A few weeks ago I bought a 1976 FJ55 that has had a few changes done to it. It was a complete impulse buy but I just love this thing and I am excited to do some more work on it. No hurry, no stress and I am not even sure what I want to do with it at this point. But I thought I would share this and start a thread where I can update changes made as they happen.
I would also hope that if you have any constructive ideas you would share them. I know a rig like this isn't for everyone and I am willing to hear the good, the bad and the ugly.
I also own a FJ Cruiser, FJ80 and a FJ40 that are other projects of mine, this one will just be a little different. Something to have out of the box fun with.
I bought this from a guy that is a phenomenal fabricator and I believe he has done an incredible job up to this point. I am still learning a lot about what is on this thing and will learn more when I am able to spend some more time on it. I am not a well seasoned mechanic and I kind of learn as I go along and I have to read tons of articles before I am comfortable doing anything that might be somewhat complicated, but I enjoy learning and I enjoy the experience.
I do know that it is powered by a 5.3 Vortec engine that is in great shape. I do have a concern about that being enough power to turn the 46 inch tires on the 2.5 ton Rockwell axles. As I have not been able to take it anywhere yet that remains to be seen. One idea might be to take this engine out and put it in the 40 I am working on and put a big block into the Beast? I don't know.
The suspension is a forced articulation set-up that is delivered by big truck air bags and controlled by the driver at a center console. How does this work? Don't know yet but I think I like it. Right now it is powered by a Viair compressor and a 2 gallon tank. I do know that this is not cutting it and I want to upgrade that to something, just don't know what yet.
I also want to put in a dual battery system to run the air source and lights I hope to put on one day.
Other info. It has a 350 automatic in it and a split transfer case.
Other than that, it is blank canvas and I am excited to see where this goes and what it ends up being and what I end up using it for. Who knows.
I would also hope that if you have any constructive ideas you would share them. I know a rig like this isn't for everyone and I am willing to hear the good, the bad and the ugly.
I also own a FJ Cruiser, FJ80 and a FJ40 that are other projects of mine, this one will just be a little different. Something to have out of the box fun with.
I bought this from a guy that is a phenomenal fabricator and I believe he has done an incredible job up to this point. I am still learning a lot about what is on this thing and will learn more when I am able to spend some more time on it. I am not a well seasoned mechanic and I kind of learn as I go along and I have to read tons of articles before I am comfortable doing anything that might be somewhat complicated, but I enjoy learning and I enjoy the experience.
I do know that it is powered by a 5.3 Vortec engine that is in great shape. I do have a concern about that being enough power to turn the 46 inch tires on the 2.5 ton Rockwell axles. As I have not been able to take it anywhere yet that remains to be seen. One idea might be to take this engine out and put it in the 40 I am working on and put a big block into the Beast? I don't know.
The suspension is a forced articulation set-up that is delivered by big truck air bags and controlled by the driver at a center console. How does this work? Don't know yet but I think I like it. Right now it is powered by a Viair compressor and a 2 gallon tank. I do know that this is not cutting it and I want to upgrade that to something, just don't know what yet.
I also want to put in a dual battery system to run the air source and lights I hope to put on one day.
Other info. It has a 350 automatic in it and a split transfer case.
Other than that, it is blank canvas and I am excited to see where this goes and what it ends up being and what I end up using it for. Who knows.
