Broski’s FJ40 Buggy

[Broski]

I have wanted a Buggy for quite some time and although I would have loved to build one at this point in my life I would rather wheel it then built it. A friend sent the link to this FJ40 themed Buggy and it checked a lot of boxes and I couldn’t buy the parts for what the owner was asking.
So after a very difficult conversation with my wife I got the green light to make it mine.
As we all know no build is ever done and I’m sure there’s plenty I will want to change so I will use this thread to document the work and changes I do.
The basics are LT1, turbo 400 Manual valve body, atlas 4-1, Rock crusher Dana 60s lockers high pinion front low pinion rear 4-88s , 4 link front & rear, full Hydro. And 42s on racelines beadlocks
Everyone likes pictures so here’s a few I will get more tomorrow

 

[EWheeler]

I have wanted a Buggy for quite some time and although I would have loved to build one at this point in my life I would rather wheel it then built it. A friend sent the link to this FJ40 themed Buggy and it checked a lot of boxes and I couldn’t buy the parts for what the owner was asking.
So after a very difficult conversation with my wife I got the green light to make it mine.
As we all know no build is ever done and I’m sure there’s plenty I will want to change so I will use this thread to document the work and changes I do.
The basics are LT1, turbo 400 Manual valve body, atlas 4-1, Rock crusher Dana 60s lockers high pinion front low pinion rear 4-88s , 4 link front & rear, full Hydro. And 42s on racelines beadlocks
Everyone likes pictures so here’s a few I will get more tomorrow

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I saved this on FB marketplace today, and a couple hours later it was marked sold. I see why! Cool buggy. Congrats!

Was it built on an FJ40 chassis, or full tube buggy with the 40 cowl/dash/firewall & front sheet metal?

Some more photos I saved for "inspiration":

 

[GW Nugget]

GRATS!

 

[Broski]

I saved this on FB marketplace today, and a couple hours later it was marked sold. I see why! Cool buggy. Congrats!

Was it built on an FJ40 chassis, or full tube buggy with the 40 cowl/dash/firewall & front sheet metal?

Some more photos I saved for "inspiration":

View attachment 3623470View attachment 3623471View attachment 3623472

Full tube Buggy, 113” wheel base, 84” out side of tire to out side of tire.
Just fits inside of the finders on my trailer.

Visiting my Son and his wife, they live about 40 minutes from where I picked up the Buggy in Placerville Ca.

 

[Broski]

There’s a lot of things that I don’t have any experience with on this buggy.
First thing is the full hydro. I have hydro assist on my 80 and while the feel is different it drives down the road just fine even at 75-80 MPH.
The Buggy however feels twitchy and to me was full sketchy at 25-30 MPH on the street.
It’s the first thing I want to address. The seller said that’s the way full hydro is and I would get used to it. I’m thinking not.
Any input from people with more experience is welcome and appreciate.

 

[matzell]

There’s a lot of things that I don’t have any experience with on this buggy.
First thing is the full hydro. I have hydro assist on my 80 and while the feel is different it drives down the road just fine even at 75-80 MPH.
The Buggy however feels twitchy and to me was full sketchy at 25-30 MPH on the street.
It’s the first thing I want to address. The seller said that’s the way full hydro is and I would get used to it. I’m thinking not.
Any input from people with more experience is welcome and appreciate.

The steering wheel may float as well as you drive straight, it does take a while to get used to. I would not plan to drive it on the road much

 

[Broski]

The steering wheel may float as well as you drive straight, it does take a while to get used to. I would not plan to drive it on the road much

Definitely not wanting to drive it on the road, but when we go to places like Moab and Sand hollow I like to be able to drive from camp to the trail.
It is plated And I was happy about that so when I’m at places like the Rubicon Trail I don’t need a green sticker.
It should be easier to get insurance as well.

 

[matzell]

Definitely not wanting to drive it on the road, but when we go to places like Moab and Sand hollow I like to be able to drive from camp to the trail.
It is plated And I was happy about that so when I’m at places like the Rubicon Trail I don’t need a green sticker.
It should be easier to get insurance as well.

My race car has a vin plate and is titled and tagged in the state of VA, I have a liability only policy on the car as I am not sure the insurance company ever wants to see it! lol It does make it easier to get around in states that you have to drive to the trail head on public roads, so I understand.

 

[cruisermatt]

I had that buggy saved on marketplace as well. That was a good deal.

 

[UZJ40]

There’s a lot of things that I don’t have any experience with on this buggy.
First thing is the full hydro. I have hydro assist on my 80 and while the feel is different it drives down the road just fine even at 75-80 MPH.
The Buggy however feels twitchy and to me was full sketchy at 25-30 MPH on the street.
It’s the first thing I want to address. The seller said that’s the way full hydro is and I would get used to it. I’m thinking not.
Any input from people with more experience is welcome and appreciate.

Congrats!

Fully hydro shouldn't be twitchy...

All 5 of the buggies we are currently running have full hydro front and rear. They all feel different, based on the orbital valve, ram diameter, pump pressure, etc, but none of them are twitchy. One of them is about a 3 turn lock to lock, while the more race setup buggy is about a 2 turn.

You can make them self centering. If its not set up as self centering, the proper caster angle helps a lot. One of the buggies is self centering with very aggressive caster, and if you let the wheel go while turning and doing over about 20mph, it snaps back straight pretty quickly which I actually really like. I don't like driving the buggies that you can let go of the wheel in a turn and it remains in place.

One last note - the RPM of the engine has a lot to do with how quickly you can steer. Try it at idle, then at 3k rpm while not moving and you should notice a difference.

If it feels twitchy, I would guess it's a caster, ball joint/heim issue.

 

[Broski]

Congrats!

Fully hydro shouldn't be twitchy...

All 5 of the buggies we are currently running have full hydro front and rear. They all feel different, based on the orbital valve, ram diameter, pump pressure, etc, but none of them are twitchy. One of them is about a 3 turn lock to lock, while the more race setup buggy is about a 2 turn.

You can make them self centering. If its not set up as self centering, the proper caster angle helps a lot. One of the buggies is self centering with very aggressive caster, and if you let the wheel go while turning and doing over about 20mph, it snaps back straight pretty quickly which I actually really like. I don't like driving the buggies that you can let go of the wheel in a turn and it remains in place.

One last note - the RPM of the engine has a lot to do with how quickly you can steer. Try it at idle, then at 3k rpm while not moving and you should notice a difference.

If it feels twitchy, I would guess it's a caster, ball joint/heim issue.

Thank you for your input, I was thinking it could be the caster, if so hopefully I can dial it in with the links.
I would also like to change it from a single sided ram to a double sided.

 

[cruzinfj1]

Congrats!! Thats a dream build for me. I've seen it before, was it in CRAWL or on Pirate back in the day?? Cant place it.

What are your plans with the 80 now?

 

[Broski]

Congrats!! Thats a dream build for me. I've seen it before, was it in CRAWL or on Pirate back in the day?? Cant place it.

What are your plans with the 80 now?

I'm not sure the guy I got it from only had it a year. He said he purchased it from his Uncle who was the second owner. He also told me he and his uncle are friends with the original owner/builder.

I plan to keep the 80 forever
I really like the Buggy and it will allow me to take my wheeling to the next level.
For now I will continue to use the 80 for running Sierra trails and the Buggy for extreme trails in places like Johnson Valley and Sand Hollow.
I really like the 40 sheet metal, hood, dash and cowl. And that it looks like a Cruiser !

 

[cruisermatt]

whens the first trip planned?

 

[Broski]

whens the first trip planned?

Have a trip planed for the 17th of this month to Sand Hollow.
I just want to make sure everything is good to go with the 40 before taking it.
Trip was already scheduled so going with one of the rigs and I know the 80 is ready to go

 

[fl4031003]

Like that 1970s Pontiac Trans Am Steering wheel! Had a few in my high school days

 

[Stompyou]

That thing is sweet! Full hydro definitely doesn’t have a steering box feel. You will get used to it. You could run fluid through a steering box if you want more steering wheel feedback. How’s that long shifter? Lokar does make a short one.


Lol the steering wheel is sweet, I like that too.

 

[Broski]

First shake down run.

 

[mustcamp]

Better glam shots for your viewing pleasure.

 

[Mike Shull]

Sweet!