Builds Stretched 1-Ton FJ40 (25 Viewers)

[bluehawk]

Mike, your rig is coming together nicely. Can't wait to see it all finished up and out on some trails. I'm still debating on what to do with mine. Thinking of going with a different frame and using my axles and drivetrain setup. Keep up the amazing work.

 

[chappysfj40]

my two cents on making a four link out of a leaf sprung frame is it takes a s*** ton of commitment to get it done and working good and not being crazy tall. and all that because the factory frames dont have the high arches front and back to allow the suspension to cycle way up.

nothing wrong with doing it this way just have lots of little details to sort out along the way.

yep keep up the good work for sure.

 

[Mike Shull]

Mike, your rig is coming together nicely. Can't wait to see it all finished up and out on some trails. I'm still debating on what to do with mine. Thinking of going with a different frame and using my axles and drivetrain setup. Keep up the amazing work.

Thanks, Ryan. I’m excited to hear that you are considering a few paths forward. I can’t wait to see what you decide to do. Your Cruiser is such a cool platform! It MUST live on!

my two cents on making a four link out of a leaf sprung frame is it takes a s*** ton of commitment to get it done and working good and not being crazy tall. and all that because the factory frames dont have the high arches front and back to allow the suspension to cycle way up.

nothing wrong with doing it this way just have lots of little details to sort out along the way.

yep keep up the good work for sure.

YES!!! If I had known how much extra work it was going to take to stuff 14” of travel under a stock frame I would have acquired more tequila up front, and it’s hard to believe that I was originally going for 16”.

The front was my limitation and if I had to do it over I would replace the entire front section of the frame with a notch. The rear seems to work though I might still add in a few additional supports to my notch once I figure out where everything else is going to fit.

Either way I’m glad that part is done for now.

 

[Firemedic831]

No way links will work in a 40 Only rough country leafs work

 

[chappysfj40]

ohh links work. they even work better after you do one 4 link and learn. once that is over then game on.....

 

[Firemedic831]

That multi color franken40 is my buddies It’s on 1 tons and has a LS on 40s. . It has the absolute worst geometry one can think of. But that old thing flat works off road

 

[chappysfj40]

after watching a few buddies do their links i feel like there is no two that are the same. we all look at the same problem and come at it from different angles and come up with our own solution. and that is what is awesome. little things like moving the engine back 2 inches or over to the drivers side more to clear front drive shaft. link placement and length can all be different. just awesome i tell ya...

 

[Mike Shull]

Back to the garage of curiosity today. Yes, this looks perfect!…

Wait a second, what does the other side look like fully extended?….nope!

They will have to go behind the shock tower.

 

[Mike Shull]

…just making sure that the tire would clear. Few! There is at least a sixteenth of an inch to spare. Ha. I’ll drop the bump stop a 1/2” or so.

 

[Mike Shull]

I think that should work. I’m going to work on the upper braces to tie the can into the frame next.

 

[Mike Shull]

One side is done.

 

[cruzinfj1]

Any word on when youre tank is gonna be ready? I cant wait to see this thing outside!!!

 

[Firemedic831]

You have a little over a year to get it finished for next years Rubithon . The clock is ticking

 

[Mike Shull]

Any word on when youre tank is gonna be ready? I cant wait to see this thing outside!!!

I am expecting the tank to be ready in 1-2 weeks. The radiator will hopefully arrive shortly after. Once those are installed I can run it for longer periods so that I can iron out the engine issues but it will be a bit before I can back it out of the garage. I need drive shafts, brake lines and a 5 gallon bucket strapped to the floor in order to drive it.

You have a little over a year to get it finished for next years Rubithon . The clock is ticking

I don’t have a tow rig so I’m aiming for Rubithon 2026. I might take it to Cruise Moab next year. I’ll for sure take it all over Colorado.

 

[Mike Shull]

I’m knocking out a few punch list items while I wait for the fuel to. Final body and shock reservoir mounts are in. Just needs sand and paint.

 

[Mike Shull]

• Lines are plumbed to the master cylinders
• All body mounts are installed
• Sway bars are bent and tightened
• Rear shock reservoirs are mounted
• Hood wet sanded and that weird spot on the left side went through to the primer right as the bumps came out

Oh well. I’ll repaint that when I do the top and doors.

 

[Mike Shull]

The rear shocks are hung. I’ll do the lower shock tabs next weekend.

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We are ready for the test fit.

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Some after work progress.

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One less box cluttering up the back! I got up at 4am this morning to finish what I started over the weekend. The ac/heater is in! I worked on the wiring for a few hours before it was time to go to work and I was able to reroute 2 large trunks and consolidate two more into the factory harness. Good thing I made room by removing the emissions wiring a few weeks ago.

Over the weekend I also got the parking brakes tightened, the transmission tunnel sealed and fastened down, and I bent the Atlas shifters to clear the hvac vents. Apparently the factory door bushings work well for the front high/low shifter. Who knows where the actual bushings went.

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@Ditcherman , here are a few links that you might be interested in that show my rear coilover mounts. You have probably already read through these. I was still able to fit a jump seat in front of the boxes that Aqualu added. The leg room will be tight. Another 4-6” would have been ideal. I like Jeff’s setup a little better for inside of the cab room and packaging though I won’t make the final call until I get this thing out on the trail.

 

[Mike Shull]

I’m back at it this weekend. Any idea what I am doing?

 

[matzell]

I’m back at it this weekend. Any idea what I am doing?

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making a bulk head for the brake lines to attach to? Or fuel lines? I see a fitting to the right.

 

[Mike Shull]

making a bulk head for the brake lines to attach to? Or fuel lines? I see a fitting to the right.

You are correct. Bulkhead/heat shield for the front two brake lines and clutch line. I finally have a working clutch! Well, it moves anyway.

I also made a mount for the locker air compressor, and I am mocking up an air cleaner box next.