Stevo's Unofficial Build Thread, FJ60 + FJ62 + FJ80 Axle = FJ68?

[StevoJonesFJ60]

When you jack the body up, go slow...

I plan on it.

I am pretty sure I got everything, but just in case I missed something I am going to have my friend run the forklift and he's going to ease it up as I look around for wires and other snags.

I'll probably have some other friends keeping an eye out for issues as I run around.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Body is pulled. Went slow and steady and realized I had missed a few wires, nothing major though,

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Some more pics:

Also I am going to take the time to thank my friends for their help with this. Definitely wasn't a 1-man job. unless you have a lift or overhead crane.

 

[Joe_E]

Just two straps eh? I thought about this way to go as well and now I can see i can pull it off.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Yeah the straps worked out great you just need to make sure you have something that's tall enough to pull it up over the engine. They were rated at 8000#s a piece.

I had to use two different forklifts.
The first one was too short. I tried to drop the axle to help, but it was still too short.

Joe_E: If you need any help pulling your body let me know, I have a pretty good list made up of things you need to pull, and extra hands always are nice.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

While the body is off, I am going to be finishing the body work that needs to be done and was thinking about chopping the rockers and incorporating some sliders into the body which I will attach to the frame later for support.

Is anyone tuned in running body mounted sliders?

 

[rusty turd]

You know I was asking myself that same thing why not gut the rockers and Fab some rock sliders tight to the body where the rockers used to be... and Mabe bring it out a few inches to give yourself something to step on to and to protect the doors n stuff

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Kevin Rowland and a bunch of 55 series guys are running rocker protection made out of 2x4 box steel. The problem with doing that, from what I've read, is that the metal in the body is not substantial enough to withstand repeated hits on the slider during hard offroad use. Give it a shot!

 

[rusty turd]

Kevin Rowland and a bunch of 55 series guys are running rocker protection made out of 2x4 box steel. The problem with doing that, from what I've read, is that the metal in the body is not substantial enough to withstand repeated hits on the slider during hard offroad use. Give it a shot!

I was thinking of Fab sliders from frame out... and yes there is no way that the metal in the body would withstand even 1 slam off a boulder however if u weld em to the frame... one would think that would work

 

[sporty]

I did it once and build 80x80 mm 4mm thick tubing, i cut away all of the doorsil and welded the tube to the supports of the body. i did build some 50mm (2") connectors trough the tube in the front and rear and you can put the car on stands on them.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I was wondering if the body would be able to withstand the abuse, however, I was planning on tying the sliders into the frame as well.

With the additional frame supports I think it should be pretty stout. Also I don't happen to have any 2x4 box in the shop.
There is about 200' of 2x2 so I figure if I weld two pieces together that should be even better than a length of 2x4.

Then maybe some tubework for steps.

 

[boots4]

So are you thinking of welding the sliders to the body and also welding the sliders to the frame? If you do decide to weld them to the body don't tie them into the frame. Your body is isolated on rubber mounts and I bet you'd get cracks on your body side welds for the sliders from the frame-body flex difference. It would be better to just weld/attach them to the frame and not the body.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

So are you thinking of welding the sliders to the body and also welding the sliders to the frame? If you do decide to weld them to the body don't tie them into the frame. Your body is isolated on rubber mounts and I bet you'd get cracks on your body side welds for the sliders from the frame-body flex difference. It would be better to just weld/attach them to the frame and not the body.

Thanks a lot for the input, that makes a lot of sense.
I had not taken that into account.
I will most likely end up chopping my rockers off to deal with the rust that is starting while its on stands and build some sliders when I get the body back on the frame.

 

[Heckraiser]

I agree with boots (just wrote boobs, freudian slip lol), you body is supposed to move around on the frame a little bit. Seems like permanently tying the body to the frame would result in more vibration, not to mention make it harder to do repairs/upgrades in the future. I say mount the sliders to the frame and leave it at that.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Yep, pretty much how its gonna go. Also I was thinking about putting some sound deadening on the truck, has anyone put it on the underside and coated it with bedliner? Would that work, or would it fall off?

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Underside of the body was powerwashed tonight, first coat of bedliner is going on tomorrow.

 

[rusty turd]

Yep, pretty much how its gonna go. Also I was thinking about putting some sound deadening on the truck, has anyone put it on the underside and coated it with bedliner? Would that work, or would it fall off?

I've seen a tread here some where about dyna mat adhesive some... one comment was said they had problems w the adhesive on his already bed liner interior something about the ruff surface made it a pain... I haven't seen any one use it on any exterior panels... one things for sure if u try it I'd try it in 1 or two areas and if it falls off no sweat... if I were u I'd do the bed liner on outside like u were thinking dyna mat under the interior seating area and carpet over it and just bed liner the interior cargo area... but that's my two cents

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I've seen a tread here some where about dyna mat adhesive some... one comment was said they had problems w the adhesive on his already bed liner interior something about the ruff surface made it a pain... I haven't seen any one use it on any exterior panels... one things for sure if u try it I'd try it in 1 or two areas and if it falls off no sweat... if I were u I'd do the bed liner on outside like u were thinking dyna mat under the interior seating area and carpet over it and just bed liner the interior cargo area... but that's my two cents

I would have to agree that is a better idea.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Well some updates, I didn't get a chance to coat the bottom of the body yesterday,
I had to get this guy removed.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

And that is...