FJ40 buggy

R.K. · 01-16-08, 06:48 PM

Here are some progress pics of my FJ40 buggy project. Jim's Garage tubed the back-half and did a 4-link in the rear with air shocks. Now I have to make a new tranny/t-case crossmember, clock the t-case, fab floorboards, plumb the fuel cell and rear brakes, wire the battery and tail lights, run exhaust, etc.
This is the Cruiser before:

Here it is after stripping it to take to Jim's:

After cutting the body tub and rear of frame off:

4-linked rear:

Tubing started:

R.K. · 01-16-08, 06:48 PM

Tubing completed:

Tubing primed:

R.K. · 01-16-08, 06:49 PM

Tubing painted:

Test fitting 42s:

Sputnik40 · 01-16-08, 07:10 PM

Wow! You're light years ahead of me. Wish you were closer - I'd like to have the remnants of your tubbed tub.

GarnerFJ40 · 01-16-08, 07:18 PM

That's going to be a beast R.K. ...

southerncruiser62 · 01-16-08, 07:27 PM

R.K. That was a pretty quick turnaround. Looking good.

incogrhino · 01-17-08, 01:19 AM

Love the detail.

HillbillyFab · 01-17-08, 06:36 AM

Sofar everything that I've seen, that Jim has fabbed, I like alot! here's to a clean looking cruiser

Radd Cruisers · 01-17-08, 07:19 AM

WOWWWW, nice work clean simple lines, really dig the stinger design, works with the cruiser lines.

Rob

R.K. · 01-17-08, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sputnik40

Wow! You're light years ahead of me. Wish you were closer - I'd like to have the remnants of your tubbed tub.

You didn't want my tub Bill, it was rusted and beat. Tubbing the wheel wells on a Cruiser is the way to go if you want to keep the full tub and be able to run big tires, have good up travel, and keep the rig low.

Sputnik40 · 01-17-08, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R.K.

You didn't want my tub Bill, it was rusted and beat. Tubbing the wheel wells on a Cruiser is the way to go if you want to keep the full tub and be able to run big tires, have good up travel, and keep the rig low.

Yeah, I know - I'm going to be boat tailing and tubbing mine, but the whole top right side from the b-pillar back is mangled - don't ask how, but lets just say it happened over time and the last trip just added insult to injury.

I really like full bodied Cruisers - but damn, the lines on that look really really good! Nice work.

fj40forlife · 01-17-08, 09:02 AM

Whats the belly height. wb?

R.K. · 01-17-08, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fj40forlife

Whats the belly height. wb?

The wheelbase is 105". I won't know the belly height until I decide if I want to run 39.5s or 42s.

jfz80 · 01-17-08, 12:16 PM

Just plain nasty..... I LIKE

cant wait to see it up close.

Sputnik40 · 01-17-08, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R.K.

Test fitting 42s:

Missed that those are 42's. It fits in the garage, the 42's look good, plenty of room to articulate - could use some substantial front wheel spacers to improve turnability during compression - that being said, looks like the decision has been made - expect to see you go 42's!!!

erymer · 01-17-08, 03:54 PM

very nice RK. I love it man. That thing was bad-ass before, but it's just mean now.

bulldog11267mad · 01-17-08, 04:08 PM

love what you did! very nice work. wish you could finish mine!!

JONNYFJ · 01-17-08, 07:51 PM

Nice Rig

Love the CHEVOTA

R.K. · 01-17-08, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sputnik40

Missed that those are 42's. It fits in the garage, the 42's look good, plenty of room to articulate - could use some substantial front wheel spacers to improve turnability during compression - that being said, looks like the decision has been made - expect to see you go 42's!!!

The 42s are just on it for a test fit. I think I'm going back to my 39.5s. I'll wheel it for a while on 39.5s to see how well the new set-up works. I haven't ruled out going to 42s in the future. If I do go to 42s, they will be 17s to fit my beadlocks, not 15s like the ones in the pics.

lowtideride · 01-18-08, 08:00 AM

Nice work....

Looks like a light rig. (for a cruiser)

I like all the tube work. Well done.

R.K. · 01-18-08, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fj40forlife

Whats the belly height. wb?

On 42s, the bottom of the frame is 25.5" and the top of the cage is 82.5".

R.K. · 01-21-08, 09:34 AM

I got some stuff done this weekend. I clocked the t-case up 3" and made a new crossmember for it. The belly isn't completely flat, but it's close now. The crossmember is very stout also. I'll try to get some pics up later this week.

mrqtipp · 01-27-08, 09:18 PM

sick truck

fj40forlife · 01-27-08, 09:55 PM

did you go with 2.0 or 2.5 air shocks?

R.K. · 01-28-08, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fj40forlife

did you go with 2.0 or 2.5 air shocks?

They are Sway-A-Way 2.0" 16" travel air shocks.

bkfj40 · 01-29-08, 04:35 AM

lookin great! can't wait to see it in person

bk

John Smith · 01-29-08, 07:17 AM

Nice buggy! Are those two Minis I spy in front of the 40 in one of your shots?

R.K. · 01-29-08, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Smith

Nice buggy! Are those two Minis I spy in front of the 40 in one of your shots?

Yes, you are correct about the Minis. We have 3 total, would you like to buy one?

01-16-08, 06:48 PM	#1
R.K. IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NC TLCA# 3968 Posts: 518	FJ40 buggy Here are some progress pics of my FJ40 buggy project. Jim's Garage tubed the back-half and did a 4-link in the rear with air shocks. Now I have to make a new tranny/t-case crossmember, clock the t-case, fab floorboards, plumb the fuel cell and rear brakes, wire the battery and tail lights, run exhaust, etc. This is the Cruiser before: Here it is after stripping it to take to Jim's: After cutting the body tub and rear of frame off: 4-linked rear: Tubing started: __________________ FJ40 buggy - 5.7 Vortec/SM465/LoMax205, 42" Iroks, 30 spline Longs, tubed back half, 4-linked rear, etc.

01-16-08, 06:48 PM	#2
R.K. IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NC TLCA# 3968 Posts: 518	Tubing completed: Tubing primed: __________________ FJ40 buggy - 5.7 Vortec/SM465/LoMax205, 42" Iroks, 30 spline Longs, tubed back half, 4-linked rear, etc.

01-16-08, 06:49 PM	#3
R.K. IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NC TLCA# 3968 Posts: 518	Tubing painted: Test fitting 42s: __________________ FJ40 buggy - 5.7 Vortec/SM465/LoMax205, 42" Iroks, 30 spline Longs, tubed back half, 4-linked rear, etc.

01-16-08, 07:10 PM	#4
Sputnik40 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 TLCA# 6187 Posts: 1,295	Wow! You're light years ahead of me. Wish you were closer - I'd like to have the remnants of your tubbed tub. __________________ "The devil made me do it the first time. The second time I done it on my own."

01-16-08, 07:18 PM	#5
GarnerFJ40 Back at Home Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Garner, NC TLCA# 17351 Posts: 225	That's going to be a beast R.K. ... __________________ 1974 FJ40 John Deere Green, 1.5F 1974 FJ40 Thinking Pollux Orange, and leaning 12HT running BioDiesel This Week: Planning for the 2 Cruisers while I'm in DK Olde North State Cruisers

01-16-08, 07:27 PM	#6
southerncruiser62 ONSC President Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Raleigh TLCA# 17608 Posts: 955	R.K. That was a pretty quick turnaround. Looking good. __________________ Olde North State Cruisers 95 FZJ80, "D" light works...oh and a few other things 92 P/U, 1KZ-TE Diesel Install, 2" OME, DD.

01-17-08, 01:19 AM	#7
incogrhino I do hate mud Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: bland haven Meesheegun TLCA# 16350 Posts: 540	Love the detail. __________________ Drafting the big bricks with my little brick 78'&80'fj40'&a83'fj60 Great Lakes Land Cruisers

01-17-08, 06:36 AM	#8
HillbillyFab IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dickson,TN 37055 Posts: 17	Sofar everything that I've seen, that Jim has fabbed, I like alot! here's to a clean looking cruiser __________________ 85 Toy ext cab dd/wheeler 65 FJ45 Resto Rig 70 FJ40 Rock Rig Last edited by HillbillyFab; 01-17-08 at 06:47 PM.

01-17-08, 07:19 AM	#9
Radd Cruisers IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada Posts: 3,616	WOWWWW, nice work clean simple lines, really dig the stinger design, works with the cruiser lines. Rob __________________ Check out our new location in Duncan, BC www.raddcruisers.ca --> 60 Series Cable Lockers available - 4.11s or 3.70s - all hardware included --> 12HT & H55F combos available - complete & running Limited Quantities - Deposit or Full Payment Required to hold your order while they ship

01-17-08, 09:02 AM	#12
fj40forlife IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 TLCA# 5624562435 Posts: 942	Whats the belly height. wb?

01-17-08, 12:16 PM	#14
jfz80 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: la punta alto TLCA# 16634 Posts: 1,420	Just plain nasty..... I LIKE cant wait to see it up close. __________________ 95 FZJ-80 Lifted, Locked, armored, blown and bigelow enhanced ; single digit MPG wondermobile w/ no gas tank at the moment 72 FJ-55 IPOR bumpers/sliders, SOA, 3'' BL, 8274, and a big ole F'n engine, 35's

01-17-08, 04:08 PM	#17
bulldog11267mad IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 113	love what you did! very nice work. wish you could finish mine!! __________________ fj40 73 rock crawler four link. fj40 79 power steering all stock. these are my babies

01-17-08, 07:51 PM	#18
JONNYFJ Quiet there's a J**P Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: IRAQ :( TLCA# 18337 Posts: 296	Nice Rig Love the CHEVOTA __________________ 69 FJ40 383 Stroker SM420 3Speed Toyota T-Case SOA ARBs 35 MTRs and more 84 Mini Truck 22RE Stock Tranny Duel T-Cases Flat Bed 35s

01-18-08, 08:00 AM	#20
lowtideride Ride On... Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Florida TLCA# 14891 Posts: 6,999	Nice work.... Looks like a light rig. (for a cruiser) I like all the tube work. Well done. __________________ www.NFCruiserheads.org FJ45 Crawler and a 1983 Hilux... has had no peers for 50 years...

01-21-08, 09:34 AM	#22
R.K. IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NC TLCA# 3968 Posts: 518	I got some stuff done this weekend. I clocked the t-case up 3" and made a new crossmember for it. The belly isn't completely flat, but it's close now. The crossmember is very stout also. I'll try to get some pics up later this week. __________________ FJ40 buggy - 5.7 Vortec/SM465/LoMax205, 42" Iroks, 30 spline Longs, tubed back half, 4-linked rear, etc.

01-27-08, 09:18 PM	#23
mrqtipp IH8MUD Junior Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 102	sick truck

01-27-08, 09:55 PM	#24
fj40forlife IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 TLCA# 5624562435 Posts: 942	did you go with 2.0 or 2.5 air shocks?

01-29-08, 04:35 AM	#26
bkfj40 some 6, no 4, and more 6 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: shenandoah valley, va TLCA# 7909 Posts: 1,075	lookin great! can't wait to see it in person bk __________________ 76fj40 77fj55 85fj60 00uzj100 90Hilux Crew Cab Diesel 07 5.7L Tundra DC "I spend most of my money on beer, land cruisers, and women...the rest I just waste" - Curran

01-29-08, 07:17 AM	#27
John Smith In the garage Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Maryland TLCA# 9074 Posts: 1,531	Nice buggy! Are those two Minis I spy in front of the 40 in one of your shots? __________________ 79 FJ40 & 78 FJ55 http://users.starpower.net/johnsmith <- Detailed ToyBox install instructions Please help save the Upper Tellico OHV area, Donate to the Rescue Tellico Fund http://www.sfwda.org/trails/tellico/donate.html