'71 fj55 lc

[SAWTOOTH 55 LC]

Hello fellow 55 addicts.Ive been kickin around the 40&55 section and figured I best get with it and become part of the 55 preservation society.Enough with all the 40 drama.Well I purchased this 55 a couple of months ago when I just happened to come across it.I wasn't looking for a project,and against all logical thinking I had to have her.It has 90K original miles,3 spd,and the F motor.It also has the factory installed A/C.The body was in awesome shape except for the rockers,lower fender,and rear quarter.I started with replacing the cancer.I bent the rockers myself over a pipe.Next the front needed disc so I rebuilt a 77 fj40 axle and threw that in with re-arched springs, add a leafs,and 1 1/2 shackles.I was replacing the electrical junction strip in the tailgate,decided to pull the window bracket and motor for cleaning and lube,decided to take a look at the infamous gear since I was in there.Well pulled it apart and look what I found inside.Money!Hope to get lots of good advise with the project.Let the good times roll.

 

[laguna80]

Love the piggy! Nice to have the rear window gear taken care for the next 10,000 years.

 

[uglyoinker]

Greetings! Wanna come fix my tailgate?

 

[onemanarmy]

what add a leafs did you use?

 

[SAWTOOTH 55 LC]

leafs

After purchasing 2 different brand name add a leaf sets.Both were cheesy and would fit correctly.They both were not wide enough(2 1/4)I needed 2 3/4.So I took them to the local spring shop(AAA spring) and they put in custom add a leafs that stretch the length of the spring,and a 4 degree caster shim up front.The gear was just a token sent from god or the PO.Here is the axle I bought from you Jake.Turned out alright.

 

[PabloCruise]

Nice score!

I would like to see pics of how the factory installed A/C looks if you get a chance...

Welcome!

 

[SAWTOOTH 55 LC]

A/C

My bad,I meant to write dealer installed a/c.This is the only pic I have at the moment.I am missing the nippondenso compressor and brackets.Someone took it.Anyone have one?

 

[uglyoinker]

Yup. That axle turned out pretty shiny. You do good work sir. When are you gonna come back up and make my tailgate work? I'll give you more parts in trade! I hate tailgates. I swapped tailgates on the wifes 4runner and it worked great for a few days and now not at all.....

 

[SAWTOOTH 55 LC]

new BFGs

Got some new BFGs.33x10.50x15.Mounted them on painted wagon wheels with toyota center caps.I like em,and the LC still fits out of the garage.Negative cash flow!

 

[scouthead]

nice pig! nice to find a working window gear too!
I kind of like the way the white in the mid-section extends up a little higher than usual, but still has the two tone top.

 

[rsbcruiser]

Wow! What a stellar contrast between the before and after. Nice work there, good job.

 

[SAWTOOTH 55 LC]

leaning cruiser

Im thinking about putting in a spacer on the right rear leaf pack to compensate for the cruiser lean.For those of you that have done this,has it worked for you?how thick is the spacer you have used?Im just going to add another piece of leaf to the top with new pin,thickness is probably close to 3/8".What do you all think.Thanks

 

[SAWTOOTH 55 LC]

4runner brake boost and master

I found a 92 4runner booster and master.Read that it bolted right up with the only mod. being,add 1/2" spacer at firewall and booster to compensate for a longer pedal adjust bolt.You could also cut the bolt a 1/2" but for the 55's you need the 1/2" spacer to clear the lip on the firewall.The booster is a slightly larger in diameter than stock.Well it fit right in,snug to the slave cylinder.Existing brake lines went right on after I put a riser on the T at the fender.And best of all,it works killer.Lockin up the new 33's

 

[SAWTOOTH 55 LC]

4runner brake boost and master

The old master/booster and the new installed

 

[uglyoinker]

you can do mine too champ. Or I guess I can do that swap myself right after I swap out the transfer case in my fantastic pig that breaks parts for giggles......

 

[Vitesse_6]

Looking great!

You know a Jeremy Herridge? I guess me and you could have gone to High School together, Crazy!
Good to hear the switch worked out.

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

Right on SAWTOOTH! I almost did the same this weekend. Stuck with stockish. Great pics, it'll help folks with their decisions...

 

[SAWTOOTH 55 LC]

power steering

Did some part pulling today.Got this 60 power steering setup from Oinker.Wondering about the water pump pulley.I pulled this off his 74 pig,it had a double pulley system,not sure why,but my 71 is only a single.Will this pulley work,as 1 grove is larger than the other.I will also use the crank shaft double pulley off the same truck.Would like to use them because they work with my brand new F no oil cooler water pump.Also I plan on using 3/4" steel and tapping for grade 8 bolts w/ lock washers.Plate welded to outside of frame,no bolts into frame no sleeves.Any ideas or advise would be appreciated.

 

[uglyoinker]

you're welcome

 

[SAWTOOTH 55 LC]

passed safety & IM

Last time this truck was registered was back in 2000.I put new plugs and wires and ran new fuel lines.I didnt touch the carb.Took it in to have the safety and IM done,so I would know how close I was,and it passed with flying colors.Original running gear no mods.The cruise is loose for about a week,then it will go under the knife for PS install.The 55 is coming along,thanks to everyone at MUD!