Looks fan F'ing tastic
uber jealous!
uber jealous!
Newbie 73 FJ 40 build
- Thread starter Toast
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #42
Finally got my front axle on and it looks awesome! The rear one is next on the list. I think im gonna flip my leafs and bring my axle back a few inches. anyone ever done this? Also, i need to topcoat my POR 15 in the areas exposed to sunlight.
good clean looking work. 
ill subscribed so i can keep up with your progress.
ill subscribed so i can keep up with your progress.
- Thread starter
- #45
Awesome! Thanks guys, hey anyone have some help with my post about how to set up my engine, tranny and t-case height wise and forward/backward?
- Thread starter
- #46
Lots of people have flipped their springs to extend their wheelbase
You'll have to trim the rear fenders
Fenders are trash anyways. They were already completely cut and replaced with aluminum diamond plate so a little trimage wont be bad. Do most people only flip the back or do they do the front as well?
I don't have any personal experience, but here are my thoughts from reading:
Check out the FAQ:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-seri...ions-f-q-updated-28-jul-09-a.html#post1801878
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-seri...ions-f-q-updated-28-jul-09-a.html#post1801879
I would also search "SM420" and see what other hits you get. Read, read, read.
On the engine swap, it would seem to me that to get the dimensions set up correctly you would need to have the tub at least sitting on the body mounts. Take the tranny hump off so you can see where your shifters will line up. Install the radiator, fan (decide if you're going electric or mechanical) so you can determine your up-front clearance. Think about your exhaust routing. See if the brake booster will interfere with anything (on a 350, not usually a problem). Think about your steering shaft/box and how that's going to play in. Check out AA's website for engine mounts etc. Measure, measure, measure and become happy with how it's going to look. Tack it in, check it again, then burn it in when you're ready. You'll be getting a lot of use out of the engine hoist.
On the springs, flipping front, rear, or both depends on what wheelbase you want, and if you need any extra distance to clear your drivetrain. You should also think about possibly using longer springs (FJ55, FJ60 or Chevy) if you want to change the ride/load capacity. Are you planning on doing a shackle reversal? spring over? In any case you'll have to think about driveshaft mods, whether your pinion angle is going to change and have to be corrected, anti-wrap bar (for springover), and for sure make sure your front driveshaft has a long enough slip to not separate, but also so it doesn't grenade your t-case from not having enough slip.
Good luck.
Check out the FAQ:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-seri...ions-f-q-updated-28-jul-09-a.html#post1801878
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-seri...ions-f-q-updated-28-jul-09-a.html#post1801879
I would also search "SM420" and see what other hits you get. Read, read, read.
On the engine swap, it would seem to me that to get the dimensions set up correctly you would need to have the tub at least sitting on the body mounts. Take the tranny hump off so you can see where your shifters will line up. Install the radiator, fan (decide if you're going electric or mechanical) so you can determine your up-front clearance. Think about your exhaust routing. See if the brake booster will interfere with anything (on a 350, not usually a problem). Think about your steering shaft/box and how that's going to play in. Check out AA's website for engine mounts etc. Measure, measure, measure and become happy with how it's going to look. Tack it in, check it again, then burn it in when you're ready. You'll be getting a lot of use out of the engine hoist.
On the springs, flipping front, rear, or both depends on what wheelbase you want, and if you need any extra distance to clear your drivetrain. You should also think about possibly using longer springs (FJ55, FJ60 or Chevy) if you want to change the ride/load capacity. Are you planning on doing a shackle reversal? spring over? In any case you'll have to think about driveshaft mods, whether your pinion angle is going to change and have to be corrected, anti-wrap bar (for springover), and for sure make sure your front driveshaft has a long enough slip to not separate, but also so it doesn't grenade your t-case from not having enough slip.
Good luck.
- Thread starter
- #48
Finally got both axles on and everything painted up. Cant believe that this is MY cruiser. Oh, the girlfriend wanted me to add that she put the leafs on the axles for me (all by herself). Flipped my rear springs, they look good but im not sure if the mil wrap has to put back to the stock location (2 in front and 1 in the rear). Anyways gonna start hooking up brake lines and im going to re-do all the rear wiring next. Cant wait!
- Thread starter
- #49
No pics today cause got nothing new done. So apparently the PO decided to redo all of the rear wiring using what looks to be like lamp wire 
. So i have no idea what goes where. Wiring sucks the D! I wish someone who knows 40 wiring well would just come over and give me a hand............anyone? 
. So i have no idea what goes where. Wiring sucks the D! I wish someone who knows 40 wiring well would just come over and give me a hand............anyone?
- Thread starter
- #51
Yea $500 bucks is kinda pricy for me at this time. I mean that's a set of high steer arms along with tie rods and ends. Im gonna have to work with what i got. 
Remember to top coat any POR15 that will see sunlight. UV rays cause it to break down. I used eastwood chassis black your have to rough up the POR15 if it has setup if I remember correctly.
- Thread starter
- #53
Oh yea dont worry i got some POR 15 topcoat on the way. Designed to go directly over the regular POR 15. 
- Thread starter
- #54
Got my rear brake lines in today. They look really good but i accidentally broke my double flaring tool in the process. Oops 
- Thread starter
- #55
Getting my shocks ready for paint soon. Also painted up my shifting fork. Does anyone know where i can get the snap ring that holds the pivot ball in place on this fork? Mine broke. Napa is a no go with this btw
- Thread starter
- #56
The dealer doesnt even carry the snap ring anymore!!!! WTF?. Also checked a few tranny shops as well as other auto part stores and nothing...
- Thread starter
- #57
Ok after a week or so of calling every single salvage yard and auto parts store i finally found the extinct retainer clip for the early style chevy clutch fork. I figured someone out there has had the same problem with this part so i found 1 place to get them for now....... Part # for the clip is 838987. dealership in Colusa CA has 9 of them ( I bought 3, just in case) (530) 458-2125.
High desert cruisers lots of links to cruiser parts good luck
- Thread starter
- #59
Can you say progress anyone????
coleman2347
Ole Jarhead
Pretty work
Love ur 40 and the TF..My best friend in High School had a TD..lots of fun till it got T-Boned by a blue hair..subscribed keep it coming. BTW when I first learned to weld my grandfather once told me after looking at some of my work that "that's what God made grinders and files for son"..Lee
Love ur 40 and the TF..My best friend in High School had a TD..lots of fun till it got T-Boned by a blue hair..subscribed keep it coming. BTW when I first learned to weld my grandfather once told me after looking at some of my work that "that's what God made grinders and files for son"..Lee
