Originally, I bought (traded for a bicycle, actually) with the idea of a cheap wheeler... it still may be relatively cheap, but since the end product will be nothing like left the factory; I think here is a better place to blog its build.
Basics, 1971 FJ40 basket case
the original thought was use the toyota axles and transfer case along with a 400 (or 500 cadillac) with a 4 speed manual transmission adapted to the toyota t-case.... there was a problem or two associated with this
notice anything odd about the transmission/transfer case/rear driveshaft?
how about the rear differential? look different?
in addition to gutting the transfer case, putting a mini rear differential in it, a PO had also taken all the guts out of the front differential as well... effectively this was a FJ40 postal version (2 wd). They did put a locker in the rear, but, if my calculations are correct, the rear gear ratio is 2.23... which was a new one on me, I didn't think you could get a locker with that low (numerically gear)...
but where one sees obstacle, I see ultimate (for me) FJ40. The plan has evolved, and even now as I don't have all the parts - not set in stone... but here it goes
Stock body, I MIGHT lengthen the wheelbase by 6 or so inches through an addition to the body.... unlikely, though... I have a Hummer H3 that does a great job of hauling people, so likely it will stay as short as I can and still get the longest driveshaft that I can into it.
3 link/panhard bar front suspension with a Scout 2 power steering box. And a stock Toyota front differential. I've owned 7 FJ40s prior to this, and I know the weaknesses of the design, but I think that, for this build, the stock (with gears, hardened birfield, and a locker) will be just fine. The front will have coil-overs
4 link rear with a 9" for that's trussed in two directions. Gearing is tentatively 4.56, but could change up or down depending on mood and deal. The rear will be traditional shock and coil spring.
350 chevy motor - I have several of these and am picking up another one tomorrow; but if I come across a 6.0 LS motor, that's what will land in it. The 350 flavor will be a Vortec motor with cam and carb. I'm not overspending on the 350 but I'm also not going to build crap - a 350, even if it gets changed to a 6.0 is valuable to me as most of what I own is GM.
4L60e, this may start as a turbo 350 since I have several of them and updating from t350 to 4l60e is pretty straightfoward.
Atlas 2 transfer case with 4:1 gearing. with that said, I may not spend the 2-3k now and will punt with a NP205 or NP 203.... if there was a slip-yoke eliminator available for the NP 208, I'd use that....
With all that said, I have an AX15 and transfer case from a Chevy Colorado.... though, it's so weak sauce that I think it'd be an utter waste of time to put it in.... though it would get it moving with parts I already have.
oh, and pulling with the warn winch.... makes it smoke, a lot
So that gets me to tonight... I started filling holes in the floor
this isn't going to go as fast as I'd like because simultaneous to this build, I'm putting a 300 tdi in a 2000 Land Rover discovery 2
Basics, 1971 FJ40 basket case
the original thought was use the toyota axles and transfer case along with a 400 (or 500 cadillac) with a 4 speed manual transmission adapted to the toyota t-case.... there was a problem or two associated with this
notice anything odd about the transmission/transfer case/rear driveshaft?
how about the rear differential? look different?
in addition to gutting the transfer case, putting a mini rear differential in it, a PO had also taken all the guts out of the front differential as well... effectively this was a FJ40 postal version (2 wd). They did put a locker in the rear, but, if my calculations are correct, the rear gear ratio is 2.23... which was a new one on me, I didn't think you could get a locker with that low (numerically gear)...
but where one sees obstacle, I see ultimate (for me) FJ40. The plan has evolved, and even now as I don't have all the parts - not set in stone... but here it goes
Stock body, I MIGHT lengthen the wheelbase by 6 or so inches through an addition to the body.... unlikely, though... I have a Hummer H3 that does a great job of hauling people, so likely it will stay as short as I can and still get the longest driveshaft that I can into it.
3 link/panhard bar front suspension with a Scout 2 power steering box. And a stock Toyota front differential. I've owned 7 FJ40s prior to this, and I know the weaknesses of the design, but I think that, for this build, the stock (with gears, hardened birfield, and a locker) will be just fine. The front will have coil-overs
4 link rear with a 9" for that's trussed in two directions. Gearing is tentatively 4.56, but could change up or down depending on mood and deal. The rear will be traditional shock and coil spring.
350 chevy motor - I have several of these and am picking up another one tomorrow; but if I come across a 6.0 LS motor, that's what will land in it. The 350 flavor will be a Vortec motor with cam and carb. I'm not overspending on the 350 but I'm also not going to build crap - a 350, even if it gets changed to a 6.0 is valuable to me as most of what I own is GM.
4L60e, this may start as a turbo 350 since I have several of them and updating from t350 to 4l60e is pretty straightfoward.
Atlas 2 transfer case with 4:1 gearing. with that said, I may not spend the 2-3k now and will punt with a NP205 or NP 203.... if there was a slip-yoke eliminator available for the NP 208, I'd use that....
With all that said, I have an AX15 and transfer case from a Chevy Colorado.... though, it's so weak sauce that I think it'd be an utter waste of time to put it in.... though it would get it moving with parts I already have.
oh, and pulling with the warn winch.... makes it smoke, a lot
So that gets me to tonight... I started filling holes in the floor
this isn't going to go as fast as I'd like because simultaneous to this build, I'm putting a 300 tdi in a 2000 Land Rover discovery 2