Builds Aussie 1978 FJ40 Buildup (1 Viewer)

[Twisty]

Started sussing out the rear flares a bit more this arve, have had the lasercut mounts for the tube flares for a couple weeks now, but haven't had a decent chance to fit them up properly. Am hoping to get both sides bolted up for next week so then Kane can weld in some infil panels in the front of the wheel arch.

You can also see that the drivers side rear spring does sit a inch or two higher then the rest, hopefully it settles back down to match the rest once I start driving it a little more. Rear panels have been cut to the bottom side of the inner tubs (bout 2" higher then std.)

 

[Twisty]

Finally got the new play tyres from Ryano at Fourbys to replace the 35" TrXus MTs I sold a few months ago. Got some 35x13.5 BFG Krawlers. They have done 1 outback challange, and a couple outings on Boofs Lux, so still have heaps of tread, but they do have a little rock rash. Also got Ryano to fit some Stuan internal beadlocks.

At the moment they are rubbing front and back, but will get the panels, flares and bumpstops sorted now I've got the tyres, and hopefully get out for a wheel within a month or two. So keen to see how it goes offroad now.

 

[Twisty]

Dodgy flex pics, was rubbing on the front guard too much to go further.

The second valve for the internal beadlocks.

My daily driver tyres (33x12.5R15 MTZ's) verse the 35x13.5R15 Krawlers

HUGE thanks to Ryano at Fourby's 4wd Superstore for sorting them all, and brining them up the coast and to Boof for changing his mind and going back to mudders

 

[Twisty]

Have pretty much sorted most of the clearance problems with the krawlers. Good enough to take it out to LCMP next weekend for its first test run with the new susp and krawlers/internal beadlocks.

Tyres still rub on the front apron, and on the inside of the inner tub, but it doesn't look like it'll do any damage to the panels or tyres.

Front guard marked with electrical tape to cut.

Cut.

Didn't loose too much of the std look, and this is only a temp fix till Brooksy makes up some tube fenders.

Rear was cut to match the lasercut mounts I got done for the tube flares. I'll hopefully get some sheet welded into the front of the wheel arch next week, to make the opening back to normal sort of shape.

Tight fit still but.

Haven't bumpstopped the rear yet, but have 3" extended bumpstops in the front. Will sort some rear ones before LCMP but.

 

[Twisty]

Some more flex pics.

 

[Twisty]

Taking the truck down to Komited Kustoms this arve as the front bar is finished, so we'll test fit all of it, and sort the light and winch mounts on it. Also going to sort the rear bumpstops and weld in some panel to the front of the rear wheel arches.

Since the front bar is now done, I'll get the rear one laser cut and pressed in the next few weeks. Decieded to get it built first before the rear flares, so the flares can match in neatly to the rear bar.

Some pics from Solidworks.

Will get a wheel carrier as well, but I'll just get Brooksy to wing that. Need to sort what LED tail lights to run too, and where to mount the number plate.

 

[Twisty]

Kane ended up crushing a finger in a press today, so wasn't able to work on the 40 this arve. Spoke to another mate who has a mig but, and he was free, so we atleast got the front bar all done. Came up really good! Haven't got any pics of it all welded up yet, but heres a quick mock up of it with all the lights and winch in there position. (Thanks to Cracka for the loan of the winch!)

 

[Twisty]

Took the 40 out to LCMP for the aust. day weekend. 40 went awesome all weekend. Drives and rides so much better with the new suspension, and am stoked with the krawlers too. Drive nice on dry/wet bitumen, gravel, mud, rocks, love them! Was good have the internals and being able to run heaps lower pressure then usual (10psi front, 8 psi rear).
Only damage from the weekend is the rear shackle bushes flogged out. I think this is from when we relocated the rear mounts they are slightly out. Not sure what the fix for that will be yet....Will put some new bushes in first and see how they last.

Some pics.

Lookout on Sunday Creek Road.

They had plenty of rain lately, so everything was pretty slippery.....All the creeks were flowing nice too. One of the climbs at the start of Jims Jump Up.

Claw Gorge

 

[Twisty]

Ledge in Cruiser Canyon, and as usual, end up stuck on this not being able to back up, and the motor hardly running (carby).

Camp road on the locked run.

Camp road unlocked.

 

[Twisty]

Rut on a different part of camp road.

Got some vids that I'll upload and post later too.

 

[Twisty]

Some vids from the weekend......Excuse the missus's dodgy photography, but as she said, its better then none at all.

Ledge at the end of Cruiser Canyon
YouTube - FJ40 Cruiser Canyon Ledge LCMP

Rut on Camp Rd.
YouTube - FJ40 Camp Rd Rut

Camp Rd Locked F&R
YouTube - FJ40 Up Camp Road Locked F&R

Camp Rd Unlocked
YouTube - FJ40 Camp Road Unlocked

Jims Jump Ups
YouTube - FJ40 Jims Jump Up LCMP 1
YouTube - FJ40 Jims Jump Up LCMP 2
YouTube - FJ40 Jims Jump Up LCMP 3

 

[Twisty]

Some pics of last weekend Glasshouse trip with Ray185, Shorty40, Pinky & Boof. Only a quick run, made even quicky be the recent dropping of trees all over the powerline tracks.

Airing down at the lookout.

 

[Twisty]

Amazing how different the krawlers look between being on my 10" wide rims and Rays 8"

 

[Twisty]

Back home.

 

[Twisty]

Few Videos.....

Through the gully pictured above.
YouTube - FJ40 Glasshouse Gully

Up the hill at the end of that gully.
YouTube - FJ40 - Muddy Glasshouse Climb

And some awesome news! Am selling all the Ford 250 EFI Crossflow conversion gear and have bought a MWB Cruiser with a rebuilt EFI 5L Holden V8 and Auto. Will put the motor and auto into the 40 and part out of the rest of the Middy So stoked! Haven't told the missus yet :whoops:

 

[rutbeer]

Call me crazy, but why not put a diesel in the truck since they are readily available in Aussie land? A 12H-T or even 1HZ with turbo would be plenty sweet and run upside down.
Glad to see the ford going away though....we use those as fishing anchors over here.

 

[OinkOinker]

junck the V8, Grab a 13B-t like roothy gave Milo! diesels s*** over the petty motors! especially turbo diesels!

 

[Twisty]

Call me crazy, but why not put a diesel in the truck since they are readily available in Aussie land? A 12H-T or even 1HZ with turbo would be plenty sweet and run upside down.
Glad to see the ford going away though....we use those as fishing anchors over here.

Your crazy Rutbeer

I think cause you's dont have many desiels over there its a case of wanting what you cant have. Desiels do have there place in some types of 4wds, but I've never been much of a fan. Am a fan of the 200 series LC with the twin turbo V8 desiel but.

Anyway, am building this truck for fun, so petrol V8 will win hands down for that. Cant beat the sound of a V8 getting up a obstacle in the bush. If i was building it to tour the country then I'd consider a desiel. All the nice turbo desiels sell for rediculous $$ over here too,

junck the V8, Grab a 13B-t like roothy gave Milo! diesels s*** over the petty motors! especially turbo diesels!

Nah, sorry mate.....dont agree at all.

 

[Ray185]

junck the V8, Grab a 13B-t like roothy gave Milo! diesels s*** over the petty motors! especially turbo diesels!

Escuse my ignorance, but can you please enlighten me as to how exactly the diesels "s*** over the petty motors"? I'm very interested to hear your views if you can find the time to point out the immense advantages a diesel or even turbo diesel has over a petrol motor apart from the obvious water fording capability. Please don't say "because Roothy did it" and feel free to draw me a picture if its too hard to put into words.

 

[rutbeer]

Wanting what I don't have? Sorry mate...I have had Chevy 350, 1F, 2F, 3F, and 13B-T. I have had in my possession, 3HZ's, a 12H-T and three 13B-T's. The 13B-T I am currently running kicks ass.
To each his own, but you can't beat the economy of the 13B-T and it's power is every bit as good as a strong 2F with the wastegate shimmed a bit. The 350 I had always had heat issues, not horrible, but you had to watch it. Sure, it sounded great and everyone loved it, but I wouldn't do it again.