FJ55

[71-CRUISER]

How do you get away with FJ40 front springs?

FJ40 and 55 Ft springs are effectively identical. the only diff is the bushing size on frame side of the shackle. We used OME 2 1/2" FJ40 fronts and had Alcan make a set to match for the rear.

Also, I would BET the owner won't want to sully the package with those wheels and tires, will they be for sale? I take DIBS on them, they're 16 inch, right?

The wheels on it are FJ60 chrome 15s w/ 33x9.50 BFG muds which are just shop roling stock and not for sale. The truck is geting different wheels and tires before it leaves.

But I have to wonder (as we all are), what is the ballpark expense for such a mod? C'mon, that's an acceptable question, isn't it? I might want the same done to mine, instead of buying a current plastic imitation.

For a vehicle that is effectively brand new it will cost anywhere from 20-25k for a FJ40 and a bit more for a wagon. However it is easy to double that figure if you add all the goodies. So for about half of what you will spend on a new LC you can have a brand new 73'.

The truck and I am currently at "Urban" however I will be leaving when this project is finished to pursue other oportunities.

The seatbelts are "I think" from an 80 however I have no idea what they actualy came from. I had a pile of belts to choose from. I know some of them were LX450 belts ft and rear and several others. All but 2 of the sholder belts we had were identical except for 2 which were about 8" longer which are the ones i put in the truck.

 

[ChuckB]

F
The truck and I am currently at "Urban" however I will be leaving when this project is finished to pursue other oportunities.

Does this mean more work like this or are you changing fields? Just curious as I would like to do something similar to my 55 at some point.

 

[Grease Cruiser]

FJ40 and 55 Ft springs are effectively identical. the only diff is the bushing size on frame side of the shackle. We used OME 2 1/2" FJ40 fronts and had Alcan make a set to match for the rear......

Also the FJ55 front springs have the center pin in the middle and the 40 has it offset.

 

[71-CRUISER]

Does this mean more work like this or are you changing fields? Just curious as I would like to do something similar to my 55 at some point.

I won't be going far...

 

[ChuckB]

I won't be going far...

Good to know!

 

[DWitcher]

Also the FJ55 front springs have the center pin in the middle and the 40 has it offset.

How much is the offset of the pin on the 40 springs?

 

[brider]

Spring pin offset

Good question, DWitcher, I'm looking forward to the answer.

Wouldn't the spring rate on the 40 springs be a bit lower than the 55's? Just curious, if everything is in the ballpark, I might expand my search for 40 springs for my 55.

I could've sworn those rims were 16's.

 

[PabloCruise]

So the front 80 belts are long enough?

Good to know!

Would you do me a favor and take a close up pic of where you mounted the retraction mechanism to the B pillar?

TIA!

Just wanted to reiterate this request - it might be the way to go vs. trying to scare up some old 55 belts...

 

[71-CRUISER]

I dont have them finish mounted yet but I will get you a picture as soon as I do.

 

[PabloCruise]

I dont have them finish mounted yet but I will get you a picture as soon as I do.

Thanks!

 

[71-CRUISER]

OK so I got the cooling system buttoned up. The key was the 16" Spal low profile fan.
http://www.spalusa.com/fans/automated/lowprofile_16_straight.html
Made some mounts to the recored stock 55 radiator and droped the whole thing in. I have at least a 1/2" to spare and the fan moves plenty of air and is as quiet as any electric fan i have ever seen.

 

[71-CRUISER]

clearence...

I also got the Procar Elite drivers seat installed along with the 8" sterio Tuffy. CD player and Sirius is all installed. The seatbelts are still to short (suprise) so i have to figure out what i am going to do about that.

Oh and ALL of the lights on the truck work correctly.

 

[n2666s]

Michael,,,,,,,,,,she is BEYOOTIFULL; glad the Spal worked for ya....have used one now for over 8 years never a problem! and it is mounted as a pusher, a puller will work better; does yours have the electric thermostat or the older copper tube type; have used both but the older copper tube type can be a bit of a hassle to install into the radiator outlet!...pm sent;

Lou

 

[n2666s]

never mind; it looks like you have the electric thermostat

Lou

 

[PabloCruise]

clearence...

I also got the Procar Elite drivers seat installed along with the 8" sterio Tuffy. CD player and Sirius is all installed. The seatbelts are still to short (suprise) so i have to figure out what i am going to do about that.

Oh and ALL of the lights on the truck work correctly.

Thanks for the updates!

Bummer to hear the belts are too short.

Are you still mounting the radiator fwd of the stock mount? Or are you back to stock mount location for AC?

Last question - why not offset the fan to the passenger side? Wouldn't this give you more room btwn fan and water pump?

 

[71-CRUISER]

The Radiator is in the stock location as well as the A/C condencer(non stock part). There is actualy less room closer to the pas side besides the ac condencer is on the driver side of the rad. hence me putting the fan there

 

[Goebeler]

Love that Tuffy box. Did you paint it and recover the top or do they sell one like that? Nice work!

Goebs

 

[dsa03cjj]

wow . . . that tan makes me jealous . . .the guy before i owned our pig replaced our seats with an awesome dark tan leather, but nothing like yours . . . very nice!

 

[71-CRUISER]

got both seats installed w/ the Tuffy. The Tuffy is a "cammel" colored 8" CD console w/ CD player and Sirius installed and working correctly.

Dash mostly buttoned up. Rear heater switch operates the AC compressor and the ARB switches are for the ARBs.

Floormats (cut out of stock floor cover) to be stitched to cloth mats.

 

[71-CRUISER]

Almost done.... 33x10.50x15 BFG AT/TA ko on new Toyota wheels and 4 Front Hub Caps

Darn 4WheelParts light, was boxed wrong.