Rockcod’s final ride, Morty the Forty (1 Viewer)

[rockcod]

Had an hour to work in the garage this morning, I had to make the cuts a little deeper, then set the caster to 5*. I had the same caster angle on my last 40, it drove and handled amazing. I will open up the cuts and make a couple of passes with the welder. Before the housings go in for sand blasting and powder coating, I need to weld on the lower shock mounts and steering stops.

 

[rockcod]

Finished the cut and turn this morning, opened up the cut to get a root weld laid in the bottom of the cut and then a pass over the top. Rechecked my numbers after welding and caster is still at 5*. Next I have to fab up steering stops and figure out where my shocks are going to mount. Slowing checking things off the to do list.

 

[rockcod]

Local Market Place purchase (4) Walker Evans 17x8.5 Legend true beadlock wheels. Now to decide if I go with 37’s or 39’s.

 

[47coeman]

Hi Charlie, good to here from you. The housing was removed from a stock FJ62, those are crappy factory welds. I think it was assembled either on a Friday afternoon or Monday morning

I will give those cut off discs a try. Thanks for the tip!

 

[EWheeler]

Local Market Place purchase (4) Walker Evans 17x8.5 Legend true beadlock wheels. Now to decide if I go with 37’s or 39’s.

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39's!!!

 

[rockcod]

It’s like you are reading my mind!!

39's!!!

 

[EWheeler]

It’s like you are reading my mind!!

Well, actually, im a huge fan of even numbers, so i would just round it up to 40” and call it good .

 

[rockcod]

Some bling for Morty, a billet aluminum winch hawse to go with a new synthetic winch rope. Haven’t done much lately, between my work schedule and the blast furnace heat wave we experienced have kept me out of the garage.

 

[rockcod]

I was told by the wife I was spending too much time on the 40 and not enough time (aka $) on the house. So I have been on a cruiser hiatus. I have completed quite a bit on the list, still have a lot to do but most of the heavy lifting is done. Gates, front door, patio cover, new roof and lawn are next up.

 

[rockcod]

I have accrued some furlough time and got back on the project, shock mounts and steering stops are burned in and the housing painted.

Next step is the fun part, getting the housing back under the 40 for good and start assembly of the knuckles, internals and finally back on the ground. I do need to source a knuckle centering tool before I get too far along.

 

[rockcod]

A BIG shout out to Georg@Valley Hybrids for supplying the ARB’s and setting up the new gear sets, providing the knuckle rebuild kits and Marlin double axle seals.

The afternoon was spent cleaning and polishing my balls, normally an enjoyable activity but not today
Then I hit a wall, I have misplaced the cone washers, washers and nuts for the upper Steering arms.

 

[rockcod]

Was going to set the trunion bearing preload, but I have no idea where I have put the cone washers, washers and nuts. I will be ordering new ones from Marlin tomorrow.

Got the double seal axle seals installed.

Marlin arms and bearing caps are stout! In addition to the FJ80 rod ends and 1 1/2” by .25 wall DOM tubing for the rod links and relay rod from Ruff Stuff.

 

[rockcod]

Found the elusive washers and nuts, greased the bearings, set the bearing preload, removed the lower knuckle studs, new lower bearing cap is installed with cap bolts. Installed the new rock rings and wipers and adjusted the steering stops .

Good thing I am going with hydro-assist steering, once those new wipers are bolted down, they take a lot of effort to move!

 

[White Stripe]

What knuckle kit is that? It doesn't use felt wipers on the balls?

 

[rockcod]

Trail gear rock ring kit

 

[whitey45]

Looking great Tony! We have a trip to the con next year early july!! Would be epic for you and Rob to join us!! All you have to do is show up, we have reserved camp sites at the springs! Plus this gives you a solid deadline!!!

 

[rockcod]

That sounds like a plan!!!

 

[rockcod]

White Stripe,
Here is the part # TG-140327-1-KIT

 

[rockcod]

Measured the tie rod length and cut the overkill tubing, the mock up looks good so a little more chamfering to the tube and burn it all together.

 

[clrussell]

Coming back for a read