1977 FJ40 w/a Vortec 4.3 & 4spd

[Fryedaddy]

I bought my 77 on ebay from a guy named Scott in VA (thanks Scott). It didn't have an engine but the tranny, tcase
and body were in good shape. The body needs some work but it's repairable.

My plans are taking it down to the frame, buying a AA kit for a small block chevy & 4" lift or SOA.

I've rebuilt many jeeps but this is my first LC, my rebuild will be a little slow but I'm hoping to have it ready by summer of 09.

 

[Fryedaddy]

A few more of the pics when I brought it home

 

[John Smith]

Looks like a good 40 with a lot of rust hiding under the pretty paint. Too bad about the hacked rear fenders. What part of VA did you find that?

 

[Fryedaddy]

Here are some pics of the engine and frame after removing the body.

 

[Fryedaddy]

(John) I noticed that to. I know a really good welder that is going to replace the panels. I'm getting ready to post some more pics which will show the extent of the body repair.

 

[Downey]

Fryedaddy, it looks like your engine is a mid 1990's CMFI engine. You will want a 40 pulse reluctor ring kit for that particular engine. PM me because I have other "stuff" you might want to know.

 

[Fryedaddy]

Downey PM sent

 

[Fryedaddy]

The frame after some work, paint & motor mounts installed

I bought an Advanced Adapter kit from George (orangefj45)
thanks.

 

[Fryedaddy]

Engine mounted and torn down ready for a rebuild.

 

[Fryedaddy]

I put the body back on to check the position of my engine, it's not perfect but I'll be able to work with it just fine. While I had the body on I decided to go ahead and strip all the bondo from it and this is what I ended up with.

 

[Fryedaddy]

I thought the body was going to be worse off but I'm fairly happy. The pics on ebay had alot of waves in the back half but I can repair whats there. More pics of the body.

 

[Fryedaddy]

The quarters had some rust on them so I went ahead and removed them. I'm going back with some thick angle and having Damie weld some mounts to the frame.

 

[Fryedaddy]

I've also added a Saginaw power steering box and cut the rear a piece of the inner frame out due to rust. Damie has welded the box up and fixed the rear frame as well.

 

[Fryedaddy]

Rear leaf Question

I noticed the rear axle in all 40's looks like it forward in the rear wheel wells. I was looking at the rear leafs and noticed that the axle is 20' from the front and 22" from the rear. if I were to reverse the rear leafs would this hurt anything? I'm getting ready to measure the rear drive shafts and get the fabbed. Would it cause this thing to ride bad or get squirly on the road?

 

[FF LC FREAK]

I noticed the rear axle in all 40's looks like it forward in the rear wheel wells. I was looking at the rear leafs and noticed that the axle is 20' from the front and 22" from the rear. if I were to reverse the rear leafs would this hurt anything? I'm getting ready to measure the rear drive shafts and get the fabbed. Would it cause this thing to ride bad or get squirly on the road?

It is a pretty common upgrade to flip the springs to get a longer wheelbase. With where you are in your build, I see no reason not to flip the springs.

By the way, it is looking pretty good so far. Keep up the good work!

 

[kyot4x4]

I flipped my rear springs and opened up the wheel openings

 

[Fryedaddy]

Thank you both & the rig looks good with the rear fenders cut out, I'll probably do the same.

 

[Fryedaddy]

Finally had some time and funds to make some progress. I've been cutting the rust spots out and welding new metal in. I was going to repair the rear fenders but decided to replace them with the 3/16" bud built panels.

 

[Fryedaddy]

Got the engine rebuilt and all I need to do is install the Alt & power steering pump

 

[Fryedaddy]

Hopefully by the end of Nov I'll have the clutch in and body on ready for repair