Builds matzell's stretched FJ40 build Now Taz72's (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter matzell
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- Thread starter
- #43
Put it this way. I wish I had order one from Aqualu. It would have been in the same ballpark but I could have done the frame myself and dropped the body on in one weekend. With that said, I am happy that it is all steel, has ribbed floors, stock wheel wells and when it is done will be really cool and not just another kit. I also do not have to cut the holes in the dash and all that other fun stuff. It took about 5 months to get it to this point. I still have some things to address on the tub but I am sure I can work those out myself.
Yes I agree the 37's look great on the truck. I almost want to bring home a few of my 40's to try out, but the whole goal was to daily drive this some. With the 37's my 5'4" wife will have a hard time getting in. I want to drive this out to eat and work as well as cruise around. I need to play around with the suspension and figure out final ride height. I will spend some time over the next few days and try to figure something out. I need to get the drivetrain swapped in and get some primer and paint on the frame.
Thanks for all the replies and comments. All are welcome. I know this is not for the purist but I do not want a hacked up FJ40 with no front fenders and comp cut rears. I still want it to look like a stockish body. I hope I am doing that.
Your tub turned out very nice. I think 37s look propotional to the size of the longer body. The front axle looks like it needs to come forward a inch or two. I think with 37s, if you have a 4 speed manual, you are going to want 4.11s for a good highway gear in 4th.
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- #45
I do like the 37's. If I run those I will keep the tons and 4:56 gears. I have 4:10's as well. Re-gearing is not an issue. I also acquired a NV4500 split case combo to run in it, so highway speeds should not be a problem with overdrive.
Front axle is in stock location as is, may be the angle.
Thanks for the comments, it is always hard to justify the money but when others like it too, makes one feel like they did something good.
- Thread starter
- #46
I have been working on corrections in the body and taking measurements and trying to figure out what to do for the past two days.
All that glitters is not gold...
All that glitters is not gold...
- Thread starter
- #47
I also played around with ride height. I do not not want SOA and 37's for a driver. It looks really good but I do not need it and it will be hard to get in and out of. I lowered it down on the 35's and liked the look, so I spend the afternoon swapping the 4" skyjacker lift back off my 77 and putting it under the stretch. I will be it bolted in this week and see how I like the stance with the 33's. Maybe go to 35's.
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- #48
back together
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- #49
And with the rear flare mocked up
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- #50
I started mocking up the hard top. I need to finish cutting the vent window sections and weld them in. This allowed me to find a few other fitment issues with the body tub. Seems like two steps forward, one step back...
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- #51
Side panels tacked in place. Another 5000 tack welds and they may be done!
Extremely Nice work ! 
- Thread starter
- #54
Thanks guys!
I managed to get out for a few hours today. I install the pass side cowl panel and did a few hundred tacks on the side panels. Tack, grind, repeat!
I managed to get out for a few hours today. I install the pass side cowl panel and did a few hundred tacks on the side panels. Tack, grind, repeat!
What are those side panels from? Do they take a stock size window?
- Thread starter
- #56
It is a blend of 76 down side panel with a 77 up vent window added in. This was how I determined the 10" stretch amount. You might be able to squeeze 11" out of it but I was happy with 10"
47coeman
Love those 45's
Nice job, it does feel like that sometimes when you are in the middle of the build. Take your time and it will finish up nice.
- Thread starter
- #60
I have about 1/2 of the tack welds done. I have had a busy week and only being able to do so many at a time.
Thanks for the kind words.
