First Cruiser build 79

[Boing]

Getting a little annoyed it has been 3 weeks and 5 boxes, 2 at Napa & 3 at Checkers. Keep getting small input box that has 3.5 turns, however I ordered one from Autozone today will be here on the 15th.

My TBI adapter showed up today, always love getting boxes full of shiny parts!

E - awesome build I like it, I am wanting to use 60 springs for the same reasons longer and big bushings, sent you a pm!

 

[EWheeler]

Email with pictures sent.

 

[Boing]

Well finally got a steering box close to what is needed, 4 bolt box, 3.5" piston, 4.25 turns, but the input is the smaller version... 3/4 30 splineShould I keep it or try and find the larger input (13/16 36 spline) is there a difference in the seals is that why the larger one is recommended? I am ready to order steering u-joints so I need to make a choice here any help is appreciated!

[79fj40]
**** you sure are having issues with those boxes. I have been waiting on your write up on the conversion. I plan on doing it myself. currently have mini truck power steering but am going to change. look forward to more post. good luck

[EWheeler]
I just went through this with my 6529 box. I had already bought the 3/4" joint for my old box that I ended up scrapping and had to pick up this bad boy for the new box:SummitRacing.comI would just buy the joint to work with your current input, don't waste time trying to find a 3/4" input box with 4 mounting bolts, 4.25 turns, & flare fittings. The 6529 box is tried & true. Use it.Here is some reading on input shafts if you are really bored:https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series...-help-faq.html79FJ40: The FAQ is your friend. No need to wait for Boing's write up when there is John Smiths kick ass write up. I used pretty much every single part on his list & things turned out wonderfully. This saginaw conversion coupled with a 4x4 labs high steer setup is truly a bomber steering system. My 40 steers like a dream. https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series...ring-swap.html

[79fj40]
Thanks ewheeler I actually have that write up book marked your right it is awesome. I just like reading what other ideas are out there. I am glad to hear that you liked the 4x4 labs high steer. I will use that also.

[EWheeler]
That write-up is definitely the most comprehensive I have found to date, and I have read pretty much every one on this site & Pirate. There are most definitely cheaper ways to get a saginaw swap done, I just dont have any access to junkyards where I live so I had to buy all new parts. Probably around $600-$700 for all new parts with the list John Smith put together. (not including the high-steer system)

 

[EWheeler]

Order the joint for your J20 box. Plenty of people use this box & joint combination and I have never read of any problems.

 

[Boing]

Alright ordered some steering junk,

Flaming River
FR1925
FR1935

Decided I am going to pin the column to the upper u-joint, rather than grind it down to fit a DD. Chrome-Moly U-joints should out last the mild steel telescoping shaft & the black oxide finish means they will be very rust resistant.

Borgeson
BRG-450036

Parts Mike
Drag link ends ES 2027 L&R
Tie Rod ends ES 2234 L&R

Said if they ever break he will warranty them. The 2027 is the shorter of the drag link ends (Parts Mike, builds them in both L&R). The 2234 is very similar to the 2010 TRE's however the 2234 has a longer shank (Parts Mike, builds them in both L&R)

 

[Boing]

Per usual my project is spiraling out of control. Went over to a friend’s house and his personal cruiser has 80 axles under it with 37s (perfect width & tire combo). Got me to thinking about my FJ-60 axles, shortly after this visit I found this thread (https://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/196544-notched-60-front-axles.html) so I ordered one since the cut and turn hasn’t been completed on my axle yet.
Been learning a lot about cruisers (I know Yota mini-trucks through and through) found out that the FJ-60 has smaller front brakes than 3rd gen Toyota trucks. This is a surprise to me since 60’s are so much bigger than mini trucks. Looked through some boxes in my garage and found a set of 3rd gen IFS calipers and sure enough they are bigger. From an older truck I also have a set of Sky front wheel spacers and fj80 rotors all mounted to IFS free wheel hubs.
As I have done some reading with the spacer on the short side I would be able to attain 61” WMS – WMS so hopefully with the sky spacers I can get to 64’ish and have larger front brakes. Longs arrived last week for this front axle!
I ordered two fj80 e-locker rear-ends because I found some good deals (one is getting harvested for spare parts and the e-locker for the front, the other will be used for the rear)

 

[Boing]

Taken the 40 to the shop, in the midst of gathering all these parts, my gas tank has started leaking & I found a newer H42 - and 3spd gears in a 4spd case. So this Sat. I "we" will start to change out the trans t-case & new gas tank...

 

[Boing]

Got the trans & t-case changed out, however the gas tank I picked up also has holes so they are both going in to be fixed...

Also my 30 spline Longs have arrived, also the short side axle extension is in hand...

 

[EWheeler]

Good choice on the axle tube extension. I will most likely do that when I do a cut & turn if I can't scrounge up the money for a Diamond housing (not likely). What did that custom inner cost, around $150 or so?

 

[Boing]

Longfield has them on his site for 125 & 160... The long side is cheaper than the short side in my case...

 

[Boing]

Thought I would bump this thread as lots has changed in my build plans.

First off I am going to do an engine swap to a 5vz (3.4) V6. My 2F has one barrel working on the carb (Not that I couldn't rebuild it) and lowish compression 89-90-92-90-88-89.

I have a 3.4 for mockup however i am still looking for a good one to actually use...

As for a transmission I talked with Justin at Redline about some options he suggested a trans that is a mixture of a R151(has a 4.31 first gear) and AX15 so that I could mate to a Dana 300 and keep the overall drivetrain length short. After giving him the go ahead he called me 2 weeks later and I went to check it out bellhousing to the end of the trans is 22 15/16". As apposed to a full length R151 @ 25 5/8".

After selling my NV4500 and a few other parts I now have an Atlas 4spd in the garage that will mate to the back of the trans that Justin built for me.

Now i am looking for a good 3.4....

 

[Boing]

A couple of pictures of my mutt trans
R150 Bellhousing, R151 nose cone & internals, AX15 tail housing & output shaft. 22 15/16 long...

Atlas 4spd, looking tasty

 

[Boing]

Found a 2004 5vz with 20k miles

Swapped in a 2002 harness and throttle body, almost ready to test fit and start building mounts...

However have to pull the old drivetrain first...

 

[EWheeler]

Blingin pile of parts you got there.

It was a pleasure to meet you and Justin this weekend. Get that thing done so we can do some wheeling this summer!

 

[Boing]

Right on man it was good to meet you also, always good to put a face with the internet handle. Don't hesitate to call if you have some questions on that cage!

Yes I'll be working on this truck like mad to try and get it done'ish for summer!

 

[Boing]

Got some work done on the hubs since I am waiting on other stuff...

Bead blasted the hubs cleaned them up, painted, pressed in new bearing races, and installed arp hub studs... I think they came out nice, just need to clean the rotors before they are installed...

 

[Boing]

Got some work done on the motor... Swapped dipstick to the rear along with the sump and pan...

Drilling out a new place for the dipstick...

Plugged the old dipstick hole

Mostly buttoned up...

Always surprising how long this stuff takes to get done...

 

[EWheeler]

Saw you 80 axle for sale, what rear axle are you going with now?

 

[Boing]

Yeah the rear and the front are for sale, going with diamonds... Probably should have done full widths... I promised myself I would never build Yota axles again and I have... So I am going to build them to full width dimension...

So long story short buy my thirds and axles!