When
@ceylonfj40nut inquired about a V8 40 that
@cowgirl40 could use as a DD several candidates were on the table. Sandy seemed to be the best choice for what was desired. CD and Ryan
@CaptClose ventured to Arizona to pick her up. 90% rust free with your typical PO modifications that are common on any vehicle that is 40+ years old.
The SBC swap was done correctly with good components at the time of conversion. SBC is a 94 GM Goodwrench Crate motor, natural asperation with HEI ignition, mated to the stock 1974 4 Speed tranny / transfer combo using a true McCleod Scatter shield as an adapter. Clutch was a 11" Chevrolet with Diaphram pressure plate. Will work flawlessly for years if CD had wanted to keep that set up. However, this will be
@cowgirl40 's Daily Driver so out with the Manual and in with the tried and true TH350 mated with an Advanced Adapter to the original 1 piece transfer case.
As many of us know the available room under a 90" wheel base FJ40 is limited, especially when you add 8 extra inches of transmission / adapter / transfer case into the equation. We knew that the motor is limited in forward location due to the fact that an A/C condenser will need to be added in the not so distant future. The reasonable answer was to move the rear axle back 1.5" for what ever extra space was available without changing the over all look of the wheel in the rear opening. Axle flip would have thrown the proportions way out of wack. This 40 will be a Daily Driver with occasional trail use nothing hard core so a well balanced 18" drive shaft will be replacing the once 24" unit that Sandy was equipped with.
For the now lengthened combo to clear the torque tube / factory crossmember it was decided to relocate it 6" behind stock location. This allows 2 very critical things, 1. the tailhousing has plenty of room when in place and if T/C needs service the whole transmission doesn't need to be removed to do so, 2. the pan of the new TH350 is tucked up high enough under the truck to not be damaged.
1/4" scab plates were fabricated and welded to the upper, lower and inside frame to keep things as they should be. Overkill yes but I'd much rather over build and not have issues vs. the what if's that can leave you stranded on the trail.
The use of a stock GM transmission mount is used on the custom removable crossmember. We decided to go with the Advanced Adapter Twin Stick set up because it simplifies the Custom install and they work flawlessly everytime.
A B&M transmission cooler with braided stainless cooler lines was installed to the lower radiator to keep trans temps down.
A hand formed transmission tunnel piece was made to cover the PO hacked piece. Twin sticks were bent to enter in the stock shifter location fairly easily. A Lokar 16" cane cable type shifter will be placed near where the stock 4 speed stick was from the factory.
We worked a good pace for three days to get Sandy ready for the journey to to her new home in Dallas. I know for a fact that this family will give this 40 many more years of happiness.
Working on Cruisers is good for the mind and I'm happy that
@cowgirl40 and the boys were able to see the what and whys of doing custom work.
We are loving this family affair.
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