Jamie's '76 FJ40 Project

[jjgarci1]

Do you wanna make sure it's idiot proof? I'm available!

 

[FJ40LVR]

Im seriously having a cruiser withdrawl...

 

[DSRTRDR]

I got to drive the little car today for the first time in, like, 4 weeks - they finally completed the new asphalt in our subdivision [which, for reasons unbeknownst to me included some massively corrosive dusty stuff so I stayed off that s*** ]

 

[Blues Dawg]

Im seriously having a cruiser withdrawl...

Hi, Josh!

 

[Tools R Us]

The clutch was locked up, thought it was the pilot bearing, maybe? Nope, the disk was rusted to the flywheel. Not sure why, pressure washed the motor, but there wasn't signs of excessive moisture in there? Hopefully it will be a one time event?

Sealing up some of the major leaks while the motor is out, waiting on some parts.

 

[Tools R Us]

The steering box and shock tower that went away.

Welds from the PO, cleaned them up a bit and put some new weld. Lots of rivet removing fun, some that were left from previous projects and some from us removing stuff. Did I mention, rivet removal sucks?

 

[Tools R Us]

The steering thingamabob.

I think we found the life of the grease, ~35 yrs? This one was almost locked up.

The lower column foam seal/bushing was half missing (was gone on Rootbeer). Well not missing, disintegrated, blew up the column into the bearing! Cleaned up the bearing, new grease and it's like new.

 

[Tools R Us]

The parts needed, the lower column from a '92 4Runner.

Cut a hunk off, clean it up and stick it on.

 

[Tools R Us]

Grab a hunk of acetal and chop off everything that doesn't look like a bushing. Ready for paint and install.

 

[Tools R Us]

Mocked up the steering box and shock tower, looks great! Well except the pitman arm. When we ordered the high steer kit, there was two choices; drop and flat, we guessed/ordered the flat. Unfortunately it was backordered, so we tried the drop, not going to work. Hoping it will be in this week, so, more parts waiting.

 

[Tools R Us]

Worked on the rear shackle holders. Cut the originals down, welded on some new metal and tacked them on. Was shooting for ~45 degrees, that will work!

The goal was soft, it is, maybe too soft? The springs are almost flat, should flex well.

 

[Tools R Us]

Normally would say; just chop everything away that doesn't look like a bushing holder and done, but this one resisted! Persevered and sure enough there was a bushing holder on there. It's for the front bracket of the traction bar.

 

[Tools R Us]

Plated the front spring hangers.

 

[DSRTRDR]

Worked on the rear shackle holders. Cut the originals down, welded on some new metal and tacked them on. Was shooting for ~45 degrees, that will work!

The goal was soft, it is, maybe too soft? The springs are almost flat, should flex well.

how is that spring not going to hit the bumper

 

[inkpot]

Spring is very near dead flat in that pic. The shackle cannot rotate any farther rearward. If the spring curves either up or down it will draw the shackle downward, towards the front of the rig. This arrangement enhances axle droop. The effective rear end of the spring will lower greatly as the spring curves downward, adding a couple of inches to overall droop. JOhn

 

[DSRTRDR]

I am looking forward to the real life test

 

[ChaseTruck]

Spring is very near dead flat in that pic...

Might not be bad to source some replacement spring packs as time allows - from what I hear, the K5 guys who do the near-flat-spring-with-lots-of-flex thing tend to bend them rather regularly. But, that's mostly in the front, so, rear might be different.

 

[Tools R Us]

Might not be bad to source some replacement spring packs as time allows - from what I hear, the K5 guys who do the near-flat-spring-with-lots-of-flex thing tend to bend them rather regularly. But, that's mostly in the front, so, rear might be different.

Workin on that, 'cept they are likely to be going on now, hear they are in better condition than the ones that we have.

 

[Tools R Us]

Might not be bad to source some replacement spring packs as time allows - from what I hear, the K5 guys who do the near-flat-spring-with-lots-of-flex thing tend to bend them rather regularly. But, that's mostly in the front, so, rear might be different.

Workin on that, 'cept they are likely to be going on now, hear they are in better condition than the ones that we have.

The "new" rear springs are off, should be here tomorrow. https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=7977930&postcount=286

Springs for Raul and rear axle for Rootbeer. They are '62 springs, reported to have one more leaf, will see what/if anything that changes.

 

[Tools R Us]

Looking much better, some paint on the inside of the frame.