Builds 1st FJ40, '76 - SMOKEY - Puttin’ her Back Together

[Vae Victus]

Documenting the correct motor mount installation - or at least what I believe it to be. I did flip the bolt orientation on the left rear mount to make it easier to get to the castle nut and cotter pin.

I also noticed that if you have the front square pads turned in the WRONG orientation, the mounts will NOT mate up to the holes in the brackets. So, it's hard to screw those up in practice. Basically, the metal tab on top faces away from the vehicle.


Front Right

Front left

Front left

Rear left (flipped the bolt orientation)

Rear right

 

[Vae Victus]

If you are paying attention, the previous post means something else - I put the engine in the truck! Big day! And I had a young mentor working with me the past two days. He's 13, but smart and really loves learning all about this.

Huge milestone for me. Whoop whoop!

 

[Rainman]

...Roll it out and...

You'll thank me later... Again.

This is the first favorite point for me on a build. Rolling chassis wth the drive train in.

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Hey, that is a smart looking kid! Some body to keep you straight.. and motivated!!! Keep him around and maybe you can finish that thing before winter!!

 

[Vae Victus]

Question for the community: I drove in the steering box bushings instead of pressing them in. One of the bushings got tweaked and deformed a little when I corrected it.

Now the worm gear shaft in the steering box is too tight - at least the one bushing, and maybe both.

Should I attempt to file the bushing(s) down so the shaft can turn, or just order them again, and this time press them in (like i should have the first damn time)?

In the last photo, you can see that the bushing is deformed.

 

[Rainman]

Without a mill (I realize you might go get one at Walmart during lunch) I would replace them. You can't make the perfect circle in there by hand.

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

It is almost like you need to compress that bearing before you press it in. Kind of like installing pistons with the rings on it.

Why would it be split anyway?? Seems strange to me

 

[Vae Victus]

Whilst waiting on the steering box bushing from SOR, cleaning up the bolt heads on the transmission and transfer case that I never protected two years ago.

Blasting and clear coating them. We shall see how well this holds up. I like the idea, just not sure the durability.

 

[DSB345]

WOW! Just caught up on what I could on your build. Looking good Scott! Love that flushing technique by the way.

 

[Vae Victus]

This is steering week. Finally got the replacement bushing for the steering box and used the darn press this time.

 

[Vae Victus]

Continuing with the theme, refinished the tie rod, relay rod, and drag link.

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Nice work!!

 

[Vae Victus]

Finally conquered this beotch! Steering boxes are precision and built to last. If it ain't broke, rebuild it for the experience.

I did have to hone the last bushing to get enough clearance for the main shaft to rotate.

Then I had to remove the overspray on the mating surfaces to get everything to rotate.

Seeing a theme here?

It's a little tight but will loosen with time.

Mounted it temporarily to test turning torque.

This was a tough one. My forearms are aching from holding the thing just right over and over again to get the worm gear and main shaft teeth to mesh.

 

[Rainman]

That pitman arm looks like it went through the blender... "You missed a spot!" or, "Is that what it gonna look like when you're finished?"

 

[Vae Victus]

That pitman arm looks like it went through the blender... "You missed a spot!" or, "Is that what it gonna look like when you're finished?"

Oh, yea, that's the old one I had to cut off. New one will be mounted.

 

[Vae Victus]

Ok I'm back.

Steering control arms, box mounted.

Stripped the big bolt on the steering box trying to seat the Pittman arm. Grrrr.


This is as close as it's going to get after pounding it in with a sledge:

And this is my clearance from the drag link to the shock - 1/4":

Will it be ok?

 

[shipmag]

Mine is a work in progress. Its just that in four years no progress has been made by my wifes cousin.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

you frighten me saying you hit it with a sledge - the cap on the steering box isn't terribly strong.

can't answer your question, though. sorry.

 

[Michael B]

Scott I believe the clearance will be sufficient. You may need to check the nut on the arm from time to time. I think as you drive it the arm will loosen and need to be tightened thus driving the arm further onto the shaft where it belongs.

 

[Vae Victus]

you frighten me saying you hit it with a sledge - the cap on the steering box isn't terribly strong.

can't answer your question, though. sorry.

Hmmm. Hope I didn't do any damage.