1976 FJ40 with Cummins 4BT and Ranger OD

[trxridr]

I started this project about 9 months ago but decided to do the body work first. I have never done an ounce of body magic until this point. It started with a rust bucket FJ with a 4.2 inline 6 with a bad rod knock. Ran good, drove good, just noisy. I new before I bought this heap that it was getting a 4BT put in it. I just didn't know what I was going to use behind it. After many countless hours of research, I have decided to leave the factory drive train in and adapt around it. I have all my adapters, just need to finish painting the front clip and some other small items. Starting at the 4BT.... it will go to a Cummins/Chevy bellhousing adapter to a 84 chevy Bellhousing with hyd. clutch to a Ranger OD to the factory 4 speed. The BT should sit about the same if not further back than the 6 cyl. I should be pulling the 6 here in a few weeks to begin the build. Here's a few pics.

 

[trxridr]

Won't let me upload anymore pics, guess I'll have to figure that out another day...

 

[FJforty]

Welcome, nice work.

 

[imabigbangkindaguy]

lookin nice, love the idea of 4BT cummins.....

 

[FF LC FREAK]

Cool project!

If you buy a star, you can upload as many pics as you like. Or, you can host them elsewhere like picassa and then just link to them here.

Good luck!

 

[cjgoode]

Looks nice, need a lot more pictures. Did you make those panels or buy them. Keep the info and pics coming, this is a good build to follow

 

[motoloco]

That is going to be quite a project, I looked at that truck when it was for sale in conifer and then again in golden. Remeber you will need a fair amount of lift for the 4BT, it is very tall. That will be sick when its done. Why not a NV4500 5 sp???

 

[trxridr]

I don't want to hack up the drive train JUST in case I don't like the 4BT. If I like it, I have auto set up to go behind it. I plan on a 5" lift with black XD Hoss wheels wrapped in 35's...... assuming it will still fit in my shop, otherwise 33's will have to do.

 

[trxridr]

cjgoode, I have a ton of pics from start to current, I bought all the panels but installed everything myself. This FJ was a real pile.....it was complete though. Rocker panels, quarters, bed, wheel wells, front fenders, and real sill are all new metal.

 

[trxridr]

ok here we go, I'll weed through all the pics and started posting from the beginning so I can get all caught up...

 

[trxridr]

Here's the heart transplant. Still waiting on the injectors, custom turbo oil line for the flipped turbo set up. Using a modded 6BT manifold to get the turbo up top for better clearance. Still waiting for the new front seats and some door seals too. Now I'm just mocking up the new fenders before paint. Too much to do!

 

[hedgehog23]

great progress, thanks for sharing

 

[trxridr]

So he is some pics of the progress. I got the doors put back together and mounted. I pulled the old engine out and installed the AA transfercase cross member, Ranger overdrive, new Luk clutch and the SM465 bellhousing. I did have to get a different pilot bearing to make the kit work. Going to start fabing the engine mounts this week.

 

[Degnol]

Are you going SOA to clear the oil pan?

 

[TCSTARK]

Great 4BT reference link

Great build so far! I found a great 4BT reference while surfing the net. It is a 4BT specific forum and the thread details alot of the fabrication required. I hope you find it useful.

74 Fj40

 

[Jacket]

Subscribed. This will be fun to watch.

 

[40zen]

Love me some cummins. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

[trxridr]

No SOA in the plan, I got the engine and drive train where I wanted it last night. I installed the motor mounts on the engine and installed the liquid filled mounts. Got one frame mount built but ran out of steel so hopefully I can post some pics of the engine without the hoist on it! So for I have about 4 inches of the clearance between the pan and the front diff. I plan on installing a 4 in. lift with 33's so that should give me the clearance I need.... I hope. Otherwise I'll have to dream some thing else up. This FJ is only going to be used for light trail use and road use.

 

[trxridr]

Thanks TCSTARK, I have been watching that build and getting lots of ideas from him.

 

[trxridr]

I got the engine mounts built and the engine starts and runs in the frame. Lots of parts to hunt down now. I'm going to start on the hard top since I will be doing alot of waiting on parts.