paper and the first person who called bought it. I had 50 or so people call over the next two weeks with most of their first words they would say is, "I'll buy it!". AT that point I knew I had made a mistake. I have been looking for that cruiser ever since. I always knew I would have another one. Well on to the present.

Bought the wife a Touareg. It was a lemon and something always was wrong with it. Sold it on the condition I could buy her something more reasonable and I could get my Land Cruiser. Deal. Wife now drives a Pacifica. Now the fun begins!

I started looking around for one in the paper and in the auto trader. There were a few; but nothing that caught my eye. A buddy mentioned one nearby and I looked at it the next day. It was exactly what I was looking for. That was eight months ago.

They guy who had it had bought it a couple of years back. A months later he was on the front line in Iraq and when he came home he had a baby waiting for him. He made the choice to sell it. Upon getting it home I noticed a few things that were going to need my attention. The bearing and seals on the transfer case were shot. The rear main oil seal gushed oil. There was no exhaust. Knuckles bearings were shot and it ran really rough.

First was to get the oil leaks and transfer case fixed. So I yanked the trans. Replacing the rear main oil seal. I figured while I was in there I would go ahead and do the clutch, clutch master, and clucth slave which were starting to leak.
What a fiasco that was.

To be continued.

Trollhole · 11-07-05, 08:25 AM

Now having most of my drive train fixed or so I thought I took it out for a spin only to find my rear driveshaft was shot. Previous owner had not had it lenghtened when he did the SOA.

So I had a new one fabed up. No problems now.

The PO had done the SOA when I bought the vehicle and though it was a good attempt he had left out a few things that were in need of attention. The front axle needed to be cut and turned and the rear axle needed to have an anti wrap bar added. These are my write-ups on my builds.

Cut & Turn http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/54253-cut-turn-my-experience.html

Anti Wrap http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/58015-my-anti-wrap-bar-version.html

Next was the electrical and I replaced the stock Alt with a GM that had been boosted to 90amps. I found it worked well but my small single battery was not handling the task of the 8274-50 winch. So I built a dual battery cage for two optimas I picked up dirt cheep. And wired in a battery isolator.

Dual Battey write up. http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/62263-dual-battery-tray-build.html

I had gone on an outing with my local club (upstate cruisers) to Tellico and one of the members had a shower hooked up to his vehicle. I though I could improve on the idea.

This is what I came up with and it works really well.

Cruiser Shower writeup. http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.p...652#post762652

Now on to the poser pics and goodies.

Trollhole · 11-07-05, 09:04 AM

It's a 76 Fj40

SOA With Hyper Shackles in the rear.
Cut and turned front housing
4 wheel disk brakes all around (stock front and Monte Carlo on the rears)
Stainless steel brake lines up front.
Aqula Arm on front
greasable shackle pins front and rear
Webber 38 carb
Aussie Locker in the rear
custom front & rear bumpers
8274-50 Warn winch
GM 90 Amp Alternator

Custom sliders
Custom roll cage tied into the stock cage.

Lighting underneath (for night wheeling) With switches mounted overhead in roll cage

Anti wrap bar

Custom ghetto exhaust (By me)
Custom floor mats (By me)
Recovered seats (custom stiched by me)

Dual Optimas in custom battery tray with isolator
Rebuilt Transfer case with Transfer case saver
Onboard hot water
Lowrance GPS
K-line soft top
Roof rack
Rino lined tub
American Racing wheels
A/T tires 33 x 12.50
Stock gearing throughout

Mods comming
Onboard air
Arb lockers front and rear
Longfields
35" tires
3fe head and fuel injection swap (have the parts but no time)
And last but not least a frame off paint job. To make it look good.

Other than that I can say every hose, seal and gasket has been replaced as well as all this work done by myself in the 8 months I have owned the vehicle.

Poser pics.

Trollhole · 11-07-05, 09:10 AM

more

And my garage that I need to clean again!

If you want more pics just click on my link in my signature. There is tons of stuff.

Thank You IH8MUD for one hell of a site and Thanks Upstate cruisers for keeping me going and giving me my mojo back.

TCinVA · 11-07-05, 10:19 AM

Hey man- Nice cruiser! I have a stock FJ40 that I had on Ocracoke for a 2 week vacation with my family this summer- I was on the harbor in a cottage- I was psyched when I saw the ferry picture. I hope to be doing many mods to mine in the near future with trhe help of you all.

HawkDriver · 11-07-05, 10:30 AM

Damn nice man!

Like the cruisercrap opener. You've really had your hands full in that short amount of time. Keep up the good work.

bandy rooster · 11-07-05, 11:58 AM

any wheeling shots man? nice rig!

Trollhole · 11-07-05, 12:28 PM

How about a couple of videos instead.

http://home.ripway.com/2005-5/300909...climbmovie.wmv

http://home.ripway.com/2005-5/300909...llicoAug05.wmv

camcruiser13 · 11-07-05, 12:29 PM

sweet rig

dgangle · 11-07-05, 12:57 PM

How do you find anything in that garage? Good story. I can relate.

Trollhole · 11-07-05, 03:14 PM

It usually doesn't start that way. I go through spirts where it's super clean. But then I get working on the cruiser and crap starts flying. I pick rainy days to clean up and leave the nice ones for the cruiser.

This is one of the reasons I'm buying 4 acres out in the country. I plan on having a metal building near my house.

riverguide · 11-07-05, 03:18 PM

when i first saw your cruiser in that post about driving to the cost, I loved it. Anyways thats a sweet cruiser, glad you found one. Don't sell it

74fj40 · 11-07-05, 03:23 PM

very cool rig, i remember seeing it on ebay a while back when i got my cruiser. when ya gonna get rid of those 33's?

wesintl · 11-07-05, 03:26 PM

Personally I like the persian rug in the back

nice touch.

subzali · 11-07-05, 03:32 PM

Nice bandsaw! I want one...

OH and nice Cruiser too

I'm glad I have one. That's some nice clean work

HawkDriver · 11-07-05, 04:00 PM

Sweet video, I hear ya about the space and metal shop next to the house. I'll be doin the same. Decide you like the TRD?

Trollhole · 11-07-05, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawkDriver

Decide you like the TRD?

Not really but those damn stickers are on there and I've had no success getting them off with a chemical that won't eat the aluminum or heat. A razor blade on aluminum diamond plate doesn't work well. Plus I'm really not going for looks right now. Realiability and functionality take first priority.

Toyo FJ40 · 11-07-05, 09:28 PM

Is that the Swan Quarter ferry out of Ocracoke? This summer was the first time we didn't go to the Outer Banks.

I like the shower heat exchange and plumbing... Nice Rig.

Kevin

Josie'sLandCruiser · 11-07-05, 11:31 PM

Hi All:

"Troll," nice sand rig, but you'll need some Super Swampers if you want to 'wheels any muddy trails!

Seriously, nice rig! Glad to see that you are working on it and driving it! Best way to learn more about the truck.

Enjoy!

Alan
Seattle

Trollhole · 11-08-05, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josie'sLandCruiser

Hi All:

"Troll," nice sand rig, but you'll need some Super Swampers if you want to 'wheels any muddy trails!

Seriously, nice rig! Glad to see that you are working on it and driving it! Best way to learn more about the truck.

Enjoy!

Alan
Seattle

Thanks.

Tires are comming. I've got a few more projects before I spring the 1k for them.

And if I'm not mistaken that is the ferry out of Ocracoke to Cedar island. A long ride! Thats silver lake in the pic.

Gundy · 11-08-05, 10:05 AM

Our Club Cook, Trollhole, has made a LOT of progress since
joining our ranks! He now sports one fine Cruiser! We can always count
on Marshall when wheeling OR eating is going down.
Congrats Marshall. Sorry for helping your addiction along.
Cruiser enablers......that's Upstate Cruiser.

ps: ya ain't lived til ya pull some of Marshall's fine pig
from hot off the smoker.....Mmmmmmmm good!
See ya soon pal! Oh yeah about that closest to the pin thing Sunday.

Ya bastard!

xiero · 11-09-05, 03:01 PM

Nice rig. Love the color (same as mine). I've found the easiest way to clean a garage like that one is to simply put the door down.

Cruiser first, then garage...

vt78cruiser · 11-10-05, 03:13 PM

What do you think of those Hypershackles? I had them on my cruiser and wheeled with them for a while. I had to go back to straight shackles to fight the sea sickness caused by all the bouncing. Anyone else had this problem? Anyone looking for some good condition hypershackles? Haha

11-07-05, 07:45 AM	#1
Trollhole UC VP & Cook Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mauldin, SC TLCA# 15077 Posts: 8,182	ROTW Trollhole It (the cruiser itch) started back 14 years ago when I was tired of driving my 84 s-10 blazer. I had wheeled the crap out of it and it and me knew it was time to part ways. I was driving around Greenville when I spotted this white top in the back of a old run down car lot. It was a 74 Fj40. I looked it over not knowing anything about them and swapped the guy even for mine. On the way home (2 miles) it broke down twice but I got it home and the fun began. I learned a lot on that first cruiser. I learned that looks aren't much if you cannot keep it running and running well. I as like most college students had no sense of heritage and a couple years after owning it I sold it. I put an add in the paper and the first person who called bought it. I had 50 or so people call over the next two weeks with most of their first words they would say is, "I'll buy it!". AT that point I knew I had made a mistake. I have been looking for that cruiser ever since. I always knew I would have another one. Well on to the present. Bought the wife a Touareg. It was a lemon and something always was wrong with it. Sold it on the condition I could buy her something more reasonable and I could get my Land Cruiser. Deal. Wife now drives a Pacifica. Now the fun begins! I started looking around for one in the paper and in the auto trader. There were a few; but nothing that caught my eye. A buddy mentioned one nearby and I looked at it the next day. It was exactly what I was looking for. That was eight months ago. They guy who had it had bought it a couple of years back. A months later he was on the front line in Iraq and when he came home he had a baby waiting for him. He made the choice to sell it. Upon getting it home I noticed a few things that were going to need my attention. The bearing and seals on the transfer case were shot. The rear main oil seal gushed oil. There was no exhaust. Knuckles bearings were shot and it ran really rough. First was to get the oil leaks and transfer case fixed. So I yanked the trans. Replacing the rear main oil seal. I figured while I was in there I would go ahead and do the clutch, clutch master, and clucth slave which were starting to leak. What a fiasco that was. To be continued. __________________ Marshall UC VP & Token Club Cook Greenville, SC Big Gay 2f Build The Great Cruiser Part Links Thread Buying a Land Cruiser Guide "On second thought, let's go to Chat. It is a great place." 73 Fj55 Big Ugly 76 FJ40 ROTW 75 FJ55 My Build 93 FZJ80 stock everything and staying that way. Last edited by Trollhole; 06-24-08 at 06:30 AM.

11-07-05, 08:25 AM	#2
Trollhole UC VP & Cook Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mauldin, SC TLCA# 15077 Posts: 8,182	Now having most of my drive train fixed or so I thought I took it out for a spin only to find my rear driveshaft was shot. Previous owner had not had it lenghtened when he did the SOA. So I had a new one fabed up. No problems now. The PO had done the SOA when I bought the vehicle and though it was a good attempt he had left out a few things that were in need of attention. The front axle needed to be cut and turned and the rear axle needed to have an anti wrap bar added. These are my write-ups on my builds. Cut & Turn http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/54253-cut-turn-my-experience.html Anti Wrap http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/58015-my-anti-wrap-bar-version.html Next was the electrical and I replaced the stock Alt with a GM that had been boosted to 90amps. I found it worked well but my small single battery was not handling the task of the 8274-50 winch. So I built a dual battery cage for two optimas I picked up dirt cheep. And wired in a battery isolator. Dual Battey write up. http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/62263-dual-battery-tray-build.html I had gone on an outing with my local club (upstate cruisers) to Tellico and one of the members had a shower hooked up to his vehicle. I though I could improve on the idea. This is what I came up with and it works really well. Cruiser Shower writeup. http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.p...652#post762652 Now on to the poser pics and goodies. __________________ Marshall UC VP & Token Club Cook Greenville, SC Big Gay 2f Build The Great Cruiser Part Links Thread Buying a Land Cruiser Guide "On second thought, let's go to Chat. It is a great place." 73 Fj55 Big Ugly 76 FJ40 ROTW 75 FJ55 My Build 93 FZJ80 stock everything and staying that way. Last edited by Trollhole; 11-07-05 at 09:35 AM.

11-07-05, 09:04 AM	#3
Trollhole UC VP & Cook Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mauldin, SC TLCA# 15077 Posts: 8,182	It's a 76 Fj40 SOA With Hyper Shackles in the rear. Cut and turned front housing 4 wheel disk brakes all around (stock front and Monte Carlo on the rears) Stainless steel brake lines up front. Aqula Arm on front greasable shackle pins front and rear Webber 38 carb Aussie Locker in the rear custom front & rear bumpers 8274-50 Warn winch GM 90 Amp Alternator Custom sliders Custom roll cage tied into the stock cage. Lighting underneath (for night wheeling) With switches mounted overhead in roll cage Anti wrap bar Custom ghetto exhaust (By me) Custom floor mats (By me) Recovered seats (custom stiched by me) Dual Optimas in custom battery tray with isolator Rebuilt Transfer case with Transfer case saver Onboard hot water Lowrance GPS K-line soft top Roof rack Rino lined tub American Racing wheels A/T tires 33 x 12.50 Stock gearing throughout Mods comming Onboard air Arb lockers front and rear Longfields 35" tires 3fe head and fuel injection swap (have the parts but no time) And last but not least a frame off paint job. To make it look good. Other than that I can say every hose, seal and gasket has been replaced as well as all this work done by myself in the 8 months I have owned the vehicle. Poser pics. __________________ Marshall UC VP & Token Club Cook Greenville, SC Big Gay 2f Build The Great Cruiser Part Links Thread Buying a Land Cruiser Guide "On second thought, let's go to Chat. It is a great place." 73 Fj55 Big Ugly 76 FJ40 ROTW 75 FJ55 My Build 93 FZJ80 stock everything and staying that way. Last edited by Trollhole; 06-24-08 at 06:31 AM.

11-07-05, 09:10 AM	#4
Trollhole UC VP & Cook Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mauldin, SC TLCA# 15077 Posts: 8,182	more And my garage that I need to clean again! If you want more pics just click on my link in my signature. There is tons of stuff. Thank You IH8MUD for one hell of a site and Thanks Upstate cruisers for keeping me going and giving me my mojo back. __________________ Marshall UC VP & Token Club Cook Greenville, SC Big Gay 2f Build The Great Cruiser Part Links Thread Buying a Land Cruiser Guide "On second thought, let's go to Chat. It is a great place." 73 Fj55 Big Ugly 76 FJ40 ROTW 75 FJ55 My Build 93 FZJ80 stock everything and staying that way.

11-07-05, 10:30 AM	#6
HawkDriver Tougher'n a $2 steak Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: look up TLCA# 15861 Posts: 2,951	Damn nice man! Like the cruisercrap opener. You've really had your hands full in that short amount of time. Keep up the good work. __________________ 1975 FJ40, it's like having a second job. 2000 UZJ100, what's that thing for?

11-07-05, 10:19 AM	#5
TCinVA IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 63	Hey man- Nice cruiser! I have a stock FJ40 that I had on Ocracoke for a 2 week vacation with my family this summer- I was on the harbor in a cottage- I was psyched when I saw the ferry picture. I hope to be doing many mods to mine in the near future with trhe help of you all.

11-07-05, 11:58 AM	#7
bandy rooster IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sunny South Posts: 1,875	any wheeling shots man? nice rig! __________________ 71fj40-350,SM465,3SPD L/C T-Case,4 WDB's,SAGINAW Dude!, those are my work moccasins!

11-07-05, 12:28 PM	#8
Trollhole UC VP & Cook Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mauldin, SC TLCA# 15077 Posts: 8,182	How about a couple of videos instead. http://home.ripway.com/2005-5/300909...climbmovie.wmv http://home.ripway.com/2005-5/300909...llicoAug05.wmv __________________ Marshall UC VP & Token Club Cook Greenville, SC Big Gay 2f Build The Great Cruiser Part Links Thread Buying a Land Cruiser Guide "On second thought, let's go to Chat. It is a great place." 73 Fj55 Big Ugly 76 FJ40 ROTW 75 FJ55 My Build 93 FZJ80 stock everything and staying that way.

11-07-05, 12:29 PM	#9
camcruiser13 Me and my Big Wheel Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: in the garage after dark in UT Posts: 5,035	sweet rig __________________ cc ------------- 76' fj40 camcrusier13 build threads the following are links, just click, go on try it Traction Bar Sliders Ram Assist Bumper Poison Spider Style Shackle Reversal Half Doors if your doing it im sure ive done it, need help just ask.......

11-07-05, 03:14 PM	#11
Trollhole UC VP & Cook Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mauldin, SC TLCA# 15077 Posts: 8,182	It usually doesn't start that way. I go through spirts where it's super clean. But then I get working on the cruiser and crap starts flying. I pick rainy days to clean up and leave the nice ones for the cruiser. This is one of the reasons I'm buying 4 acres out in the country. I plan on having a metal building near my house. __________________ Marshall UC VP & Token Club Cook Greenville, SC Big Gay 2f Build The Great Cruiser Part Links Thread Buying a Land Cruiser Guide "On second thought, let's go to Chat. It is a great place." 73 Fj55 Big Ugly 76 FJ40 ROTW 75 FJ55 My Build 93 FZJ80 stock everything and staying that way.

11-07-05, 03:18 PM	#12
riverguide IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NC Posts: 50	when i first saw your cruiser in that post about driving to the cost, I loved it. Anyways thats a sweet cruiser, glad you found one. Don't sell it __________________ -Kyle

11-07-05, 03:23 PM	#13
74fj40 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Highlands Ranch, Colorado Posts: 2,027	very cool rig, i remember seeing it on ebay a while back when i got my cruiser. when ya gonna get rid of those 33's? __________________ >Max Parkinson: January of 1972 FJ40> Rebuilt F-Engine, 4" BDS lift, Primer Paint job, 35" BFG MTRs 60 series axles, 4speed tranny with 4 speed split case, soon to have saginaw power steering with GM tilt column and some other junk. My baby >www.risingsun4x4club.org

11-07-05, 03:26 PM	#14
wesintl IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver TLCA# 4180 Posts: 3,400	Personally I like the persian rug in the back nice touch. __________________ 1964 FJ40 \| 1966 M416 \| 1976 FJ40 \| 1985 BJ70 Volvo Power\| 1997 FZJ80 \| TDI commuter car You should be able to delete your own thread. Communists abound

11-07-05, 03:32 PM	#15
subzali IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Denver CO TLCA# 13684 Posts: 292	Nice bandsaw! I want one... OH and nice Cruiser too I'm glad I have one. That's some nice clean work __________________ Matt Miller '77 FJ40 2F "Brahma" + Lockright, Warn 8274! (?07K) '91 2wd Toyota pickup 22R-E (199K) Rising Sun Rising Sun Bio

11-07-05, 04:00 PM	#16
HawkDriver Tougher'n a $2 steak Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: look up TLCA# 15861 Posts: 2,951	Sweet video, I hear ya about the space and metal shop next to the house. I'll be doin the same. Decide you like the TRD? __________________ 1975 FJ40, it's like having a second job. 2000 UZJ100, what's that thing for?

11-10-05, 07:09 PM	#24
trekker Come on in boys...

11-07-05, 09:28 PM	#18
Toyo FJ40 Grindin Boogers Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Eastern PA. Posts: 683	Is that the Swan Quarter ferry out of Ocracoke? This summer was the first time we didn't go to the Outer Banks. I like the shower heat exchange and plumbing... Nice Rig. Kevin __________________ 72, 74 and 78 FJ40s

11-07-05, 11:31 PM	#19
Josie'sLandCruiser Dog is my co-pilot. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seattle, USA TLCA# 6446 Posts: 1,927	Hi All: "Troll," nice sand rig, but you'll need some Super Swampers if you want to 'wheels any muddy trails! Seriously, nice rig! Glad to see that you are working on it and driving it! Best way to learn more about the truck. Enjoy! Alan Seattle

11-08-05, 10:05 AM	#21
Gundy IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Dweller on the Threshold Posts: 2,041	That Marshall Our Club Cook, Trollhole, has made a LOT of progress since joining our ranks! He now sports one fine Cruiser! We can always count on Marshall when wheeling OR eating is going down. Congrats Marshall. Sorry for helping your addiction along. Cruiser enablers......that's Upstate Cruiser. ps: ya ain't lived til ya pull some of Marshall's fine pig from hot off the smoker.....Mmmmmmmm good! See ya soon pal! Oh yeah about that closest to the pin thing Sunday. Ya bastard! __________________ bench seat, 3 speed, F forever Upstate Cruisers

11-09-05, 03:01 PM	#22
xiero Esteban was eaten! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Utah TLCA# 15544 Posts: 132	Nice rig. Love the color (same as mine). I've found the easiest way to clean a garage like that one is to simply put the door down. Cruiser first, then garage... __________________ '92 FJ80 - Parting out '97 LX "the golden eel" '94 FZJ80 "Ethelyne" '77 FJ40 "Maybe" Max Fischer: I like your nurse's uniform, guy. Dr. Peter Flynn: These are O.R. scrubs. Max Fischer: Oh, are they?

11-10-05, 03:13 PM	#23
vt78cruiser IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 48	What do you think of those Hypershackles? I had them on my cruiser and wheeled with them for a while. I had to go back to straight shackles to fight the sea sickness caused by all the bouncing. Anyone else had this problem? Anyone looking for some good condition hypershackles? Haha __________________ '78 In the midst of a frame off....damn this is expensive