Lord what have I done now....

[Vitesse_6]

Here is a quick pic of the mount...
Good luck once again

 

[UNO_RACING]

Its a Early NV4500 with the 3speed T-case. Its a tight fit, I will be moving the front mounts forward about 2-3" and the rear mounts will be in the same place they were with the Downey SBC/3 speed kit. The back side of the brake drum would be flush with the cross member if it werent about 1/2" below.
Forgot to mention I will have about a 24" rear DL. Have you flipped your rear springs? if not this will give you about an extra 4" https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=81466&highlight=spring+flip
All this is just first fitment, I need a new BH before I can be 100% on where it will go.
Where are you located?
Good luck!

Thanks for the response, I'm located in Albuqerque, NM. I haven't flipped my rear springs. I decided to purchase the HFS 2.5 Lift. I'm think if I flip the springs I'll have too much spring lift. So I guess my drive shaft will be 1.5" shorter than yours, privided are mesurements are similar.

I FJ I purchased already had the 350 conversion with 3 speed transmission. I'm just upgrading to the NV4500 with some minor engine mods.

Prior to removing the engine, I measured the distance between the distributor and the fire wall. The distance is about three inches and it appears that the engine is in the best place becsue it's real tight between the fan and radiator.

I hope I can get away with just moving the AA transmission mount. Nonetheless, the bell housing from AA is very nice. It measures about 8" from the transmission to the engine.

Thanks for the insight.

 

[Vitesse_6]

When you flip the springs you move the front spring eye to the back and vice versa, it shouldnt effect the highth.
I am checking on a few different fan setup's, I will also be getting a short water pump, This will save about 3/4-1" in the front, I may go with the taurus fan as well and bag the cluth fan.
Are you using the crossmember from the 3 speed kit? If so, That is alot of weight on the T-case, I would suggest the new AA crossmamber that mounts under the new adapter, I am having a solid metal one bent up for mine, I just need to borrow my friends to match.
Good luck!

 

[my64fj40]

This is coming along nice..


Arn't you glad that you decided to paint the cage






-my64fj40

 

[UNO_RACING]

When you flip the springs you move the front spring eye to the back and vice versa, it shouldnt effect the highth.
I am checking on a few different fan setup's, I will also be getting a short water pump, This will save about 3/4-1" in the front, I may go with the taurus fan as well and bag the cluth fan.
Are you using the crossmember from the 3 speed kit? If so, That is alot of weight on the T-case, I would suggest the new AA crossmamber that mounts under the new adapter, I am having a solid metal one bent up for mine, I just need to borrow my friends to match.
Good luck!

BTW the NV 4500 I purchased is new from AA (Dodge). IT came preassembled and is ready to go, a little too expensive, but most used ones with lots of miles were close to $2700.

Got ya on the springs. I'll give it a try. I'm actually using the crossmember adapter from AA that mounts at the transfer case. I've looked at the AA catelog and can't seem to find the one you're referring to...If you have the part number from AA it would be a tremendous help.

The FJ I purchased did have a fan clutch and it was always getting real hot---according to the previous owner (The fan was right at the radiator).

I too am contemplating about bagging fan clutch and switching to the GM Peformance Auto Parts Cerpertine Belt dirve and install a custom ratiator with a Taurus Fan.

Summit Racing has the parts and they seem to be reasonable, considering the kit includes the water pump and power stearing resivor. I've asked if the water pump included in the kit would be sufficient to cool the engine and according to the tech...the kik was designed to cool up to 750hp motors.

Thanks again for the insight. You've been helpful.

Later,

UNO (Jeff)

 

[Vitesse_6]

Here is an update.
I know you have all been paitiently awaiting this.....
Things have almost come to a complete stop.... However I have had a little time to finish painting the frame as well as the spring's and most of the other underside components, All I really need to do now is the front axle and the other side of the rear axle.
Then the fun begins!

 

[toy4fun]

Brian,
That thing is looking GOOD!! looks like a lot of work
keep the pics coming
Clayton

 

[Vitesse_6]

A little progress...

Some of the black zinc plating

Honestly I need to stay away from paint, Runs seem to follow me....Its almost like being in a white room with clean white clother...I will ALWAYS come out with food stain or something :nuts:
Please pay no attention to the time frame
Have fun

 

[toy4fun]

Please pay no attention to the time frame
Have fun

Slow is good! just keep moving

 

[cruiserlad]

350/nv4500

That combo is a very tight fit. I just tried a trial fit with my radiator with the same set up. Even with the short water pump I had to move the radiator forward. Good luck!

 

[Vitesse_6]

That combo is a very tight fit. I just tried a trial fit with my radiator with the same set up. Even with the short water pump I had to move the radiator forward. Good luck!

Cool, Thanks.
I will be running a Taurus far as well as a short water pump.
I had it all measured out, It will be tight, I just need to keep working

 

[Vitesse_6]

My idea for a cross member

After a chat about some types of cross members that AA made with Kurt @ cruisersoutfitters , I decided to build my own, I picked up some brackets from rocklogic4x4., I bent up some 2"x3/8" flat stock, Now all I need to do is find a place to weld this sucker up.

I bent this up with my HF tube bender :grin:

Drilled and mounted.

What I need to do next.

This is the mounts from rocklogic4x4., They came highly recommended.
Im slowly but surely working on the 40, I have both axles refurbed and just need to get this part finished then I can get to more pressing items.
Once again slowly but surely....
Have fun

 

[73SoCalCruiser]

Ohh man. Looks like things are going nice. But makes me say what am I getting into. I am in the infancey of mdoing something similar. I am rebuilding a 1993 chevy NV4500 4x4 and getting the balancer off is just killing me. Is that a standard price for sand blasting seems like alot of work for 175? I need to sand blast also and that lwould be a relief.


Mike

 

[Vitesse_6]

Ohh man. Looks like things are going nice. But makes me say what am I getting into. I am in the infancey of mdoing something similar. I am rebuilding a 1993 chevy NV4500 4x4 and getting the balancer off is just killing me. Is that a standard price for sand blasting seems like alot of work for 175? I need to sand blast also and that lwould be a relief.


Mike

Its hard to say what you might get charged for sand blasting, There were a few threads in the paint/bodywork section about it, It is a bit cheaper than most who posted.
Good luck on your build up, Dont let my time frame discourage you, It can be done MUCH quicker, I need to find time for stuff

 

[Vitesse_6]

The wife has been very patient with me over the last week or so...

Now all I need to do on the running gear is make sure all the fluids are topped off, Grease what is needed and then....?

 

[Vitesse_6]

Been a busy weekend.
I got the 40 striped and loaded!

My failed attempt at priming the tub while it was on the frame...

Last one...

Im going to have them blast the bottom and the bulkhead, That way I can seal all the underside, I will be painting the trans cover and inner/under front fenders.
I was quoted $100.00(if its easy and not a lot of undercoating) to do underneath the tub, But now I want them to blast the bulkhead as well.
Have fun :grin:

 

[tehcruiser]

Awesome, I love it. It's like seeing my dream take place in some way. Thanks for al the pics, and keep them comming.

 

[1973Guppie]

I like the way you did your traction bars, can you post up some more detailed pics/descriptions on how you build / mounted them?

thanks, Noah

 

[Vitesse_6]

I like the way you did your traction bars, can you post up some more detailed pics/descriptions on how you build / mounted them?

thanks, Noah

Here are some pic's, I didnt build it, I had it installed about 9 years ago by DJ Traction systems...Now out of business, Ive seen the display he had on the wall but I cant seem to find it on the net

Kurt @ cruiseroutfitters might have an idea who actually came up with this design, I have no idea, It is a strong well thought out design, I havent hit any rocks with the bars yet, But who knows.
Oh and please dont mind the dust or toys, I need something to keep me occupied

 

[Vitesse_6]

I dropped off the tub at 9:00 AM this morning and received a call at about 10:30 saying to come pick it up....I had just got back to work!
Here is what they did...

Total was $200.00...A bit more than I had planned, But they did almost twice as much work, Im still happy however :grin:
I covered it with a tarp on the way back to work, So there is a bit of sand to vacuum up, Didnt want the :cop: to give me any grief.