4Alarm - ROTW

[4alarm]

I'll keep this short and sweet. For all the details of my build check-out the following threads:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/40004-project-toylet-pics.html
www.WheelingArizona.com :: View topic - Progress on the FJ40
www.WheelingArizona.com :: View topic - Josh's FJ40/Project ToyLet

Before:

After:

I've always loved the older Land Cruisers, especially the FJ40's. When a friend of mine asked if I'd be interested in trading him (straight across) my '85 Toyota pickup for his '70 FJ40, I jumped at it. I would have loved to have gone all Toyota parts on this build but I didn't get much to start with, so I went by what was cheap and easily available.

SPECS as delivered to me:
1970 FJ40
SBC 265 V-8
T-90 3-speed transmission
Dana-18 transfer case
Generic 33x1250x15" mud tires
Factory FJ40 axles with drum brakes front and rear
Spring over axle conversion with factory springs
Saginaw PS pump and bracket installed (no connection to the steering linkage)

The engine ran and it would shift through the gears but had no steering and no brakes.

SPECS as of today:
1970 FJ40 (what's left of the body and frame)
SBC 350 (recently rebuilt)
SM 465 transmission
NP 205 transfercase
38.5x1450x15 TSL-SX (bias-ply) on white steelies
HD Dana 44 front axle (8-lug) rebuilt with new new 4.10:1 R&P and new Aussie Locker
14-Bolt rear end rebuilt with factory 4:10:1 R&P, GM disk brake conversion, welded spider gears
Out-Boarded the spring and shackle hangers on front to accept full width axles
Still sprung over with factory springs
New Saginaw PS bracket boxed in the frame horns and full cross-over hi-steer.
Cut down rear drive shaft, square front shaft
Custom exhaust with Magnaflow muffler (needs to be re-done)
Custom gage cluster
Checker Auto Parts special "Racing Bucket Seats"
5- point harnesses
Boat-Sided
Custom Roll Cage, Tube Fenders, and radiator protection
Custom Bikini Top
Taurus electric radiator fan
Wheelbase stretched to ~106"

SPECS Future:
Re-do the exhaust
1 link / y-link rear suspension
Paint
Bumpers
Spare tire mount
Winch

 

[4alarm]

Rear Axle:
I picked up a FF 14-bolt axle with 4.10:1 gears, cut of the factory spring perches and did some shaving to the differential. I replaced all the seals, bearings, and races, then swapped the drum brakes for disk brakes.

Rear axle:

Perches cut off and some shaving:

Diff shaving:

Caliper mounts bolted and welded:

Disk brakes done:

 

[4alarm]

Because of the length of the drive train I had to move the rear axle back as far as I could. I did this by putting some custom shackle hangers on the rear bumper and using new custom spring hangers to move the spring location back as far as I could.

New shackle hangers ready to be welded to the bumper:

New spring hanger ready to be welded to the frame:

Shackle hangers mounted:

Spring hanger mounted and trussed:

Rear all wrapped up:

 

[4alarm]

Picked up a HD D44 front off of a 3/4 ton Suburban, rebuilt the axle with all new seals bearings, and races. Had to replace the 4.10:1 R&P since it was missing some teeth, and added an Aussie locker to get the wheels turning. Had the passenger knuckle machined, drilled, and tapped and added hi-steer arms. Did some grinding on the calipers to clear the 15" wheels.

I had to outboard the front springs to fit the full width axle

Dana 44:

Out-boarding done:

Crossover and hi-steer done:

 

[4alarm]

Built some custom engine mounts and put the drive train in. I have a cross member for the transfer case but it needs to be redone.

Custom mounts:

Engine installed:

All pretty as she sits today:

 

[4alarm]

In July of last year I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and I've spent the last year in and out of hospitals and going through treatments. My friends and some complete strangers stepped in and helped finish up my build. They got the engine running, built my driveshafts, boatsided the rocker panels, mounted my seats, and built a roll cage for it.

I wanted to go a little more in-depth with this write up, but I was hospitalized from Tuesday of last week until late Friday afternoon. So I end with a few more pictures. Like I said in the first post all the details of this build-up can be found in one of those links. I'll answer any questions you have here as well.

 

[bsmith123]

ROTW

Radical and cool,

Nice photos

Sorry to hear of your illness best of luck to you with that sounds like you have some great friends to help you through it.

 

[SLOonTheGo]

Again what a cool rig, and what a transformation you have made with it. My prayers are still with you and your family.

 

[hudyhue]

nice build bro our prayers are with you ....

 

[Fast Eddy]

Really nice; perfect wheeler. Stay out of the hospital and enjoy it! Best of luck!!!

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

Wow! You are my my hero! Your fab skills are enviable.

TK

 

[cruiserjunkie]

sweet ride watched the build from day one

 

[marks69cruiser]

Sweet set up man! Looks like a lot of fun.

 

[Splash]

VERY NICE!! Excellent work. Enjoy!

 

[Twisty]

Awesome 40, love all the tube work!

 

[Magnum44]

Awsome rig! Sorry to hear about the cancer, I truley hope all is well. If it's any consolation I have had 4 surgeries in the last year. Mainly due to my back injury so I know how hospitals can really get you down. One thing is for sure it makes you appreciate life, family and friends much more. Try to stay positive and get well so you can start wheeling again.

 

[Trollhole]

Very cool. Nice build. Love the welds. WHat kind of bracket are you using on the PS box? You planning on a front bumper?

 

[mmw68]

Iam not sure if people know, but Josh passed away in November of 2008.

Here is the link over at Pirate, My toughs go out to his family.
Cage on project: Josh's Toylet - Page 2 - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

 

[Hobbs]

That really sucks. My heart and prayers go out to his family and freinds. Really sucks...

 

[alkarich]

Sorry to hear that, way too young. RIP.