Techster’s 1973 FJ55 buildup...

[PhilC64]

Thanks again for the spring plates Todd! They fit perfectly!

Considering you're doing 2 rigs to my 1, you've come an amazingly long way!

Nevermind what what Mr. Exo says. His wife wheels a better rig than he does! :flipoff:

 

[BAMF_CT2004]

exo's are over rated and you have already been to the badlands without glass so you should be good to go

 

[Gumby]

Looks like the 3 link flexes OK. Everything looks like it will clear everything else as the axle moves.

The front clip is just sitting there. It still needs to be bolted down. I didn't know if I was going to take it back off for anything.

 

[Gumby]

Bolted the front clip on today. Built the second upper spring bucket for the front. Even worked a bit on the rear inner panels.

Pics a comin'

 

[Gumby]

She's sittin on the front coils.

A little low though. They compressed an inch more than I had figured so I have to cut them loose and reset them.

 

[4rnr]

Bolted the front clip on today. Built the second upper spring bucket for the front. Even worked a bit on the rear inner panels.

Pics a comin'

She's sittin on the front coils.

A little low though. They compressed an inch more than I had figured so I have to cut them loose and reset them.

Pics or you are a liar.

 

[Gumby]

Pics or you are a liar.

I am a fabricator. there's a difference.

 

[Gumby]

Sitting on the springs at ride height.

 

[LC_Hamma]

Mine sits a little low in the front too. I have to use longer coils in the rear so I'll be readjusting my front coil mounting retainers. Got any closeup pics of the suspension brackets & what coils are you running?

 

[Gumby]

I'll get some bracket pics posted up soon.



I'm using TJ 4.0L stock length coils. Lots of choices if I want to lift it at all. I'm hoping they'll have a small enough diameter to clear the tires at full stuff without widening the front any more.

 

[Gumby]

Bought some new to me shocks so I had to cut off part of the shock hoop I bought to put my Bilstien 5150s on the front.

Other than that no progress today. I worked on the 45LV for a bit after work.

unpainted and uncleaned up 3 way bracket.

 

[Gus]

That is one sweet pig, nice work.

 

[Gumby]

Finally a bit more progress. 4rnr and BAMF_CT2004 came over to give a hand with the cage while I was working on putting the front axle innards in. They laid it out with masking tape first, then started bending tube.
The bases on the sliders and bumpers were to make the cage removable, but I don't think it's gonna work. They were very helpful in getting things lined up, getting the bends right and marking the notches.

Lots of standing around looking at it and brainstorming. We completely re-did the front after we had cleaned up for the day.

I'm thinking pretty seriously about mounting the winch under the passenger's knees.

I have to say the D pillar tubes are pretty sexy.

 

[Gumby]

John wants me to paint the cage body colors.

Anybody seen that done before?

 

[BAMF_CT2004]

4rnr did the bending. I was just learning and an extra hand.

 

[4rnr]

Thats going to be a sexy cage, its coming along well.

That winch has to go under the pass knees! It just makes too much sense!

 

[Gumby]

It's gonna. Has to.

That means we can cut the bumper off at the grill and start designing it from there.

over 90* approach angle. I like it.

 

[BAMF_CT2004]

You still have to you that fairlead

 

[lowtideride]

Looks killer. Just from what I have experienced with removable exo's is that once you wack it pretty hard stuff doesn't want to line back up. Some of the removable cages end up being permanent from being a little bent. Just a thought, could save you some work...

 

[4rnr]

yeah it wont be removeable. We may stop at the a-pillars/cowl bar and remove it for finish welding. The put it back on and build the nose.

I think the cage would look killer pained to match the body. Plus it will be functional. This cage will be TIGHT!!! and its going to scuff the paint on the body a bit. If the cage is the same color you can paint the entire area, with out worrying about masking.

Todd, what time tomorrow?