1970 Muleta Red Patina-Mod Build, EFI, H55f, Brake Upgrade

[cruisermatt]

It's been a few months since we completed this project and I realized I never really posted about it - I need to be better about posted the work that comes out of our shop, I have a great team that works very hard and I want to show it off a bit
We did this project for chat legend @PhrogsPhorever last year.. it's a 1969/70 (I think 6/69 or 9/69 production, can't remember exactly).
It's mostly original paint with exception of rear sill and and a few small patches patched here or there.

Up front there’s an @OPMACHINE bumper, a 4-Plus Brush guard, and new 8274 winch.

 

[cruisermatt]

In the engine bay we installed a Sniper EFI Small-bore 2GC, I machined a custom adapter for the 1F air cleaner, we completely overhauled the rest of the engine bay resealing the entire engine, complete new ignition system from @ToyotaMatt / VintageTEQ, complete new OEM cooling system. Washer bottle system from VintageTEQ as well.
We also replaced the tank with new OEM which we converted to an in-tank setup using a GM module with a Denso pump. 3FE fuel filter, and all lines are AN. We stuck with the original orange metal fan for retro-danger-cool factor.

 

[cruisermatt]

The 1F exhaust manifold was cracked so we opted to replace with a set of SOR headers, and I build the rest of the exhaust in the original style but with 100% 304 stainless, and TIG welded everything.

In this pic you can see Redline's throttle cable system, the 1F-version alternator slider with built-in tensioner that @ToyotaMatt sells, and my custom air cleaner adapter. I believe there are off-the shelf options for the air cleaner now.
We also converted the oil lines to AN.

Tech tip, if using these headers with the 1969 Big intake manifold, you need to grind/clearance a few of the runners which interfere and prevent the intake from fully seating, thus creating a huge vacuum leak.

 

[cruisermatt]

Electrically, nothing worked when the truck arrived, it had had a electrical fire at some point and had a ton of melted wires and shoddy repairs. We ended up pulling the entire harness and completely stripping it and replacing every wire that had any damage. All wire was replaced with correct color-stripe, with correct open barrel terminals and connectors. This was a ton of work - over 50 hours of labor. Everything works now and the original schematic is still a good reference. We did make some minor changed like converting the alternator wiring for the 3FE alternator, and made a few extension sub-harnesses to make future service easier.

 

[cruisermatt]

We completely rebuilt the cluster meter harness from scratch since it had been so hacked, I wish I had taken some more before-pictures of some of this but it was bad. The back-light and high-beam sockets got missed in this pic, we ended up replacing those with LED
The gaskets for the meter were also dry rotted and cracked so I went ahead and reproduced those, available on my website

 

[cruisermatt]

Drivetrain, I sourced and built a new H55f /split-transfer case combo, which was installed using a 4-Plus / @lcwizard crossmember/skid system. We also changed the 3-speed clutch/flywheel to the later 4-speed style diaphragm clutch and lighter flywheel. New driveshafts from Tom Woods.
We cut the torque tube and relocated it about 6-8" further back. We cut the transmission tunnel and grated in the bottom of a 2F oil pan to gain some height.

 

[cruisermatt]

Some more pics showing the 4-plus skit/crossmember setup, the torque tube relocation (wee cut and sleeve them in the middle as the frame is wider towards the rear), and some of the new brake line plumbing.

 

[cruisermatt]

For brakes, out back we installed +8/80-style (commonly referred to as FJ60 drums) with the last set of FJCO adapters (I am making and selling these now if anyone else is interested, along with the parking brake cable and axle tabs, and loaded backing plates!) with a SWB 70 series cable and handle, custom mounted to the transmission tunnel. We used a 73-79 parking brake bracket and hold-down for the cable pass-though.
Up front it has a FJ60 front disc conversion done by a previous owner who also re-plumbed the truck with 10mm, but it was pretty sloppy so we ended up redoing almost all of the lines in stainless.

For suspension we really wanted to keep it a sleeper so we just did new bushings, shackles, pins, and my favorite Bilstein 5125 shocks.

 

[cruisermatt]

More misc brake line pics.. We actually ended up redoing the rear line off the master cylinder and going behind the steering box to get it away from exhaust.

 

[cruisermatt]

Last few fun build pictures.. please feel free to post any questions and I'll answer the best I can

 

[Chilkoot]

Amazing work! All of this is awesome!

 

[OPMACHINE]

Amazing work! That wiring loom is very impressive.

 

[thatcabledude]

Amazing work! That wiring loom is very impressive.

Yeah, nice work on the harness Matt.

 

[thatcabledude]

What GM module did you use for the drop in fuel pump?

 

[cruisermatt]

Yeah, nice work on the harness Matt.

I have to give credit to my lead guy here - I just buy the wire and contacts and let him go to town.

What GM module did you use for the drop in fuel pump?

90's S10. We buy an entire tank since they're only about $70 and cut the twist-ring out of them and scrap the rest of the tank. We also shorten the pickup tube substantially

 

[EWheeler]

FJ60 brake master? How is the pedal feel with otherwise stock FJ60 brake system and no booster?

This is a rad build. I bet the Owner is stoked!

 

[matzell]

Nice work Matt.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Very nicely done….

 

[sogncab]

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

90's S10. We buy an entire tank since they're only about $70 and cut the twist-ring out of them and scrap the rest of the tank. We also shorten the pickup tube substantially

We’ll see what happens when I top the tank off if we get any seepage again.

FJ60 brake master? How is the pedal feel with otherwise stock FJ60 brake system and no booster?

This is a rad build. I bet the Owner is stoked!

Not bad actually, definitely takes a little effort with an un-boosted system, but stops surprisingly well

All in all, Matt and his boys did an excellent job, now I just have to get the interior sorted out so I have more than just the drivers seat in there