FoxFab's Project ODIE - '59 FJ25

[Living in the Past]

1800 rpm!? That's only 40 mph!

I didn't say I didn't run it over 1,800 RPMs just where the engine seems to be happy. After thirty-seven years of owning it I've gotten to know this engine. Lucky for me where I use my old Land Cruisers there is only one paved road running thru the area. Some of the subdivisions are paved but twenty-five MPH speed limit. What we have in the area are hundred of miles of dirt forest service roads. I have notced the 2Fs don't mind the higher RPMs as much. But even these I just take it easy on. The Toyota 4.7 V8s are a different story.

Currently my 68 is in need of a new clutch. Kicking around the idea of throwing in a H41 and Fairey Overdrive to improve it at both ends

 

[foxfab]

well the grand prize is to be able to drive my 25 to the FJ45 run... in a timely fashion. I rarely take it on the highway but when I have to, I have to. I think it'll be overall better for the drive train if I can keep the R's down.

I appreciate the feedback. I'm going to go with the 903's if the price works. I have a tire groover, I'm ex NEUROC ...

Here's my nose stand:

I wanted to run the split rims so I don't get rock rash on my FJ25 rims on those class 6 roads, again to preserve them for a future resto.

I have all of the parts already so other than buying tires, it only costs me time. My 25 actually drives fine at 60-65, stopping is a little sketchy but its a once in a while kind of thing.

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

I put 25 stuff on a 40 axle from the spindle out. If you've got a a good 25 front, you could probably just change to 40 knuckle arms and tie rods.

Also when you flex it with the stock 40 rims the rear will rub the tire on the inner fender well because of the offset and the narrow 25 rear (at least they did with 750-15's).

If you're thinking about non stock rims, why not just go all the way and run radials? 235/85's? But again, that will rub more in the rear.

If you run 750-16's on stock rims you'll have less rock rash than now. Don't forget the rims are only 4" wide. Here's a 750-16 on a stock rim, even from the side you can tell how wide it is.

 

[Living in the Past]

My 25 actually drives fine at 60-65, stopping is a little sketchy but its a once in a while kind of thing.

Don't forget a taller tire increases stopping distance. Plus the extra mass of the split rims and heaver tires aren't going to help either.

One of my FJ25s can run stock FJ40 rims. I believe the front is using FJ40 knuckles and brakes. The back has special hub that the axle press on doing away with the need for C-clips. The wheels have two brake cylinders.

 

[foxfab]

No luck with town fair tire or ken jones tire. I even called town fair tire corporate. They said that they bought a container of deestone tires but it was a one time purchase and they had no inventory listing for them of what was left. This must be where the local guy got the 503's from.

I have an email into American-omni which seems to be a Deestone importer for a price quote on 5 of em.

 

[67azcruizr]

I have an email into American-omni which seems to be a Deestone importer for a price quote on 5 of em.

this is where mine are coming from..................west coast distributor of course

 

[foxfab]

I emailed Deestone directly who forwarded my request to a distributor in PA. He called me the next day and said that Deestone doesnt normally ship the 903's to the US but if they are willing to put a set on his next container shipment and I can wait 6 weeks, then I may have a set coming. He is finalizing pricing and will get back to me by Tuesday.

 

[foxfab]

I started preparing for the 7.5x16's by putting in a mild lift that I took out of #6. The front is done. I got about 1.5" of lift which should be plenty for the new tires. I'm going to need longer shocks. I'm going to bead blast the stock springs and repaint and put them in storage.

Still no word from the deestone dealer on whether my tires are being shipped or not. I'm not holding my breath. I may go to plan b and get a set D503's

 

[foxfab]

Woot! I officially have a set of D903's on their way.

If anyone wants a set, the dealer said i can get as many as i want. Lead time is 6 weeks though. They are $179 each to get them to PA. $20 per tire additional from PA to you.

 

[foxfab]

Repro rear shackles are drilled for the fj25 15mm stock pins. I've been playing mix-n-match to get the right bushings in the springs. Luckily, fogblanket mis ordered a few times from SOR and had the spring bushings that I needed.

The rear springs seem to be a combo of mostly new leaves including the main leaf with a few fj40 leaves thrown in. There were only 5 leaves total so I added two small bottom leaves from an fj60 pack that I had. The eyes are larger than stock and there is no military wrap on the ends.

The fronts are mostly early FJ40 leaves with two aftermarket add a leaves thrown in for lift.

the stock FJ25 u bolts survived but the nuts stripped out. I'm going to bead blast/chase the threads on the u bolts and send them out for cad plating and put em in storage. I'm using the aftermarket u bolts off of #6.

Passenger side rear spring is in, I'll work on the drivers side tomorrow. Then I can order new shocks.

Anyone made a voodoo doll of me yet?

I blame 82Cruiser and fogblanket for my slight turn to the dark side.

I have a small project to do with MickeyT and then I'm going to tackle the rear sill/ quarter repairs. Next up will be a temporary engine swap of #6's powerplant so I can get my original F120 gone through.

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

It does make it easier to have another 25 to pick at.

With the 750-16 I'd think about a ubolt flip or ubolt skidplates. The stock plates, rear forward spring mounts, and exhaust pipe bend at the muffler is where mine is showing rock rash.

 

[foxfab]

Springs are in.

 

[foxfab]

Progress today. I spent some quality time with the wire wheel and grinder. It's amazing how some people slap on bondo when all they really needed to use was a hammer and dolly and then skim coat it.

 

[foxfab]

I'm going to have to replace the entire rear sill and support, and about 3 inches of the quarters. i think all fj25's had whip antennas on them. Funny thing is that they mounted it where the rear reflector should be. Maybe mine didnt have reflectors? I broke out the hole saw and cut a patch panel from good fj25 sheetmetal and welded it in. I also filled in PO drilled holes.

 

[foxfab]

more pics

 

[foxfab]

I love seeing the original grey under the layers. I really need to paint her back to original.

 

[tahoe40/45]

What kind of reflectors are on your Cruiser? Are they Stratolite NO. 38?

 

[foxfab]

When I got it, there were no reflectors. I have el cheapo napa reflectors on it right now.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Yes to the original grey

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Yer truck ought to have some newfound power once you knock all that putty off! Nice work Mike. Did you contact Bud for some 3/16 quarters yet?

Nick