- Thread starter
- #281
Also the “bread trick” for removing the pilot bearing is way better than grease. Five minutes and nearly zero clean up
Builds "Scout" the 1977 FJ40 (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter 77CruiserDog
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #282
Also, this particular picture doesn’t do it justice but many of the rivets in the clutch disk were less than half a millimeter away from touching.
- Thread starter
- #283
I just dropped off the flywheel at the same machine shop I used for my head rebuild in 2019. They're going to machine the surface and balance it. I should have it back Weds of next week.
I also stopped in at the powder coater and apparently they've already blasted the frame and are getting ready to powder coat!
I also stopped in at the powder coater and apparently they've already blasted the frame and are getting ready to powder coat!
- Thread starter
- #284
I cleaned and rewrapped the rear harness since it was so disgusting. I also incorporated the rear speaker wires and one 12V wire for the rear dome light in the harness. This eliminates about 6 feet of split loom from under the body that the “restoration” place put in.
It will look much more factory now.
Before
It will look much more factory now.
Before
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #285
After
- Thread starter
- #286
One thing I'd also like to address in the near future is the ride quality. I currently have OME springs and Bilstein 5100 shocks. My research here on Mud has taught me that the OME springs are short and create very near vertical shackle angles which cause a very rough ride. Hell 4 Stout and Skyjacker are two brands of springs that are highly recommended and both are longer which address the shackle angle. Does anyone here have experience with either of these brands of springs on your fj40?
EWheeler
GOLD Star
For sure springs play a role, if it is over sprung you just won't get any compression out of the springs and you'll drive OVER everything instead of the spring compressing and the shock controlling compression & rebound. I think shackle angle can certainly help as well just based on the physics of how far the body would move for a given extension of the spring with say a 90 degree starting angle versus a 45 degree starting angle. Shocks are USUALLY a bigger factor to ride quality than springs though. Once I get to the point where I want to spend money on making my 40 more comfortable, I'll be looking into the 2.0 Fox adjustable valving shocks and probably calling Alcan spring to build a set of custom spring packs for front & rear.
Check these out here from @BarnFab BJ46 build:
If you don't believe leaf springs can be "comfortable" over big bumps at high speeds for long periods of time, check out this thread about @RustyNailJustin leaf sprung toyota truck that he desert races.
KOH 2019 EMC race winner ....... RUSTYNAILJUSTIN!!!
Yes you heard that right!!! @RustyNailJustin just won EMC at KOH!!!!! CONGRATS BRO!!!!!! Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Cruiser Brothers
forum.ih8mud.com
One other consideration is that short wheel based rigs just flat out ride rougher than a longer wheelbase rig that won't translate as much movement to the chassis for the same amount of suspension movement.
thecrazygreek
A.K.A. TheCraftyGreek
I have installed all three of these springs.
Call me crazy, but to me, the SkyJackers win...
Keep in mind I’m talking on-road...
@77CruiserDog I've spent the last few days reading through your build thread. It's been fun, inspiring, and helpful. I have a '77 FJ40 (Not in quite as good of shape as yours but still pretty nice.) and you have really inspired me to get it into better condition for travel. It's very dependable but not comfortable. We live way over in eastern Oregon and my wife and I usually take a trip to Bend every May. I now have a goal to make my Cruiser comfortable enough she'll agree to take it next year. If you can take yours from Seattle I should be able to take mine from Ontario.
Oh and your story about you and your dad going to get it, that sounds very much like my dad and I. We've gone on numerous vehicle acquisition trips together.
Oh and your story about you and your dad going to get it, that sounds very much like my dad and I. We've gone on numerous vehicle acquisition trips together.
- Thread starter
- #290
Great to hear!! I'm going to get this all back together, drive it for a couple of weeks and then consider ordering some new springs. Can you take a measurement for me please? (assuming you are running the 4" Skyjacker springs now) Front - center of hub to lip of fender. Rear - center of hub to bottom lip of your hard top. I'm curious if they would give me any additional lift. I'm pretty pleased with it's stance now....
- Thread starter
- #291
That's really awesome to hear. Thanks! I'm so happy you enjoyed the stories and write ups. This community of Cruiser owners is wonderful! As I'm waiting for parts, I'm reading other people's builds and getting great ideas and information.
I also worked on comfort. I've found that increasing warmth, reducing drafts and squeaks/rattles and keeping the smell of exhaust out have been huge in the "adding comfort" department.
Once this thing is back together from my most recent refresh project, we plan on driving the heck out of it. Adventures, tacos and beer! I hope to see you in Bend sometime! Crux Fermentation Project awaits!
Enjoy the ride!
Adam
Mines more of a day tripper and never sees the rain if I can avoid it, so I took the top off.
Not too worried about drafts or warmth. But going after rattles I removed ALL the doors... (the back was the worst). Use only the bestop half doors now.
That and correcting tank venting has made it overall much more comfortable and enjoyable.
- Thread starter
- #293
Also, while this thing is in pieces I’m replacing all of the yellow zinc plated bolts From 2 years ago with stainless from Overland Metric.
I wish I would have just used stainless from the start. The zinc plated ones don’t look nearly as nice after just a few years.
I wish I would have just used stainless from the start. The zinc plated ones don’t look nearly as nice after just a few years.
- Thread starter
- #294
I opened the box of stainless steel brake lines I ordered fro Cruiser Corp in 2019 only to find the incorrect ones. However after a couple of emails they were very kind to allow me send them back. Correct ones ordered.
They won’t work but they sure do look nice!
They won’t work but they sure do look nice!
@77CruiserDog I can tell, like me, you enjoy tacos. 
Next time you're in Bend try the Asevedo Tacos at Sintra on Bond St. They are some of my favorite anywhere.
Next time you're in Bend try the Asevedo Tacos at Sintra on Bond St. They are some of my favorite anywhere.
- Thread starter
- #296
@77CruiserDog I can tell, like me, you enjoy tacos.
Tacos are the perfect food.
Awesome, I love recommendations like this! My guess is you've also been to El Sanchos? Thus far, they are my favorites in Bend. Two locations but the one at Crux is the best because you get to drink some tasty beers in the grass and enjoy the view of the mountains while you fill up on the best food ever.Here is a view from the roof.
- Thread starter
- #297
Fuel hard line clean up
Before
After
Sometimes it’s just the little things.
Before
After
Sometimes it’s just the little things.
- Thread starter
- #298
Also picked up the drivelines from Drivelines NW with all new U joints and a fresh balancing.
The paint job they gave them needed some work.
Again, the little things.
The paint job they gave them needed some work.
Again, the little things.
- Thread starter
- #299
Progress!
I picked up the frame and all of the miscellaneous parts from the blaster/coater this morning. The frame and parts don’t just look good, they look brand new!
Before
After
I picked up the frame and all of the miscellaneous parts from the blaster/coater this morning. The frame and parts don’t just look good, they look brand new!
Before
After
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #300
I was able to get both axles installed and start on the brake line installation.
