Her 74 40

[scott johnson]

Your off to a great start. 40 looks like you scored a good one. When looking for parts check with the clubs and "for sale " section. Cruisers are always being adapted, you can find alot of good stuff with a reasonable price on mud. I can't tell you how many lifts and shocks I've seen sold on here because someone put on a 2 inch and then decided they needed, 4 inches an 35's.
Before you buy make a good plan of what you want to do with he truck. If you plan on even doing a small lift and tires you will need longer shocks. it really suxs to have to re do stuff and spend money that could have gone toward another project .

 

[sarca]

Okay, so the only places Ive found Bilstein shocks specifically for a 74 40 , they dont have the matching rear shocks.. I dont want to get Bilstein for the front but other random ones for the back...and Im not familiar with how to figure out what size I need, what WILL fit (even if online places dont list it as such)
Maybe Ill shop the classifieds and the tech site here and see if someone else ran into this for Bilsteins


FWIW -I dont plan on doing a lift..at least not in the next few years..

 

[sarca]

Aha! Found this on Mud to help me figure out what I need..probably will get out and measure in a couple of hours..with pictures, of course

 

[Fast Eddy]

Hmmm. Both my rigs are '75+, but I'm surprised they're not the the same. Maybe it's a simple difference you could work around, like smaller pins that would need a tube to fit the later shocks.

 

[sarca]

Here's what the local toyota dealer gave me for parts and cost if anyones interested..(he even wrote down how many of each Id need LoL)
2 - 48511-69037 (front shocks $36.04 each)
8 - 90948-03003 (bushings $1.52 each)
8 - 90948-03004 (washers $1.52 each)
4 - 94130-61200 (nuts $1.26 each)
4 - 94146-41200 (Im guessing more nuts...for the rear?)
2 - 48531-69048 (rear shocks) *Unavailable*

 

[Ol'40]

Here's what the local toyota dealer gave me for parts and cost if anyones interested..(he even wrote down how many of each Id need LoL)
2 - 48511-69037 (front shocks $36.04 each)
8 - 90948-03003 (bushings $1.52 each)
8 - 90948-03004 (washers $1.52 each)
4 - 94130-61200 (nuts $1.26 each)
4 - 94146-41200 (Im guessing more nuts...for the rear?)
2 - 48531-69048 (rear shocks) *Unavailable*

Sarca, the toyota spec shocks wont give you any articulation. Go with the measurement method as described in your mud search..

Looks like you bought yourself a lovely ol cruiser, nice body...

(the truck I mean)

Gaz....

 

[DSRTRDR]

that's why it is so helpful to have people in your club look at your cruiser - they can provide better advice on aftermarket parts than the Toyota parts dude

also, here's Romer's thread on Bilsteins https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/55658-ooooohhhhh-baby-bilsteins-what-ride.html - I went with his size for front but different length for the rear (the 10 inches were wrong for some reason I cannot remember anymore); my rig is lifted, though

 

[sarca]

..the toyota spec shocks wont give you any articulation. Go with the measurement method as described in your mud search..

Looks like you bought yourself a lovely ol cruiser, nice body...

(the truck I mean)

Gaz....

Okay...Ill get the jack out tomorrow and measure. I have a super dumb question...will Bilsteins come with hardware - or do I order that stuff seperately?

I appreciate the help!

Todays work - before and after - as well as my obligatory "dash kit hula girl customization"


The huz got me my very own sander..Id had a rather crappy day and felt cranky..it was 90 degrees here at 6pm..so I decided naturally that Id work out the days frustration on the rust.



Turns out power tools have some sort of medicinal value..When I finished up - I told the fam to jump in..On the advice of this forum - It was time to enjoy the hard work (and I figured a ride would help blow out all the dust I kicked up)

Here's my hula girl..I think it was Sea Knight that mentioned a hula girl for the dashboard was pretty much a necessity. I agree, and just happened to already have the perfect one.

 

[DSRTRDR]

Hula girl is rusty_tlc, his sigline reads :"1975 FJ40, A couple of thingamajigs and a deally bob, fully integrated whatzits, dash board Hula girl (pending spousal approval.)"

as far as hardware for the Bilsteins is concerned: you can reuse the bolts you have or just get a couple metric bolts at the hardware store

if you want to improve ride quality, also look at the spring and shackle bushings; new bushings make a hell of a difference - if you have stock springs, all of those can be had from Kurt at cruiseroutfitters.com (look in the Vendor's section here on MUD) - if you have aftermarket springs, you'd have to source the spring-side bushings from that manufacturer

post pics and someone will be able to tell

 

[sarca]

Hula girl is rusty_tlc, his sigline reads :"1975 FJ40, A couple of thingamajigs and a deally bob, fully integrated whatzits, dash board Hula girl (pending spousal approval.)"

I stand corrected..and my devil girl stays

 

[DSRTRDR]

I stand corrected..and my devil girl stays

girl away if you want - it's your truck

 

[sarca]

Shocks, Suspension decisons made

After much deliberation and climbing around under and thru

Im going with the Hell Creek 2.5 Suspension Kit

The springs are original and pretty much flat, might as well replace shocks and springs together - this also will help the 33 inch tire rub (Ill go to 33x10.5's eventually after the 12.5's get worn)

Ill see how the shocks do that come with it..(keeping Bilsteins in mind!!)

Id love to throw money at OME...but for a weekend driver - it seems a bit much for me.

 

[DSRTRDR]

curious, why not 4" ? in my experience, springs start to sag pretty quickly

 

[sarca]

Honestly, I dont think Ill ever do any serious rockcrawling..mostly driving around town, light camping trails..but Im open to input - what are some other plusses for 4 inch over 2.5?

Thank goodness for this forum..I dont know what Id do for input and feedback!

 

[Tim71FJ40]

The 4" just looks cooler with the 33s. I just finished mine and will probably never do anything serious off road. I have a couple inches of lift and wish I ha gone higher.

 

[Tentsontop]

what are some other plusses for 4 inch over 2.5? !

Being able to see over the roof of the Rubicon parked next to me is one I enjoy. Everything looks better with a bit of lift.

 

[FouadHafeez]

I've been skulking around this page, for a while now...which, truth be told, makes me feel kind of perverse, in a peeping-tom/stalker-ish manner of speaking

You're doing all the right things thus far, Charity. Some wise words have been spoken earlier, regarding enjoying the beast even as you rebuild it. Even wiser words were when someone advised you to get it mechanically perfect, before you attempt much on the body. I really can't add anything to that solid advice.

On the subject of lift, though, you'll soon enough figure out that in terms of ride height, tyre size, stance and clearance "more" usually IS more, in simple, non-technical terms. When wheel size is > 33 inches, your rig falls within the elusive "big wheel" category, and will invariably require being lifted. Now, 2.5 inches lift is just about right for 33 inch tyres, but if at some point in time you're planning on larger wheels (35 or above, for example), you may wish you'd opted for a bit more lift (4 inches, say).

I think it's a good idea, thus, to sit yourself down and make a mental picture of what you want from this rig of yours, since second-guessing yourself later, can be costly in terms of moolah and effort. I mean...why buy something now, only to have to sell it cheap later, and upgrade to something new again?

And I completely agree with Jenny Cruiser's remarks on WHY lift is a good thing: "hey, Jeep...outta my way. You're blocking my sun"

 

[sarca]

It's not perverse, it the nature of the forum beast Fouad..I know that I'm sticking with 33s, but I love the 'tall and skinnys' 33 x 9.5 X 15s...

I'm pretty good at navigating who I need to talk to and apparently BFG is planning on bringing back that size this year. If that should fall through then I'll go with 33x 10s.

I'm not looking at hardcore wheeling, but the area I live in is at sea level - we are prone to flooding, hurricanes etc. The last two times it flooded here we couldn't leave our house for 3 days...there was 4 feet of water across the road!

The idea is completely is a self sufficient vehicle..winch, air compressor and the ability to get through areas torn apart....and of course roadworthy to occasionally tool around town.

Mechanically , this 40 is sound. Which gives me the opportunity to daydream and plan how the body looks..I got lucky!

Sent from my EVO using IH8MUD

 

[FouadHafeez]

33s make for a great all-round tyre. And you can't go wrong with BFGs.

I was wondering though...which sort of engine do you have in the 40? The 1960-1975 ones came with the stock F engine, and from 1975 to 1984 they had the 2F. Since FJ40s are prone to a lot of tinkering around by owners, I wonder which engine is in your 40?

The winch and compressor are a good idea. For it to be a fully self-contained rig, a couple of spare Jerry cans, a Hi-Lift jack, and a decent bolt-on tool-box might also come in handy. For those middle-of-the-night emergency wading manoeuvres a set of roof mounted lights might also be of use. As would an inertia tow strap. And whilst I really can't comment on how well your petrol 40 might wade through four feet of water (since petrol engines, their spark plugs and dizzys and carbs are notoriously like cats, and dislike water as a rule)...a well-fitted snorkel will always be your friend during fording. Plus, as a friend of mine (who is notoriously ANTI-snorkel) always says: "with a snorkel, you can spot your rig in the mall parking lot straight away".

In the floor pan, some holes will actually serve as drainage points (I'm actually drilling some in the Phantom). Useful, if you have a tub full of water from fording through four feet of the stuff. I suggest you keep these, and plug them up with some cheap rubber bushings so as to render the tub air/water tight, and still be able to use the bilge points when necessary.

Best of luck with the build.

Cheers.

 

[sarca]

Ive got to pose this question and hopefully ya'll can bring me back down to earth..

So Im a woman. Its pride swallowing enough not to have the strength to break some of the seriously rusted bolts as we're doing the suspension..Tonight was the first time I couldnt get something loose - I was getting frustrated. The huz was doing the other side and he had the cotter pins worked out, the shock off and was working five times more quickly than I. Im stubborn. He asks if I want him to help me. I say no..I can do it. I keep methodically working on my side..meanwhile my next door neighbors pit bull is standing six feet away - barking and barking. we cant even hear each other talk..now Im starting to simmer.

Neighbor comes over, wants to know what we're doing, starts poking his head under, crawling under the front bumper looking at what we're doing, runs off comes back with a blowtorch, and a ridiculous amount of hammers and assorted stuff. He's spraying the bolts, while Im working..Now I know what youre going to say...Hes just trying to be helpful..funny thing is when he ran off to get stuff I specifically said, "we've got it - but thanks anyway - Im working on a learning curve here" He starts horning in on what Im trying to do ON MY TRUCK. Now Im starting to steam.
My daughter has a friend down the street, her parents show up - now Ive got to be nice and talk about mani's and pedi's (you DONT want to know - I promise!) Meanwhile, now Ive got 3 guys under MY TRUCK and I hear one of the neighbors say "Just break that hinge off, Ive seen guys just run a bolt through that spring hinge (or whatever it is) Itll be fine" His wife is talking about girly stuff, the pitbull is still barking and their discussing breaking stuff on MY TRUCK like I am not even there...GRRRRR
So I say - we're going to spray the stuff on the rusty bolts and let it sit - its not an emergency to get it done. The three guys completely ignore me. The dog is still barking and now theres a blowtorch going near my fuel line by a guy who Im pretty sure has never even seen a 40 up close until 10 minutes ago.
Im boiling, the guys wife is still talking - next thing I know, my front differential pops off - the dog owner guys head is nearly squished and I am now unable to speak because I couldnt possibly be more territorial about my 40 than that stupid dog who wont.ever.stop.barking.
Am I wrong? Because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt if my clubs guys were working on it - I wouldnt even bat an eye..Maybe its because theres something about Landcruiser owners..Maybe its because the female part of my ego is po'ed at having guys just take over..No one offered to help, I never asked for help. I WANT to do the wrenching even if it takes me 40 forevers to do it...what do yall think? Tell me true.