The Chevota gets a makeover

[Tapage]

I love to see those HSteer arms ..

 

[TemboTusk]

so here is my shifter problem. I might need to do with out heater. hopefully I can modify the shifter so it fits nice and snug.

Hey Tony,

You are cranking on the work, Good Job! I ran into the same issue with the stick shift. I currently have to hold the stick to use first gear. The rubber boot pushes the stick out of gear.

I have not done this yet, but, I think it will work. I'm going to cut my stick as low as possible and weld a rod vertically to the rear and re-weld the stick to the rod. This should push the stick back to its original position and relieve the pressure from the rubber boot. This might be this weekend’s job. I’ll let you know if it works. I would hate to loose the heater, hopefully it works.

What are you going to do about your trans mount not lining up with the brackets?

Talk to you later,

 

[meatloaf]

Auto is out and the SM465 is getting ready to go in!!

Do you have any pictures of the tranny crossmember?

 

[88chevota]

I have not started on the tranny crossmember. I am pretty much posting pics of all my progress, so I will definitely post them when I get to that point.


Hey jerry can you post some pics of what you are going to do for your shifter? I planned on cutting about an inch or so off and welding it back together and hopefully that would do the trick! maybe I can just move the heater somewhere else?

 

[TemboTusk]

Tony,

My trans sits almost exactly where yours is. I would not move the heater; I don’t think you need too. I dropped the trans a little bit so the shift tower was just below the hump rim. This allowed the shifter boot to bolt into the original location without modifications to the sheet metal, well; I did trim the sheet metal a little bit. But, I did not need too.

As mentioned above, since the trans sits so far forward and the boot is still in it’s original location, the boot top pulls on the stick while in first gear. Surprisingly, third gear is not affected. I tried heating and bending the stick, but that did not work. The bend was not tight enough. I’m hoping cutting the stick and adding a horizontal section will move the stick to its original location within the boot.

I’ll take pictures of the work and also show you what I did with the cross member. The trans only moved forward about an inch and half. I used an 8 x10 inch by quarter inch plate to move the cross member forward and some thick walled, half inch tube as spacers to lower the trans where I wanted it.

 

[meatloaf]

I have not started on the tranny crossmember. I am pretty much posting pics of all my progress, so I will definitely post them when I get to that point.


I was referring to the 700r4 x-memeber since that is what I am swapping in mine.

Thanks.

ML

 

[zombiekiller]

if you have a metal welding table, weld a bending point to the table, tack weld the shift to the table, the proceed to heat the shift in the spot you want to bend it with the torch and bend it slowly. if you have patience and take your time, it should work out just great.

 

[88chevota]

I have not started on the tranny crossmember. I am pretty much posting pics of all my progress, so I will definitely post them when I get to that point.


I was referring to the 700r4 x-member since that is what I am swapping in mine.

Thanks.

ML

Ohhh, sorry. well since I had kept the toyota t-case and used an advance adapters unit I used a tranny mount bushing setup from a 84 FJ60 that bolts up to the advance adapters unit, redrilled the holes in the stock FJ62 crossmember, and lined it up with the factory mouting. Bingo no driveline mods! Hope that helps.

I also put in shorty headers, so I did a 1.5 inch body lift to clear everything with no worries. I am not sure if that will make a difference with how you plan to set things up. I guess it all depends on how you route your exhaust.

 

[TemboTusk]

[
I’ll take pictures of the work and also show you what I did with the cross member. The trans only moved forward about an inch and half. I used an 8 x10 inch by quarter inch plate to move the cross member forward and some thick walled, half inch tube as spacers to lower the trans where I wanted it.[/quote]


Attached are pictures of my cross member mod. Once I do the stick shift mod, I post some pictures of that also. The middle picture is to show how I compensated for the clocking of the transmission.

 

[88chevota]

jerry, looks good. looks like you have a new lift on it too! post some pics of the 350 in it's new home!

I got some work done today. here is what I did with my shifter. I don't have a torch so I cut and welded then wrinkle coated it to hide all the blemishes!!!

It is actually setting in 1st gear. I think it will work!!!

 

[CruisinFJ60]

Dude it is looking great!

keep up with the pictures.

 

[88chevota]

Thanks,

I am trying hard to get this thing done, it is (was) my daily driver and will be again, hopefully in the next few weeks.

I had some minor set backs, but I made some progress. I set the shackle hangers a little to far back for the front so It was either get longer springs or put some more hangers in. I opted to put new hangers in, and keep the other one in for the future when I can $$$ up for some custom springs

so here is the progress thus far.

finished off the rear

drilled holes in the firewall and installed the clutch master and mounted up the clutch pedal. I will make a bracket later to support the pedal a little better.

so here are the new shackle hanger positions. Much better angles!!!

front axle mounted up!!! yippeeeeeeeeeeee

ooooooohhhhhhh. shock hoops are cooooool!!!!

I can't wait until I get this thing done. This is quite the project! I keep telling myself What was I thinkin'?

These three people will be happy when it is done too.

 

[Tapage]

Nice .. only one question, did you wel your shock tower to the fender ( upper ? ) or I need new glasses !

 

[88chevota]

I know it looks pretty close, actually I just pounded on the inner fender with a hammer until I had about an inch of room between the two. I really didn't want to cut up the inner fender.

Anyone have any recommendations on shocks. I was thinking about bilsteins 5100. will they be too stiff?

 

[88chevota]

I am hoping to work on the hybrid axle this weekend. I will try to take some good pics. for my drivelines I am keeping the landcruiser stuff. I can get a custom flange made for the rear output of the NP205, because it is a 32 spline, but the front is a 10 spline so I will be swapping in a front output shaft from a dodge or ford NP205 which also has a 32 spline so I can have another flange made for the front driveshaft.

 

[88chevota]

starting on the mini/cruiser hybrid

Well, There is definitely no turning back now! I made my first cut on the rear axle and took the measurements. I am going to the Junk yard tomorrow to find me some mini axle parts. I am hoping a 86 or earlier will be the perfect fit because the width on wheel mounting surfaces is the same.

here are some pics!

the inside diameter came to 2.725"

got the flange today for the rear output of the NP205. This thing is stout!

Wish me luck tomorrow! you just never know what you'll find at a pick and pull yard!

 

[Tapage]

My respect dude .. I thought I never can do that .. cut my housing .. ! damn ( I let other do )

 

[88chevota]

the hybrid is in the making!!!

So here is the best step by step so far. I will try to keep it up with detailed pics and descriptions for anyone who might want to try it. I have never done this before so if anyone can give some pointers that would help!

Cut up the mini housing and ground down the seam welds so it fits nice and snug. I will weld some other seams so it will fit snug all the way around.

Bolted up the axle shaft to the housing and placed it in the cruiser housing. I placed the side gear in to make sure I get the right placing for the axle shaft. I am guessing the end of the axle should be maybe 1/16" or 1/8" beyond the side gear according to how far the old LC axle went passed the side gear. Anyone know for sure? I would error on the lessor of the two so that way I can get all the spider gears and retaining shaft back in.

Took a measurement from the end of the mini housing minus about 2.5" I cut the other side long so it will be mostly one smooth piece, minus the 2.5" to leave room for welding. I will use the left over from the one side, cut it to size and slide it over the short side to make it look like one smooth piece as well. Hopefully it will end up looking pretty close to a factory type axle. It will also add strength since most if it will be double walled.

We also got the other shock hoop done!!!

That's it for now. Not sure how much more I'll get to this weekend.

 

[88chevota]

The hybrid housing is done!

Got the welding and grinding of the housing all done yesterday!

I will post pictures up as soon as I get the USB cable for my buddies camera! The charger for my camera broke.

I still need to cut and turn the front knuckles, make a new crossmember for the tranny, do some minor rerouting of the exhaust, finish of the clutch stuff, and then put it all back together

My head is spinning. This is a ton of work!

Thanks to Trevor and Cliff yesterday for coming over and helping with the hybrid. It is amazing how much more work you can get done with a couple extra hands!

 

[kling-on]

COOL build up man I like it alot