The "I still don't have a name for it" build thread (1 Viewer)

[me_tu05]

It all started about a year and a half ago. I picked up this hideous FJ62 for $1500 that took a trip through the dinning room of a KFC. Apparently some 16 yr old was working at the Jiffy Lube next to a KFC and just got his license. I guess he was trying to drive the cruiser into a bay and it just took off into the KFC dinning room almost killing someone. It ended up at my girlfriends uncles shop and I thought I could just fix the damage and sell it. The driver door and passenger fender were smashed and the driver rocker pannel had a hole in it. I picked up a rusted out door from the only 60 in a junk yard on the island.

Needless to say I couldn't let go. I started to read up on 60's here and decided to make it a mild wheeler and camping vehicle.

Killer flex!!!
Next up was a lift and tires. I picked up some BFG AT's for really cheap from a guy I worked with and picked up a 4" MAF OME shackle reversal lift. While I was waiting for the lift, I started on a new rear bumper. There was some 5/16's 1020 steel just sitting outside so I took it upon my self to save it from the elements and built a bulletproof rear bumper.

After that I started on the front bumper. Got a good deal on some 3/16's 4130 plate. Time to party.

The lift was delivered to my friends house and the first chance I got I put it on. After a couple of days of struggling by myself I finished it. I also had the tires mounted on a new set of Procomp Rockcrawler 97 wheels with 2.5" of BS.

I started wheeling the cruiser and it worked well. It was starting to become a recreational vehicle and daily driver.

 

[me_tu05]

As I was wheeling a lot, I wanted more, so I started reading up on SOA build and decided to do it. I picked up all of my parts and talked to my friend about using his shop. He said any weekend, so I after I had the time worked out, I started. Three long days later, I had a new suspension. I used the OME med springs that I had from the other lift. We frenched the spring hangers into the frame and boxed in part of the rear frame. The steering got a Marlin hysteer upgrade, F-250 shock towers, new hangers, ubots and plates, and track bar brackets from ruff stuff specialties, spring perches from MAF, and some custom length break hoses from a local shop.

We got everything installed and welded up. No cut and turn, just set the pinion to 10*.

 

[acer]

Very cool home project, looks killer and obviously can wheel! I am currently in the midst of a complete suspension and running gear plus 3b diesel swap.
Cheers

 

[Isaacjohnstar]

Nice looking Oahu Cruiser! It looks like it has great flex!

I don't know about your island, but on Maui the hippies get violent when you wheel on the beach

 

[me_tu05]

Thanks.
I wheeled it a couple of times and realized the tires weren't working out so well. I also got talked into taking the overload springs out of the rear spring pack. That only led to problems. The springs sagged and I was getting really bad axle wrap. I put the longer overload spring back in and like the way it handles.

I was also having issues with my front driveshaft. It was bottoming out on its self, so I when the inexpensive route and made a square tube driveshaft. The larger is 2.5" .250 wall and the smaller 2" .250 wall square tube. Drive shaft turned out great, I was driving 50 mph outside of my friends shop in 4wd and could feel no vibes

I also used a DC from a 87 4runner. Works great but I broke the grease fitting for the CV and now I can't find one.

I was looking for larger tires and I came upon a set of 12 bolt H1 dual beadlocks with the 37x12.5 goodyear MT's for $400.

I swooped them up and ordered some pressed centers and 1/2" round stock rolled to the diameter of the wheel. While taking them apart I destroyed a couple of studs, so I ordered a bunch of Grade 8 flange bolts and nuts. I welded the nuts to the inside of the inner section of the wheels so I could put the bolts going into the wheel intead of the studs sticking out. I welded the centers with 3" of backspacing, sandblasted the wheels, painted them and assembled the whole shabang.

After I installed the wheels, I had to cut the fenders.

I started working out the details on my track bar. I decided to run a cross member between the rear heater hoses. After getting a little finished at a time between homework, I finally finished it.

[

I now have a mission of installing my longs, hydro assist, and aussie locker. The tax man loves me.

I still have on my list of things to accomplish:
Exhaust
Turbo 3EF
bob the rear 12-14 inches
partial exo
and who knows what else I will come up with.

 

[kling-on]

very nice

 

[ElliottB]

No project name?

How about "Chicken Crusher" in homage to the KFC incident.

 

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

No project name?

How about "Chicken Crusher" in homage to the KFC incident.

I like that one. Or KFC for "Kaʻala Fried Cruiser"

Butt

 

[Dirtgypsy]

looks good man. great evolution so far.

kalua cruiser?

clint

 

[laguna80]

Awesome cruiser. Damn I was hoping for some unknown stash of cruisers buried in some junkyard somewhere on Oahu but I guess not.

 

[me_tu05]

Awesome cruiser. Damn I was hoping for some unknown stash of cruisers buried in some junkyard somewhere on Oahu but I guess not.

Angles towing has a 60 with no engine and trans, and a smashed 40 in a pile of other cars. not too much to get. I will be looking for the taillights from the 60 soon, seeing that I have smashed mine twice already.

 

[me_tu05]

looks good man. great evolution so far.

kalua cruiser?

clint

Thanks, I really just wanted to consolidate all of my project posts into one thread so its easier to find and update.

 

[laguna80]

Angles towing has a 60 with no engine and trans, and a smashed 40 in a pile of other cars. not too much to get. I will be looking for the taillights from the 60 soon, seeing that I have smashed mine twice already.

That 40 isn't green is it? I used to have green 40 a few years ago.

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

Sweet Cruiser! Love the build.

Tk

 

[chicago]

Right on man!
Love the rig! Props to you for keeping her and not sellin it. Poor girl. Just needed a lil LOVE!
Hawaii is my HAPPY place!

Cant wait to go back.

Chicago

 

[me_tu05]

That 40 isn't green is it? I used to have green 40 a few years ago.

Don't know, I think it was rust colored. It was buried in a pile of cars and I only recognized it by the front end.

Right on man!
Love the rig! Props to you for keeping her and not sellin it. Poor girl. Just needed a lil LOVE!
Hawaii is my HAPPY place!

Cant wait to go back.

Chicago

Its been a good vehicle so far. If you come here look me up.

 

[chicago]

Would you mind posting the PN's for the ram assist gear you got?
Hawaii is the SHIZZNIT.
My girlfriend and I (my now wife) went to Honolulu years ago. It was cool on the N shore. I proposed in Kauai and we went on our Honeymoon in Maui. Ill def. hit you up if we go back.
Didnt think there was too much wheelin there, but from the pics it looks as if I was WRONG. Is that terrain accessible to anyone, or do you have to be a local sort of thing?
Are you getting any rub in the rear with that tire set up?

Chicago

 

[cruiserjunktion]

nice rig

 

[me_tu05]

1-hyd ram 9-7257-6
2-sae 6 to 1/4 npt 90* swivel fitting 9-6901-6-4
2-36 in 1 wire hose with 1/4 npt male ends 916-1436
2-1/4 npt 90* swivel 9-1501-4-4, but I think I need one straight swivel for the box.
Had I thought about it a little more, I would have probably ordered bulk hose and fittings cuz I still have to get a cooler for the steering and trans.
Yep, Hawaii is cool until you have to pay to ship everything out here. I will be on Kauai for the summer with my cruiser, which is why I am doing the longs, locker, and hydro right now.
There are a couple of legal spots to wheel on Oahu and a bunch on Kauai. Kauai has some of the best trails in Hawaii and the Big Island has the best rocks, insane volcanic rock gardens.
The rear tires are like a half inch from the back corner of the wheel well, but the rear hasn't been clearanced and I haven't flexed the rear out completely yet since I put the tires on.

 

[me_tu05]

Oh yea, I forgot the pics from trying out my new tires.

Was a deep hole, just swallowed my 37's. I could have made it out but I threw a waterpump belt when in the pit so I was over heating while trying to get out. I just had my friend pull me out so I wouldn't mess anything else up.
And I did find the rev limiter at about 4900 or 5000 rpm by accident. I didn't think it would go that high.

Maybe I should name it Cluckin Cruiser.