The Orion will add value to the 40, probably more than the difference in price. At least that is what I would tell my wife.
Builds Project 2027: 1977 FJ40 Rebuild (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Jetlander
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #382
I’ve heard the Orion is quieter but what does that even mean in an FJ40? 
@White Stripe do you have one in your rig? I was wondering if the twin stick interferes at all with the Vintage Air?
@White Stripe do you have one in your rig? I was wondering if the twin stick interferes at all with the Vintage Air?If only they made an orion with an overdrive... I'd take that over crawler gears, but I've got a '76 with the 4.11s.
- Thread starter
- #384
You can add rubber overdrive by going with 33” or 35” tires!
Ha, that's the plan with some 255/85/17s, but I'm sure it could still use a smidge more.
- Thread starter
- #386
Before my tear down I didn’t dare go over 60mph. It scared the crap outta me with all the play in the steering. The steering is probably tighter now than when it rolled out of the factory. So once it’s back up and running I’ll be excited to find out.Ha, that's the plan with some 255/85/17s, but I'm sure it could still use a smidge more.
icorradoi
SILVER Star
What's the ballpark $$$ for an Orion?
- Thread starter
- #388
The cases by themselves run $1600-$1800 plus the cost to have someone build it for you if you’re so inclined. I’d have Georg (The transfer case shaman) build it so I know it’s perfect.
icorradoi
SILVER Star
He just rebuilt my stock tranny/transfer for my '77. Probably would've been out of my budget to go Orion at this time any way. Good to know for future purchase though! Thanks
I use the stock shifter. But the twin stick shouldn't be a problem with the vintage air if you did twin stick.I’ve heard the Orion is quieter but what does that even mean in an FJ40?
orangefj45
Supporting Vendor
Thanks for all the positive comments guys, I really appreciate it.
Once your t-case shows up here, we'll tear it apart to see what's goin one, then we'll make a decision on how to mope forward.
The Orion t-cases are very quiet since everything is brand new, including the gears which are wider also .....
Thanks again!
Georg
Once your t-case shows up here, we'll tear it apart to see what's goin one, then we'll make a decision on how to mope forward.
The Orion t-cases are very quiet since everything is brand new, including the gears which are wider also .....
Thanks again!
Georg
- Thread starter
- #392
Fabrication work on the transmission tunnel continues. Basically there are two areas on the tunnel that contour with the OEM tub. Those have to be cut out, flattened, and welded on flat with the rest of the lip. Then patches made for the sides, along with some minor rust removal. Not a terribly difficult process just time consuming.
- Thread starter
- #393
Well... The entire renewing of my ‘77 FJ40 has been a long and sometimes tedious journey. I’ve been telling friends and family lately that I’ve got plenty of blood, gallons of sweat, but no tears (my wife’s don’t count) in it. That has changed. No emotional tears but definitely tears today. I’ll start by saying I ALWAYS wear gloves and safety glasses. Always. And today was no different but somehow managed to get a decent sized piece of metal in my right eye. I tried and tried to flush it out but it wouldn’t budge. Lots of tears to say the least. After about an hour of futility my bride finally talked me into going to the eye doctor. Glad I did.
The ophthalmologist numbed my eye and extracted the sliver. Once pulled out you can see it left a decent hole. Anyways, vision is fine and he said it should be healed up in 4ish days. Antibiotic eye drops and an eye bandage during that time period. This is the second injury working on the Cruiser since I started. I think I can officially say we’ve ‘bonded’.
Blood. Sweat. Tears.
The ophthalmologist numbed my eye and extracted the sliver. Once pulled out you can see it left a decent hole. Anyways, vision is fine and he said it should be healed up in 4ish days. Antibiotic eye drops and an eye bandage during that time period. This is the second injury working on the Cruiser since I started. I think I can officially say we’ve ‘bonded’.
Blood. Sweat. Tears.
This is why I use a full mask with filters when I grind. Those protocols get a lot of speed from the grinders and they bounce around until they hit where it hurts.
good to see you got it out.
good to see you got it out.
Glad there’s no permanent damage.
- Thread starter
- #396
Update: @orangefj45 got my t-case opened up. Preliminary inspection showed zero wear on any gear or bearing. In fact Georg said it was one of the nicest looking cases he’s seen. Anyways, he was a bit mystified on where the metal came from so he did a really detailed inspection. Still no signs of damage. The only thing he saw was that whatever made the metal had gone through the gears and made “imprints”... The only conclusion we can come up with was a foreign object like a random washer, or the like, managed to find its way into the case when I replaced all the gaskets. Personally I’m a bit in denial about dropping in something like that, even by mistake, as I’m about as detail oriented as the come (ask my bride...).
Anyways, Georg said it wouldn’t be a great idea to rebuild the case using the same gear set because of the fact something went through them. So... I spent the coins and ordered a new Orion. I also ordered the twin stick kit. Go big or go home, right?!? Should be around 3 weeks. In the mean time, I’m getting the tunnel squared away so once the Orion shows up there will be minimal delay getting the 40 back on the road.
For those who have twin sticks, is there any changes that need to be made to the tunnel hole they go through, bigger/smaller?
Anyways, Georg said it wouldn’t be a great idea to rebuild the case using the same gear set because of the fact something went through them. So... I spent the coins and ordered a new Orion. I also ordered the twin stick kit. Go big or go home, right?!? Should be around 3 weeks. In the mean time, I’m getting the tunnel squared away so once the Orion shows up there will be minimal delay getting the 40 back on the road.
For those who have twin sticks, is there any changes that need to be made to the tunnel hole they go through, bigger/smaller?
orangefj45
Supporting Vendor
Thanks for sending the case to us. Here are a couple of pics of the “damage” I found on the gears.
Georg @ Valley Hybrids
Georg @ Valley Hybrids
- Thread starter
- #399
Been awhile so I figured I’d post an update. Should finally see the delivery of the Orion today. Took well over a month, which I wasn’t expecting. Of course I leave for a work trip tomorrow. Depending on when it shows up today I may even try to get it installed this evening.
