March POTM: scottryana/Goebeler

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Goebs; something is just not right about the way the hood is sitting both back and front; the back of the hood is sitting lower than the "valance" behind it and is also showing a large gap in between.......the front is not lining up with the upper fender lines so even if you lowered the front it seems like there would still be a large gap between front of hood and upper fenders..are the fenders fiberglass?

Lou
 
Lou,
The fenders are steel and original I believe. I agree, something is not right. I am going to space the rear and see what it does. The look at the front. I looked last night and can't see any way to lower the front, unless it was installed in the wrong order and the plate flat spot where it latches is too high. I need to see one of these darn things up close that is right....
Anyone in the Northern Illinois area.?. Guessing not.

I am not overly concerned but want it better then it is now. There are other details that need to be solved as well. I am looking for a stereo guy now in hopes of getting the system in prior to al the panel installation. I know these guys are around, but they are hard to come by.

I have a week to get things ordered and set up cause Spring Break is coming and we are headed to Oklahoma for an RV trip just to get out of Illinois! Then I need to kick it in full gear cause it will be wheelin time around here!
 
n2666s said:
Goebs; something is just not right about the way the hood is sitting both back and front; the back of the hood is sitting lower than the "valance" behind it and is also showing a large gap in between.......the front is not lining up with the upper fender lines so even if you lowered the front it seems like there would still be a large gap between front of hood and upper fenders..are the fenders fiberglass?

Lou
Click to expand...

Image 16: Is the fender lower than the line of the door? Other pics, can't tell and does not seem so, but is the valance almost seems stubbed?
 
The fender is slightly lower, but not by much. I think the hood seems straight but the fit isn't all that tight. I am going to put some spacers in and do the bump stops and see if I can at least get the lines better.

I had it running last night and am concerned that I have other bigger issues like steering and the front locker. I will get back to the exterior and looks part after I get the real issues worked out. Guessing the shake down run will be interesting.

The thing turns easily and smoothly to the passenger side but is harder to tun towards the driver's side for some reason. I think the front end is locked as well so I need to learn how to tear into it and see if I can loosen it up. It was all rebuilt but sat for quite a long time from what I heard. Hoping a drive around the block might wake things up! I know it will wake my neighbors up! That blower screams when you stomp on the throttle.
 
awesome eric! I'm jealous!

btw: did you get that laptop sorted out correctly? if not let me know, I want to make sure it's working right for you.

Ben
 
Hey Ben,
Alls well with us. The laptop is working great. The internal card won't work so he is using the airbus card from one of the others til' I solve that. He loves the thing and has it with him on our rv trip. He is with my folks somewhere in Texas and we are in Joplin Mi. Were scoping wheelin trips and will meet up with them Saturday some time.
I am going to hit the 55 hard when I get back. It should be on the new tires and out on the road a week after we get home. I need to find a few local guys to help me with a few finishing mechanical details. Worse case, Toyota dealer...here I come! Hope it won't come to that but I am getting over anxious.
 
Any more updates? New pics? Still love this truck.
 
The thing is coming along. I have the majority of the interior back together and cleaned up. I need to buy a few more parts and then finish some outside details. I am going to try to finish the suspension stuff soon and get it out for a test trail ride. I have been working out the kinks. I will take some pics soon and post up.
The thing rips for sure. It's not a show truck, but sure came together nicely.

Goebs
 
Would I do it again...
All day long. Keep in mind that most of the work was done by the folks at Ironpig. They were contracted to do the majority of the work, with the help of a big checkbook.

I can't tell you how amazing the thing is! When you listen to it run you want to give it a hug. It sounds incredible and only gets better when the super charger screams. The fact that all of the drivetrain is Toyota is as cool as it gets. I have a TPI'd 350 in one of my 40's and it is great for what it is. It has more power then I might ever need but it is just a Chevy motor. Everyone has one these days and it is nothing new anymore. I have a bone stock set up on another that is great but a slow fat pig.

If you have the ability to source, install, and wire this type of set up, I would go for it all day long. If it is something you will have to pay to get all done, you might want to think twice about it.

The 55 is real close to getting out on the trail now. Gumby is going to give the lockers a once over and I have some suspension stops to finalize. Otherwise it should be ready to "break" in.

I have seen far too many cruisers in my life due to my obsession and would have to say that this set up is one of the coolest things to do. Crate motors are simple, clean, and much more cost effective. But Toyota parts in a 71 fj55, or any other old school cruiser, is the way to go.

That's just my opinion.
 
"It is by far the coolest Cruiser I've ever seen. "

Gumby is just saying this cause it is all his fault that I purchased it in the first place.

IT is cool.
 
Goebeler,
The rig is sweet. I'm planning on doing the same suspension setup. I've got a buddy with a fab shop here is Socal that's going to do it. Is that front coil/link pretty dialed in? If I need some dimensions and locations for things, could you help me out? Is that Panhard working good where it's at? Can you send me some pics of the front suspension? Close ups?
send to landcruisnman@yahoo.com if you can. I've got some 62 axles I'm using for mine. That wagon has really given me some inspiration. Thanks for that.

Roll with it
Pat
 
The front suspension is not dialed in yet. It is close but needs some more nice weather outside for me to work on it while under flex. I can get pics for you once I find my digital camera.
Check out this site for the pics I have here at my office. They might be helpful.

Goebs

1971 FJ55 Hooptie Project
 
Yes the hood was badly damaged.

I bought it directly from SOR since I had to have a 2F hood to clear the new motor and supercharger. I was assured by SOR that it was a clean hood and in very good shape. Well guess what. When it showed up it was a piece if crap, it would have cost me a huge amount to send it back, so I straightened it the best I could. The supports had come off of the underside of the hood and the front drivers side had obviously been hit and was folded under. So I think what is happening is that front drivers side is sitting to low and hitting so that the bumpstops can't be adjusted up to meet it.

Ryan.



cruiser_guy said:
That hood doesn't look right at all. Has the hood suffered damage in the past?

Have you tried adjusting the hinges in a vise with a BFH??

I'd say the hood needs to go back further as well as up at the back. The front curve on the hood doesn't look right either (it doesn't follow the curve in the fender).
Click to expand...
 
I just wanted to add these clips from when I first started it up. Was an awesome sound just like Goebeler says!!!

YouTube - FJ55 Audio

YouTube - FJ55 Audio

YouTube - FJ55 Test Run



Goebeler said:
Would I do it again...
All day long. Keep in mind that most of the work was done by the folks at Ironpig. They were contracted to do the majority of the work, with the help of a big checkbook.

I can't tell you how amazing the thing is! When you listen to it run you want to give it a hug. It sounds incredible and only gets better when the super charger screams. The fact that all of the drivetrain is Toyota is as cool as it gets. I have a TPI'd 350 in one of my 40's and it is great for what it is. It has more power then I might ever need but it is just a Chevy motor. Everyone has one these days and it is nothing new anymore. I have a bone stock set up on another that is great but a slow fat pig.

If you have the ability to source, install, and wire this type of set up, I would go for it all day long. If it is something you will have to pay to get all done, you might want to think twice about it.

The 55 is real close to getting out on the trail now. Gumby is going to give the lockers a once over and I have some suspension stops to finalize. Otherwise it should be ready to "break" in.

I have seen far too many cruisers in my life due to my obsession and would have to say that this set up is one of the coolest things to do. Crate motors are simple, clean, and much more cost effective. But Toyota parts in a 71 fj55, or any other old school cruiser, is the way to go.

That's just my opinion.
Click to expand...
 
So glad to see this Pig stretching it's legs!!!
 
Stretching will be re-defined this spring for the 55. Ryan is going to help with that regard.

The thing has insane sound, huge power, but super controllable.
 
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