Builds The LF40 Wheeler Build - Twin Turbo & 8 Speed Auto FJ40 (6 Viewers)

[DangerNoodle]

Well, things got done today.

I managed to get both unroadworthy cruisers plated and titled (thanks Colorado), and got the frame cleaned up and boxed.

Here's how the frame started today.

I used the Ruff Stuff frame boxing kit. I really like it and it made boxing the frame really easy.

I primed up the inside of the inserts.

I used an engine hoist to lift the frame up and give me a level surface to work on.

 

[DangerNoodle]

I cut out the old cross memeber and started fitting the plate.

I then burned everything in very slowly, trying to keep as much primer as possible. I did everything in 3" intervals.

I then burned in the brace plate.

And paint.

I then flipped the frame and started on the other side.

 

[DangerNoodle]

I got that burned in on 3" intervals.

I then cut off all of the brackets that I don't need.

This is how the frame ended today.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Also, for those of you who like to listen to music when you are working and need ear pro, I just got the Isotunes Free earbuds. They are OSHA approved, 22 DB reduction wireless earbuds. I've been using them for the past two days and they work really well. They sound pretty good and the battery life is also really good. I've run them 6+ hours no problem, but I have been charging them at lunch just to be safe.

My only problem with them so far is that I keep droping them in metal shavings.....

Anyways, would totally recommend.

 

[DangerNoodle]

I went through the engine yesterday and looked at it. The good news is that the short block was rebuilt.

I had to get the frame out of the garage first.
A backhoe makes it easy.

I then got the heads off. These 882's weren't cleaned up very well, and I'm glad they are getting replaced.

The pistons are reused, but it looks like new rings and the cylinders were honed.

I then pulled the other head and flipped the block over to look at the rod journals.

The crank looks like it was resurfaced and greased, so that it a good sign.

The journal looks new too.

There was some water in the block which kind of sucks. It must have gotten into the intake on the ride back from Georgia, but all the cylinders, rods, and pistons seem rust free.

 

[DangerNoodle]

The cam looks brand new. Kinda hard to tell from the picture though.

The new heads arrived. They are the vortec 062's.

Amazon was helpful and delivered the same order of 3 gaskets in 2 separate boxes.

Anyways, the link kit is here along with the soa stuff, so once I get the transmission and transfer case back, I can start on the suspension stuff over spring break.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Well, my school is online for the rest of the year, which is good for the 40 and probably not so good for my edumacation.

Anyways, spring break has started and I've gotten a lot of stuff done.

The first thing I did was pull off the rear bumper of the 77 frame. There was a lot of rust behind it.

And a new bumper is being made. 4x1 3/16 wall square tubing.

I also had a couple of friends come over and help pull the tub of the 78 and put it on the 77 frame.

Look at this gas tank. The PO used wood to help hold it down. Some people have sh^t standards for work quality.

 

[DangerNoodle]

I then started bracing the tub with some tube I had lying around.

I'd really hate to twist or tweak this thing.

I then decided to start cutting out the "under seat storage boxes" that the PO put in. I really want to strangle him now. He cut out the old gas tank space and the floor on the driver side to put these sh^tty little boxes in with welds that look like they were done by a 3 year old.

We then started putting the tub on the frame.

And the tub is on.

 

[DangerNoodle]

This morning, I got the tub jacked up an started looking at the rear axle placement. I would really like to have the engine and trsnsmission in, but marlin crawler delivered the wrong transfer case rebuild kit, so I'm still waiting on that.

I need to trim the tub slightly to fit the meats in.

I also put the soa kit on the leaf springs to see how it looks.

I think marlin sent me a 3 speed rebuild kit labled as a 4 speed kit.

The case looks to be one that was manufactured around 75-79, and it is a 4 speed with 16 splines, so I don't think I ordered the wrong kit. Who knows though.

 

[cruisermatt]

everyone learns the hard way to avoid buying maintenance parts, or really anything you need soon from Marlin... Cruiser Outfitters is the way.
Coronavirus has you out of school for the whole rest of the year?! or just semester? We're out for the rest of spring down here.

I would get the drivetrain in and simulate as much weight as you think you're going to have on there before you set your shackle angle. And i would still only tack the shackle hangers until you're ready to drive it. it's really easy to underestimate and end up with too flat of an angle.

 

[DangerNoodle]

everyone learns the hard way to avoid buying maintenance parts, or really anything you need soon from Marlin... Cruiser Outfitters is the way.
Coronavirus has you out of school for the whole rest of the year?! or just semester? We're out for the rest of spring down here.

I would get the drivetrain in and simulate as much weight as you think you're going to have on there before you set your shackle angle. And i would still only tack the shackle hangers until you're ready to drive it. it's really easy to underestimate and end up with too flat of an angle.

The plan is to tack everything in until it is all ready and driveable. I have online classes until summer.

I honestly kind of forgot about cruiser outfitters. I may need to give Kurt a call about this transfer case.

 

[White Stripe]

Some people will raise the rear inner fender wells to the top rail of the tub, then raise the fender cut out which gives you another 6" or so of tire clearance. That combined with a Campbell Enterprises hood/fenders allows keeping a 40 really low.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The plan is to tack everything in until it is all ready and driveable. I have online classes until summer.

I honestly kind of forgot about cruiser outfitters. I may need to give Kurt a call about this transfer case.

We stock more Tcase and tranny rebuild kit and gearing options than anyone in the US, don’t forget about us!

 

[DangerNoodle]

We stock more Tcase and tranny rebuild kit and gearing options than anyone in the US, don’t forget about us!

Hey, If you have a 78 rebuild kit, I need one asap.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Some people will raise the rear inner fender wells to the top rail of the tub, then raise the fender cut out which gives you another 6" or so of tire clearance. That combined with a Campbell Enterprises hood/fenders allows keeping a 40 really low.

How tall did you end up being with your rear SOA? I'm shooting for ~24" to the bottom of the flat part of the frame.

 

[White Stripe]

How tall did you end up being with your rear SOA? I'm shooting for ~24" to the bottom of the flat part of the frame.

Mine is somewhere between 21 and 22". But that is with my 35s. Those 37s would add about .75" more height.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Hey, If you have a 78 rebuild kit, I need one asap.

Dozens on the shelf. Part# TC7580

 

[DangerNoodle]

Dozens on the shelf. Part# TC7580

View attachment 2242318

Could you possibly help me identify the case? Marlin said that it may be a South American cruiser.

Help! I can't identify this transfer case. (Solved. Sorta)

Edit: This is a Toyota Factory Replacment case with a larger 34mm idler shaft. I am trying to rebuild this t-case, but the rebuild kit I ordered doesn't fit, and I cannot find any markings to truly identify this case. Some people are saying it could possibly be a South American model. It is...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[DangerNoodle]

Somethin is grillin!

Oh, wait. It's my heads.

I did a high temp (1200°F) paint on them and am trying to cure them like the instructions say.

I spent a ton of time trying to figure out what transfer case I have, and then spent a good part of the day trying to source bearings and seals for it. I have all but the main idler shaft bearings now, and @Drake2 might be able to dig some up.

Anyways, a little update.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Well, uh, I'm not dead.... yet.

I have been waiting on stuff, and have had to do a lot of catching since my school has gone online for the rest of the year.

Anyways, here we go.

I got 2 more lights up in the garage, so now I can see around the bay a lot more.

I then started poking around the tub to see how much rust there really was. It is suprisingly good, and a lot of the original undercoat is still there. On the other hand, I really want to beat the PO's head in with a brick for some of the "patch jobs" he did on the tub.

This patch had rust underneath and was held in with bondo.

The bones are stong in this tub.

I also started looking at the trim I want to do. I'm planning on using the origional well to keep the stock look, and just moving a bit of it.