Builds Aussie 1978 FJ40 Buildup

[Twisty]

Few pics of the new driveline between the chassis rails. Haven't tacked anything in yet as I wasn't sure how far back I need to be. Spoke to a mate who has a 40 with similar driveline length, and he said the tube cross member behind the transfer case has to be relocated, so will end up going back 4-6 inches i think from these pics.

Shed full of crap.

Drivers side chassis mount.

Passenger side.

 

[AlexJet]

Very nice build. You've gone a long way from being stock. I like it.

 

[Twisty]

Cut the 40's centre cross member out yesterday arve so the motor/auto/xfer can all move back into postion. Few mates came over for some beers, and after lots of measuring, thinking and brews we think we have it in around about the right spot.

I dont think the xfer is hanging down any more then the standard one.

Need to call Marks adapters today and suss out the oil filter. I thought the V8 already had a aftermarket setup to suit the MWB landcruiser I pulled it out of, but the filter looks like it will be hard up against the chassis, or very little clearance.

Very nice build. You've gone a long way from being stock. I like it.

Thanks.

 

[Twisty]

Got the mounts tacked in yesterday, and the body back on for a look. Fluked the positioning somehow and everything fits perfect, and no tranmission tunnel mods needed

 

[Clint79]

Nice work mate
should eat with the inj 5.0
is that auto from a commy

 

[croozy]

Top job Dave.

 

[Twisty]

Nice work mate
should eat with the inj 5.0
is that auto from a commy

Nah, the auto and transfer case are out of a Range Rover (ZF Auto, LT230 transfer case). Not the most common swap, but I think it's going to work out well.

I'm not entirely sold on running the ZF Auto and would much rather run a T700/T350 or what ever they are, but was keen as on the LT230 and the ZF came with it cheap.

Main reason for going the LT230 is the factory low range gearing which is lower then the lowest crawler gears available from Marks Adapters. And I got it for 10% of the cost of crawler gears

My original xfer had 1.959:1 low.
The new LT230 has 3.321:1 low. (59% reduction).
Lowest Marks Adapters 3.05:1 low. (55% reduction).

The LT230 is also underdriven in high range 1.2:1. Not sure if this will be a good thing or bad thing yet. Am worried it might rev a bit too much on the highway with the 4.1 diff gears and 33s.

Heres a link to my post from a while ago from when i picked up the auto/xfer.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/123989-aussie-1978-fj40-buildup-12.html#post5166107

 

[vk7ybi]

Whats this? Are these not Marks gears? 4:1.

716938 | Advance Adapters

 

[Twisty]

Dunno, Marks adapters site doesnt mention anything lower then 3.05:1 ?
Landcruiser Gears

Thing is I'd never pay that much for gears anyway. If spending that kinda coin I'd just keep saving and get a Atlas.

 

[vk7ybi]

Id never put marks gears in mine either.. What I did do though was put an Orion in there, costly, but that solution suited me because it was a bolt in swap with an otherwise stock drivetrain. H41, Orion 4:1 and 4.11s.. The setup that the Americans seem to get so excited about.. We use H41s for boat anchors over here though

 

[Twisty]

So got the xfer mounts finished up tonight. Just used the standard rover mounts off the transfer case and some folded plate/brackets to bring the width in to suit. Tacked them in and bolted it all up then dropped the body back on for a final test fit. Everything fits great, am really happy with it. Just got to shape the xfer mounts a bit better and weld all the mounts in then will start the exhaust and hard lines.

 

[chipp]

lol why is it so difficult to decide on the engine, box and transfer

 

[Twisty]

Finally got my 15x9 Trailready HD series beadlocks this week after close to 4 months since I ordered. Trailready didnt have stock when I ordered so it was a 5 week wait there, then the rest was at JT Imports USA addy, on a ship over to here, and at JT Imports Melbourne addy. Wasnt overly impressed with JT's service at all and the total cost ended up being more then expected. (Makes Snakes Racings prices look competitive).

Rim itself, very thick all round and heavy for a alloy rim (in a good way). Compared to Mickey Thompson rims I've had in the past the polished finish is a bit average with machine marks still visible on a lot of the surfaces close up. For a offroad wheel I guess this doesnt really matter, but it is noticable.

Was going to run the fake beadlock 17" versions of these on the new FJ Cruiser, but want to speak to Trailready first about the finish of them. If there is as many machine marks and average polishing on them I will look at something else.

Some pics. I gave the wheel a quick polish before the pic, so you can see how average the polishing is.

Missus was stoked I decieded to mount them up in the lounge room.

Bit of soapy water on the bead and they were pretty easy to get the back bead onto the rim.

Mounted up. Not inflated yet. Need to get a torque wrech to tighten the bolt properly yet.

Check out the inside edge of the ring on the LHS middle of the pic. There is a heap of chatter marks or something from the machining. They are quite common on all the rings.

Pics dont show it real well, but the face that the valve is on (lhs of pic) seems to have similar chatter marks from the tool tip too, though not as bad as the rings.

Lastly, the 40 is now sitting slightly back together and on hold till probably Feb next year. Don't have the coin to order the last few bits I need. Any spare $ has gone the deposit for the FJ Cruiser, rest of the $ for the TR rims, and finishing off some things on the hilux to get it ready to sell. Not getting paid for xmas holidays doesnt help either. Engine and transfer mounts are now fully welded in but.

 

[fjfodee]

Bump for a great build!

 

[Elbert]

Nice setup....wondering how the V-8 and trans swap turn out.

 

[Chamba]

Isn't the Rover transfer case a full time setup? Can you over-ride that? I hope you those last bits ordered, I want to see this thing come together.

Josh

 

[coleman2347]

Probably a dumb ass question but the V8 looks like a ford to me but obviously it's not, What is it? I'm not at all familiar with the stuff available there, just that you have more cool stuff than we had in the US. In the Philippines, if you can think it up and build it you can run it. There is nothing you have done on this rig that I am not in admiration of...look forward to the rest...Lee

 

[croozy]

It's a 5 litre fuel injected Holden (General Motors) engine.

 

[Twisty]

Kinda lost interest in the current build of the FJ40. So am going to part it out.

Mean while a mate come up with a deal to good to pass up so I have picked up a new toy to take its place.

84 BJ40
13BT turbo desiel (60,000kms on it, brand new turbo) - will be selling this.
Factory 5spd - selling this
Airlockers front and rear
4 link rear with 12" travel fox 2.5" remote res coilovers
Radius arm front with 14" fox 2.5" remote res coilovers
300mm chassis/body/wheelbase extension
Mod plated in QLD for all the above.
and a shed full of other bits and pieces to go with it (diffs, winches, rims, tyres, panels, etc etc) - will sell all this

Will keep out of the current 40.
5l V8, ZF auto, LT230
Tube front and rear gaurds.
Front and Rear Bumpers
35's and Trailready rims

Rest will be for sale
Body, Chassis, Cage, Suspension, 33s on classic locks etc.

Fun times ahead

 

[Twisty]

Went down to steelarts on the weekend. Pulled the BJ42 out of storage, and loaded up the trailer full of the spares and tonnes of other stuff I have now aquired. (winches, panels, tyres, rims, 3 pairs of recaros and more)

Pretty sure I'm now going to keep the 13bt in the BJ now and run it (Intercool it and run around 15psi). So will be selling my 40 complete with V8, tube guards, the lot. We sussed out how to extend the rear panels to suit the 300mm chassis extension. Plan is now to loose all the body from the b-pillar back and make our own with a 25mm rhs frame etc. Similar to this one on Pirate.
Project "Goin' Big" FJ40 - Page 4 - Pirate4x4.Com

Pics of the BJ. (front bar will be for sale, rims/tyres for sale)

The good bit!!!

All the other bits that'll be for sale.