After talking about and thinking about sprining my piggy over for the last few years it's finally happening. Came across a parts 62 that has donated her axles to the project- and might I say the article by Andre Shoumatoff in the new issue of Trails is nothing less than timely. Using axles from a 62 adds 3" in track width, keeps the 4.10 gear ratio, and gives me a strong gussetted axle housing, not to mention the neat air scoop backing plates!!!! Also allows me to use the more readily available (and cheaper usually) brake calipers from a 4Runner.
Changing my power steering over to an FJ60/62 box at the same time and eliminating a lot of the steering components in the stock configuration. Using Trail Gear high steer stuff on this one, their pricing is attractive and they're working with me to provide a custom length steering arm to go betweeen the pitman arm and passenger knuckle. Going with BFG 35" muds at this time, hope the old girl can turn 'em!!!
Also bought one of the non-USA four speeds from James Valley at cruiserparts.net. Price is pretty attractive and I have a three speed transfer case to go behind it. That'll keep the old girl all Toyota and drop my crawl ratio way down compared to stock. Have an Aussie locker for the rear and am thinking about ($$$) an ARB for the front.
Will keep you posted as the project progresses............Gary S (Shmukster)
I'm hopeful to have her running again by the end of April, and that the old girl will be debugged in time for the CMCC in June.
Changing my power steering over to an FJ60/62 box at the same time and eliminating a lot of the steering components in the stock configuration. Using Trail Gear high steer stuff on this one, their pricing is attractive and they're working with me to provide a custom length steering arm to go betweeen the pitman arm and passenger knuckle. Going with BFG 35" muds at this time, hope the old girl can turn 'em!!!
Also bought one of the non-USA four speeds from James Valley at cruiserparts.net. Price is pretty attractive and I have a three speed transfer case to go behind it. That'll keep the old girl all Toyota and drop my crawl ratio way down compared to stock. Have an Aussie locker for the rear and am thinking about ($$$) an ARB for the front.
Will keep you posted as the project progresses............Gary S (Shmukster)
I'm hopeful to have her running again by the end of April, and that the old girl will be debugged in time for the CMCC in June.
