Builds matzell's stretched FJ40 build Now Taz72's

[matzell]

Well Summit sent the same shrouds back to me so I need to make another phone call!

My Sanderson headers showed up so I thought I would test fit them. Yes! They fit with AA motor mounts.

 

[matzell]

More parts showing up. That is the LS spec radiator with steam port.

 

[matzell]

It has been a while since I have posted anything on this project. It is not dead, just in storage alongside my 69 K5 blazer, FJ4573 racer, and Lynchburg Lemonade.

I have been wheeling Lynchburg Lemonade the past few years, my small tire wheeler.

Builds - Lynchburg Lemonade, matzell's STW - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/lynchburg-lemonade-matzells-stw.1154975/#post-12533958

I have also built/rebuilt a few 80s along the way. I am looking for ways to make my 77 FJ40 ride better. I am going to play around with new leaf springs, but keep coming back to a longer wheelbase. I want to keep the tires in the wheel wells, I know I can flip springs and move stuff, but I do not like the look of it.

Is it too much to maybe stretch my 77 10" and work on either a 80 series front suspension or something else before I finish this one?


I keep thinking that it would be a good test platform for this project.

 

[Tank5]

A FJ40 wheel base is 90 inches stretching it 10 inches gets you to 100. I have come to understand that there is not necessarily a perfect wheel base for everything but depending on how you plan to use the 40 I am sure some are more ideal than others.

I am also thinking wheel base plays into what suspension options you can use effectively to make the ride nicer. It also makes more room for a longer modern drive train.

This all a long winded way of me asking if a 100” wheel base is going to get you what you want. I have come to the opinion that 110 - 112 is a good length aim for.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Fwiw that's the same conclusion I've come to over the years. 110-112".

EDIT: I stretched my 60 to 110" many years ago.

 

[matzell]

I think you both are right. Every Land Cruiser since the 80 has been 112. My race car is 112... with all that, I wheeled my 85 4runner for 17 years with a wheel base of 104", with up to 39" tires on it. I was thinking if I went to 100" I would only bump up to 35" tires. Drivetrain would stay the same. I like the TBI 350 H41 Orion combo. If anything I would install a H41 Split case combo with 4:1 gears and 10% underdrive to help with the 35's. Wait, did I just say needing help with 35's and having a v-8? hahaha

I think a 60 series is around 104"s as well. The street ride is fine, a little twitchy with the short wheelbase. Who knows, plus I like the way my stretched 40 looks.

 

[Tank5]

I have seen a couple 104 and 105 stretched 40s that I really liked. I really liked the proportions of a stretched 40 at this wheel base, so much that if I build another 40 for myself it would be 104 - 105.

 

[Firemedic831]

I am at 98 with mine on 40s. It works well but on real steep climbs i am very conscious of the throttle . The blue one i am building will be 105

 

[FuglyYota]

I stretched my 40 12”, so 102”. It’s on 35’s with the eventual goal being 37’s. Vortec 350, Sm465, np203 to split case, 60 series axles on stock height 60 series leafs.

It seems to work well. That wheelbase has a nice balance between maneuverability and stability. Are there times I wish it was a little shorter? Yeah. Sometimes do I want more wheelbase? Yup. If I was back west and doing more fast in the desert things, I’d wish it was longer. But on the east cost in the trees for now I’m enjoying it and still looking for its limits.

My old ‘84 Pickup thing started at 106, then 108, and then 110 with Dana 60’s and 37” tires. At that wheelbase it really wanted 40’s, but otherwise was point and shoot at the hammers, rubicon, holster, etc. Problem getting the current 40 to that length would involve comp cutting or tub lengthening that I’m not ready for yet.

 

[matzell]

I am about to start cutting in the next few weeks on my 77. I am having bad thoughts of selling this one off as a roller, no drivetrain. I am pulling the trans and t-case and thought about pulling the 6.0 as well to put in my 77.

I could sell the frame/body and title if someone wants it, or keep it tucked away till I can finish it. Let me know if anyone has any intersest. My 80 is taking the place of what I thought this would be and I like to wheel so I am going to build up the 77 a little more. The race car may be sold off as well, not too many places to open it up on the East coast.

 

[Tank5]

I am about to start cutting in the next few weeks on my 77. I am having bad thoughts of selling this one off as a roller, no drivetrain. I am pulling the trans and t-case and thought about pulling the 6.0 as well to put in my 77.

I could sell the frame/body and title if someone wants it, or keep it tucked away till I can finish it. Let me know if anyone has any intersest. My 80 is taking the place of what I thought this would be and I like to wheel so I am going to build up the 77 a little more. The race car may be sold off as well, not too many places to open it up on the East coast.

Wish I was in the market for another project. I am not though. This will be cool build when it is done.

 

[matzell]

First frame sections cut and prepped... now to start cutting! This will continue in my Lynchburg Lemonade thread in the 40 section. I think I am going to gut the drivetrain out of this one for the blue one. I have a 5.3-6l80 that can go in this.

 

[matzell]

With Lynchburg Lemonade's frame stretched, I need a new top for the body. I have decided to steal the top off this one for my "trail truck" and picked up this BJ44 top for this one. Only problem is it is 14" longer not, 10" I think will cut the small fixed window down to make it work.

 

[DangerNoodle]

i vote adding another 4" of frame lol. Splicing firberglass sucks

 

[matzell]

i vote adding another 4" of frame lol. Splicing firberglass sucks

On it! You are correct sir!

 

[Ditcherman]

On it! You are correct sir!

View attachment 3898203

I’m happy to hear this, that’s a beautiful top, and a lot of work all the way around to shorten it.

 

[Mike Shull]

14” is the minimum allowable stretch anyway. I think that you will like this length. I wish that I had done 18”.

 

[DangerNoodle]

14” is the minimum allowable stretch anyway. I think that you will like this length. I wish that I had done 18”.

I'm shooting for 16" on my next one.

 

[Ditcherman]

I'm shooting for 16" on my next one.

I just went for full on turtle status on my first build.

 

[matzell]

I am not sure how many visit the 40 section. Here is the 14" stretch and BJ44 hardtop. Once I get the body wrapped up I will get a better profile pic.