Builds Guppie's FJ55 Build Thread (1 Viewer)

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thanks! not sure of the original color, I am torn between doing the freeborn red / white or smurf blue / white. I am leaning towards smurf blue just cuz it is so retro of a color. The body isn't as clean as it looks but yes for a pig it is very clean. The guy before me took it mostly all apart and had the body sent out for bodywork, so much of it is already done. Some of the original stickers were on many of the interior parts and most of it came apart easily with little or no corrosion on the bolts. There are some areas or rust where I will need to do some bodywork and metal replacement and this will take time as I am just learning in this area (body work) but have decided to tackle it myself. Hopefully the outcome will be a good one, I think it will if I take the time to learn and do it right.

Noah
 
An Update

Well, here's an update. Got the frame scrubed down, sanded and zerorusted, came out great, very happy with it. I wish though now I had just somehow sent the frame out to be sandblasted, many hours of wire wheeling, :). Before painting I welded up some bad areas on the frame and cut out a bunch of crap from the PO where they tried to make a towing hitch. Also, 2 of the rivets had been cut down on one side so I decided to lay a weld down to reinforce where the rivet attaches. Slowly moving along, I think I will get more excited once I have the rebuilt axles with discs on the clean frame. Here is some pics, my next post I have a bunch of questions on the rear axle and conversion, so if anyone can help please do. I will ask them here first and if I don't find the answers I will probably start an individual post. Thanks! Noah
fj55 frame and rear axle020.JPG
fj55 frame and rear axle022.JPG
fj55 frame and rear axle008.JPG
 
Questions! Need Help

So I will post up some pics and try to be as clear as mud with my questions, :)

REAR DISC CONVERSION
I am going with the usual GM rear disc setup and think I have all the facts after doing some searching but a few q's come to mind:

?? - I am going with an H55 tranny / TC combo in the FJ55 because of the 5 speed. Does the TC on this combo have the same rear emergency brake as the fj40? I believe I read that it does not and uses the common linkage to the caliper for an emergency brake. When going with GM rear discs I could not find a solution to implement an e brake?

I have heard others mention a "line lock". I believe I understand what a line lock is that it basically uses the standard braking system to lock the brakes on, correct? where does one get one of these and are they all electric or are there hydraulic ones as well? Are they safe to use as an ebrake? I think I would feel better using a hydraulic one rather than an electric one, just seems more reliable to me.

I also saw that JTO or another supplier ? has rear calipers with the e brake mechanism on them BUT they are very expensive and I just don't have the budget now, so I am looking for a solution that is reasonably priced. I saw a post that POSER put rear calipers with the ebrake mechanism on but could not figure out the linkage to get it to work right?

What are my options and what do you reccomend for a solution?

?? - Am wondering if anyone sells just the milled rotors for the GM rear disc conversion? I already have the brackets from the previous owner and could get them milled at a machine shop but for a few extra $ I would not mind just ordering a set that are pre-milled.

REAR AXLE QUESTIONS

?? - I have inspected the differential and attached a pic of my pinion gear where you can see if you look closely the chip in one of the gears? Is this a fatal problem or can I just run this as is? If it is not a big deal I will just run it but wanted to get some opinions as to issues I may run into because of this small chip in the gear tooth. The rest of the gears look fine. I have attached a pic of the splines on the axles as well as the ring gear, what does everyone think of the shape of these? What should you look for when inspecting gears on a rear differential?

?? - I also inspected the pinion bearing and don't see anything obvious. I have no idea how long it has been in the diff as I bought the project as is. Is it reccomended that I replace this and the rear pinion seal or should I leave it alone? The rear pinion was not leaking at all from what I could tell. I suppose if I have to replace the pinion gear this is a mute question. Any opinions appreciated?

?? - When I pulled the rear axles and c clips the spider gears fell out, 4 of them. I see how they fit back in but was wondering if there is any specific way that they need to be placed back in? or can you just place them back in as best as possible and align them with the axles when you slip them in?

?? - What is the best way to install new rear axle bearings? I was thinking of freezing them and then installing them in the rear axle to help them shrink a bit. I have a seal/bearing driver kit. If I do put them in the freezer should they be packed with grease before hand? this way they can go in right away while still cool. I am sure my wife won't mind some axle grease on the frozen lunch meat, :)

Sorry for the long post, any help is appreciated!!

Noah
fj55 frame and rear axle002.JPG
fj55 frame and rear axle003.JPG
fj55 frame and rear axle004.JPG
 
Last edited:
Noah,

Cool post and always cool to see a 55 gettin done!!!

As for the H55f you can find the ebrake set up ....can't remember where I saw it last but try the 60 section...I had the tranny in my 60 for a while and really liked it..then went 350 power and auto...

As for disk brakes it really is not a big deal to rig the ebrake cable...again look at the 60 series section lost of great info there..in fact there is an ongoing thread about that very question right now.

Now for my question where did you get the saw horses that your body is sittin on?? I am going to be doing a 60 body swap this winter an dthey look lik ethey work well..

Thanks Tim
 
Thanks Tim! The saw horses I got at Home Depot, $20 a pop, they are beefy BUT I will need to lower them a bit and reinforce them with some 2x4 wood beams from end to end because they rock a bit side to side, one I reinforce though it should be a nice platform to work on. I just didn't want to worry about the body falling when I am inside the truck moving around. They are rated at 2k pounds per pair.

Noah
 
I wouldn't put that 3rd in a trail truck much less something nice. Your better off finding one out of the front axle on another cruiser. (they are less used) Can be had for under 200. Might be worth going to a fine spline pinion.
 
Wayneraintree said:
not an expert but:

aren't the DB e-brake only on Monte Carlo or el dorado DB's? I found this




The rear bearings I replaced have reset easily with a socket and light mallet...
Click to expand...


yeah I saw that post too but it looks like that is not a great solution as nobody has been able to get enough tension on the cable to make the e brake in the calipers work well. Poser was kind enough to mention that manafre and specter sell a conversion kit that fits a stock fj40/55 ebrake assembly onto the rear of a split tc, it's steep at $500 but I will probably go that route as I don't want to skimp on something like a parking brake, i like my stock ebrake in my 40 a lot, it has worked great for many years with minimal service!

Thanks,

Noah
 
Trollhole said:
I wouldn't put that 3rd in a trail truck much less something nice. Your better off finding one out of the front axle on another cruiser. (they are less used) Can be had for under 200. Might be worth going to a fine spline pinion.
Click to expand...

Trollhole, great point on the front diff! I didn't think of that. So, can I just swap in a fine spline 3rd member or would I have to change my current axles to do so? Wondering what year range will work for me and the axles I have currently in the rear? others have said that any fj55 3rd member will work just fine.

I plan to pull apart the front axle this weekend to see if I have any issues with the front 3rd member gears, etc and if there are issues I may change the gearing front and rear. Hopefully though all will be ok with the front axle so I don't have to spend more $ I don't have, :)

thanks,

Noah
 
I have eldo rear calipers and and the modified rear brake and it seems to work good for me...if you ever get north to the LA area let me know...I can prove it to you:)
 
Tim,

Thanks! Can you give me some more details on how you set the cable, linkage, etc, up? Pics would be awesome. Mainly wondering how you were able to get enough pressure against the cable. If this is an option I would rather go this route as it would be much cheaper, I believe you can purchase the el dorado brake calipers at any auto parts store? I wonder why jto sells them for so high $ then? something like $400?I wonder if a floor pedal brake assembly could be retro fit to fit in the fj55? A leg would give quite a bit of tension I would think.

Noah
 
1973Guppie said:
Trollhole, great point on the front diff! I didn't think of that. So, can I just swap in a fine spline 3rd member or would I have to change my current axles to do so? Wondering what year range will work for me and the axles I have currently in the rear? others have said that any fj55 3rd member will work just fine.

I plan to pull apart the front axle this weekend to see if I have any issues with the front 3rd member gears, etc and if there are issues I may change the gearing front and rear. Hopefully though all will be ok with the front axle so I don't have to spend more $ I don't have, :)

thanks,

Noah
Click to expand...


I think the fine spline DS bolt pattern is different. But I'm sure other will chime in. If so I think you can just change the companion flange on the DS and be good. I would think and fj40 or FJ55 3rd would work as long as they were 4.11. Again that needs to be confirmed. I also thought a 60 or 62 3rd would work also. Anyone?
 
aren't the 60 3rds 3.73s? i'm a little fuzzy on those details...
 
Noah somehow I missed this. Killer, I love the look of it all painted as well, looks great! Wire wheel, awesome!! :) Anyway, killer keep us updated!
 
we need some more pics of the progress made!!!!!

dont make us angry
 
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