Saving Billy Bob - 78 FJ 40 build

[lelandEOD]

Subscribed!

Also, I'm from Cookeville originally and went to high school with a Boz, Billy Bob and Joe-Boo.

 

[Vae Victus]

Here she is acorns and all.

Looks easier to work on with the body removed.

 

[Diskord]

OK, so in my first post I stated I wanted a capable rig the would exhibit good highway manners. So, here are my plans for the build:

I am going to keep it SOA. This will require a cut and turn up front, PO never did this. I'll be sticking with the H42 and swaping in 3-speed gears to the t-case (eventually I'll go with an Orion, but I scored a 3-speed t-case in the sale). Also, I'm going to keep the 4.11's and run 35's. I currently have the 305 that came with the sale, however I'd like to upgrade to either a Vortec 350 or maybe a 6.2 diesel.

So, with the SOA in it's current state from the PO there was no tracbar and the rear pinion wobbles horribly. It will definitely need new bearings and gears. However, in order to rein in costs I would like to run an Aussie locker in the rear and an ARB up front. My question is can I move the front third to the rear and use an Aussie in it and rebuild the rear with an ARB for the front? From my research I believe this will work. Are there any issues ya'll can think of?

Also, I have no idea what spring I have. I think they maybe 40 springs with some add-a-leaves. There are seven leaves front and rear, some are tapered some aren't. I want to loose some of the height from the pics up top. What do I have going on? Also, I'd like to flip the rear springs for increased wheelbase, if these are OE springs with add-a-leaves.

Gratz on the ugly cruiser contender

Sure you can swap the 3rd members as you suggest.

The leaves look like stock ones to me. Stock should have 7 leaves in the front and 6 in the rear (not sure if that is the case across all years though). The stock springs should have a stamp from the manufacturer (Mitsubishi) on them somewhere. Can't recall at the moment exactly where I found it on mine, whether it was on the wrap, or one of the leaves itself.

EDIT: to reduce the height some more, remove the body lift (2"?) that appears to be present.

When I first purchased mine, it was SOA (also no cut and turn) with add-a-leafs, AND 2 1/2" extended shackles. The add-a-leaf that was installed, differed (substantially thicker) from the rest of the leaves

 

[Vae Victus]

No it was listed with two others that were way far gone. He wanted $2500 for all three. I got this one for $500.

Was this the guy in Hendersonville with a frame off that was partially complete with 2 parts rigs?

 

[Monty231]

Was this the guy in Hendersonville with a frame off that was partially complete with 2 parts rigs?

No, I picked it up out of Manchester. He had two 60's era 'parts' trucks, if you could call them that. Seized motors and missing transmissions with most of the body rotted away.

 

[Vae Victus]

No, I picked it up out of Manchester. He had two 60's era 'parts' trucks, if you could call them that. Seized motors and missing transmissions with most of the body rotted away.

Hmm, I'll have to check back with that guy to see if they are up there. Maybe some parts we can both use.