Builds 1971 FJ55, "Bucky" (1 Viewer)

[roadstr6]

Some PO long ago removed the under-the-truck spare tire carrier. I decided to fab up an interior mount to hold the spare safely. I used some flat stock and some 1” square tube. A couple of J hooks and wing nuts and:

Yeah, I know it would not impair my rear view as much if I had mounted it on the driver’s side, but I can see out just fine and the passenger side location may help even out the cruiser lean.

 

[wngrog]

I love the way they look with the spare inside.

Love yours last post. So nice to have one you don’t sweat the small stuff.

Amen.

 

[RUSH55]

Nice job man! Even if you aren’t sweating the little things, you’re still rocking it

 

[PabloCruise]

This truck does not aspire to greatness, only betterness.

Truth right there...

 

[roadstr6]

Bucky had the typical wallowed out driver door latch. I could never get it to fully shut. Thanks to a deep search in this forum I found the fix. Cut off the outer piece of the plate, Cut a piece of flat stock to weld on, drill it to fit snugly over the star-shaped turney thing (technical term) and weld. I took the time to heat the repair piece to red hot, quenching it in oil, following with another red hot heating and a quench in water before I welded it on. Hopefully that process will harden my repair piece enough to help it last a while. Door shuts fine now.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Nice job, I've got a few extra ones that are worn and been thinking of a good way to repair.

 

[roadstr6]

Bucky went fishing today. It was the longest trip we have taken the truck on so far...about 50 miles. It did great!

 

[scrapdaddy]

But where's the stringer of fish.

 

[RUSH55]

Good job Bucky!!

 

[roadstr6]

But where's the stringer of fish.

The boys caught three bass each. All under 2lbs. We sent them back to grow some more. We’ll get ‘em next time.

 

[roadstr6]

Deliverance Bucky!

 

[roadstr6]

Bucky suffered a belt separation in one of the old BFG KM’s. I decided I had better get some new tires. Those Maxxis Razor MT’s on Nolan’s @wngrog 55 look so good, I decided to get a set for Ol’ Bucky. The local tire shop had two, but they will have to get two more from out of state...so I wait.

In the meantime I decided to do something about the too short rear lift springs. Some PO put a set of Rough Country springs on the truck. The suspension has very little flex and rides like a buck board...especially the rear. I have a feeling it is partly due to the fact that the rear shackles are actually inverted (angled the wrong way). See what I mean?

I have tweaked shackle angle in trucks before by removing a leaf from the pack, but in this case I decided to remove the shackle hangers and re-position them to dial in the angle. It was a lot of work, but the angles are much better.

The front shackles seem to be okay. Hopefully dialing in the rear will net me a bit more flex on the trail. The ride has to be improved as well.

 

[wngrog]

That will make a huge difference.

I’m liking my Razrs. Legit size.

Moving those rear hangers is a huge bitch. Congrats.

 

[roadstr6]

That will make a huge difference.

I’m liking my Razrs. Legit size.

Moving those rear hangers is a huge bitch. Congrats.

Yeah. Driver’s side was my learning curve. Took me three hours. Passenger side took two hours. Air chisel seems to be the most efficient way to deal with those rivets. I booger welded the hangers back on. I may drill and install bolts in addition to welding as a belt and suspenders solution.

 

[onemanarmy]

I moved my hangers as well, required for the Cruiser Outfitters kit.

I welded them back on, and put a bolt through that hole. After all that cutting and grinding, 2 more holes was nothing. Can't hurt, right?

 

[roadstr6]

Bucky got new shoes and with the shackle hanger relocation, newfound suspension flex.

 

[RUSH55]

Oh Bucky, you’re so flexy

 

[roadstr6]

Seriously thinking about doing this. What do y’all think?

 

[scrapdaddy]

If you need the seats, then heck yeah! I personally made mine a two seater.

 

[Swinehole]

Absolutely. The first pig I owned, a ‘72, had them on both sides. They hardly took up any room, and when folded they barely blocked the windows. Those seats came in handy in when I was kid. All my friends would load up to go move pipe in the potato fields, then we would continue up to the hills to the camping/beer parties. 10 dipshits+gear was an easy fit.