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Josie'sLandCruiser

Josie'sLandCruiser

Stop calling it a "FJ."
10 Year 15 Year 20 Year
Joined
Feb 4, 2005
Threads
163
Messages
5,340
Location
Seattle, USA
Hi All:

Yep, it is my turn to do the "Rig of the Week" thread.

Unfortunately, I've had some trouble with some digital photo files sent to me from some friends so I won't be able to use some of their great pics. I have hobbled-together some photos to give you guys an idea of what my rig is like.

To start the thread, this first pic is to clear-up the source of my MUD "tag." "Josie" is my dog, who loves my FJ40! She will hop into it at any chance, I suppose because she does not want to be left behind! :D

More photos to come shortly!

-Alan
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Hi All:

Crap! Now my photos are too big to post!

I'm a newbie to digital cameras, so this might take awhile to figure out.

Sorry for the "false start!" Check back later for more photos.

Regards,

Alan
 
Alan, we want to see some more info about your "ride". Damn the photos for now. Give us the info anyway.
 
Hi All:

O.K. - lets' try this again! :D

Until I get educated on photo re-sizing, BULL has generously offered to host my oversized JPEGs!

Where do I start? I bought this 11/73 FJ40 in December 1997. The seller told me that he had got the rig as a "parts car" and brought it back to life. It has been a real learning experience on both mechanics and the evolution of the 40 Series.

Here is a photo of the engine compartment. The PO had swapped-in a '78 2F engine, but had the alternator still on the driver's side, ala a "F engine." In this pic you can see that I relocated the alternator to the passenger's side with a 2F bracket when installing the Saginaw power steering pump (donated by a '76 K5 Blazer) using a bracket purchased from JT Outfitters.

-Alan
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Hi All:

I've done a number of modifications to the rig over the years; I never knew what a "project rig" really was until I got one of my own! :D

The first thing I had to repair on the rig was in February 1998 when the original gas tank sprung a leak. Unfortunately, I was cheap and "saved" $50 buying the aftermarket poly gas tank instead of the OE steel tank; lets just say I've had the gas tank in and out of the truck a few times over the years! :rolleyes:

One of the first modifications I did was install an Old Man Emu suspension on the truck. In this photo you can see a rear spring, shock, and greaseable shackle.

-Alan
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I feel like I got that teaser from the anchorman befor the commercial break;)

Looks good so far I'll check back after the commercial break

Chris
 
Hi All:

Well, soon after installing the OME suspension my cash flow dropped drastically! :frown:

The rest of my "build" of this FJ40 has been under a strict, tight budget.

Switching from the stock front drum brakes to front disc brakes was one of the first mods on this 40; I used a '78 frontend "donated" by a CDN. spec BJ40. A friend helped me re-build and re-assemble this front axle with an older 4.11 ratio third member.

After 'wheeling the rig for awhile with open differentials I decided to install a locking differential in the rear axle. As much as I'd would have liked to install an ARB Air Locker, Toyota cable 'locker, or a Detroit, lets' just say those choices would not fit into the budget! :eek:

I settled on a Lockrite "lunchbox" 'locker after reading some recommendations from 'Cruiser mechanics that I respect; it is still in my rig after five plus years and is working well.

One of the "budget" mods I did some years ago was an idea I "borrowed" :grinpimp: from my friend Kevin. He found a weird piece of five inch by three inch by 1/4 inch steel angle iron, and used it to fab-up some heavy-duty side steps. I used a piece of four inch by four inch by 1/4 inch steel angle iron to make some side steps; see this photo for a better idea.

-Alan
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Hi All:

So, over the last few years I added a Saginaw power steering conversion, and an Aussie-import H41 four speed transmission. My friend Mike Reardon was a major part of these projects; without his help and guidance they would have never come together so well.

Both of these mods have been well worth the effort!

-Alan
 
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Hi All:

Well, the biggest project I've ever done on this rig was replacing the rear 2/3s of the body tub, which happened about three years ago.

A couple of my buddies hassled me about 'wheeling so much with just the stock "roll bar." I had come to the conclusion that the rig had some bondo on it; I had no idea! :frown:

Before installing a roll cage I stripped-down the rear tub to repair body rot. It was in much worse condition than I realized. Large holes from severe rust, and one post of the roll bar was corroded at its' base - if I had rolled the rig the roll bar probably would have just folded-up! :eek:

Initially, the plan was to repair the body tub with welded-in patch panels of OE Japanese sheet steel (donated by the roof of a '77 FJ55 I helped part-out) but the original rear 2/3s of the tub was just too badly rotted-out.

I was able to secure a rear 2/3s 40 Series body tub from a local man with a Land Cruiser "boneyard." The donor was a 1968 FJ40 that while not exactly 100% straight is very solid (late '60s sheet metal is thick!)

Associated with the rear 2/3s body tub swap was repairing rust damage to the rear frame. A buddy with a Toyota-based buggy that is most generous with his welding skills and time replaced and beefed-up the rear crossmember and frame. See these photos for the frame repairs.

Regards,

Alan

http://toymoco.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/DSCN0068.jpg[/IMG

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Hi All:

After the rear frame repair, rear 2/3s body tub swap, and roll cage install I needed to figure-out a spare tire carrier. I don't like the idea of hanging the tire off of the body tub once they are 33 inch or larger, so a frame-mounted carrier was the plan. Also, oversize tires start sticking-out from the body tub when using the stock off-set 40 Series spare carrier.

I bought a homemade swing-away tire carrier, with a centered mount for $40 from the guy who did the rear frame repairs. Another friend welded it onto the new rear crossmember and fabbed-up a simple latch mechanism for it. Although not especially pretty or fancy looking, it works just fine!

Regards,

Alan
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Hi All:

Last Spring I decided to *finally* replace the dead drum brake booster in my FJ40. With the help of MUD I decided on using a Toyota 4wd mini-truck brake booster and a '92 V-6 master cylinder. These fit just fine, but had to adjust (shorten) the throw rod on the booster to work correctly.

As part of the project I also installed longer brake flex lines on both axles (I used those 5 inch longer than stock lines that come cheap from NAPA) and did the typical "Monte Carlo" rear disc brake swap as well.

For the RDB swap I researched on MUD and the archieves of the LCML to figure out part numbers, etc. I was probably able to do the swap for about US$300 I'd imagine, using all new parts. Turns out I mounted the calipers upside down, but my (tube buggy) friend's Snap-On brake pressure bleeder worked like a charm to get the air out of the brake lines! :grinpimp:

In this photo you can also see the low profile u-bolt plates I bought several years ago from "Land Cruiser Advanced Handling" (LCAH) in Albany, Oregon.

Regards,

Alan
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Hi All:

A few minor mods I did last summer was in the cargo area of my FJ40.

The first thing I did was mount a $25 plastic storage box (from Loew's) to the floor right behind the front seats. Now I don't have to worry as much about my tool box "disappearing" from the truck! :D

Another item was to "install" (very loose use of the word!) a rubber mat on the cargo floor to protect the paint and cut-down on rattles and squeeks. This is one of those mats that are used on the floors of restaurant kitchens - it is thick and tough and cost $20 at Home Depot.

Finally, I used a five foot piece of pre-perforated angle iron to make a pair of tie-down rails that I bolted to the tops of the wheel wells.

See the below photo for more info.

Regards,

Alan
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