Build 1977 FJ40 - USA Spec Restoration - Father & Son Project - AKA "Blue"

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MOTOV8R said:
Before you spend any money on wheels be sure to look at a ton of pictures. Over time I have come to appreciate the stock wheels above all others, this is especially true for restoration/stock builds.
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I agree. I love the stock wheels too!

I will probably end up with those. The pic in my avatar is what I am shooting for right now, but like I said in the post above... I am a long way from worrying about rims and tires :rofl:. I hope to be there soon!!

Thanks!!!!

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I've working all morning and now i'm gonna take a break to run to Home Depot. Thought I would post a few pics first...

A friend gave me six gallons of this stuff for free :) It works good as a parts washer. I soaked all the bolts and scrubbed them with a wire brush. I also took a pic of all the tools and materials I used to for anyone interested. Wire wheeled one set of leaf springs. Going to paint them, reassemble them, and move on to the next ones.

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Wire brush wheel on an angle grinder and then a 60 grit sandpaper on a little jig sander.

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After the wire brush and sander, I cleaned them with some Acetone and sprayed them with some Rust-oleum Rust Reformer. I will give them two coats of gloss black tomorrow and put them back together. That will be one down and three more to go. I am purposely doing one set of springs at a time so if I forget how to reassemble it I have the other ones to look at.

I plan to put on a OME 2.5 complete kit one day, but this will have to do for now :)

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The locater bolt was so rusty, it broke when I tried to take it off. I cut it off with a cutoff wheel, ground it down, drilled a hold and screwed in a new bolt. With some 90 degree magnets I tack welded it in.

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DirtDauberGarage said:
I agree. I love the stock wheels too!

I will probably end up with those. The pic in my avatar is what I am shooting for right now, but like I said in the post above... I am a long way from worrying about rims and tires :rofl:. I hope to be there soon!!

Thanks!!!!

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That pic was my inspiration for the last 3 years.
 
Great thread. My son has been involved heavily in my '77 re-do as well (although mine is not as much of a restoration). It is so good for these kids to get time in with dad in the garage.
 
your "locater" contraption probably won't work. They need to have a head and nut. the head locates the differential housing spring perch to the spring and a nut to locates the bottom spring plate. Spring pins bolts can be purchased at most auto parts stores. They are usually fine thread and grade 5 plus in hardness. Take the old 1 with you so you can get the right diameter. The bolts will be really long, you cut off the excess after they are installed. You probably should replace them all if your tearing the packs apart.
 
pb4ugo said:
your "locater" contraption probably won't work. They need to have a head and nut. the head locates the differential housing spring perch to the spring and a nut to locates the bottom spring plate. Spring pins bolts can be purchased at most auto parts stores. They are usually fine thread and grade 5 plus in hardness. Take the old 1 with you so you can get the right diameter. The bolts will be really long, you cut off the excess after they are installed. You probably should replace them all if your tearing the packs apart.
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got it. thanks :)
 
I need to order a front end and rear axle rebuild kit. I looked in the "bad sellers" forum and saw all the ones to avoid.

Who would you all recommend buying parts from?
 
pb4ugo said:
your "locater" contraption probably won't work. They need to have a head and nut. the head locates the differential housing spring perch to the spring and a nut to locates the bottom spring plate. Spring pins bolts can be purchased at most auto parts stores. They are usually fine thread and grade 5 plus in hardness. Take the old 1 with you so you can get the right diameter. The bolts will be really long, you cut off the excess after they are installed. You probably should replace them all if your tearing the packs apart.
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I think you are correct. I don't think this thing is OEM. I took it off the driver side rear, but none of the other leaf spring have it, so I am not sure why it was there???
 
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