'66 fj40 Frame Off Buildup - TJ's Cruiser

[truggier]

Ok, so I bought this cruiser in 2002, drove it for a few years, then had the clutch go out. So naturally at that point I stripped it on down to the frame, and spent bookoo money on a bunch of cool parts to build it back up (MPFI, NV4500, power steering, rear 4-link and front SOA from Proffit's - the list goes on). However, life being what it is, after I stripped it to the frame and sandblasted it, it has sat for probably five years now with no work on it.

I've debated many times just parting it out and buying a cruiser that someone else built up. In the end though, I decided that giving up wasn't a good message for my kids (or me) and am going forth with the project. I've got a bit more time now and $$.

So here goes. I'll start with some pictures of the original condition I bought it in, and post more details on what I've done to this point. Progress will likely be slow on this project, though I think I'm going to take two weeks vacation in the spring to work on it.

The cruiser was pretty much stock when I first bought it except for a Chevy 350 with dual exhaust, 33s, Rancho shocks, and some shackles. It still had the orignal hard top (guy had taken it off) and doors, had a bikini top and fabric half doors, and jump seats. The price was $2800. The brakes just had gotten done, steering was pretty tight (not much play in the wheel) and it stopped in a straight line. Guy even threw in a Hi-Lift to seal the deal.

More to follow, work calls for now.

 

[cjgoode]

Yes, build it back yourself. Kids will remember it much better, and enjoy helping. My daughter loves to climb in mine and helps bleed the brakes and other stuff. They will remember building one and driving it much more then just buying one, and I think you will be much happier knowing you put it back together when driving it. Show us some picture of how it looks now, probably spread everywhere but still like to see where it is now so we can follow it coming back together.

 

[Living in the Past]

The top and windshield look to be off a older model. The fresh air for the heater blower looks 66. Either way it looks like a solid cruiser to start with.

I drive thru Camp Verde a couple times a month I keep a eye out for in the spring time.

 

[truggier]

Yes, build it back yourself. Kids will remember it much better, and enjoy helping. My daughter loves to climb in mine and helps bleed the brakes and other stuff. They will remember building one and driving it much more then just buying one, and I think you will be much happier knowing you put it back together when driving it. Show us some picture of how it looks now, probably spread everywhere but still like to see where it is now so we can follow it coming back together.

Thanks my friend. These are good thoughts and it's why I decided to follow this through.

 

[truggier]

The top and windshield look to be off a older model. The fresh air for the heater blower looks 66. Either way it looks like a solid cruiser to start with.

I drive thru Camp Verde a couple times a month I keep a eye out for in the spring time.

Small world. It would be a freakin miracle if this thing was drivable by spring...but we can all have our fantasies, anyway.

 

[truggier]

2004 is when the clutch went out and I stripped it down. There was quite a bit of rust and some bondo on the outside. I don't think this thing spent its whole life in Arizona, there's way too much rust.

 

[truggier]

Down to the frame now. Pics are before and after sandblasting. You can see in the second one that I was playing with a Man-a-Fre shackle reversal kit (dubbed by some as 'rock finders') - this was before I decided to go whole hog and do a SOA in front and 4 link in the rear. I cut out the torque tube early on.

 

[truggier]

Here's my drivetrain - the Chevy 350 mated via Advance Adaptors to an NV4500, which is in turn mated to my stock transfer case. This was way back in 2005, I think. Nothing much has changed, but the 350 is currently being completely rebuilt, and I've got a new Edelbrok MPFI to replace the carburetor that'll be going on top. Likewise, I think I've decided to go with an Orion TC, both to up my gear ratio and to eliminate any chance of cracking the case.

 

[igotta40]

You call that rust?

Best wishes & good luck, looks good so far

 

[copasspupil]

Looks good. Glad to see another one being restored!

 

[truggier]

Thanks all for the complements and encouragement.

Pictures of my axles follow. I'm not using the orignal '66 axles. I picked these up from a fellow mudder - they are mid-70s vintage, I think. The rear is a full floater with a Detroit locker, disc brakes, and Warn hubs. The front has an electric locker (from a 100 series, I think) disc brakes, and histeer. I've totally broken these down at this point since I have new axle housings from Proffit's, so they will be completely rebuilt. I hope I can remember how they go back together. What's the best manual for axle rebuilds? I need lots o' pictures.

I bought rebuild kits from Specter but think they may have been for the '66 axles. Anyone know how I can place the year of the new axles?

 

[truggier]

A few goodies to be added at some point in the build, in order of appearance in the pictures - MPFI for the 350, aluminum radiator and electric fan from AA, Sanderson shorty ceramic-coated headers, and a full roll cage.

 

[truggier]

And this is how things stand now. Trying to get proper bracket placement on the frame - I need to put the drivetrain back in to make sure all of the angles check out before welding everything up. The front springs are new OME Dakars with the bottom two leafs removed (I still have the rear set if anyone is interested), and they've been flipped with a shackle reversal. The cut and turn for the front axle was done by Proffit's. The rear 4-link was done by Proffit's as well. Everything is just tack welded in place while I try to get everything aligned properly.

The wheelbase will end up being 103".

 

[truggier]

And the rest of the pics from the previous post...

 

[wichitakid]

Good luck and keep at it! My 66 looks like your early tear-down pictures. I'm two years into ownership and haven't done anything significant.

 

[truggier]

Good luck and keep at it! My 66 looks like your early tear-down pictures. I'm two years into ownership and haven't done anything significant.

Heh...much easier to tear it down than build it back up. I'm amazed at how many hours this project takes. Thanks for the encouragement. Don't give up on yours.

I spent some time yesterday and today opening a 3.25" hole in the front crossmember for the Saginaw PS. A tube from Cruiser Outfitters will be welded in. I'm thinking of beefing up the frame a little further in that area in addition to the tube.

 

[truggier]

Not getting much time to work on this lately - there's three birthdays in my household this month, not to mention Christmas.

This is pretty much what I expect my rig to look like, except mine will be freeborn red:

Yellow Stage 2 Land Cruiser Crawler | Proffitt's Cruisers Land Cruiser Restoration

Anyone guess what size tires they're running?

Been talking with Gary at Mudrak, and he is going to build my Orion. I need to disassemble my NV4500 from the stock tcase and send him the spud shaft that is from the AA adaptor first.

 

[brew8]

Can I have your shop, PLEASE

 

[GarageRat]

Anyone guess what size tires they're running?

37x12.50x17s

 

[truggier]

Can I have your shop, PLEASE

I'm fortunate enough to live on private airport...there's a runway a couple of hundred feet from my hangar door. We don't fly, but the hangar makes an awesome shop - there's room to roam. It's 35' x 42'.