performing a frame off...

[Hobbes1]

hey guys,
i'm doing a frame off resto on a 1970 Fj40. so far ill be taking the axles and trans from a '78 and swapping them in. i'll be putting a 4-inch lift kit in before i put the tub back on. ill be using 33x9.5 tires. as far as general tips, if anyone has any feel free to input.
now, more specifically, i'm trying to get the steering column out, and i cant figure out how to do it. do i need to take the steering box apart? is there a snap-ring inside or what? i've been muscling with it for a few days, and just recently busted out the back end of the steering box housing, so its shot anyways. ill be replacing it with the column and goodies from the '78. next question, will i hit any hitches attatching the '78 column and box to the '70 steering linkage? or will i just replace that from the '78 as well?
next, brake lines. i figure im doing all this work anyways, so why not replace my brake lines too. im talking about the metal lines attatched to the frame. anyone know where to buy those? or am i going to need to bend new tubing? OR should i just clean and re-use the originals?
Finally, this will be mostly a street driven truck. this is my first venture into 4-wheel drive, so any 4x4 ing i do will be light experimentation. if anyone has any thoughts or wisdom on any of the above subjects, or ANYthing at all that a newbie to the landcruiser world should know, please share liberally. thanks for your time. this site is great! -hobbes

 

[72cruiser]

bailey'll probably chime in and ask you where you're from in atl, but congrats on the 40 man

i would go for all new break lines (stainless braided) if you're goin to mess with them at all. just to save yourself trouble later. oh, i see you're talkin bout hardlines. just take a look at em and if you think they should come out, do it. not sure about a place to buy em, but check out:
www.sor.com
www.coolcruisers.com
www.liquidoffroad.com


malphrus

 

[hammerhead]

While you have the steering boxes out throw them in a scrap metal bin. Get a saginaw power steering box and pump and join the ranks of cruiser drivers who enjoy driving their cruisers. Power steering is the best and most important mod to be made to a cruiser. Next is disc brakes but you already have that lined out with the '78 axle.

Welcome aboard and congrats on the 40.

 

[Ground Up]

Stainless Brake Lines

As I recall a place called Cruiser Solutions sells the stainless steel set. Also, there is a place called Classic Tube. They make custom tubes for hot rodders. You can send them anything from a piece of metal rod bent in the shape you want to the actual brake or fuel lines and they input them and fab them on a cnc machine that puts in all the bends and flares the ends. I have a feeling that they are the suppliers for Cruiser Solutions.

Good Luck-