Builds 3 days and 3300 miles later

[buckroseau]

Matt,

Thank you for doing such a detailed job on this thread. Beautiful work, man. This thread is like having a picture manual of how to finish my project.

Early on, you had talked about some possible modifications to allow a little more breathing room in the driver's seat. Any thoughts as to what you might change?

BTW, what kind of camera are you using? Your pictures always look so clear and crisp. Especially the closeup shots.

As far as a little more room, I need it. I plan on swapping out the steering wheel, I'm thinking this will get me an additional 2"...if not more. I would prefer not to, but I have to do something and this is the easiest way to get the room without making any mods that can easily be changed back.

The hub adaptor will ad about 2" to the length of the column. The steering wheel will also be about 14" to 15" in dia. vs 17". So, it should give me that extra room I need to clutch without my leg hitting the steering wheel and door. If any of you guys have any ideas for steering wheels, PLEASE, post them up!! Looking for a wheel about 14" to 15" dia. and I would like it to look like it belongs there.......no chrome or anything to sporty.

As far as camera, Sony MVC FD85. Nothing really special, but very easy to use for a goober like me. You can use a memory stick, but you can also use a 3.5" disc in the side. No software required for the disc, just remove it from the camera and pop it in the drive and load directly up. It has about 4 different resolution settings, I have it set on the lowest one 640. If I have it set any higher I have to re-size before I can get it on mud. On the lowest setting I can go directly on the net, although it's the crappiest pic setting. But, good enough for everyone I guess

Matt

 

[treerootCO]

If Matt can fit in a 45lpb, anyone can

No word on that part yet, I would buy the one you found if you are going to need it right away.

 

[Texican]

As far as a little more room, I need it. I plan on swapping out the steering wheel,

Matt

There are several Toyota wheels that are smaller that will fit on the splined shaft with no adapter. However with no PS you will need big arms to turn it.
Butch

 

[buckroseau]

There are several Toyota wheels that are smaller that will fit on the splined shaft with no adapter. However with no PS you will need big arms to turn it.
Butch

That might work, but I was kinda counting on the adapter for that extra couple inches. I could give it a try I guess, I'm sure a guy could round up one of these used Toyota steering wheels for very little. My problem is when the doors are on, my leg hits the back of the wheel bofore the clutch can come all the way up.

Turning with no PS is not going to be a problem for me ;p

Any specific wheels you can think of?

Thanks, Matt

 

[Texican]

Any specific wheels you can think of?
Thanks, Matt

I "think" all the pre-air bag wheels will work, I swapped one off a mini era 87 or so onto a late 70's FJ40 I did power steering on...........some of the mini's have nice sporty wheels with a Toyota logo in the center.
Butch

 

[66LV]

Matt I have used a steering wheel from a FJ60. It's smaller in diameter than yuor stock one, the stock horn works and it says landcruiser. The turn signals don't automatically turn off though.

 

[buckroseau]

I "think" all the pre-air bag wheels will work, I swapped one off a mini era 87 or so onto a late 70's FJ40 I did power steering on...........some of the mini's have nice sporty wheels with a Toyota logo in the center.
Butch

Butch,

What was the dia. of that steering wheel?

Matt

 

[buckroseau]

Matt I have used a steering wheel from a FJ60. It's smaller in diameter than yuor stock one, the stock horn works and it says landcruiser. The turn signals don't automatically turn off though.

I suppose you wouldn't happen to know the dia.?

I'm liking these ideas, just not sure if it's enough?

Thanks, Matt

 

[uted]

I've got a 60series Sahara wheel on mine. is 1inch smaller than standard wheel and soft touch. Much nicer feel

Pretty sure 75series wheels fit to.

 

[nuclearlemon]

There are several Toyota wheels that are smaller that will fit on the splined shaft with no adapter. However with no PS you will need big arms to turn it.
Butch

you must just be old and soft butch.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

I had a late 80s Supra wheel on my 86 mini... Sounds like they kept the same spline patern throughout there line for a while.

 

[tucker74]

Any specific wheels you can think of?

Thanks, Matt

I've got the non-airbag wheel out of a '91-'94 80 in mine - 15" and even says "Land Cruiser" across the front Bolt in swap - just have to bend the horn contact a little and swap the guide pins from your stock wheel ...

Tucker

 

[FJBen]

I've got the non-airbag wheel out of a '91-'94 80 in mine - 15" and even says "Land Cruiser" across the front Bolt in swap - just have to bend the horn contact a little and swap the guide pins from your stock wheel ...

Tucker

I'll be watching this steering wheel part closely!!!

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

94s have driver side airbags.....

 

[tucker74]

94s have driver side airbags.....

No they don't ... they added airbags and changed the dash in '95 (I've got a '94 FZJ80 too). I'll post up a pic of my wheel tonight - it looks pretty sweet, similar to the late 40 "shield" stock wheel.

Tucker

 

[rutbeer]

fj60 wheel

Yeah, the fj60 wheels are pretty good. Especially if you put the leather wrap on them.....

 

[buckroseau]

About an hour or so on the lpb tonight...really nothing accomplished.

Currently in a winter storm warning up here and supposedly some significant snow fall is coming tomorrow. I guess I figured all the other parts were inside, and I didn't want to be digging the boxes out of the snow in a few weeks.......so they got bumped in the schedule.

Had a couple of my neighbors come over and give me a hand. Flipped over the good box upside down and set it on my cab stand and then rolled it inside. Then flipped the orgininal box over on the ground an hauled it inside. At least now I don't have to dig them out of the snow.

I am going to remove the rear valance on both boxes and get the 78 valance installed on the other one. Although it doesn't look like it because there is undercoating all over it, the 78 valance is in really good shape.

Question: Are there spot welds across the rear of the bed on that piece?? There are 4 bolts on each end that need to be removed, I can see how it is going to come apart there easy, but not sure how it is fastened across the rear length of the bed? If it is spot welded, there not jumping out at me?


Man, that 78 box is shot...............

Thanks, Matt

 

[buckroseau]

1 more

 

[rutbeer]

As far as I can recall, yes, there are. I have a dent in my valence right at the tail light and I tried to remove it for ease....and I gave up because I didn't want to drill right then.

 

[krzyabncanuck]

Matt, On my 65 the spot welds were right between where the humps would be if they were continued all the way to the rear of the bed , and i think there were some down each side also. I will see if i got a pic of that from mine.

Got no pics, but i think you get the idea.