Build Salted Pork fj55 family wagon build

[Roastchestnuts]

I would be OK running cheaper tires on a rig that doesn’t really go too far or too fast or carry too much. Seems perfect for a Sammy.

To be fair I did confirm from my friend that I bought it from that the wheels and tires it came with have been on the samurai since summer of 2013. and they seem to have only a little wear. maybe 25% of wear. its just so light I dont think it puts a lot of stress on the tires. The rims are shot and I just want to replace it all to keep it safe!

 

[onemanarmy]

31x10.5 would be the best! aired down to 15 psi and it'll ride like a dream on the sand

 

[Roastchestnuts]

31x10.5 would be the best! aired down to 15 psi and it'll ride like a dream on the sand

yeah thats true. its what is already under it right now. I wish there was a 31x9 or 9.50. It does do well on the sand but like I mentioned its a little geared out with the stock transfer case gears. Most people it seems they just regear the tcase instead of the axles. its a divorced t-case and thats pretty cool. Its tiny too so its pretty easy to remove. I am planning on buying the gears and swaping them out myself. Samurai Transfer Case: Suzuki Samurai Gear Kits - https://rocky-road.com/shop/samurai-transfer-case-gears/?srsltid=AfmBOopowbJPwNHJK14t74Sk6YYRcnoDTsEyqIvH_7-FZOt2qlWwqZzV I think either 4.90:1 or 4.16:1 ratios. leaning to 4.16:1

 

[onemanarmy]

do you run lowrange on the sand?

a 31x9 would not affect gearing compared to a 31x10.5 (I'm sure you know this)

lots of choices on tirerack for beefy 30x9.5x15

 

[Roastchestnuts]

do you run lowrange on the sand?

a 31x9 would not affect gearing compared to a 31x10.5 (I'm sure you know this)

lots of choices on tirerack for beefy 30x9.5x15

Yeah I have seen quite a few 30x9.50s that would be ok. I also found some wheels that will tuck in a little more and not rub for less of a 1990s jeep look. I just like the idea of having a little bit more gearing too though. I do run 2nd and low in the sand usually on the samurai. It is a little too much in 2nd and 4h for it with the 31s. I know in the summer when the sand gets deep it will struggle in 4h. It works you can just tell its not happy.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

an update: I am tired of looking at rust. if the weather clears up some this weekend I am going to start my cutting and welding on the fj55. Its time to start. we can build it, we can make it stronger! Honestly with @bobm s rocker panels it should be better than stock. those things are thick! @bobm what thickness are they? any tips for welding them up to everything?

This also means I gotta start thinking about paint colors. I am not sure I want to keep it this color. its a cool color but its a respray for sure. I am 99% sure its factory but I am worried I will not be able to find it. I could have it mixed but who knows how that will go. I really like the colors Muleta red and the rustic green if I repaint it. any other suggestions for fun?

 

[bobm]

.090 crs. Look in my thread! Crossbracing is the most important.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Starting to chew on the idea of a sniper conversion.....

So the family wagon left me stranded almost on the beach yesterday. IDK what the dealio is 100% but I need to re tune the carb. I think I have it tuned too lean and it was hard to start in the morning. Seemed to bog a little and the lower rpm range was not as smooth as it should be. This seemed to me to indicate a lean mixture. as soon as you start to lay into it and get the rpms up and the power valves are going it smooths out.

On the beach I tried to adjust the screws out 1/4th turn just to ritchen the mixture a hair. I turned the car off to do this then I think I flooded it trying to get it started again. did the crank crank crank crank crank several times but not even a sputter. confirmed spark on the points. (will double check everything ignition this evening) but I am so used to pushing the pedal a few times before cranking i think I shot too much gas in there. I ended up calling my dad to help tow me back to the house. I let the car sit while he drove out and of course I got it started when I said lets try one more time. Another factor is it is colder than it has been. in the lower 60s instead of 70s.

I feel like I can get this sorted just a little annoyed as I thought I had it dialed in. Upside Is I got some awesome photos while I was waiting on my pops.


also I did do a compression test just out of curiosity the other day. mainly I was trying to figure out this weird valve rhythmic noise /sputter that I was having. Not as good as I was hoping but not terrible. all in the 125 range after I re adjusted the valves on #1 it was at 75psi then came up to 125 after the adjustment. The noise/sputter is better now but not all the way gone so i think I can adjust a little more and get it there. its not burning oil so . I cant remember the psi range but I remember 114 being the low end of spec on the 2f.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Just wanted to share my samurai progress because I am stoked to have a windshield on the sammy finally. Gave me the drive to pick this project back up. I am actually working on redoing and welding the doors. will get a new targa bar soon too. It looks soo good compared to what I started with.

Just to show how bad some of the rust was- the only non rusty panels were the rockers, hood, and the tail gate. even the upper and lower grill supports were shot. those plastic fender flairs hid most of the bad rust. the windshield was completley trash and was held together by hopes and dreams. I ended up replacing that whole part. Good thing this was a 1500$ purchase haha.

 

[onemanarmy]

Yes it does!!

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I have been trying to get most of my samurai project done before I come back to the fj55. I have been splitting daily driving duty between the two vehicles. My samurai just needs a targa bar and a few other parts that connect to the soft top before I can take a break from it and start welding the fj55 rockers back in. then I will switch all DD dutys to the samurai while the fj55 is under the knife.

no real mechanical stuff has been done lately. I did figure out the rear window is slow because the talegate is not closing fully. I might try and fix it this weekend. but here are some pictures of it in use!

 

[middlecalf]

The pig pic with driftwood needs to be a candidate for the cruiser calendar.

 

[Skreddy]

If you’re thinking of gearing the Sammy t-case, may I propose an alternative?
Good.

When I was a younger fella, I had a Sammy and a really rusty 84 Toyota pickup. Swapped in the pickup axles with 4.88’s and 33’s, then built a bit of a hotrod out of the 20R and 22R parts I had and swapped in that with the Toyota 5 speed and t-case. I mean, while you’re in there….

Anyhow, looking good! I love my Kenda Klevars on my 60 (since I’m giving unsolicited thoughts).

 

[Roastchestnuts]

If you’re thinking of gearing the Sammy t-case, may I propose an alternative?
Good.

When I was a younger fella, I had a Sammy and a really rusty 84 Toyota pickup. Swapped in the pickup axles with 4.88’s and 33’s, then built a bit of a hotrod out of the 20R and 22R parts I had and swapped in that with the Toyota 5 speed and t-case. I mean, while you’re in there….

Anyhow, looking good! I love my Kenda Klevars on my 60 (since I’m giving unsolicited thoughts).

Ill tell you want I really want to do to the sammy to really hot rod it! https://camdensuperchargers.com/store/suzuki-4-supercharger-kit-cm-8500161- It would be cool to go from 40mph to 55 quicker than 40 seconds.(or more if I am being honest) Those 31s are a strain on that little 1.3L. But I am thinking just 500$ worth of TCase gears would go a long way.

The pig pic with driftwood needs to be a candidate for the cruiser calendar.

Id love to submit a photo or two for calendar. who do I submit it to?

 

[middlecalf]

Id love to submit a photo or two for calendar. who do I submit it to?

@mtn biker

 

[mtn biker]

Ill tell you want I really want to do to the sammy to really hot rod it! https://camdensuperchargers.com/store/suzuki-4-supercharger-kit-cm-8500161- It would be cool to go from 40mph to 55 quicker than 40 seconds.(or more if I am being honest) Those 31s are a strain on that little 1.3L. But I am thinking just 500$ worth of TCase gears would go a long way.


Id love to submit a photo or two for calendar. who do I submit it to?

Well I normally keep the guests for the podcast a secret until the episodes come out, but I will let the cat out of the bag on this one. In a couple of weeks when I have you on the podcast send me some of your favorite pictures that you have for the different social media sites. I have already had some interest in doing a calendar again for next year. I pick the pictures for the calendar out of the guests that I have had for that year. So that would actually be a really good candidate for the calendar

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Well I normally keep the guests for the podcast a secret until the episodes come out, but I will let the cat out of the bag on this one. In a couple of weeks when I have you on the podcast send me some of your favorite pictures that you have for the different social media sites. I have already had some interest in doing a calendar again for next year. I pick the pictures for the calendar out of the guests that I have had for that year. So that would actually be a really good candidate for the calendar

I am excited to get on this podcast!! Ill run through a few photos and pick some out. I would love to buy a calendar when it comes out.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I snagged this shot with my Rolleiflex the other day! the camera is actually older than the fj55. its from around 1963. If you have never experinced shooting a tlr for photography its really a blast!

 

[Roastchestnuts]

These are some of the last photos I have of the fj40 saltwagon before I traded it for salted pork! They were also in my photos with my rolleiflex that I got developed from the summer! figured I would share them too.

 

[onemanarmy]

pics are great! fantastic eye!