Code Red FJ45 build thread (1 Viewer)

[65swb45]

A few minutes at the computer is all it takes, right?

In case you've forgotten the rig I'm referring to, here's a link:https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=154077

Over the next few months [actually a whole lot of months on my schedule] we're gonna be doing the following.

Phase 1: remove stock axles, brakes and suspension and replace with power boosted 4 wheel disc brake axles hung from a 4" Alcan lift.

Phase 2: replace vintage 283 auto combo with brand new crate 350 mated to an H42 Toyota transmission.

Phase 3: power steering, Scout style.

Only one pic for now: axles are DONE!

 

[osagecruiser]

niiice...i will be checking back for more pics!

osagecruiser

 

[bull]

Are you building a 8 wheeler?

 

[65swb45]

Are you building a 8 wheeler?

Rodney, in case you haven't noticed, I actually have TWO FJ45 builds going on simultaneously! Kind of a fluke, but a cool one.

 

[kellyo]

"Code Red". I take it thats the winning name from the list of names. Not the one I sent in but I like it.

 

[bull]

Rodney, in case you haven't noticed, I actually have TWO FJ45 builds going on simultaneously! Kind of a fluke, but a cool one.

I was only hoping you were actually going to do it!

 

[beefcake]

I like reading these threads and seeing how thorough you guys are with the build ups. I look forward to watching this one. Good work

 

[65swb45]

Finally got enough pieces together to get this one moving forwards today. Had previously removed all the stock brake lines from the truck [they will make nice spares for my dd;p] and loosened up most of the suspension fittings. Spring pins had not been moved for 40 years, or at least seemed that way.

I had anticipated a potential problem with reinstalling the wheels that came with the truck and, sure enough, as soon as we tried to spin them, we heard caliper rubbing. Luckily the fireman is also working on two other FJ40 projects in his home workshop [he should post pics of this!] and brought me another set of tires to use. Even though they are also aluminum alloy, they turned out to be 3/8" bigger from inside edge to edge [14.375 vs 14.0]

In the meantime, during the initial clearance test, John and I observed excessive freeplay in the spider gears, even though this was a low mileage front end third. So I decided to reshim. Which in this case meant fussing with the shouldered lug nuts a second time and pulling the calipers before I could get to the spiders. It's a good thing that discs are lower maintainance in the long run.

The good news is that all the different parts from all the different vendors went together easily. 4" Alcan springs hung from Downey 2.5" shackles, anchored to the custom Downey-based disc rear end via Man-A-Fre U-bolt flip kit!

 

[65swb45]

There's a little more room down there now.

 

[65swb45]

Shoulda taken a shot from the rear. It's quite the stinkbug right now.;p

It's gonna have to stay that way til I get back from Idaho.

 

[treerootCO]

Shoulda taken a shot from the rear. It's quite the stinkbug right now.;p

It's gonna have to stay that way til I get back from Idaho.

I believe they call that the "california rake"

 

[65swb45]

The rake is gone! The front disc axle and springs are on. No pics just yet tho; we're still dealing with the 'special' bushings required for the new springs.

 

[fogblanket]

hey I had that same special bushing requirement too with my alcan 4" spring. they (alcan) seem to think all swb and lv front spring eyes are 18mm or 1 3/8" instead of 1". are you choosing to go with an 18mm bushing and the small pin or are you guna drill out your shackles and spring pin to fit the same size pins that are in the rear like i did on my lv?
looks great Jason

 

[65swb45]

hey I had that same special bushing requirement too with my alcan 4" spring. they (alcan) seem to think all swb and lv front spring eyes are 18mm or 1 3/8" instead of 1". are you choosing to go with an 18mm bushing and the small pin or are you guna drill out your shackles and spring pin to fit the same size pins that are in the rear like i did on my lv?
looks great Jason

Actually, what we ended up doing was getting some bushings from SOR that matched the ID of the Alcan springs and the OD of the stock pins. Mike picked them up, and Tom reimbursed me thru Calico's spring order a few weeks later. It's all good now.

 

[65swb45]

Well, I was out of town for a couple of weeks on an FJ45 expedition thru Canyonlands Utah. Awesome trip, and lots of cool photos of the 45 in action, but I digress. I finished up the 4wheel disc conversion, and promised Mike I'd post some photos.

MC is 1993 FJ80 4 wheel disc type that several MUDders recommended. First time I've used this setup, but it seems to work just fine. Booster is a late model FJ45 stock booster. I figured if it was good enough to stop those oversized drums, it would handle the disc, and take less room in the process. It did. Braided hoses, proportioning valve and swagelocks are all purchased from Downey. Sometimes it's nice to just pay a little more and get some top shelf, turn key products. This made the plumbing job go MUCH smoother.

 

[65swb45]

With the longest commercially available bumpstops installed, I've still got over 7" between the stop and the plate on the top of the U-Bolt flip kit, which I think is too much 'up' travel for a street rig, especially when the tires don't fit in the wheelwells. I think I'm gonna have to make a custom set of stops for Mike like I did for my 45.

 

[bull]

Looks good mark.

Did you think to use the secret greenfox bumpstops?

 

[65swb45]

Looks good mark.

Did you think to use the secret greenfox bumpstops?

Ah yes, the code GREEN bumpstops! Calico John and I actally did discuss it for a moment. Only a half inch difference in overall height between them, so it wouldn't have solved the problem at hand, and would have required a lot more effort to acquire.

But they were mentioned.

 

[Ghetto Fireman]

Code Red Is Home

The big "Red Fire Wagon" as my kids call it, is home. Next will be a Edelbrock crate motor. Still debating what to do with the tranny. Keep it an Auto, or swap to a 4-speed. I have pictures but can't seem to get them to post. Can I e-mail someone a photo to post? Definitely need some work on my computer skills. I have to say, Mark of Marks Off Road is the man.


Thanks
Mike

 

[bull]

shoot your pics to rodney at bullsac.com and I will load 'em up for you