1969 FJ55 Build Thread

[TuffMudder]

Nope, still not dead. Like an iron pig, i may rust, but i keep going!

Alright, so, we took the oilpan off the pig and it was...unpleasant. I decided to play it safe and we took her apart and sent everything to the machine shop and did a complete rebuild with Bore and hone, rebuild the head and new pistons and sleeves. So, I now have a like-new 4bt! Finding the proper oil and filter was a pain just because it wasn't readily available on a google search. For anyone wondering, 10qts of Valvoline Premium Blue 15w40 seems to be a good way to go. As for oil filters, I ended up ordering a Fleetguard LF3805 just on a "best guess" and won't know if its the right one till it gets here.

A few minor things have also been done like running the break lines, but not a ton of overall progress.

The stock turbo location doesn't give enough room for the exhaust to turn down before the firewall and sadly Steed Speed has stopped making their 4bt manifold with the turbo flange moved to the middle. So, I've ordered a manifold flange and will have a custom manifold built which will allow placing the turbo in the most convenient location.

So, next step will be shocks. I've considered Rancho and Fox among others. Not sure what the best option will be for a vehicle that will see a good mix of on road and off road use. Hoping I can get a little love from @J Mack and @scrapdaddy as I know they've both already been down this road.

 

[J Mack]

So, next step will be shocks

Scraps and I both run King, mine work very well for what I do.
Give Ben @ filthy motorsports if you decide to go this way, he help Ron and I with the valving on ours.

 

[TuffMudder]

I've got Jesse checking max compression and extension lengths today, then i'll give them a call. Mind if i ask what a custom set like that sets you back?

 

[J Mack]

Mind if i ask what a custom set like that sets you back?

~ $1200.00

 

[TuffMudder]

~ $1200.00

In for a dime, in for a dollar

For some reason I thought you were going with Fox shocks. Did you change your mind or did I just make that up? (the latter being a very strong possibility)

 

[scrapdaddy]

I'm guessing it was some what over kill for me, but they're one of the best and can be rebuilt or revalved if needed. I think well worth it and Ben is great to work with.

 

[TuffMudder]

Which of their shocks did you guys get? did you go with the reservoirs. I'm torn on whether or not that's overkill, but my pig will definitely see its share of off road use

 

[J Mack]

Which of their shocks did you guys get?

Your pig is overkill already, why stop at the shocks?

2” smoothie with reservoirs, go back in Slow71 and Target Carrier build thread and Ron and I posted lots of pictures of mounting positions. Both our pigs are similar as far as shock mounting goes.

 

[TuffMudder]

Your pig is overkill already, why stop at the shocks?

Overkill? What!? She's just exactly what i'll need to drive through the zombie hordes! No overkill here, no sir

 

[J Mack]

She's just exactly what i'll need to drive through the zombie hordes!

From what I hear King shocks will smooth out the ride the faster you drive over zombie hoards so if fast zombie killing is in your future I would think King shocks are a must…





Besides misery loves company, Scraps inspired me to drain my bank account on fancy pig parts and I’m hoping I can inspire you to do the same!!

 

[scrapdaddy]

I ain't saying nothing!

 

[TuffMudder]

From what I hear King shocks will smooth out the ride the faster you drive over zombie hoards so if fast zombie killing is in your future I would think King shocks are a must…





Besides misery loves company, Scraps inspired me to drain my bank account on fancy pig parts and I’m hoping I can inspire you to do the same!!

Wow, sounds like king shocks are PERFECT for my application.
Besides, who needs a bank account once the zombies come, right?

 

[TuffMudder]

Well, received my King Shocks and they look great



I had pics of them mounted but cant find them for the life of me

4bt had a complete rebuild and is back on the frame. Have been mucking around with suspension and all manner of minor things, but it looks like we're making tiny steps forward and today we put the body back on the frame which was nice to see.



I had a few thoughts about this. First, it was nice to see something that could reasonably be identified as an fj55
Second, I think the color has grown on me and I may not change it after all
Third, man I want to drive this thing
and fourth...



Holy cow i'm going to get a nose bleed climbing into this thing! Its pictured with 33's so i'll gain an inch when I go to 35's and this was without the body mounts which will be fabricated and installed this week or next adding another inch or so.

Maybe it's time to learn Parkour?

 

[scrapdaddy]

Rodney,

I really like the color. Going to look bad to the bone!

 

[TuffMudder]

Alright, i now feel confident i have firmly established myself as the worst build thread updater in the history of this forum and am at the very least in solid competition for the slowest build, i thought i'd give a little update. After my last update, My builder took a contract that tied him up for several months. He got back on the rig at the first of the year and fabricated and installed some body mounts, did some work on the firewall and ran the break lines (though we haven't addressed an ebrake). Then, a couple of months ago, he took on another contract that will have him tied up at least until september . Cant blame him. Gotta feed the family. Reluctantly I shuttered the FJ55 until september. If he's still not able to get back by december I'll look at other alternatives.

So what do you do when you can't get your project pig completed? You sell your car and start looking for a driveable 60 series of course! I have my car on the market and i've started looking for inexpensive, driveable 60's, not as a project car, but as an offroad vehicle to bang around in and get to the land while I try to get the 55 back on track. I'm looking here, craigslist, ebay and autotrader for a driveable 1988-90 FJ62 somewhere in the $4k range. Several options have popped up, but im going to wait until I have actually sold my car before pulling the trigger because according to my wife, our yard is beginning to "look like a car lot". Go figure

Edit: oh yeah, got the clutch, steering wheel, column and gear box finished as well...i think

 

[61twpw]

These projects always take longer than we expect. The 4bt/nv4500 combo you're planning is a nice set up. You'll be pleased with it. I had that combination in my 61 dodge town wagon. Got mid20's for mpg.

 

[J Mack]

So what do you do when you can't get your project pig completed?

You go pick up all your parts and start finishing your project yourself.

The skill sets you learn along the way will pay dividends as you try to keep your pig running days, weeks, months and years that follow its completion.



This is a cool project, if I can do it anyone can do it!

 

[TuffMudder]

You go pick up all your parts and start finishing your project yourself.

The skill sets you learn along the way will pay dividends as you try to keep your pig running days, weeks, months and years that follow its completion.



This is a cool project, if I can do it anyone can do it!

Lol, i'll tell you what, i have an open apartment here in town you can stay in for free. If you'll come down and hold my hand, I'll take care of it!

On a more serious note, I would actually love to do this, but i have no shop to work in, only minimal mechanical experience, and no equipment or knowledge on welding or fabrication. Top that off with no a 3 year old and an 8 year when i get home from work, time becomes an issue as well.

I know, excuses are like assholes. Everyone has one, but no one wants to hear them. I'm honestly not sure where i'd start.

Of course, Rons not to far from here and his eye sights getting bad. I could always run up to Missouri, swap mine out for his and try to convince him vandals got a hold of it and see what happens

 

[TuffMudder]

Wow, talk about ruining your day. I went to check on prices for Bobs rockers and door panels and just learned the awful news. I very nearly threw up in my mouth. You know how people often use that as hyperbole? No, I actually felt the bile rise up and try jump into my throat. Graphic? Perhaps. Appropriate under the circumstances? Definitely

 

[scrapdaddy]

I'm pretty sure you wouldn't get far in mine right now. Although, I did get the third member back today, so jumping on that in the morning.