Npulver's 71 Fj55 Build "Sea Unicorn"

[npulver]

Thought about doing some Alcan springs, if i end up not liking the lift i'll probably end up upgrading the the FJ60 axles like i originally thought of doing, and doing a 4" lift. Only time will tell. I was honestly hoping with the lower offset rims and spacers i would have a touch wider stance than it is. So going FJ60 might be in the cards anyways in the future.

 

[MNP1]

Looking sweet. Now you just need a custom green and white ladder for the little man.

 

[npulver]

hi steer came in. MAN is it beefy. now i need to send out my spider link to get bored out to accommodate the larger tie rods.

 

[npulver]

sourced out some knuckle housings from Georg @ valley hybrids. Super nice guy, even shipping the knuckles out before receiving payment. Not use to that lol. Well hopefully they will be here before the end of next week. And hopefully sunday i can take my spider arm off and send it in to 4x4labs to do there thing to it.

 

[npulver]

Well starting today should finally have some progress on this. Dropped the 55 off at ZFab offroad here in Rapid City, SD. Hes doing the cut and turn on the axles and the spring over for me (i dont trust my welding...) I'll be dropping by every night on the way home and take pictures as it goes along.

 

[npulver]

Well, after a decent amount of waiting for the project to finally get started off right, Zfab and i did some work last night. Good progress!

Cant really tell in this picture, but the fronts are still fully assembled in this picture, and he was mocking up the spring perches



cutting the bottom perch off



My buddy and i got to work and tore the front assembly apart, and as anyone that has done this knows its messy. So no pictures of "in the process". But here it is stripped.



Perches mocked, waiting for the front to be done so it can go back on the ground for the final rotate and welding.



torching u bolts



out



on the axle stand awaiting the cut and turn.



hopefully some more progress pictures thursday.

 

[npulver]

The rear mocked up and on the ground

 

[scrapdaddy]

Looking good already!

 

[npulver]

Measuring for bump stops and and angle



And brought some stuff home to clean up and paint...yay!

 

[scrapdaddy]

Did you remember the extended brake lines? Some guys, myself included, did away with the backing plates and used a eliminator kit. Something to look into.

It's going to be nice!

 

[npulver]

Did you remember the extended brake lines? Some guys, myself included, did away with the backing plates and used a eliminator kit. Something to look into.

It's going to be nice!

No i have not extended the lines yet, thanks for the reminder/heads up. Totally forgot about it (good to remember now than down the road *literally). For now im going to keep the backing plates, any reason why i shouldn't? If its something i want to eliminate, i can always eliminate it this coming winter when i install the upgraded axles.

 

[scrapdaddy]

No reason, really. Some guys like 'em some don't. I use to get rocks caught in them, when running the gravel bars ( decades ago! )

 

[npulver]

Did some cleaning finally, learned that i really wish i had a bead/sand blaster. Im use to cleaning aluminum stuff from my cars, cast is a touch harder due to the porousness, so it didnt come out as nice as i wanted.

top one was wire wheeled, bottom still untouched.



the things that got painted. When this stuff comes off next time i'll have everything cleaned properly, right now though im in a little more of a time crunch.



you can see the finish here, just a flat black hi temp paint. (still wet in spots obviously)



Ron, I decided after getting the backing plates wire wheeled that they look like crap. They will be being eliminated next time around. I hate rust pitted parts. ugh.

 

[tucker74]

No need for hi-temp paint there, I use "Rust Tough Enamel" in a black semi-gloss and it turns out nice I wouldn't eliminate the backing plates unless you have a good reason, and don't fret too much all this is just going to get greasy again ...

Tucker

 

[npulver]

Zfab finally have gotten back to.working on my rig, started the knuckle turn and should have it finished tonight. Then its my turn to reassemble the front axle so we can button thi up !

 

[npulver]

Last one until tomorrow night.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Looks like a real clean cut. Going to be nice to get it back.

Hey, if you're set on having backing plates, I can send you mine. They seem to be in good shape.

 

[npulver]

Thanks for the offer Ron. Unfortunately due to some money constraints that were unseen when i dove into this, i didnt get everything i originally planned (upgraded axles, and re-gear) So this will be all coming back apart later this year so i can do the axles. Which is why i didnt get too crazy cleaning everything up. (sand blasting) When i get the axles i will be sand blasting the pieces that need it, and POR'ing a lot of stuff.

Everyone hates tearing there stuff apart twice to do it right once. But atleast in this case im not cutting corners on the things that matter now (minus the axles)


Edit* on top of the offer Ron, it wouldnt be quite quick enough lol. The axle will be reassembled tomorrow night. Thanks again for the offer though.

 

[npulver]

Well got "some"work done tonight, ran into a snag when we started to assemble the knuckles. go to find out the anvils (number 24 in the illustration) and studs are different sizes between the 79+ kuckles and the small pattern. So I need to get some new larger anvils before I can proceed with the knuckle.

However obviously the knuckle is turned and welded up now.

Also decided to do a trick deal for filling the housing to a correct level easier now that its turned....New upper bung!

 

[PabloCruise]

Confused...

Isn't that the drain plug?

#24 are the cone washers.