- Thread starter
- #21
Thanks. Did you pick that out from the picture, or do you have experience with that rig?
'66 fj40 Frame Off Buildup - TJ's Cruiser
- Thread starter truggier
- Start date
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Thanks. Did you pick that out from the picture, or do you have experience with that rig?
- Thread starter
- #22
Finally got a chance to work on this build this weekend, though I had to work quite a bit of the weekend. Didn't make a whole lot of progress but going to post it anyway 
...so I can blow the dust off of this thread.
Working on the Saginaw gearbox mounting - got a tube from Cruiser outfitters to recess the gearbox into the front crossmember, but had to ream out the hole in the crossmember that I had originally drilled that was too small. There was an issue with the gearbox fitting into the tube that I settled in this thread:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/437688-flange-saginaw-gearbox.html
I ended up grinding down the retaining collar or spanner nut on the gearbox, which ever you want to call it.
I have the tube fitted in the crossmember and notched the crossmember a bit to allow clearance for the first hydraulic hose. However, now I'm having a problem with how to mount the gearbox. Working that out in this thread:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/448854-saginaw-gearbox-mounting-issues.html
...so I can blow the dust off of this thread.Working on the Saginaw gearbox mounting - got a tube from Cruiser outfitters to recess the gearbox into the front crossmember, but had to ream out the hole in the crossmember that I had originally drilled that was too small. There was an issue with the gearbox fitting into the tube that I settled in this thread:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/437688-flange-saginaw-gearbox.html
I ended up grinding down the retaining collar or spanner nut on the gearbox, which ever you want to call it.
I have the tube fitted in the crossmember and notched the crossmember a bit to allow clearance for the first hydraulic hose. However, now I'm having a problem with how to mount the gearbox. Working that out in this thread:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/448854-saginaw-gearbox-mounting-issues.html
- Thread starter
- #23
Oh yeah, yesterday I also shipped off my 350 engine for a complete rebuild...
- Thread starter
- #24
It's been a long while since I updated this thread, but I haven't been completely idle on this project. Got the balanced and rebuilt 350 back, and it's ready for the MPFI. Also, after buying an Eastwood 175 mig welder a few months back, I finally felt confident enough with my welding skills to weld up the power steering bracket and the front leaf spring mounts.
After next week, I have two weeks off and I really plan on digging into this thing.
After next week, I have two weeks off and I really plan on digging into this thing.
- Thread starter
- #25
Built up the bumper mounts a few months back...
- Thread starter
- #26
Tacked in my Metaltech premium sliders...will also be tacking in the forward and rear roll cage tie-ins I bought from the same company. Also have set of tube fenders from them, but these are bolt-ins.
- Thread starter
- #27
Now mocking up the buildup so we can figure out the proper drive train bracket placement.
Good to see you are still going on this.
Coming along nicely.
Coming along nicely.
- Thread starter
- #29
Thanks!
Yep, almost ready to drive...
...well maybe by the time I collect my first social security check.
Any updates on this rig? looks great so far.
- Thread starter
- #31
As a matter of fact, I was just getting ready to update the thread. I've been doing some work on this project over the past few months.
Tacked in the roll cage tie ins:
- Thread starter
- #32
Fabbed up a mount that attaches to the bottom of the adapter between the NV4500 and the transfer case. It's a hard mount but the tubes on either side that are attached to the chassis have bushings.
- Thread starter
- #33
And finally, today I had a local guy come over and bend up some 1.5" .12 DOM tubing for the rear fenders. I had to cut the fenders out for tire clearance - this made the bends really hard to make look right, but he did a fantastic job. Next up: building up the front tube fenders.
Looks great
Glad to see you are still on it!. Love your build. You are doing a very nice job. Keep the pics and updates coming
Also yours looks to be a 1965. If i'm reading your VIN correct it was built in feb-march 1965
A month before my 65
A month before my 65
- Thread starter
- #37
Thanks for the encouragement.
My title says '66. Did I give my VIN somewhere in this thread?
Personally I wish it was a '67 - my birth year
.
Thanks for the encouragement.
My title says '66. Did I give my VIN somewhere in this thread?
Personally I wish it was a '67 - my birth year
That picture of the passenger side frame horn shows the frame number pretty clearly. It looks like FJ40-33547 to me. Like DAD2SIX said, early 1965 production.
Zackly
- Thread starter
- #40
I had forgotten that the VIN was stamped there. It is indeed FJ40-33547. I guess you got the date from Specter at http://www.sor.com/catframe.sor. Is it possible that this frame date is just when the frame was built, and not necessarily the model year of the cruiser? The cruiser itself could have been built up later and sold in 1966.
