3rd time is a charm build

[rockcod]

I finally got the braking issues figured out, a booster that was damaged from gas fumes, a stuck caliper and a bad m/c, not too shabby for new parts huh???? Feels great to be able to move on to something else on this thing.

While waiting to get my m/c back from the shop, I was able to finally mount the FJ60 radiator overflow bottle. I drilled and tapped 2 holes in the radiator core support and bolted the factory bracket on and snapped on the bottle.

 

[emr88]

lookng forward to seeing the new wheels

 

[badsamaritan]

Thanks for posting that part number for your gas tank fitting! I have been looking forever for a solution. I ended up using a F/2F carburetor fitting, a brass "olive", and some brake like to another fitting with 6AN. Your piece simplifies it alot.

 

[rockcod]

I tried to flip my rear shackle mounts like you, and didn't like it, like you. I ended up putting them back the original way and cut about 1/2" or 3/4" off so I could weld them where I wanted without them hanging out the back. No bolts.

Do you have any pictures of how your cut fenders look from the back? I like the look from the side and mine don't have much metal down there any more anyway.

I missed your question, here is a photo.

 

[rockcod]

I sold the wheels and tires, so I am using the the 33 1050's from the 45 for now. The H1's and 37's will look a whole better. I just received notification the centers, rock rings, o-rings and inserts have arrived at the shipping terminal. I will be picking them up on the 26th.

I am getting closer to the shackle angle I am looking for, they have been flipped around and now moved to the front hole, I will try flipping them back around (original orientation) and use the rear most frame mounting hole.

 

[rockcod]

Santa arrived today!!!!! Surplus 37" Hummer H1 tires, PVC inserts and rock rings from Trail Worthy Fab. Waiting on my pressed centers from C&M Performance Machine so I can assemble these together. Cant wait to get them on the 40!!

 

[rockcod]

Got everything unloaded, unpacked and checked out. The tires have hardly any wear and no damage at all. The inserts were installed in the tires before shipping, that is a big help for assembly. The rock rings are pretty standard and nothing fancy, I didnt care for flames, gears, skulls and what not cut out in the rings.

 

[rockcod]

Rock rings and centering washers

 

[JVCTLC73]

Wow, those look awesome. What kind of hubs are you going to run with those to match the bolt pattern?

 

[rockcod]

The 8 lug center gets cut out of the wheel and a new pressed center gets welded in the inner half of the wheel. The pressed centers will be 6 on 5.5, so no adapters are needed, they bolt to the factory hubs. Once I get all the parts, I will go step by step of the process.

 

[JVCTLC73]

Cool, looking forward to seeing how that all comes together. Where did you score the H1 rims and tires?

 

[rockcod]

The wheels I found on CL and the tires are from Trail Worthy Fab.

 

[rockcod]

I liked the original shackle angle, but my springs are so flat, the shackles ended up laying flat against the frame, needless to say the ride sucked!!!

 

[rockcod]

After unloading my trailer, I got back after the shackle issue again. I flipped the mounts back around to their original orientation, but moved them 1 mounting hole towards the rear cross member. Once weight gets put on the springs again, it will settle in to where I want it. Here is the progression of the various shackle positions and angles.

 

[rockcod]

Saturday I had my true shake down run. Club members were spending the weekend in Mule Canyon at Calico, so the family and I loaded up the truck and trailer for a day in the canyon. Found a few small issues I need to address, but I was very impressed with how easy this thing is to drive!!! I had planned to just keep it simple, just a little light wheeling make sure everything was functioning, but then one thing led to another and we were running Odessa and Doran trails. It walked everything with ease, even with the tall skinnies from my 45. The wife put the first "kiss" on it, she rubbed up against a canyon wall scratching the side glass and a small crease in the hard top side, I see it as it has been trail christened

 

[rockcod]

The entire day I had a smile on my face, it has been nearly 12 years since we have done any true wheeling and nearly 8 years since the cruiser has been on a trail. I think it too was smiling, finally doing what it was meant to do.

 

[Mongoose317]

The entire day I had a smile on face, it has been nearly 12 years since we have done any true wheeling and nearly 8 years since the cruiser has been on a trail. I think it too was smiling, finally doing what it was meant to do.

Nice looking build! Like the wheeling photos.

 

[daniel.watters]

Looking good Tony!

 

[rockcod]

Nice looking build! Like the wheeling photos.

Looking good Tony!

Thanks guys, it has been a lot of work just getting it to this point and I have quite a bit of work ahead too.

 

[rockcod]

I have been held captive at work for the last 3 days and unable to get going on my wheels. This morning I got the centers removed from the outer halves, I utilized the inner wheel half as a guide for my plasma to cut around the center (they will be cleaned up on a lathe), removed the valve stems and dropped everything off at the sand blasters. A few pics of the process.