Saving Billy Bob - 78 FJ 40 build (1 Viewer)

[Monty231]

First off I'd like to introduce myself, since I've been in the 80 section most of the time until now. I've always wanted a 40 ever since I was in high school and one of the construction workers working there had a smurf blue 40 that caught my eye. It was mostly stock and one of the coolest trucks I had ever seen. Fast forward to today and I convinced my wife to let me buy one and build it. So, I believe I bought the ugliest most beat down 40 I could find.

I picked her up a the end of March and trailered her home. Thanks to DSLTOY helping me with the prebuy inspection I somewhat knew what I was getting into. I have spent the last month doing a complete tear down.

My goal with this build is to have a capable trail rig that is safe and comfortable enough to drive around town with an occasional short road trip.

The Good
It's a 40
I have driven it
SOA
Saginaw

The Bad
No track bar so rear pinion is shot
Saginaw conversion butchered the front x-member
Has a 305 installed


The Ugly
Rust


I encourage thoughtful comments and words of wisdom. Which I know you guys can supply.

In case you're wondering why the heck I named my 40 'Billy Bob', well at one time it was owned by a guy named Billy Bob and many of the mods she carries are 'Billy Bobbed'. But, don't worry I plan on making things right.

Kevin

 

[ARCTICMUTT]

Was that the one on cl for 695? Nice starting point.

 

[Monty231]

Was that the one on cl for 695? Nice starting point.

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

 

[RolandFJ40]

Cool frankencruiser!

 

[subzali]

Looks like fun!

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD at 85mph in an FJ40

 

[White Stripe]

I think 78 is the best year personally. Floor looks rough, how is the rest of the tub? Might be easiest to go with a new aluminum tub if its real bad if u got the cash. Looks fairly complete. 305 will get ya down the road at least.

 

[Ambrew]

Killer fog lights. you gotta keep those.

 

[platypusREX]

Well your mirror and bezel are upside down. You have a cool lunar suspension and you truck looks like BOB from the movie "The Black Hole".

 

[cruiserjunkie]

Kevin looks like a good deal to me if you have a welder

 

[Monty231]

Well your mirror and bezel are upside down. You have a cool lunar suspension and you truck looks like BOB from the movie "The Black Hole".

I was waiting on the bezel comment. I've never seen 'The Black Hole', but my neighbors kid told me it looks like Mater.

 

[adistler1]

Man, that IS ugly. Congrats!

 

[secretsquirrel]

It s got just enought right. Hell I ve seen ones for 3x the price that havent move in years.

 

[pavieSD]

500 for a moving and running FJ40 is a steal of a deal. Congrats and good luck!

 

[Monty231]

Killer fog lights. you gotta keep those.

Sorry to bust your bubble. Those were gone pretty quick.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

I think it's funny how many people's FJ40 stories start with "I saw a Smurf-Blue one and knew I had to have one." Or maybe it's just me, and you...

I thought I had the worst "sagisawed" frame crossmember, but yours wins!

Good luck with the build!

 

[centerlineseal]

I like the matched set of tires: ... might pull to the side a bit, but that power steerin' takes care of that, huh?

BTW, here's a pic of my "Billy Bob"! Won't say how he got that nickname.

 

[Chamba]

I like the matched set of tires: ... might pull to the side a bit,

Poor man's Cruise lean fix. Look how level that baby sits!

 

[Monty231]

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.

 

[Vae Victus]

Dang, that is ugly. Lets see the motor. Subscribed.

VV

 

[Monty231]

Dang, that is ugly. Lets see the motor. Subscribed.

VV

Here she is acorns and all.