Sept, POTM Pig Bites

Mrbinks79 · 09-01-08, 06:35 PM

Well fellas, I'll start from the beginning of my LC searches. I have only been addicted for a reasonably short time. I was doing a search a few years back and came across the FJ Cruiser concept. Thought it was okay but that's when I started looking for older models. I originally wanted a 40 and began my search. I had found one while I was still in northern cali. Found the 40 in the San Diego area. I wanted it but things didn't work out. So I continued my search. Once I moved to Texas I continued my search and looked at a few 40s but could never make up my mind on which I wanted or if I had the money for the one I wanted.

Then I started searching around this site more and more. That's when I found the fj55 Iron Pig Pres Society. I started looking more and more and really started to want the one of my own. So I began the search for my own lil Piggie. I actually found the link to Craigslist here. I was searching around and I was on like page 11 or something and came across my pig. I emailed the guy in Tuscon the same day. He only wanted an offer. I offered $650 I figured I'd go low and see what happened. The guy emailed me back and said he'd take $750 I agreed. I was in Santa Rosa NM working and had to try and figure out how to get it back to TX.
While still in contact with the owner I finished with the job in NM and went back to Midland Texas before returning to Victoria TX. Once in Midland I started looking for a shipper to move the Pig from Tuscon to Victoria. I once more went to Craigslist and got lucky. I found a guy that was actually on his way through TX in the next few days. I was able to buy a tow bar and get the other assorted items needed for the shipper to bring the LC to me. This shipper went beyond the call of helping out another mechanic with a project. He went to the guys house and picked up the tow bar and paid for it for me. He went to the parts store and picked up the tow lights and the hardware to mount the tow bar. He also got a friend of his to mount the tow bar. Yeah he charged me for all of this and his time to do it but how many shippers are going to go through the trouble.

Okay so I bought the pig for $750 and ended up paying $830 for shipping and all the above named items. I think it was worth it.

Since getting it home. Since the engine wasn't running and the PO was sure it was the pressure relief valve in the oil pump. Sure was and most of the main and front three rod bearings. So rather than keep the ole' pig down long enough for me to afford to rebuild the motor I went on the hunt for a newish motor. I found one from AGreekBoy here on mud. The motor was in SC but Zulu was able to help me out he just so happened to have a friend who was coming to TX. So I recently got the motor and dropped it in Yesterday. I'm sure most everyone has seen my build thread.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-iron-pi...pig-build.html

Anyhow. Currently I'm trying to get the ole' piggy running under it's own power then the plans are to cut the the rear quarters off and do a rap around bumper in the rear. Re do the front bumper with a similar look to the rear. At some point I am going to chop the rear roof and move it forward, and fully enclose with the use of a wrecked mini truck. I already have my eyes on the mini truck and am hoping the guy at the salvage yard will hold on to it for me for a little longer. At some point when I'm rich and famous I want to lower the roof a few inches. Give it the low rider look. Have to save my money for the new windshield.

Current mods well other than getting it running I have non so the ole' pig is pretty much stock. Would really like to do some sort of lift but don't have much experience with lifts or shackles or any of that but I'm learning. I'll put a pic or two on my build that I took today after getting my engine in.

oldfj40 · 09-01-08, 11:05 PM

Been watching your build and it's looking good.Bet you can't wait to take it for a ride.Have you looked at the brakes yet? Are you going to be able to take it for a little spin around the block at least?
One more question - have you ever driven a Piggy before? If not,be prepared for lots of thumbs up and folks wanting to ask you about your rig.Good stuff!
Keep up the good work.

Mrbinks79 · 09-02-08, 07:29 AM

Oldfj40. I've taken a look at the brakes and they don't look too bad. It is currently drum front and rear but the conversion is already started with the brake booster. I have re run all the brake hard lines so after a good bleed I should be able to stop the pig. No unfortunately for me I have yet to drive a pig. I am excited though. In the near future I hope. I got a lot done yesterday maybe in the next couple weekends I'll have the time to get it up and running.

cruiser_guy · 09-02-08, 06:20 PM

Remember that the drum brake '55's and '40's are NOT automatic adjusting. If you find it takes more than a pump of the pedal to stop you are overdue on you brake adjustments.

Mrbinks79 · 09-02-08, 09:21 PM

Yeah the plan is to go to discs at least in the front in the next few months. I'd like to eventually go to a self adjusting rear or disc rear in the future. I know where I can get the front disc set up from a 60 just have to get someones fj60 sold for free parts or buy them off someone. lol You know who you are. lol

nuclearlemon · 09-09-08, 05:05 PM

If you want to go self adjusting, than snag that rear axle off the 60 also. it adjusts via the park brake and cable, so get all that and convert it into your rig

cruiser_guy · 09-10-08, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuclearlemon

If you want to go self adjusting, than snag that rear axle off the 60 also. it adjusts via the park brake and cable, so get all that and convert it into your rig

Ige, is it all a bolt on to the narrower '40/55 axle? If so, I'll be doing the '55 and the '45LV.

nuclearlemon · 09-10-08, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiser_guy

Ige, is it all a bolt on to the narrower '40/55 axle? If so, I'll be doing the '55 and the '45LV.

haven't tried, but it should be dang close at least. i cheated and just put the entire 60 axle underneath

zuluzeugma · 09-19-08, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrbinks79

I know where I can get the front disc set up from a 60 just have to get someones fj60 sold for free parts or buy them off someone. lol You know who you are. lol

Whatever happened to this? HAHA, still got the 60... I'm ready to come down in price... Let your boss know.

Mrbinks79 · 09-19-08, 09:34 PM

Hey Josh I'll let him know if you want you can PM me with the price. Believe me I'd like to get your 60 sold cause I'd really like the disc breaks.

RHINO · 09-29-08, 07:31 PM

mrbinks, its a catchy story, i like it.

the 60 backing plates will not bolt onto the 55 housing w/o some mods to the pattern. but its easy to re-drill if you want to go that route.

Mrbinks79 · 09-29-08, 08:30 PM

I'm not sure what route I'm going yet. I'm away for work right now so the Pig sits Idle right now.