Builds A pig for Father's Day (2 Viewers)

[WarDamnEagle]

As usual, I have a couple of questions/observations. I will post them separately. This 55 has the Cruiser Outfitters 70 series OME shocks and springs which require the rear most spring hangers to be moved. I noticed a few days ago though that my front most spring hangers are welded on in exactly the factory location. The holes for rivets are there on the sides and bottom and are lined up. The rear hangers for the front springs and the front hangers for the rear springs are both riveted on. So were the front most spring hangers welded on from the factory? Sure looks like these came that way and there is no sign of damage to either the hangers or the frame rails.

If it is factory, the only possible reason I can think of is that this spring hanger isn't completely on a boxed section of the frame rail. There's a cross member there as well and a lateral strut that is welded under the cross member and to the underside of the frame rail and the side of the spring hanger. Maybe if they had to weld that strut they chose to just weld it all? Or maybe it isn't factory.

 

[Lifelong40Fan]

It’s factory.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

The other observation is that my fuel return line is not being used. It is plugged at the hose which connects to the frame rail return line. There should be a hard line that goes from that hose to the carburetor. I know very little about carburetors and don't see any identifying marks on this one. My best educated guess is that this might be a "Trollhole" carburetor. I think the AC installation and some other work was done at his shop by a PO. Maybe @Trollhole can identify the carb for me.

The pig runs great. Or at least it ran great until I tore into into a few hundred pieces. So, I'm not sure I would change anything anyway.

 

[RUSH55]

Yes, all front shackle hangers are welded on, while every other hanger on the rest of the frame is riveted. Weird, huh? Only Lee in the welding department knows for sure and him and his box of 6010 ain’t talking.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Yes, all front shackle hangers are welded on, while every other hanger on the rest of the frame is riveted. Weird, huh? Only Lee in the welding department knows for sure and him and his box of 6010 ain’t talking.

I took a look at my '83 FJ45 Troopy. The front hanger is riveted and welded.

 

[bobm]

Yes, all front shackle hangers are welded on, while every other hanger on the rest of the frame is riveted. Weird, huh? Only Lee in the welding department knows for sure and him and his box of 6010 ain’t talking.

6010. Mig is better

 

[bobm]

The other observation is that my fuel return line is not being used. It is plugged at the hose which connects to the frame rail return line. There should be a hard line that goes from that hose to the carburetor. I know very little about carburetors and don't see any identifying marks on this one. My best educated guess is that this might be a "Trollhole" carburetor. I think the AC installation and some other work was done at his shop by a PO. Maybe @Trollhole can identify the carb for me.

The pig runs great. Or at least it ran great until I tore into into a few hundred pieces. So, I'm not sure I would change anything anyway.

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View attachment 3867114

No return on carb! Plug it at tank and remove the da

 

[RUSH55]

I took a look at my '83 FJ45 Troopy. The front hanger is riveted and welded.

They must have really, really, not wanted it to move

 

[WarDamnEagle]

They must have really, really, not wanted it to move

Well considering the two major markets…..

 

[samc2447]

The 40 series were riveted and the 55 welded. I'm sure there was some reason for it. But definitely odd since they do share many similarities.

Depending on the year carbs do have returns, so before you remove the return line, be sure you know what year carb you're going to use. Also, no harm leaving it there plugged up for future upgrades.

 

[PabloCruise]

Any thoughts on what the original finish might have been on the heat shields? I went through the first 50 or so search references but mostly found other types of heat shielding in the threads. There are 6 7 as far as I can tell and I would assume they were all the same finish although that isn't necessarily so. Maybe just a pewter paint finish? I suppose they could have been black originally but that seems like the wrong choice for a heat shield. I was thinking of going with a silver ceramic coating for the finish? I'm guessing they don't get that hot but probably too hot for regular paint.

The rest of this post is not overly pertinent to the question about finish but thought I would document the information.

Two of the shields are bolted to the underside of the body, more or less under the rear seat. One of mine was missing but I'm pretty sure I found it in the parts pile that I got with the pig (one on the left in the second photo).

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Two are part of the exhaust system. One over the muffler and one connected to the flange/hanger in front of the muffler. I am missing the one attached to the flange/hanger.

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The last two three are in the engine bay. One bolted to the steering gear housing and one bolted to the chassis under the exhaust pipe in the same area. Edit: and one on the passenger side (see below).

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Edit: Forgot about the passenger side one in the engine bay. Probably more of a splash guard than a heat shield though. Definitely originally black though.

View attachment 3866882

Galvanized for the heat shields?

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I played around with the steering linkage this morning and found no slack in any of the joints except for the steering gear housing assembly. Do I need to pull the pitman arm off before sending it out for a rebuild? I have the draglink disconnected but I don't want to remove anything until I know about the pitman arm. It looks easier to remove where it is instead of on a bench.

And speaking of rebuilds, is Redhead the place to get them rebuilt? I think I have also read about West Texas Offroad but recently recall someone saying that they don't rebuilt steering boxes anymore.

Tie rod and relay rod (and I assume ends) look very new. Tie rod actually still has the Toyota sticker. Everything else looks like it just needs to be cleaned up and painted. Even the steering column universal joints are nice and tight. I was anticipating having to rebuild them but I think all I need to do is paint the yokes and shaft.

The 55 steered without any major issues but there was some play in the steering. Pretty sure all of what I recall can be accounted for in the steering gear assembly.

 

[jestlurnin]

I had Marge’s rebuilt by Mark down in CA. I couldn’t get the pitman arm off and he said he had to take it over to a buddies shop to use some sort of special puller to get it off. Said he almost gave up. Glad I gave up quick after hearing that.

I’d recommend just replacing all the joints while you have the kind of access you have now. Then you know it’ll be good for another 50 years. All in it wasn’t very expensive. I ordered everything from cruiser outfitters. Pretty satisfying having all knew steering linkage.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I've had boxes rebuilt by both West Texas and Redhead, I like Redhead better. I also rebuilt a 60 box myself, not real bad to do. You'll have to call them, but I'm not sure either rebuilds a 55 box. All of mine were either 60 or 80 boxes. Redhead did just sent me a Jeep Cherokee box for the grocery getter.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I've had boxes rebuilt by both West Texas and Redhead, I like Redhead better. I also rebuilt a 60 box myself, not real bad to do. You'll have to call them, but I'm not sure either rebuilds a 55 box. All of mine were either 60 or 80 boxes. Redhead did just sent me a Jeep Cherokee box for the grocery getter.

I filled out their quote request form so I should know pretty soon if they will rebuild one. Wasn't sure about which finish color(s) to select. They have about 6 different options. I chose satin black body with polished head. Looking at my box, my best guess would be cast steel/iron for the box and satin black for the head. I might just go satin black all over assuming they will rebuild it.

 

[J Mack]

Redhead did just sent me a Jeep Cherokee box for the grocery getter.

You have any pictures?

 

[scrapdaddy]

You have any pictures?

Laying on the floor is the best it's getting.

 

[PabloCruise]

Yes, all front shackle hangers are welded on, while every other hanger on the rest of the frame is riveted. Weird, huh? Only Lee in the welding department knows for sure and him and his box of 6010 ain’t talking.

Lee welded them all so he could get the perfect shackle angle...

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Lee …..

Don’t confuse Japan with China.

 

[bobm]

Laying on the floor is the best it's getting.

View attachment 3867814

I can see it ! Red on da Head like Dick on da Dog

Iffin I had a Licker like dat