Builds 1978 FJ40 Mustard Yellow - almost perfect thread. (45 Viewers)

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very interesting. So will it ride smoooother!!!???

Well, KO2s ride great. These are taller by 2” and narrower by just under 2” with about the same size sidewall.

I got a 300 rpm drop in 4th gear going from 33x10.50-15 KM3s to the 255’s like these on my FJ60. That is a legit drop when you are rolling down the interstate with a 2F

Narrow tires steer better too......

Plus relics need MTs.

Sorry I can’t pull it out of the shop but I did drop it off the jack stands for the pics.

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Well, KO2s ride great. These are taller by 2” and narrower by just under 2” with about the same size sidewall.

I got a 300 rpm drop in 4th gear going from 33x10.50-15 KM3s to the 255’s like these on my FJ60. That is a legit drop when you are rolling down the interstate with a 2F

Narrow tires steer better too......

Plus relics need MTs.

Sorry I can’t pull it out of the shop but I did drop it off the jack stands for the pics.

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That looks so tough! Well done!
 
My wife is out of town so I stayed at it until 7:30.

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I decided to work the easy end first before tackling this mess.

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The owner of Weenie 3 asked for a 4Plus flip kit and Bilstein shocks. After installing them and driving on the shocks, I’m sold on the combo.

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The rear brake line was banjo tight even before being flexed out so an extended stainless hose was added

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Got the rear done and the stickers off the leaf pack (pet peeve)

Moving on to the nasty end tomorrow

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I just did my birfs two months ago. No way I would want to do that again anytime soon. In that time span, you've done Weenie 3's birfs are a ready to another pair already?

The Yota is strong in you, Nolan.
 
I just did my birfs two months ago. No way I would want to do that again anytime soon. In that time span, you've done Weenie 3's birfs are a ready to another pair already?

The Yota is strong in you, Nolan.

Newbie here, what is advantage of flip kit?
 
Newbie here, what is advantage of flip kit?

Well, it get the bolts up instead of down if you are whomping though the rocks.

Or it gives you a beautifully clean Ubolt setup.

Its not cheap but it’s only about 40% more than OME ubolts
 
I just did my birfs two months ago. No way I would want to do that again anytime soon. In that time span, you've done Weenie 3's birfs are a ready to another pair already?

The Yota is strong in you, Nolan.

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👆this

Nothing I hate worse than a knuckle job.

That’s why I can take project work but not service work.

I love a project. I hate service.
 
Subbed since day one on your build.

Just a bummer though on my part when I bought my Yokohama G003 MTs.

It was only a matter of days when they released the newer 255/85 R16 size. Had to settle with my 235/85 R16 for the mean time on my BJ42 but nonetheless it's a solid tire specially when comparing it to a friend's 33x10.50 R15 BFG KO2 mounted on a 1997 LN106 Hilux which is grossly undersized from the indicated dimension and I felt sorry for him getting upset as he started to rant how he felt cheated albeit shortchanged for he paid almost 50% more compared to the Yokos.
 
Folks, please. Don’t use these crappy aluminum caster shims. Get the proper steel ones from @orangefj45

These were already showing signs of wear.
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Got the hub and the knuckle ball cleaned up. The rest is still soaking. I got the rest of the steering linkage pulled and the center arm that was completely loose.
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Flip Kit on with shims and new spring pin.
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Slow and steady.
 
Well, KO2s ride great. These are taller by 2” and narrower by just under 2” with about the same size sidewall.

I got a 300 rpm drop in 4th gear going from 33x10.50-15 KM3s to the 255’s like these on my FJ60. That is a legit drop when you are rolling down the interstate with a 2F

Narrow tires steer better too......

Plus relics need MTs.

Sorry I can’t pull it out of the shop but I did drop it off the jack stands for the pics.

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Looks great. OME 2.5 springs? I still need to decide between that set-up and 255/85 or clone yours at stock height and 235/85. Would the airbags you used in the rear on project patina work with the U-bolt flip kit? Keep up the great work.

EDIT: Found it on thread review, HFS springs. Sorry for the hijack. Love it, can't wait to join the patina refresh once I'm in the same state as my 67.
 
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Love those Yokohama’s. I have those Same G003s, same size.
Looks great. OME 2.5 springs? I still need to decide between that set-up and 255/85 or clone yours at stock height and 235/85. Would the airbags you used in the rear on project patina work with the U-bolt flip kit? Keep up the great work.

EDIT: Found it on thread review, HFS springs. Sorry for the hijack. Love it, can't wait to join the patina refresh once I'm in the same state as my 67.

I’ll interject, I love the 255’s but the 235s are more common. You would have a better chance of finding them if you happened to blow one and need another spare. That said, with a spare you should be good to go. Make sure to get a brand that has regular sized tires, not undersized ones. I’m very partial to Yokohama G003.
I had a 67 FJ40 awhile ago. I do miss it from time to time...itnwas more Patina crawler lol.
 
I like Project Patina with the 235s and stock springs, and I like the Yokohamas as well; the whole build is still my inspiration. My springs are fairly shot, I have an aux tank and a hard top, and will have the 4 plus carrier plus a spare, so a fair amount of weight. May lose the aux as I don't really need the range. In a perfect world, I'd order up a set of 1" lift springs with stock spring rate, bilsteins, U-bolt flip, but there appears to be no such thing (Alcan I suppose, no experience there). I like Nolen's airbag and shot stock spring approach, hence the question on whether the airbags can be mounted with the U-bolt flip. Gathering parts for the summer build; I have a bad tendency to do things twice, trying to reform.

Back to the regularly scheduled gorgeous build, sorry for the derail but as always, I appreciate all of the help these threads provide. Beer and whiskey on me when I finally get down that way!
 
The HFS 2.5” kit basically sits level with his hard top and it’s about 1.5” all around taller than my stock spring setup. It’s about the same height as Weenie 3 in the front and about 1.5” shorter in the rear as they both sit now.

basically, the HFS while listed as a 2.5” is really pretty mild. I know they ride good. Springs only though. I’m not a Fan of the shocks.

I saw somewhere in my Boss Airbag thread where someone did them with a Ubokt flip kit
 
There is a very good reason why a shop will quote you $1200 or more to do a full knuckle job

This. Job. Sucks.

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Because of the cleaning. I don't mind the disassembly of dirty parts and I like the assembly of clean parts. The cleaning makes this an odious job.

No way I'd pay a shop because I wouldn't want some clueless tech using a chisel on the lock nuts.
 
When I first agreed to give the truck a baseline and tune (funny), I had seen where John had mentioned that he did not like the KOs and was going to get KM3s.

I quickly messaged him and asked if he had purchased tires yet. He said no and I went into my rant about how tiny 33x10.50-15’s are and would he be open to another style and size.

With a 4 speed and 4.11s you want all the rubber overdrive you can get and seeing that the KM3 measures out 30.5” tall on a Cruiser wheel I suggested he get gray City Racer 16” replica wheels like I run on my 40 and 45 as well as my favorite MTs .... Yokohama G003 MTs in 255/85-16

@wct49 ordered these oddballs up for me and mounted them today

Beautiful. 32.5” tall and 9” wide. I run them on my 60 and 40 and they are superb tires

Yokos and Toyos come with this cool little dot that, if you line it up with the valve stem you can get the best balance with the least amount of weight. 49T was able to keep what little weight they needed on the inside of the wheel as well.

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Thank you for the business!
 

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