Jamie's '76 FJ40 Project

[Tools R Us]

Rut-oh, that doesn't look good! May require large amounts of hammer, axe, saw, etc, mutilation to get it to work?

 

[lexycrzy]

Micheal mentioned that Raul maybe jealous,,, of being backed out so the blazer could be worked on? Maybe the motor is protesting being in a "silly" looking body, when Micheal's motor is in a "proper" body? There is a perfectly good 2F setting here that would solve those identity crisis problems?

2F's are nice, one hauled my carcass around for many years. For a toy, it’s nice to have a bowtie haul you around.

 

[Living in the Past]

That frame is a beach, or has a beach, or...

You must have had mall 40s if your not use to seeing the frame half full. I just love the ones that the rear output seal was leaking on the transfer case for years and the frame is a mix and of gear oil and dirt that has dried rock hard.

2F's are nice, one hauled my carcass around for many years. For a toy, it’s nice to have a bowtie haul you around.

Only cruiser I have that isn't toy is my UZJ100. Never felt the need for a V8 for a toy. In todays modern roads a FJ40 doesn't make a good DD on city streets. Never was the best option as a tow vehicle. Definitely doesn't handle like a sports car. To heavy to put paddle tires on and play in the dunes. Light weight jeep is better suited. Take if offroad in the rocks and dirt and it's in it' element. I will admit the tallest tires I've run are 33" and only 9.50 at that. Currently running nothing taller than 29". I guess if your running bigger tires then I could see a V8. But then your upgrading axles, transmission, tranfer case then adding a lift. Don't fell the need for the type of offroading I do. Plus have way to many cruisers to put that much money upgrading just one when I have so many needing love.

 

[Tools R Us]

You must have had mall 40s if your not use to seeing the frame half full. I just love the ones that the rear output seal was leaking on the transfer case for years and the frame is a mix and of gear oil and dirt that has dried rock hard.

Agree, not at all unusual. Just documenting what we are seeing/doing on this rig.

... Never felt the need for a V8 for a toy. ...

Also agree, but the choice is largely intended use and personal preference. Jamie prefers the bow-tie, so has one.

 

[murf]

The exhaust note on Jims 40 sounds beefy - not your stock engine tone thats for sure and it goes farther than just choice of muffler.

 

[Tools R Us]

The exhaust note on Jims 40 sounds beefy - not your stock engine tone thats for sure and it goes farther than just choice of muffler.

X2, agree.

 

[inkpot]

X2, agree.

I was very pleasantly surprised by how good this rig sounds the first time we started it up. Considering it has a very basic stock type muffler, it does sound really strong. John

 

[Jim S.]

I loves my truck.

 

[azTony]

I loves my truck.

I think he had a tear in his eye...

 

[Tools R Us]

Have done stuff, but haven't taken many pix. A lot of it wasn't worthy, like, removing the bumpers, spare carrier, couple of pick & pull parts runs, etc. Got IFS hubs, power steering pump w/brackets, steering shaft,,, horns, etc. Have lots of new parts on order.

Snatched the front diff out. On part time rigs, the front gets little use, the earlier rigs the diffs are the same, interchangeable F & R and the front runs on the coast side, so prefer to swap them when doing major work.

It was full of moly, a mess, the PO didn't change the fluid often enough. Cleaned up nice, looks good, maybe?

 

[clarkrw3]

Have done stuff, but haven't taken many pix. A lot of it wasn't worthy, like, removing the bumpers, spare carrier, couple of pick & pull parts runs, etc. Got IFS hubs, power steering pump w/brackets, steering shaft,,, horns, etc. Have lots of new parts on order.

Snatched the front diff out. On part time rigs, the front gets little use, the earlier rigs the diffs are the same, interchangeable F & R and the front runs on the coast side, so prefer to swap them when doing major work.

It was full of moly, a mess, the PO didn't change the fluid often enough. Cleaned up nice, looks good, maybe?

Nice looking. This things going to be locked isn't it?

 

[Tools R Us]

The plan was to simply replace the pinion seal, but, with the moly cleaned out, it spun easy, too easy. It had no preload, at all, the pinion had a bit of play, so, it came apart. Everything looks great, most of it would have passed for new. Swapped the .40mm pinion shim for a .35mm, good preload. Dialed in some carrier preload, reset the backlash, good to go. Now feels solid, vs the rattly thing that it was, should be much stronger.

 

[lexycrzy]

Good job. Looking goooooood!

 

[Tools R Us]

Stuck what was the front diff in the FJ60 rear axle that we cleaned up earlier. Stuck the axles and butt plate on (these will be coming back off to install the new axle seals, brake cylinder kits, Aussie Locker, etc, that will arrive next week).

Stripped some more useless parts off of Raul,,, OH my!

 

[Tools R Us]

So, FJ60 rear springs - one leaf = FJ40 springs, is that the "new math", maybe not?

There are several reasons for using '60 springs: They are longer, so should ride, flex better. Pushes the axle back, increasing wheelbase, makes for a better departure angle, better big tire clearance, etc. IMHO the best reason is the bushings.

In the second pic is the stock '76 '40, stock '60 and the conversion bushing that we are using. It has the large OD for the springs and the smaller ID for the stock pin. This much bushing wall thickness should greatly reduce stress in the pins, brackets, frame, etc. Make for better flex, reduce vibration, etc.

 

[DSRTRDR]

The exhaust note on Jims 40 sounds beefy ...

I was surprised how civilized it sounded - I mean, compared to a certain S/C Flowmaster (not mine)

 

[DSRTRDR]

The plan was to simply replace the pinion seal, but, with moly out, it spun easy, too easy. It had no preload, at all, the pinion had a bit of play, so, it came apart. Everything looks great, most of it would have passed for new. Swapped the .40mm pinion shim for a .35mm, good preload. Dialed in some carrier preload, reset the backlash, good to go. Now feels solid, vs the rattly thing that it was, should be much stronger.

looks practically new

 

[Tools R Us]

I'm thinking, channel, chop top, candy paint, twice pipes,,,

Inkpot trying to figure which side of the new wooden slipper shackles to grease? Those things are going to be all the rage, no more bushings to worry about, lots of droop, the shizzle!

 

[Tools R Us]

Now we get to the maybe not part. The goal was to build it soft, that was achieved. The springs are flat, would flex well, are very soft, IMHO, too soft. It would drive very nice on the trail, but would likely be undriveable at speed, total floppy jalopy. It needs at least the missing leaf from this pack, maybe more?

The Ruff Stuff kit is very nice, beef! We will be doing some chopping on it, make it fit closer to the axle, reducing lift height.

 

[Tools R Us]

There are some new challenges, not unexpected, the rear shackle hangers need to be moved back, etc. But overall happy with the springs and axle, it's wide enough to run FZJ80 wheels without spacers, has single cylinder, self adjusting brakes, larger drums, a real e-brake (may or may not hook it up), etc, big time upgrade.