Joe’s '77 FJ40 Dream Build

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Although there have been no pictures, I do have a top. Here is the donor tub from the '80 I picked up last weekend. Tried to make some room with all the new parts I got along with this tub. We needed space to drive trucks around to load some scrap.

I also got my CCOT seatbelts in and attempted to install. I was not very please that they came with no nuts to use with the bolts and brackets provided. I mocked everything up but will have to fasten tomorrow night. Seams like it is always something that holds up progress. I look forward to getting the cruiser up here instead of 40 minutes away. I need these seatbelts, then get the lights sorted out and I can inspect it and drive it home. I'm gonna have to pick up the pace so I can have this finished by thanksgiving ( my goal).
image-401911574.webp
 
Last edited:
Finally a day to work on the truck. Got up at 5:30 to head down to the garage on my parents property. Got there as the sun came up, so I installed the CCOT seat belts until I had good light.

The "no lights" issue turned out to be several issues. I posted in another thread that only my high beams were working but nothing else. I did this all without a multimeter, though I had one new in box that I had no idea how to use.

To get everything straight, I:

I cleaned all the corrosion off each fuse socket, replaced all the fuses and tested all factory disconnects with a test light and the lights "on". Also cleaned out each socket and found there were many bulbs that were just dead. Then I had to sort out a grounding issue at the fronts. After adding in a ground to the turn signals, they properly functioned. Then came the reverse lights. Reverse switch must be disconnected... So that's what those random wires were when I was looking at the frame. There were three, so I had to jump the wires and see which two made the reverse lights came on. Botta boom. Now, what I thought was bad bulbs turned out to be nonfunctioning brake switch. After adjusting and jumping the circuit, it randomly decided to start working. I'll take a little luck any day. Now the only issue is that I need a stronger spring so the brake switch will click off. If I don't pull the pedal upward the brake lights will stay on. This was an issue that was already present.

I had planned on taking it into town to get inspected so I can bring it home, but my :princess: called and asked me to come home.... :steer: so I finished up my 5 dollar paint job and headed home. Since I am blasting everything and using a different tub, I figured WTH. I found this color which is a very close match to the original paint. I'll do the hood later when I have more time. After seeing the color, I am definitely going with the original beige versus olive green.
image-1353415383.webp
image-2060632733.webp
image-3770189392.webp
 
Last edited:
Headed down again with the intention of getting it inspected and ready.

Headed to Toyota to get some bulbs, and was please to hear that I would get employee pricing from when I worked there in college. Then filler her up for the first time. I was please to find that the fuel gauge works when there is more than 2 gallons in the tank. Now all Rhys left is to get the water gauge working. I think the sensor is disconnected.

After fixing the bad bulbs and redoing the corroded connectors on the wires to the tail light, we headed over for inspection. I was told the 15 year old BFG ATs would not pass due to some slight dry cracking an he also noted my lack of sidemarkers and loose front turn signal. I guess I'll be placing a order for lights.

I'm was torn on tire options. I thought about picking up some 33x9.5s.... Then yesterday I saw a handful of jeeps and 4x4s and I am pretty sure I am going to have to go 33x10.5 BFG km2s if I fork out the cash for tires at all. Well that means I need a lift, right?! So now I find myself buying a 2.5 lift and shackles. Oh the slippery slope.

Masked off the truck and hit the bumper with a quick coat o black. Also finished shooting the hood with the body color. Here is a shot of the first fill up, and one after I sprayed the hood. It was crazy how many compliments we got with it in the current state.
image-1461229146.webp
image-1796808991.webp
 
Looking good. And you must be commended on setting some kind of record. You started this thread almost 3 months ago and not one person has mentioned your bezel to you. ;)
 
33x10.5/15's are going on mine after I install the HFS 2.5/4" lift. Nothing looks better or wears better than BFG IMHO! Nice rig.
 
I love the smell of fresh parts in the morning.

This week I got new side markers from CCOT, a 77 spare tire carrier with all latch and bumper, and new Hell Creek 4 inch lift.

My 33x10.5 15 BFG km2s will be installed sometime this week. I just have to go get the truck and bring it up to Austin. I need to order shocks, ubolts, bushings and brake lines. I most likely will pony up for bilstien 5125s.
image-2807364885.webp
 
The cruiser has landed...


I took Ashley, my GF, down to pick up the truck from my parents property. She installed my new sidemarkers and we flushed the coolant system and got it ready for the 60 mile trip. She also helped me find the coolant sensor wire and test it. I now have all Gauges working!

I took the backroads because I won't have a state inspection until I get the BFGs tomorrow. It was pretty uneventful until about 10 miles into the trip my license plate bracket came off and went flying over Ashley in the chase car. The driveline vibration and high winds we have been having were to much for the tack welds on my hitch mount bracket. We pulled a Uturn to refasten it to the truck some how and an onlloking resident pulled up to check on us. Turns out that he once had a 67 an said he said he'd give me his original bottle jack he had lying around. He said he would drop it off at my mom's work. The rest of the trip was clear sailing. Truck ran cool the whole way. I had some funny business with the gas gauge, but a little wiggle of the fuel sender corrected that scare.

Home sweet home in the parking garage:
image-3045184509.webp
 
Last edited:
Here we are test fitting new wheels and tires. I opted go new wheels 15x7 with 0 offset, so 3.5 backspacing.

Is it normal to hit The tie rod at full turn / lock? I assume this angle will change quit a bit when the lift is on.

I'm about to go get these mounted. They had to find enough new wheels around town since I decide to get them too.
image-1395370972.webp
image-1321506132.webp
 
Last edited:
Great thread! Subscribed. :wrench::wrench::wrench:
 
FJsnoozer said:
Test fitting new wheels and tires. I opted go new wheels 15x7 with 0 offset, so 3.5 backspacing.

Is it normal to hit The tie rod at full turn / lock? I assume this angle will change quit a bit when the lift is on.
Click to expand...

That's pretty normal when you go with 3.5" BS, you used to be able to get steel wheels with 3.25" BS but they are hard to find anymore :frown: Just turn the bump stop on the front of the knuckle out a few turns so you stay out of the tie rod ;)

Looking good man, can't wait to see it with the lift!

Tucker
 
FJsnoozer said:
Test fitting new wheels and tires. I opted go new wheels 15x7 with 0 offset, so 3.5 backspacing.

Is it normal to hit The tie rod at full turn / lock? I assume this angle will change quit a bit when the lift is on.

I'm about to go get these mounted. They had to find enough new wheels around town since I decide to get them too.
Click to expand...

That rubbing I had with 31x10.50 and is a big reason why I went with FJ60 power steering!
 
tucker74 said:
That's pretty normal when you go with 3.5" BS, you used to be able to get steel wheels with 3.25" BS but they are hard to find anymore :frown: Just turn the bump stop on the front of the knuckle out a few turns so you stay out of the tie rod ;)

Looking good man, can't wait to see it with the lift!

Tucker
Click to expand...

Thanks man! I knew there was some way to limit, but couldn't find the threads I had read in the past. :hhmm:

The 4 inch lift will definitely change where this hits, so I will wait.

I'll do this when I get under there for the overhall. I will definitely do at least the brakes along with the Lift. The front rotors looked scary when the wheels came off. some wheel had rusted to the rotor, or vise versa. I had them wire wheel the rotors so they would seat safely on the Rotor.
 
Last edited:
FJsnoozer said:
Test fitting new wheels and tires. I opted go new wheels 15x7 with 0 offset, so 3.5 backspacing.

Is it normal to hit The tie rod at full turn / lock? I assume this angle will change quit a bit when the lift is on.

I'm about to go get these mounted. They had to find enough new wheels around town since I decide to get them too.
Click to expand...

Those tires look great. Perfect choice. Where did you end up buying them?

If the lift fails to cure the clearance issue, you can always use 1/4" spacers on the front. Cheap easy fix.
 
Thats exactly what I would do. I ran them for brake clearance on my mustang with the Prostar skinnies up front. Discount will not mount wheels over spacers.

I bought 5 wheels and tires through discount here in town. Not the best deal in the world, but its good to get things done quickly.

I ordered those bushings and extended brakelines yesterday from JT outfitters. I just need shocks and Ubolts now ... and Brakes.

I want to thank Sea Knight for coming through for me with a Local 4" hell creek lift so I didnt have to wait on shipping or production of a new order.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom