PGHFJ40's 1970 FJ40
All right, I got some time over lunch to start my vehicle thread so here goes...
This is my '70 FJ40. In 2001, I towed it back from Georgia (30mi south of Macon). This is it... bone stock, in Wellsville, OH:
I only drove it that way for a couple months because it would have needed mucho brake & steering work just to pass inspection.
I started what seemed to be a never ending project. Here's the list of some of the mod's I've done:
- custom Spring Over Axle suspension w/ rotated knuckles and long travel CV driveshafts front and rear.
- Shackle reversal (front)
- modified rear shackle mount
- custom shock mounts F&R, upper & lower
- 14"F & 12"R travel Bilstein 5125 shocks
- swapped tired F for a 2F w/ headers, 2.5" exhaust, JimC'd '70 carb (2F from '78 had 49k on it)
- SM420 transmission conversion (7:1 1st)
- saginaw power steering/ GM tilt column
- Corbeau Baja SS seats
- 4 wheel disc brakes, SS flex lines; all new brakelines
- electric fuel pump, all new fuel line, clear filter
- York 210 On-board Air
- full roll cage
- 35x14.50 Super Swamper Tires
- tcase saver (reinforcement)
- GM high output alternator
- custom front bumper (2x4x1/4") w/ 8k winch; could hold regulated air for ARB's
- greaseable shackles/pins
It was June 2005 before I could drive it again, as life's responsibilities kept interrupting my project.
That did include buying my own garage (w/ house) to work on the cruiser, though!!! 
This is what it looked like on its maiden voyage, testing out its new springover off of my driveway (note no seats yet... sitting on a rubbermaid step stool Wooh-hoo):
I have a zillion specific pics from the project, but don't have any current pictures of the whole vehicle. This one was late summer, I think...
It's come along way, though still not quite ready for prime time. On my list of to-do's to be ready for a trail ride:
- re-install carb
- mount OBA tank, plumb
- have custom underbed fuel tank/skid installed
- fix seat brackets (currently too tall... hence underbed tank
- install harnesses/seatbelts
- fab traction bar (it REALLY needs it)
- fab rear bumper
- install f250 front shock mounts
- bumpstops
- headlights
After that, to complete the project:
- new tires & wheels (may get moved up to the before trail ride list?)
- install "accessories" (like lights, guages, horns, jumpseats, etc.)
- wiring
- paint all one color ("IH white" tractor paint... near original color; nothin fancy)
- new steering wheel (want a Grant Removable for security)
There are some other things I'd like to do (for example: ARB's F&R), but those are the carrot(s) I'm dangling for myself... to encourage me to finish my existing work on the project. I do have a spare lincoln-locked 3rd that I may swap in temporarily (it's currently open).
Ok that's me... everybody else post up!
Cheers!
-Ed '70FJ40
All right, I got some time over lunch to start my vehicle thread so here goes...
This is my '70 FJ40. In 2001, I towed it back from Georgia (30mi south of Macon). This is it... bone stock, in Wellsville, OH:
I only drove it that way for a couple months because it would have needed mucho brake & steering work just to pass inspection.
I started what seemed to be a never ending project. Here's the list of some of the mod's I've done:
- custom Spring Over Axle suspension w/ rotated knuckles and long travel CV driveshafts front and rear.
- Shackle reversal (front)
- modified rear shackle mount
- custom shock mounts F&R, upper & lower
- 14"F & 12"R travel Bilstein 5125 shocks
- swapped tired F for a 2F w/ headers, 2.5" exhaust, JimC'd '70 carb (2F from '78 had 49k on it)
- SM420 transmission conversion (7:1 1st)
- saginaw power steering/ GM tilt column
- Corbeau Baja SS seats
- 4 wheel disc brakes, SS flex lines; all new brakelines
- electric fuel pump, all new fuel line, clear filter
- York 210 On-board Air
- full roll cage
- 35x14.50 Super Swamper Tires
- tcase saver (reinforcement)
- GM high output alternator
- custom front bumper (2x4x1/4") w/ 8k winch; could hold regulated air for ARB's
- greaseable shackles/pins
It was June 2005 before I could drive it again, as life's responsibilities kept interrupting my project.
That did include buying my own garage (w/ house) to work on the cruiser, though!!! 
This is what it looked like on its maiden voyage, testing out its new springover off of my driveway (note no seats yet... sitting on a rubbermaid step stool Wooh-hoo):
I have a zillion specific pics from the project, but don't have any current pictures of the whole vehicle. This one was late summer, I think...
It's come along way, though still not quite ready for prime time. On my list of to-do's to be ready for a trail ride:
- re-install carb
- mount OBA tank, plumb
- have custom underbed fuel tank/skid installed
- fix seat brackets (currently too tall... hence underbed tank
- install harnesses/seatbelts
- fab traction bar (it REALLY needs it)
- fab rear bumper
- install f250 front shock mounts
- bumpstops
- headlights
After that, to complete the project:
- new tires & wheels (may get moved up to the before trail ride list?)
- install "accessories" (like lights, guages, horns, jumpseats, etc.)
- wiring
- paint all one color ("IH white" tractor paint... near original color; nothin fancy)
- new steering wheel (want a Grant Removable for security)
There are some other things I'd like to do (for example: ARB's F&R), but those are the carrot(s) I'm dangling for myself... to encourage me to finish my existing work on the project. I do have a spare lincoln-locked 3rd that I may swap in temporarily (it's currently open).
Ok that's me... everybody else post up!
Cheers!
-Ed '70FJ40
Last edited:
at the front axle mount when I got some bounce (entire vehicle, not wheel hop) on a series of ledges during a lapse of reason. 