Build 69 FJ40 FST

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Happy New Year!

So I had some old Goodyear hose around the garage so went with the loop route. Quick cruise around the block and seems to be tight.
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Not the prettiest but it’ll do for now.

Had both cruisers out of the garage so snapped a pic. Love these things.
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Gonna start the body mount project next.
 
Body mounts are a super fun, easy going, non knuckle bleeding project! 🤣

Didn’t have much time but finally got started. The top hats were spinning inside the old mount structure so that turned into a process.

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Lots of old desert dirt locked away in this thing!
 
Tried to make some progress on the body mount project. Could use any insight from those who’ve done this before while the body is still on the frame. Access to these top hats is minimal and I can’t get any kind of tool in there to hold em tight enough to loosen the bolts.

They’ve been soaking in PB but no luck.

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Also, is this a body mount location? Currently, there’s nothing there on either side. Located just in front of the rear axle.
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schuy2147 said:
Tried to make some progress on the body mount project. Could use any insight from those who’ve done this before while the body is still on the frame. Access to these top hats is minimal and I can’t get any kind of tool in there to hold em tight enough to loosen the bolts.

They’ve been soaking in PB but no luck.

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Also, is this a body mount location? Currently, there’s nothing there on either side. Located just in front of the rear axle.
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Cut it out, not worth the effort if it's rusted together.
 
samatulich said:
I used a lot of 1/2" impact to break those body mounts free. Heat, reciprocating multi tool to cut it off. PITA but they all came off.
Yes, that body mount looks correct. Bolted through the tub floor.
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Thanks. I think I've got to go get an oscillating tool of sorts to get em cut.
 
Boy these have been quite the challenge! Big shout out to @Racer65 for helping with the back and forth paperwork customs was asking for. Appreciate it!

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Just need some rubber and a new suspension kit. In the meantime I’ll keep working on these body mounts.
 
Well..I accidentally spent some of my suspension lift budget on a new (old) dirtbike. 🥴
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I grew up riding these old Hondas and when it popped up locally, I had to have it.

Plus, just found out our long term tenant is moving out of our rental so that house is going on the market. Anyone in the market for a house outside Auburn CA, let me know!

So between that and the frigid weather, the 40 project will be stalled for a couple weeks.
 
schuy2147 said:
Well..I accidentally spent some of my suspension lift budget on a new (old) dirtbike. 🥴
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I grew up riding these old Hondas and when it popped up locally, I had to have it.

Plus, just found out our long term tenant is moving out of our rental so that house is going on the market. Anyone in the market for a house outside Auburn CA, let me know!

So between that and the frigid weather, the 40 project will be stalled for a couple weeks.
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I was born and raised right up the road from Auburn in Grass Valley.
Was just there visiting.
 
So today was supposed to be prep day for my incoming suspension. Plan was to start soaking all the perch nuts, shackles, shock bolts, etc.

But…I had to move my 250 and figured I’d change the oil real quick….well that led to replacing the 30 year old tires and tubes. 🥴 Three hours later….
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I’ve got time. Pretty sure the 40 is sittin on its original springs and hardware. Gotta get em soakin.
 
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Picked up my suspension from freight terminal today. After hours and hours of thread reads and YouTube video reviews, I decided to go with the Dobinson IMS kit. I run this same kit on my 60 and have no complaints. I want to thank Georg at VH for all the customer service and working with my indecisiveness. I was close to going with the Terrain Tamer kit but for a lot of reasons, I opted for what I know.

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It’s been hella rainy here in the lowcountry but I’m hoping to get a few dry days this week to get this installed.
 
schuy2147 said:
Picked up my suspension from freight terminal today. After hours and hours of thread reads and YouTube video reviews, I decided to go with the Dobinson IMS kit. I run this same kit on my 60 and have no complaints. I want to thank Georg at VH for all the customer service and working with my indecisiveness. I was close to going with the Terrain Tamer kit but for a lot of reasons, I opted for what I know.

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It’s been hella rainy here in the lowcountry but I’m hoping to get a few dry days this week to get this installed.
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A few of us have had to cut off the m-wraps due to rubbing on the frame so keep a look out for that. And more than a few of us have had fitment issues with the spring hanger pins bolt holes that don't line up. They may need to be drilled/filed larger as they may not line up/subpar dimensions than other brands.
 
firemanj92 said:
A few of us have had to cut off the m-wraps due to rubbing on the frame so keep a look out for that. And more than a few of us have had fitment issues with the spring hanger pins bolt holes that don't line up. They may need to be drilled/filed larger as they may not line up/subpar dimensions than other brands.
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Good to know. Thanks. We'll see how it goes.
 
Got started this evening. I opted for the heavy fronts so I removed a leaf since I don’t have a bumper/winch setup yet.
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I removed the 4th leaf but if anyone knows if that’s correct or not, please let me know.

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My daughter came out to the garage and wanted to go fishin’…so we went fishin.

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@schuy2147
I was one who had fitment issues. Make sure you check everything while you can still get a refund.

I will never buy anything from Dobison’s again.
I hope you have better luck.

Nice fish, that’s living…
 
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