Build Meet Ivy, 1976 FJ40 w/VW TDI, 2.8 CRD, OM606

[fjdiesel]

Got some parts back from the powder coater.

Got some FJ Cruiser wheels from a friend. I think they will work nicely.

Sent in the half doors, tool box covers and tailgate. Some parts getting done...

And my car trailer wheels while I was at it.

 

[-MaTTi-]

Got some FJ Cruiser wheels from a friend. I think they will work nicely.

Will work, yes, but nicely... hmm... they are +15 offset = looks stupid without spacers IMO because more inside than stock wheels. Original wheels are offset 0.

 

[fjdiesel]

Will work, yes, but nicely... hmm... they are +15 offset = looks stupid without spacers IMO because more inside than stock wheels. Original wheels are offset 0.

I put 60 axles under the 40 already. Well, the front is done, still need to finish the rear... Here was a test fit, I mounted the tire before I powder coated the wheels. Figured it was a cheap experiment to make sure that I liked how the tire/wheel fitment was. Sorry for the bad cell phone pic.

 

[fjdiesel]

Here is a couple pics of some 35x12.50 on 16" rims. They stuck out too much with a 3.5" BS(I think that was what they were). I like the look of a little more tall and skinny. That was a big deciding factor to go with the 285/75r17 which Toyo calls them a 34x11.50r17. Here are a couple photos. We all like photos!!

 

[matzell]

I was just looking back to see what size tires you were putting on this. I had 35-37's on my project but went back to 33's. I think they look more to scale on a 40 and fit the wheel wells better without cutting.

 

[-MaTTi-]

I put 60 axles under the 40 already.

Ok, makes sense then. They are about 60 mm wider.

 

[fjdiesel]

The last couple weeks I have been working on the transmission hump and the seat mounts. Mainly the passenger side one.

Here was the beginning of the trans hump

Here is the mostly finished product. As you can probably tell, I made it quite a bit shorter and narrower. But it seems like it will be really nice with all the extra leg room. Not only for me, but for the passenger as well...

Here is another pic..

 

[fjdiesel]

And at the same time modifying the passenger seat mount. I lowered the mount by an inch. It still ended up being 1 inch higher than the drivers side seat rails. But the drivers side has an adjustment to move up and down. So it is really only different when it is all the way down. And when my wife or kids will drive it, they can adjust it up.

 

[fjdiesel]

Got the soft top bow kit from Real Steel I ordered an extra bow for the rear and I ordered an extra bow for the front. We will see how it all fits. Sure looks like a really nice kit!!

 

[HemiAlex]

I've got a spare ALH from my wifes car. 233k with an 11mm new Bosch pump. It's been staring at me for a while, I don't need it right now but it would be fun to have in her 40!

Sadly the F motor may never die...

 

[fjdiesel]

@HemiAlex My F motor was dead when I got this one. So a heart transplant was in order from the get go.

 

[HemiAlex]

@HemiAlex My F motor was dead when I got this one. So a heart transplant was in order from the get go.

If i can get it to run, I’ll run it. If not, I’ll have a huge dilemma on my hands.

 

[fjdiesel]

If i can get it to run, I’ll run it. If not, I’ll have a huge dilemma on my hands.

I think that might be where the rabbit hole starts, "when it doesn't run" I see you are doing pretty good on your 60 with 308 on the clock. T I mentioned to my wife the other day that I wanted a 60 back in the stable again as well. She said to finish this one first...

 

[HemiAlex]

If I had a 2F core with an ac bracket, the choice would be made for me. I can make a beat up 2F come back from the dead and run pretty darn good. I bought the 60 with 279k, and a broken #5 exhaust valve. Got it refreshed and never stopped driving it daily.

 

[wyota41]

I think that might be where the rabbit hole starts, "when it doesn't run" I see you are doing pretty good on your 60 with 308 on the clock. T I mentioned to my wife the other day that I wanted a 60 back in the stable again as well. She said to finish this one first...

Impressive work! The scale is quickly tipping toward keeping my 60 and finishing the work on it. Appreciate the shot in the arm to get after it and make a good 60 a great 60

 

[fjdiesel]

@wyota41 Thanks you. You have a great platform started for sure! Yours is still driveable which helps so you can enjoy it while you are fixing things.

 

[Jetlander]

So awesome watching your progress with this build! Top-notch work from what I can tell. What softtop are you going with?

 

[fjdiesel]

I am having a shop an hour from me in Wisconsin doing the top. Canvas by the Stitch. I found him on CL because he builds canvas insulated fish houses. They looked really nice. We just took him picks of some factory and some icon tops for him to look at. He quoted me $1600 and is going to use an 800 denier fabric put a layer of insulation in and a black liner. I am 10in longer than stock. Which is why I got a couple extra bows. That is what I have been working on the last 2 weeks. I made the appointment for the top to keep me going to get it done....

 

[fjdiesel]

Here is a couple pics as I am fitting the soft top frame.

 

[fjdiesel]

Thanks to @gwalt584 for his pics of the door frames. I copied his.