ACC FJ40 Resto Crawler. (1 Viewer)

[71-CRUISER]

This truck started life as a 76 FJ40 that had seen better days. It was apparently found behind a barn and was about as rusty as any 40 that I have seen. The frame was in great shape but there wasn't much left of the tub so we cut off the parts that weren't usable and built the rest.

The plan was fairly simple, SOA Lockers and Cage / Restoration. The drivetrain is completely stock for now. The only planned future upgrade is an Orion but that will come eventually.

The Ft axle has, 30 splines, 4x4 labs High Steer, 4.88s and an Aussie. The rear is stock w/ 4.88s and a 12 bolt mini spool.

Typical SOA Ft and Rear w/ flipped 40 springs up front and flipped 60s in the rear. Super easy track bar to keep everything in place.

17x9 Beadlocks w/ 2" bs and 39" Irocks. We were going to put Maddogs on it but the whole Denman Tire Situation threw a wrench in that plan.

Before and After w/ more build pics to come:

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I love it!! Performs very well.

 

[Tapage]

by your specs I underestand GM12B mini spool works in our rear Axle ?

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Great lookin and wheelin rig Michael.

Wish you could bring it to the SCC!

 

[bsilva132]

by your specs I underestand GM12B mini spool works in our rear Axle ?

see post 25 and 26 for how to install a 12b mini spool in a TLC 3rd:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/380238-there-spool-available-2.html

 

[lulo]

Nice looking...

More pics please

 

[71-CRUISER]

Ft end of the frame all cleaned up and ready to start rehanging the ft end.

I used stock 40 Ft springs and the stock spring hangers. The ft hangers are pushed as far to the front of the frame horns as possible and the rear hangers fell where they may.

 

[71-CRUISER]

This is the rear track bar and mount. The rear is flipped 60 springs w/ the rear hangers in the stock location and whatever shackles the truck showed up at the shop with.

 

[71-CRUISER]

Engine cleaned and re-gasketed. Trans and t-case cleaned and painted. I also welded the rear spring hangers to the frame as well as stitch welding the entire length of the frame for added stability.

 

[71-CRUISER]

The frame was finished and ready for the tub. This is how the tub arrived at the shop. Freshly blasted and primed.

 

[71-CRUISER]

The tub was a bit rusty to say the least but the plan was for it to be a trail truck so it wasn't a big concern. I made some simple patches to cover the biggest of the holes.

 

[71-CRUISER]

More rust....

 

[71-CRUISER]

Sprayed it w/ a fairly heavy coat of Herculiner and it looked like new. A simple cap for the back for the tub and a new coat of flat black and it was beginning to look like a truck.

 

[71-CRUISER]

We used a new Aisin FJ60 master and a new 87ish mini truck booster. The Clutch master and slave are also new Aisin FJ60 parts. I bent all of the brake and clutch hard lines from straight pieces and used the brake like hangers from a 60 that we had lying around. The prop valve is an off the shelf Willwood piece. We also installed a new Denso Starter (also FJ60).

The Carb. is serial #003 form THC and has been running great from day 1 with zero issues to date.

You can also see the Saginaw pump mounted and the collapsible steering shaft from some misc GM junk yard car.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Sweet!

 

[71-CRUISER]

Test fitting front tires and building "fenders". These are 38.5" SXs but he ended up running 39.5" Irocks on 17" beadlocks.

Some of the cage was also in place at this point. We used Metal Tech A pillars and Nose Guard but bent the rest of the cage in house.