Puddlejumper gets a new ride

[iaintscared1969]

Well after a few phone calls and a couple e-mails Puddlejumper decided to bring his truck all the way from San Antonio for me to do a few things to it. He would like to have a 350 mated to a 350 tranny backed with the toy box and overdrive setup. We are also taking care of a spring over and body work with paint. This should be interesting since I have been refined to the 60-series forum with Vortec conversions. Hope I am not treading to hard into the 40's forum but I just had to do a 40. It has been a few years and I couldn't resist an old school 350 combo. Hope you guys will follow the thread with as much interest as the 60 guys. Puddlejumper will add his commentary as to what he expects to see from this conversion and how he came to this decision. So here comes the pic's!!

 

[iaintscared1969]

The engine bay

Here is how I got her

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

Sounds like a fun build. Looks like a great base to build from. Take lots 'o pics and keep us updated.

Have fun!
TK

 

[JasonH]

Very cool. I know you'll do a hell of a job on it.

... 350 mated to a 350 tranny backed with the toy box and overdrive setup.

Wow, that sounds long. Seems like you'll have to move the rear axle back pretty far, especially with the spring over.

 

[iaintscared1969]

Yeah the plan is to move it rearwards about 4" and the front repair the shackle reversal and relocate the hangers as far forward as possible. This will be fun and thanks for the warm invite!

 

[camcruiser13]

looks like a fun project

 

[Scottsire]

Doin the Combo

I have been working the 350 on 350 for a while now. I would say it's got to be the best if your looking for overall shortness. The TH350 is several inches shorter than 400/700 and with the right adapter to the stock tcase (I got the one inch), you end up with a short but reasonable driveshaft length. Oh and I do have SOA. I am interested to know which overdrive you are talking about. That would cause definate clearance issues if you choose to push the drivetrain that much further, and you could end up with a 1 ft.(+/-) rear driveshaft and horrible pinion angle. But hey, it's my first swap so what do I know? Ha!

 

[iaintscared1969]

Overdrive unit is part of the transfer and won't add to my length. Also a question for all.Who does the front axle turn out of Austin? This is a pic of the transfer that came out of her. I am still a bit behind on the whole project since another shop did the tear down so I am piecing everything together as I go. Also I am looking at putting in a lower first gear on the tranny to help with the crawl ratio. We shall see what the tranny has in it when I tear it down. I appreciate all the input though. It helps me get the gears going in my head Oh, first phase is the paint and body, This will include trimming the rear wells and probably the front fenders and adding a tubing skirt around them but I still need to run that one by Puddlejumper. Then the SOA, and the final phase is getting rid of the spagehtti harness and doing the install of the engine combo.

 

[paulwolf350]

That is the real early transfer, wouldnt you be better off with a later one, maybe out of a 60 series


Paul

 

[missipboy]

how bout some info on that overdrive.

 

[iaintscared1969]

He has entertained the thought of going a newer t case possibly a aftermarket hadn't discussed a 60 series in those lines, but for now he wants to stay with this case of which I need to rebuild. But by the looks of the case and the shifter assembly the overdrive is a part of the transfer. I could be wrong but I will know when I tear it apart. Anyone I.D this transfer and get me a good place toi get a rebuild?

 

[paulwolf350]

if thats a 3 speed box, its pre 74 over here. The 4 speeds come out with the split transfer, same as a 60. You guys are a little different over there but

I know that it isnt your truck but personally I wouldnt waste my time with it, they are not that strong, the overdrive is noisy as hell, you shouldnt need it with the auto anyway, the money you spend on rebuild parts can be put to a 208

my 2c
Paul

 

[iaintscared1969]

Good info Paul, The overdrive I found out today is a Fairey 6810 used on H41 and H42 transfers. I am still looking into the rebuild parts but if it gets to be to much we may look into a newer t case. But again still in the plan and attack phase. I am still waiting for the Ruffstuff kit to get here so I can do the spring over. I plan on sending it up to cruiseroutfitters to have it turned. Unless someone is closer to me. But project pic's from the body work will be coming up pretty quick.

 

[FJFOOL]

Looking forward to this build, thanks for posting.

 

[iaintscared1969]

The front grille support has been fixed and I will get some more pic's of the body work up tomorrow since I am going over to get it ready for paint. Still waiting on the SOA kit but I am ready for it and the axle will be run down to Austin for the cut and turn. It is moving a little slow but I will get her going once I have the Gwest 60 truck on it's way!! Stay tuned.

 

[iaintscared1969]

Body shop updates

Well Joe at Sunset is rocking away on the body portion. Here are the pic's of where it is at. We will be cutting down the front fenders to allow for more clearance of some big meat tires. Also the core support has been completly redone since the lower section was completely rusted out.

 

[iaintscared1969]

More body work shots

Here's some more of the body prep.

 

[iaintscared1969]

The core support repair.

Hope you guy's enjoy this thread I am trying to get everything I can on it.

 

[iaintscared1969]

More repair work on the core

The final product and still cheaper than finding a replacement.

 

[mmw68]

Looking good - I might just let Joe give me a bid on painting my fj40. Let me know if you need some help delivering the stuff to Dallas/Austin, I might be making some trips up your way in the next few weeks.