Builds Higgens. A 1975 FJ40 rebirth - Tilda Bogue Service Station

[wngrog]

A few years ago I was in a hotel parking lot hauling Powda Blue back from Houston. Bryan and his girlfriend swung by and we talked about Cruisers. He apparently had a pile of them and he wanted me to possibly work on one in the future.

Fast forward to last month and I realized I was going to have a gap in my projects due to some bad shipping I have going on out of Saudi Arabia so I posted on my @89nolder page on Instagram that I needed a project.

Bryan jumped in line and we finally got our schedules together on Sunday and he dropped it off.

He's got all kind of toys over there

 

[wngrog]

The inspection sticker reads 2014 ... this thing has set up a while.

From the looks of it, someone about 20 years ago did a refresh on the paint and added some CCOT goodies.

Here are the "before" photos.

 

[wngrog]

I spent Day 1 with Higgens ordering and arranging about $10,000 in parts and starting disassembly

First things first. Flip that bezel.

Disassembly has begun. More to come.

 

[wngrog]

The stripping continues. I'm about to roll it out and drain the coolant and pressure wash the engine and engine bay

Making a powder pile

 

[WTFOVR]

The inspection sticker reads 2014 ... this thing has set up a while.

From the looks of it, someone about 20 years ago did a refresh on the paint and added some CCOT goodies.

Here are the "before" photos.

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What could be lurking behind those diamond plates?

 

[wngrog]

What could be lurking behind those diamond plates?

You know I'm going to look

 

[wngrog]

Damn it's hot out there.

Fluids all drained and 11 years or dust and dirt are blasted out. Need to remove a few more parts for powder

It's wild when Cruisers still have original hose clamps

 

[TheHardWay]

 

[aging fleet]

Interested to see if you'll bypass/remove the EGR service indicator box or leave it as is. I've thought about pulling mine to simplify things, but the speedo still works so my attention goes elsewhere.

 

[wngrog]

Interested to see if you'll bypass/remove the EGR service indicator box or leave it as is. I've thought about pulling mine to simplify things, but the speedo still works so my attention goes elsewhere.

I don't mess with them if they still work.

 

[wngrog]

Took all the parts to Powder Keg yesterday and then I worked on another guys truck.

Today, since I'm waiting on parts I'm tearing down an FJ60 axle I bought for the knuckles and 3.70s.....this truck is getting the knuckles and another Mud member is getting the 3.70s in August

The 1975 is the first year of the 2F but the last year of the horrible front drums (in the US)

 

[wngrog]

Balls exposed

 

[whitey45]

Nice work!!

 

[onemanarmy]

puts on nice new tires (33x9.5?) before going to the shop! thats a nice owner

what color were those wheels painted? it works with the green

 

[wngrog]

puts on nice new tires (33x9.5?) before going to the shop! thats a nice owner

what color were those wheels painted? it works with the green

No idea but I agree

 

[wngrog]

The paint booth was nice and hot today

 

[wngrog]

Built back knuckles today.

When swapping from a pre 78 axle housing, in order to use the larger 60 series birfields you have to open up the top and bottom of the axle housing

The carbide bit is the best tool for this work

Test fit your larger birf until it fits easily

Here is what you grind. Top and bottom

The 1968-1975 birf is a small weak 10 spline deal.

On the short side, you can use the 60 Birf and inner axle. On the long side you must use the 68-75 inner axle and mate it to the 60 birfield.

Finally, to make a 40 tie rod end fit the 60 steering arm you need spacer cones. I get mine from @orangefj45 ...not sure what the actual name of these is.

Waiting on a set of backing plate eliminator spacers from Valley Hybrids to finish out the knuckles

 

[Chilkoot]

Always appreciate the education from the masters along with the pics. Guarantee I’ll reference it in the future.

 

[wngrog]

Putting the new rotors on with OEM wheel studs.

After a light tap with a ball peen I use a large nut to allow the lug nut to pull the new wheel studs through.

 

[Swamp Collie]

Putting the new rotors on with OEM wheel studs.

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After a light tap with a ball peen I use a large nut to allow the lug nut to pull the new wheel studs through.
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Beautiful!