Builds Cruisermatt's FJ62 Build-up

[cruisermatt]

Not painting engine white, going black on black with class 10.9 bolts, so it will look sort of like this old F155 (from zag's FJ40 restoration)

@beno I haven't ordered any yet, I'll take a look at that casting number and get back to you. Turns out the machine shop requested "standard" because they didn't need to machine the bearing surfaces, so whatever size came on it originally.

 

[cruisermatt]

Can't get over how shiny this is. Shop said it was the dirtiest engine they've ever seen.

I'm prototyping my tire carrier

 

[cruisermatt]

spent 5 dollars and ten minutes and replaced my passenger rear door panel, which had gotten torn in half, with a piece of ABS. I'm pretty satisfied, but I'm not sure whether to do all the doors like this or to repair the original.

I also discovered that my truck is slowly rotting away

 

[gregnash]

Showing nothing but x for all your photos. Could be that I am at work and you are using something like imageshack or photobucket (which is blocked).

 

[OGBeno]

Negative.

Attachments on MUD are being problematic right now.

Thread in the "Help" section going currently.

 

[cruisermatt]

^yup

Just picture in your mind: a lot of rust

 

[gregnash]

Pics are showing now... dude how did you not see that rust before!!!
Engine will look great all black with the 10.9 bolts!

 

[cruisermatt]

Wellllll just getting around to posting it, I've been aware and turning a blind eye to id, I just punched out that big hole in the rear sill a few hours ago,it didn't look like rust at first. At least here in Florida it wont spread too quickly.

My priority order:

1. Engine/Transmission build/swap
3. Finish bumper/tire carrier
2. FZJ80 rear axle swap
3. Brake maintenance
4. ACTUAL rust repair (not sure if I'll DIY it or not)

Then...

5. Suspension/E-lockers/offroading stuff

 

[cruisermatt]

Got my welding gas refilled and went through my cart organizing it, going to try TIG this Saturday, pretty stoked.

 

[cruisermatt]

I'm happy to say I'm now completely desmogged. Truck runs better then ever, it will be even better with rebuilt and manual!

 

[cruisermatt]

So to recap for most of November:

Truck is still running great. I've lined up most of the parts to build the new engine, picking up a transmission Saturday, and an FZJ rear sometime soon as well.

I finished my tire carrier, it's pretty good except for it being a little saggy.

I hope to fix that with this spindle

And recently did some actual wheeling and discovered the 62 needs many things, like lockers, winch, armor, bigger tires of the mud variety, etc etc. but I've got enough on my Land Cruiser plate until I'm ready to start tackling (dumping money) into off-road modifications.

While off-roading I smashed up my front bumper pretty good by being an idiot on some rocks I had no business being on:

so I started a new front thing, this is what I have so far, it's not much though.

It will get many tubes

 

[cruisermatt]

 

[OGBeno]

At least you can drive yours!!

 

[gregnash]

Looking good dude and when you get to new tires I will put in a recommendation/referral for the Cooper S/T Maxx. Have had mine for a couple weeks now and through slushy snow, rain, and dry pavement they have been awesome and QUIET! Man these things are no louder than a similar road tire, hell when we had the Geolander HT-S on our 08 Highlander those were MUCH louder.

 

[cruisermatt]

Eh, I'm 18 and could care less about noise honestly. I wouldn't be driving a 25 year old leaf sprung truck if I did.

The 31's I have now are brand new actually, Falken Rocky Mountain. Decent on road, just a not enough for off-road. Whatever I get will probably be along the lines of chewed up old Super Swampers.

 

[cruisermatt]

Just picked up a crucial piece of the puzzle

 

[Cruising Canuck]

You will love the manual. It completely transforms the vehicle. The slush box robs quite a bit of power and really takes away the feeling of driving. One of the best mods you can do.
I recommend getting a vacuum boosted clutch master cylinder. Makes the clutch buttery smooth for offroad driving. Doesn't wear you out.

The firewall has all the nuts welded to it already, but then some sheet metal is covering them in the engine bay, so Drill out from inside the footwell

 

[cruisermatt]

Yeah the pedal bucket is the hardest part of the swap, I did it back in June.

 

[cruisermatt]

Built this winch holder and installed a winch, it doesn't work though and I'm pissed off!!!

At least I kept the approach angle adequate

 

[cruisermatt]

Got the winch working

Fun times with good friends