Second Cruiser and I Have Some Silly Questions (1 Viewer)

[Tony_Farson]

Hey Folks! So I joined in 2009 or 2010 (it all blurs now) and had a 77 BJ40 back then that I had to part ways with when I returned to the US. Sadness... It introduced me to the world of the Land Cruiser and all the nuances that come with it... Birfield whaaat? Add to that the fact that it lived it's entire life in a third-world country and you can imagine the hacking and creative repairs that took it far from being stock.

So as of yesterday I am the proud owner of a 1968 FJ40...

It is in pretty good shape... way better than my BJ40! So here's the first of many oddities I have questions about...

There are no birfields on this, but Selectro hubs, which I understand were popular in the 70's and 80's and even a dealer add. But the guy informed me when I climbed in that I needed to pull the 4wd knob to engage 4x4 AND lock the hubs AND select the gear on the t-case. So if I have hubs, why do I need the knob? What does it do?

I am trying my hand at a blog to track my progress on restoring and modifying this truck, you can check it out if you'd like. I make no promises about the frequency of updates though!

Bighorn Cruiser Build

Thanks in advance for the patient replies for a refreshed newb!
-Tony

 

[middlecalf]

Hubs lock and unlock the wheels to the front axle, 4wd knob locks and unlocks the front drive shaft to the transfer case output, either by vacuum or mechanical. Gear selection on the tcase transfers between hi-range and lo-range.

Nice rig!

 

[Tony_Farson]

Hubs lock and unlock the wheels to the front axle, 4wd knob locks and unlocks the front drive shaft to the transfer case output, either by vacuum or mechanical. Gear selection on the tcase transfers between hi-range and lo-range.

Nice rig!

Thanks! I've never seen that sort of setup. All my other 4wd (Chevy, Ford, Jeep, and even the BJ40) vehicles had hubs (birfs or electronic) and a shifter! The thing drives like a tank and steering is super loose! But I can't complain b/c I got it for a steal! Especially considering I got a hard top, original doors, and it is a drop-down tailgate (which I have heard is rare?). $12K!

 

[3_puppies]

locking hubs are not birfields, the birfield is part of the axle that transmits power to the wheels.
locking hubs are what engage the axle to the wheel. locking hubs come in lots of different names, Asco, Aisin, Selectro, Warn, etc

for your steering being loose. have someone turn the wheel back and forth and look at all the components and see what has any extra movement. all joints and pivot places should rotate on their own axis. if there is any other movement it should either be tightened, replaced or rebuilt.