Builds Stretched 1-Ton FJ40 (5 Viewers)

[Mike Shull]

This pic looks like one of those clown house Mirror pics when you have a big head and little body

I’ll fix it…

 

[Ditcherman]

I got a little further with the right slider. I’m glad that I went with the 1-1/4” dimple die like @Ditcherman did on his truck. It looks beefy.

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Looking very nice!

 

[Mike Shull]

I am putting the final pieces on the cage before I prep it for paint. I have the next week off and my plan is to have the cage in for the final time by the end of the week.

 

[Mike Shull]

For those who like very specific details about the build process: speaker boxes.

I will build the backs later as I will need to get the cage in first.

 

[clrussell]

Looking great. If I ever do a cage I want to do similar

 

[Mike Shull]

Looking great. If I ever do a cage I want to do similar

I love this cage. It should be a standard design. DJ Summit Cages.

 

[Mike Shull]

Finally!

 

[Ditcherman]

Finally!

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Looking great!

Do I assume correctly that the a and b pillar attach to the frame through the floor? I think I remember seeing that.

Did you develop a way to attach the rear pillar to the frame? The Aqualu tub is a bit different in that regard, and I’m trying to figure out triangulation, which is obvious to use that rear pillar, but without that going to the frame seems to me to not offer the strength it maybe should. That’s a solid chunk of aluminum, but it’s still just a 1/4 or 3/16 inch thick piece of aluminum.

 

[Mike Shull]

Looking great!

Do I assume correctly that the a and b pillar attach to the frame through the floor? I think I remember seeing that.

Did you develop a way to attach the rear pillar to the frame? The Aqualu tub is a bit different in that regard, and I’m trying to figure out triangulation, which is obvious to use that rear pillar, but without that going to the frame seems to me to not offer the strength it maybe should. That’s a solid chunk of aluminum, but it’s still just a 1/4 or 3/16 inch thick piece of aluminum.

I’m building my a and b pillar braces today. I will tie those in to the rock sliders. I am not tying in the c pillar as I am out of room in the rear. Technically I did tie the right c pillar in to the tire carrier with a 1/2” spring latch. Ha. I doubt that will do much.

 

[Ditcherman]

I’m building my an and b pillar braces today. I will tie those in to the rock sliders. I am not tying in the c pillar as I am out of room in the rear. Technically I did tie the right c pillar in to the tire carrier with a 1/2” spring latch. Ha. I doubt that will do much.

I decided to purposely not tie my roll cage to the sliders, but separately to the frame. That way if the sliders took a hit and moved it wouldn’t affect the body.
But, my slider mounts are fairly long (lots of potential leverage) and I had the space to the frame.

 

[Mike Shull]

I decided to purposely not tie my roll cage to the sliders, but separately to the frame. That way if the sliders took a hit and moved it wouldn’t affect the body.
But, my slider mounts are fairly long (lots of potential leverage) and I had the space to the frame.

I’m not too concerned about my sliders moving. I built them with the same mounts as before and the previous sliders stayed in place for the past 25 years.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Looking great, mike!

 

[Mike Shull]

The cage is in! You might be wondering why the cruiser looks like it’s on life support…

I found out today that my welder and measuring tape are faulty. I goofed and made the speaker boxes too large. Oops.

 

[clrussell]

Have you tried the ac yet? Wondering about the vintage air setup

 

[Mike Shull]

Have you tried the ac yet? Wondering about the vintage air setup

I don’t have the a/c charged yet because I need to build custom lines to get around my suspension brackets. I may not have that part done this year but the heater cranks.

 

[clrussell]

I don’t have the a/c charged yet because I need to build custom lines to get around my suspension brackets. I may not have that part done this year but the heater cranks.

I looked back and see you have the factory LS compressor inside the frame. That’s a big win. I’m glad it fits. Im tempted to remove my heater now during my 5.3 swap and go to a vintage air later this year.

 

[Mike Shull]

I looked back and see you have the factory LS compressor inside the frame. That’s a big win. I’m glad it fits. Im tempted to remove my heater now during my 5.3 swap and go to a vintage air later this year.

I did fit the factory LS compressor but I will most likely have to lift the engine to replace it. There isn’t much room between the frame and the compressor.

I love this heater. I went with the high output blower and the factory heater is no comparison. The Vintage Air puts out way more volume. I laugh when my rear heater kicks on.

 

[Mike Shull]

Back on track. It is as good as I can get it as it’s hard to get the grinder in place. I didn’t want to take the cage off as I had to use the Nextdoor app to find enough help to get it on. Most of my neighbors are out of town. It will work.

@Broski can give it a smiley face now. I still need 91 days to finish…this set me back a day.

 

[clrussell]

I did fit the factory LS compressor but I will most likely have to lift the engine to replace it. There isn’t much room between the frame and the compressor.

I love this heater. I went with the high output blower and the factory heater is no comparison. The Vintage Air puts out way more volume. I laugh when my rear heater kicks on.

Thanks for the info.

I guess I should put a new compressor in when I have the engine back out to finish welding everything haha.

Carry on

 

[Mike Shull]

Thanks for the info.

I guess I should put a new compressor in when I have the engine back out to finish welding everything haha.

Carry on

I highly recommend it!