Build Alaska60 buys a 40!

[uglyoinker]

Wow,thats some serious work,looks awesome.I have a 60 box in the 55 and I really like it,other than the box I bought from Oinker is now leaking.The 40 has a sag,but have not driven it yet.Most think sags the only way to go,but I love my 60 setup.and very easy to remove unlike my sag which will require taking the front end off.Hurry back to your project.

I totally planned it that way. I flipped the switch to fail one year after purchase. You're welcome.

 

[SAWTOOTH 55 LC]

Yes!!,he's alive,I knew you would respond to that.And thanks

 

[alaska60]

its been a while since I have been here....
I have completed a ton of work on the 40 since my last post.
Lets start with the body work and rust removal and replacement panels that i made from 16 guage sheet metal. I also made the wheel wells a bit bigger for the extended wheel base.

 

[alaska60]

Stripping all the latex paint was a drag..... but it did help slow the rust down on this rig, for that I am grateful. but I swore the the entire time while removing it. Three solid days of it!!!! And still I found my self finding more!!!
I decided to roll with a fj60 power steering system. Fj60 box, pump and draglink. I also took a fj60 passenger side steering arm and flipped it on top of the 40 arm to fab up a split arm for an inexpensive hi-steer system. Keep in mind, I am trying to build this with parts i have, and free donation parts along the way. (hint hint)
I had to weld on a plate for the gearbox to mount on the frame. I used 1/2 plate.

 

[alaska60]

Heres a couple shots of the whole thing together welded up with gussets and steering and drag links connected.

 

[alaska60]

I also did a knuckle rebuild after cutting and turning the front axle. Nice to have it all clean there. On with more progress from the past few months....sorry i am okay with taking the photos but not so okay with keeping up on the posting of them and the progress of this build.

 

[alaska60]

for the steering column I have two ujoints and the stock column with an old man emu bushing drilled and pounded in the bottom of the column with a set bearing to stabilize the column for the two joints. Works well. In fact the whole steering system feels better without power connected yet, then the old manual box and rag joint that it came with. Cant wait to put power to it. I made the mounting bracket from an old fj60 bracket and fabbed it to mount from the exhaust and water pump.

 

[alaska60]

and some more progress........................
With the extended wheel base up front, The oem front fenders came right down to the middle of the tire. I decided to cut the front roll off the fenders and add a small curve to it. This keeps the fender up high and away from diving down into the tire.

And as far as TIRES....I have a set of 33 x 10.5 x 15 that will more than likely go on it. I may also run my mud BFG t/a 35 x 12.5 x 15 off my 60.
I really dont like to run 33's on a SOA. I think 35 or bigger is the way to go. But since I have not re-geared I will run the 33's till that happens.

 

[alaska60]

I spent a whole week 8 - 10 hours a day working on the body and paint issues. A ton of rust was cut out of this rig and replaced with fresh metal.
Heres some progress..........

 

[alaska60]

And some more progress..............

 

[waiting for time]

Great progress you've made, looks very nice.

 

[alaska60]

I also built a tailgate for when the hard top is off for the summer season. it 1 1/4 inch square tube and skin on the outside. i also had an extra land cruiser emblem from a fj60 that will be incorporated into the tailgate as shown in one of the photos here.




I'll have more to come soon!

 

[alaska60]

Heres a shot of the locking system for when the gate is up and shut. Very simple $2 home depot slide lock.

 

[Bad Mojo]

for the steering column I have two ujoints and the stock column with an old man emu bushing drilled and pounded in the bottom of the column with a set bearing to stabilize the column for the two joints. Works well. In fact the whole steering system feels better without power connected yet, then the old manual box and rag joint that it came with. Cant wait to put power to it. I made the mounting bracket from an old fj60 bracket and fabbed it to mount from the exhaust and water pump.

I am curious where you got the u-joints you are using along with the shaft between them. Also did you weld on the u-joint onto the steering column? Thanks

 

[alaska60]

I am curious where you got the u-joints you are using along with the shaft between them. Also did you weld on the u-joint onto the steering column? Thanks

Both Ujoints are off a fj60 steering shaft (or corolla drive shaft), One joint is welded directly to the end of my steering column shaft and the spline end goes into the other stock fj60 shaft then to the box. all fj60 shafts and joints.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Tom, you have some serious talent and it is showing through this build. Good work man!

 

[alaska60]

Thanks Johnny.
Hows moonshine rollin? did you get the bugs out?
i cant wait to fire and drive this 40......

Thanks again.

 

[Bad Mojo]

Both Ujoints are off a fj60 steering shaft (or corolla drive shaft), One joint is welded directly to the end of my steering column shaft and the spline end goes into the other stock fj60 shaft then to the box. all fj60 shafts and joints.

Thanks for the information. I will go test fit everything tonight.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

That is some nice work on that 40. I really like what you did with the fenders.
Also please tell me that this another "Painter's Touch" Paint job.
If so I'm definitely going to follow suit when I have my body pulled off.

 

[alaska60]

Thanks for the information. I will go test fit everything tonight.

The joint coming off the column is the first joint on the fire wall of the 60 series. I took the sline end and welded it to the 40 column. This left the female spline end for me to slip the shaft and second joint into. Then that shaft runs to the gear box. It really is a great set up....I THINK!

That is some nice work on that 40. I really like what you did with the fenders.
Also please tell me that this another "Painter's Touch" Paint job.
If so I'm definitely going to follow suit when I have my body pulled off.

Hey Steveo.....
Rustoleum enamel!!!! Cobblestone in color!

I have a total of $400 into this build so far. I was lucky enough to have a shop full of old parts from 60 and 40 series rigs. cant wait to finish this and enjoy the summer months....topless!