Build 69 FJ40 FST

[schuy2147]

@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…

Guess I should’ve spent more time looking into ‘negative’ reviews of the Dobinsons kit for 40s. Absolutely no issues with my 60 so pretty wild to hear all the negative feedback in the 40 world. I’ll get back to it this afternoon so I suppose if these gremlins exist, I’ll find em.

Our neighborhood keeps the retaining ponds stocked here so pretty nice to take the little one over to catch a few. She loves to talk to em and help throw em back.

 

[schuy2147]

Ooof.

Might just use the old pin at this point.

 

[firemanj92]

yep, nothing has changed-bummer. I had 2 issues with my Dobi's, 1st rubbing military wraps and 2nd front shackle that was misaligned. Upon removing the bolt off the pins to cut the m-wraps all the pins stripped out of that flange . In the end I called Kurt's crew @cruiseroutfit who sent me OME replacements which are built much better, don't strip after one use and don't require "machining" to fit. I originally had the OME's but wanted something a little more compliant and bought the Dobi's. The OME's only had 1500 miles. I should have just removed a leaf.....But in the end it doe's ride nice and did lower the height by a smidgen which is what I wanted.

 

[schuy2147]

The pin alignment issue is a bummer. Hard to believe that’s standard issue from Dobinsons. I’ll return those 4 and pick up something else but for now the stock pins work fine.
The rest of the driver front installed without issue. It doesn’t look like I have the military wrap clearance issue that others have experienced.

These ol U bolts plates have seen some s***.

 

[rlong]

Get some weight on it and check the shackle angles. I have no specific experience or quibble with Dobinsons, it’s just that so many aftermarket springs have been different amounts of “short” over the years and perform poorly without adequate shackle angle (guess how I know! Driving around thinking.. this drives harsh?!?)

 

[schuy2147]

Get some weight on it and check the shackle angles. I have no specific experience or quibble with Dobinsons, it’s just that so many aftermarket springs have been different amounts of “short” over the years and perform poorly without adequate shackle angle (guess how I know! Driving around thinking.. this drives harsh?!?)

Yeah that’s the plan once it’s all installed. I don’t anticipate having any leaf length/shackle issues though.
I get there’s been some QC issues and poor customer service which really puts a damper (no pun intended) on the brand name but these kits have been getting used in 40s for years and I’ve never really seen any more than a handful of complaints and up until now, didn’t even know there were issues.

 

[schuy2147]

Passenger side. Same issue with the pin.
I’ll get these returned for a refund and look to replace them in the future.

These ol spring plates are shot. The nuts holding em on weren’t much better. Time for the cutting wheel.

Other than the pin issue, everything else went smooth. Shims and new u bolt plates from @cruisermatt. Front done.

 

[cruisermatt]

Where did you buy the Dobinson’s parts from? Those don’t look like the normal Dobinson’s pins or shackles.
(Dobinson’s vendor here)

 

[schuy2147]

Where did you buy the Dobinson’s parts from? Those don’t look like the normal Dobinson’s pins or shackles.
(Dobinson’s vendor here)

Exit Off Road

What do you see that’s different? I’ll touch base about some pins for sure.

 

[schuy2147]

A wolf among sheep.

 

[HelloKitty65]

Subscribed. Glad to continue to follow this beauty of a truck. Please keep this truck (and all well preserved patina trucks) out of, and away from the Atlantic ocean.

Thank you.

Signed,

A West Coast person who keeps nice trucks out of and away from the Pacific Ocean.

It's a hobbyists professional courtesy of sorts.

 

[HelloKitty65]

If you see threaded holes in the top of your bedrails, it's a straight bolt on. The rail across the top of the windshield frame and the FST twists should be the only thing you need to remove. I wheeled my 40 with a family of 4 for almost a decade.

Try to preserve your patina windshield with its rails. Trade it for a spring green windshield without rails if you can.
You can't go back without losing the look. I tried with my PO hacked former FST windshield. The rails will be mostly be covered by canvas, but it shows when you run topless. I had the color custom matched to this truck, but you don't get the patina. Speaking of color, your bezel is the correct tan color that goes with spring green. Fiberglass hard tops were tan as well.

 

[schuy2147]

Subscribed. Glad to continue to follow this beauty of a truck. Please keep this truck (and all well preserved patina trucks) out of, and away from the Atlantic ocean.

Thank you.

Signed,

A West Coast person who keeps nice trucks out of and away from the Pacific Ocean.

It's a hobbyists professional courtesy of sorts.

Considering I'm a stones throw away from the Atlantic, I don't think thats possible! But, I will keep a healthy coat of fluid film and salt away spray in the diet.

 

[schuy2147]

Try to preserve your patina windshield with its rails. Trade it for a spring green windshield without rails if you can.
You can't go back without losing the look. I tried with my PO hacked former FST windshield. The rails will be mostly be covered by canvas, but it shows when you run topless. I had the color custom matched to this truck, but you don't get the patina. Speaking of color, your bezel is the correct tan color that goes with spring green. Fiberglass hard tops were tan as well.
View attachment 4153598

Ah good to know!

 

[HelloKitty65]

Had to look up 'Salt Away spray'. A 'blend of surfactants, rinse agents, and corrosion inhibitors designed to help salt dissolve and sheet off surfaces with water flow. Exact proprietary ingredients are not publicly disclosed.' I'm thinking salt still creep into cracks. I'm thinking fluid film should help prevent that. God speed you in slowing down rust.

 

[schuy2147]

Front meats installed. Oooweee.

Cleaned up these old factory pins since the Dobinsons won’t fit.

Watermelon hits.

 

[schuy2147]

What’s the trick here? Pretty sure this is the original stabilizer.
Pickle fork and heat? Got it soaking now.

 

[firemanj92]

Yep, pickle fork/heat were more effective

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

What’s the trick here? Pretty sure this is the original stabilizer.
Pickle fork and heat? Got it soaking now.
View attachment 4154281

Used to do the pickle fork! Not anymore. Heat and air hammer.

 

[schuy2147]

Simple enough. Pickle fork and a hammer did the trick. That yellow tho...