1976 FJ40 BUILDUP - Chief $*itty Pants

[4x4 Station Wagon]

Well I finally pulled the cover back off the fj now that the rest of my vehicles are starting to get back to normal I hauled it in to get the delta flow master plumbed into the walkers crossover with the challenge to my exhaust guy that I would really like to get the PTO shaft back in there, get my oil filter off, and not have the exhaust seen He chuckled and said any thing else?? But I will say even though I am not THRILLED with it I think he did the best with the items I asked for as possible so for that I applaud him. The only thing I may have changed is I wanted it out behind the rear tire and he went out the back with it tilted down which looks ok I just dont want it swirling.



This is squatting down you can just see about an inch of the exhaust below the frame



The walkers crossover had to be demolished to make it happen..... Would have been great without the PTO shaft idea

 

[4x4 Station Wagon]

Here is the next task

 

[4x4 Station Wagon]

Ok I have neglected my poor rig for a while. I have been in the minitruck section working on a wheeler. The roll cage is still sitting in the same pile as it was almost a year ago however..... I have all my new brake lines and ordered a wilwood proportioning valve and will be finishing that loose end back up this weekend. If the rubber brake lines work out I will post the napa numbers however they are the standard numbers I stole off of this site a year ago. Sorry for a worthless post I am trying to build a fire under my behind.....

 

[antFJ]

i bought my second truck already... you're falling behind!!!

welcome back

 

[KY Longhunter]

Welcome Back Dawg!

 

[4x4 Station Wagon]

Thanks guys!!! That's just what I needed!

 

[4x4 Station Wagon]

So I promise I haven't been totally watching TV the whole time!! The fun part of my story is that I turned:


Into:

 

[4x4 Station Wagon]

But to better explain my absence life threw me a curve ball..... Things were going good and I really wanted a tow vehicle so I sold my Cherokee and my Tacoma and threw in a good chunk of my available funds and found a great deal on an 02 power stroke with low miles, decent amount of lift, 60% tread on the swamper's, etc. I had a three hour drive back to home where I was excited to pull the fender flares and chrome junk off and I was going to be living the dream.....

My 2 year old was so excited he absolutely would not ride home with his mom! He had to ride with his dada.....


Well after the left front tire instantly blew on a right hand curve at 70 mph luckily he was OK other than a sore neck the next day! I couldn't give two cruds about the truck nor the embarrassment or whatever but this was my very first reality check about what truly matters!!


So back to what has held me up a bit...... Even though insurance is a beautiful thing it doesn't pay for everything

 

[Leaping Deer]

Nice looking rig. Glad to hear you are all right.

 

[4x4 Station Wagon]

Thanks Leaping Deer!

So the hoses fit like a dream. They are a bit on the long vs. short side but not too long as I have my backing plates removed and spring over.
The 38881 you need two of as they are the caliper to axle


This is a decent length hose to go from the front axle to the frame.




I have read a bit on the proportioning valve and I normally have seen it next to the master cylinder and at times people have had trouble mounting it solid (not saying it has to be). I have placed it above the rear axle and although I know it will be a pain to get to once I find the sweet spot I dont expect to ever touch it again. My dang flaring tool broke on the last flare.....


Wow terrible pics sorry guys I will try to bust the camera back out from now on.

 

[1978FJ4O]

subscribed

 

[antFJ]

hey man glad you and your son are alright - keep up the good work!

 

[4x4 Station Wagon]

For those that followed my build and then I promised to pull it back together and get back to it...... I fell short but I promise I have a decent excuse. We were selected for Top Truck Challenge 2011 and we completely rebuilt my friends Willys jeep including lengthening the frame, 4 links, 3 link front, rockwells, engine, tranny upgrade, rewire, new cage, steering upgrades, 54" boggers, custom homefabbed Hemmit beadlocks, yada yada yada basically 2 months of every night after work till 10pm or weekends all day till midnight or once 2:30am.... I was fortunate to be the copilot and we were even more fortunate to win. I busted the FJ out the other day and cleaned it back up as well as a few other things. I am staring at the pre fabbed cage itching to get it in as well as shock mounts, wire the collumn and then no excuses time to hit the road.

 

[4x4 Station Wagon]

The redline cage is mocked up and tacked together I will try and download some pics tomorrow... New phone is giving me heck. As for the reviews it is a nice cage it looks great it started off a bit rough when the main hoop was a bit wide but a huge ratchet strap later and some blood and sweat it was fine. The rest only took minor modifications which are expected...... All in all good job guys and it definately looks great

 

[4x4 Station Wagon]

 

[antFJ]

i'm halfway done with my second cruiser build... you better hurry up!

 

[4x4 Station Wagon]

LMAO anftfj I know I know!!!! I cant believe I fell so far behind..... All I can say is two years in a row of Top Truck Challenge slowed me down a bit!!!!!!

I redid the knee bars to main hoop gussets and made them smaller and added the upper tie bar. I am going to add a couple more gussets and handles and call it a day. Then off to the powder coaters!



Edit I also added roller rockers last week and am stoked with the results

 

[4x4 Station Wagon]

Cage is done. We added a couple gussets as well as shortened some up. We also tipped the back down a bit more than normal and added grab handles. All in all it was a nice pre built cage from red line.

 

[bsmith123]

Chief

Chief is looking great

Scary looking crash, glad to hear you are all right

 

[4x4 Station Wagon]

yep all is good great to hear from you!!! Take care and atleast a few more pictures to come before hunting season