1972 BDJ55-T Resto-Mod (1 Viewer)

[andrew.fletcher]

Unfortunately this project has gone south for me. After 2 1/2 years and too much money in labor, this Pig still has a ways to go before it's road ready. There are a bunch of pictures further down in the thread detailing the current condition of the truck. I tried to add as much detail as possible with the photos.

Specifically:
#34: Suspension modifications
#35: Advance Adapters transmission crossmember
#36: Transmission and transfer case
#39: Engine Mounts
#40: Undercarraige
#41: Engine
#42: Interior #1
#43: Interior #2
#44: Left Side Exterior
#45: Front Exterior
#46: Right and Rear Exterior

This is what this Pig currently has on it or in it:

DRIVETRAIN
Engine: 1995 4BD2T (76k miles when rebuilt after someone tried to drive it with gas in it, zero miles on rebuild)
Transmission: 700r4 (not sure of mileage came as part of package deal with the transfer case)
Transfer case: Split case from '85 FJ60 (not sure of mileage came as part of package deal with the transmission)
Engine/Transmission Adapters: http://www.isuzudieselswapper.com/
Transmission/Transfer Case Adapters: AA
Transmission/Transfer Shifter Types/Locations: FJ62 Floor Shifter
Driveshafts: FJ60
Axles: FJ60 (zero miles on rebuild)

Brakes:
Power Brake Master Cylinder and Booster: FJ60
Front discs with 4 Runner calipers (all new)
Rear Drum
Emergency brake: FJ60 (not installed)

Springs:
SOR 2 1/2" HD kits with shocks (new)
Outboards/shackles RuffStuffSpecialties.com - Off-Road Fabrication Parts


Steering: P/S box from FJ60, steering column from a BJ60
Stabilizer: Rancho
Tilt Column: BJ60

ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Radiator Stock
A/C compressor
A/C condensor


Front Seats: Bucket from a 2001 Silverado (not mounted)
Back Seats: 50/50 Split from mid 90's Pathfinder(?)

A/C
FJ60 (not installed)

Fj55 (not factory type, not complete and not installed)

 

[RHINO]

hey man get your own designation, i got dibs on BDJ55

shoot off questions as needed i'll do my best to answer them, went on my first real road trip, clocked over 200miles averaged 70MPH with jaunts up and over 80mph while netting 24MPG with 20% peanut oil in the tank

 

[andrew.fletcher]

That's why I added the -T?!?!

hey man get your own designation, i got dibs on BDJ55

shoot off questions as needed i'll do my best to answer them, went on my first real road trip, clocked over 200miles averaged 70MPH with jaunts up and over 80mph while netting 24MPG with 20% peanut oil in the tank

That's some great numbers. I drove the Pig on the highway for the first time in quite awhile today. I kept waiting to see parts falling off when I hit 70mph. Most of the rubber is dried out on this thing so windows rattle, doors rattle, shocks, pretty much everything. Won't do that again.

I need to re-read through all the posts again to see who's using what for a TC. The one in there is freshly rebuilt and I've also got the one from the '60 but when I was reading Veggie 80's thread (the only other auto I've found) that's going in an '80 and I think he's using the stock case out of that.
Ideas/thoughts on transfer case options?

 

[RHINO]

keep in mind those numbers are with 4:10 gears and 37" tires.

i replied to your other thread but here it is again, for strength the 60 case will be good, but, for your application the fresh stocker will be just fine. keep in mind these two cases are identical the the way they function down the road, same kinda friction and stuff, so really for driving at speed neither is better, the only way to really get a better highway case would be to go centered rear output so the side gears dont turn at all when in 2WD.

P.S. doesnt the soot streak look right at home?

 

[andrew.fletcher]

That soot streak is SEXY!! Nothing like cruizer porn to start off my day!

I think I may go with the '60 case. I took off one of the plates to see if I needed any special tools to get the tranny off and it's so damn clean in there I'm thinking it may have also been rebuilt recently. They were a bit liberal with gasket sealer on the outside so I know it's been looked at in the not too distant past. Tough call though 'cause I have no history on it. One advantage of the '60 case is if I do sell this 10-12 years down the road I think that would be a plus vs. the stock case. What do you think?

 

[RHINO]

i concur. this is looking to be our own personal communication thread.

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

i concur. this is looking to be our own personal communication thread.

Hee, hee. I'm watching and learning...

 

[andrew.fletcher]

Hee, hee. I'm watching and learning...

Hey there is someone else out there! I've been picking up quite a bit off of your thread too.

 

[andrew.fletcher]

Some engine questions. A 4BD1T or 2T is proving to be somewhat elusive, at least around CA. I tried ACME out in Stockton, Specialty in San Jose but no luck. Haven't found any other places between San Fran and LA yet that even carry them. So I may end up going with a 4BT and wanted to get an opinion.
I found a long block 4BT on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...STRK:MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=220089502243&rd=1

If I go the stepvan route, I at least get the starter. What other parts have you guys been able to re-use?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...STRK:MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=220089502243&rd=1

 

[GreasedPiggy]

If you go the stepvan route, you most likely need the GM/Cheby version rather than Ford based. This give you pass side drop for the front shaft. Important to keep the mounts, they are liquid-filled and worth $$. Super important to isolate vibrations as the FJ55 is lighter than the 9,000lb breadvan. Also look for the intercooler, and that should be placed in front of the radiator.

You should be able to get almost a grand for the scrap aluminum from the body.

What axles do you plan using? I've seen stock Toy bend and get twisted during off-roading.

The 4bt is also heavier plus it is taller and requires SOA.

 

[andrew.fletcher]

I kind of forgot about that there were Ford and Chevy versions out there, thanks for reminding me. This isn't going to be a hardcore wheeler so I shouldn't have to worry about bending axles, hopefully. As far as lift goes, if I can get away with no more than 4" I'll be okay. Any more than that will be too much for the wife and kids to get in and out of everyday.

I also put the right link in for the stepvan.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...STRK:MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=230157124032&rd=1

 

[GreasedPiggy]

4" will get enough room. Problem with that van is the T19 which is Ford, so it is going to be a bit of work to make the driver's side drop switch to passenger side so you can use the stock axles. The Bell/Motor adapter is only going to support Ford transmissions.

The great thing is the intercooler. Plus you will probably be getting good used liquid motor mounts (less crazy shake at start/shut-off).

Stock axles are fine with moderate trailing. Tons of fun with the turbo diesel. I plan to get mine using veg oil or at least bio-diesel.

One of my buddies has not purchased "fuel" for four months!!! and he drives all over the place! ha hah.

Until then, I'm still acquiring the last of my major parts and am starting to rebuild.

Best of Luck!

 

[andrew.fletcher]

I like the thought of not purchasing fuel but I'll have to settle for someone else's wvo diesel. I'm gonna try and hold out for a 4BD1T. Going SOA is just one more cost that I hadn't figured in but since it's all getting torn apart anyways it may not be too much. The little things are starting to add up though and I haven't even bought any major components yet! This is worse than my MG engine conversion for the nickel/dime stuff. The engine and tranny were less than $900 but after all said and done, it cost just over $3000 and I did most of the labor myself!

 

[RHINO]

andrew in your application i wouldnt go SOA, even kept low its gonna be a 6" lift. i think with carefull placement and measuring a minial lift of 2.5" or so would be ok. and i think if you modify the oilpan you can do it w/o a lift. there are 3 BD engines on ebay right now, if shipping is ok i'll keep my eye open down here.

on a side note, what do you think about an MB engine/tranny? not as much grunt as a bigger direct inj. engine but i think it'd be a pretty good engine, certainly no shortage of them out there.

 

[andrew.fletcher]

andrew in your application i wouldnt go SOA, even kept low its gonna be a 6" lift. i think with carefull placement and measuring a minial lift of 2.5" or so would be ok. and i think if you modify the oilpan you can do it w/o a lift. there are 3 BD engines on ebay right now, if shipping is ok i'll keep my eye open down here.

I thought the SOA lifts were pretty high but didn't realize it was that much. That's why I'm trying to hold out for a BD. I just need to be more patient to find one close to me. Most of the shipping quotes have been 7-800. Add that to the cost of 3200 plus. I was hoping to get one for around 2500-3000 but maybe it can't be done.

on a side note, what do you think about an MB engine/tranny? not as much grunt as a bigger direct inj. engine but i think it'd be a pretty good engine, certainly no shortage of them out there.

There are MB engines everywhere, that's for sure. I read something awhile back about using one, was that you? I'm struggling enough to learn from what others have done with the BD and BT, I just don't have the knowledge to tread new water like that on my own. Do you know of any threads discussing that option?

 

[RHINO]

well its a real good option for you IMOP, its a very short stroke engine and wouldnt need any lift at all to clear the axle. its a little lower on torque at about 170 LB FT but about the same on HP at about 123-125. i think that would work out pretty good on near stock size tires (31" and under). the best engines from what ive seen are '82-85 300TD. the plus is keeping the MB auto, would make a good driver for the mrs., but the catch is the transcase. its not a big deal really, i was going to divorce it by having a divorce set-up made at a machine shop. there is a shop up in canada that makes divorce kits for minitruck cases and i bet they'll entertain making something for the cruiser, they are OTT industries.
there is a thread going sorta current about one of our mud members doing this exact thing to his FJ60,,,,, err lemme find the thread,,, here it is https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=55814

 

[andrew.fletcher]

I read through that thread and a couple others today and it is tempting. Like you said, good for what I'm looking to do with the truck. The only downside is divorcing the transfer case. It doesn't look like these guys have figured it out and I've been reading that OTT is not the most reliable right now. Their website has even been shut down so who knows. There is a wheeler specialty shop in town that's seems pretty knowledgeable, I'll hit them up on the divorced case for ideas. I wonder in the end though if money saved on the engine gets spent making adapters and such. Hell, the cheapest part of my Chevy in an MGB conversion was the engine!! My only concern is lower torque. I like the idea of easily cranking up the Isuzu when I'm towing but Andre' gave me the impression it isn't nearly as simple to do on the MB. Well, we'll see what Pick and Pull has this weekend. It's becoming a weekly thing as I try to find seats.

 

[RHINO]

maybe read up on the DANA 18 transfer case, not sure if they came divorced also but its prolly an easier case to divorce.

 

[andrew.fletcher]

For me at least, I would be going down a rabbit hole I won't come up from. You've definately got some great ideas and there seems to be a lot of partial completions out there along these lines. If I go with a Dana case that's another purchase vs. using the one off the '60. It just keeps adding up. I think I just need to suck it up, pay the cost for a 4BT or BD and go with a set-up that's shown to work and has adapters somewhat readily available.
This afternoon is seat search day at the dealerships. Trying to figure out what seats I like with integrated belts for the front and rear. What's posing a challenge right now is middle seats. I've got to take the bench out for some type of bucket or split bench seats so the rear seats are easily accessible. This brings up another challenge of lowering the floor in the back to accomodate the seats. I'm thinking of dropping the floor about 4" in the back which means I'll have to drop the fuel tank too. Reason for this is some more foot room and depending on the seat that fits, maybe a partial drop down storage. It all makes sense on my scratch paper but the first set of seats I got a Pick/Pull last weekend didn't fit for s***.

 

[RHINO]

3rd row seats,,,, hmmm thats gonna be unique. maybe just lower the floor under the 3rd row feet and leave the floor under the seat stock height, this should give you ample room to run a fuel tank from a S-15. and i hate to say it but TJ jeeps have pretty nice bucket seats in the way the passenger one folds and lifts forward to the dash for entry room as a second row option.