Build The LF40 Wheeler Build - Twin Turbo & 8 Speed Auto FJ40

[White Stripe]

I think I'm just going to go for this, because if I move the springs up with the spring flip, they ride a lot flatter which is a lot closer to the stock suspension.

If I have to change it, I guess I will.

U could also ask @RustyNailJustin
He has leaf springs on his race truck and seems to have them well dialed in and might have some advice for u.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Well, I sorta just hopped in and tried to match the stock setup as closley as I could while trying to lower this thing.

Anyways, when I jump on it it seems to squish nicely. I got the frame height down to 25", so about .5" taller than I wanted. I'll take it. I hope everything will squish a bit more once the full weight is on.

I finally got the needle bearings, orings, and gaskets today, so the shop rebuilding that transfer case should have them on Monday.

 

[DangerNoodle]

I haven't gotten much done in the past couple of days, but I did stick the front axle under the frame just to get it out of the way.

The current wheelbase where it is at is about 99"

@White Stripe what is your wheel base?

 

[White Stripe]

I haven't gotten much done in the past couple of days, but I did stick the front axle under the frame just to get it out of the way.

The current wheelbase where it is at is about 99"

@White Stripe what is your wheel base?

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I'm at about 96 I think. I only moved the front forward 2". If the front is stretched too much it is hard to make it look good with the front fenders. I personally felt 2" was a good look up front. If u want a lot of wheelbase you could always stretch it to a fj43 tub. I wish I had done that looking back. Extra interior space would be nice. If u have multiple tubs I would recommend it. U can get a fj43 factory soft top to match.

 

[DangerNoodle]

I'm at about 96 I think. I only moved the front forward 2". If the front is stretched too much it is hard to make it look good with the front fenders. I personally felt 2" was a good look up front. If u want a lot of wheelbase you could always stretch it to a fj43 tub. I wish I had done that looking back. Extra interior space would be nice. If u have multiple tubs I would recommend it. U can get a fj43 factory soft top to match.

I've thought about doing the 43 stretch. I think it would be cool, but I would really like to be able to run a hard top without too much work. The extra space would be really nice though.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Well, some good news.

The transmission shop got the NV4500 and T-Case finished, so I picked them up last night.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Another little update, I got the headers back from the friends that were doing a high temp ceramic coat on them. They look great.

I'm still waiting on the engine, but that may be a while with the whole coronavirus thing.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Well, I started getting more stuff done today.

I started with the NV4500. It was rusty and looked terrible.

I took a wire wheel to it and got rid of as much of the rust as possible. I really like to look of the cast case, but it didnt really match.

I then slopped some rust converter on there. I really like the stuff I use (cant remember the name) because it cures and turns into a primer, so you can paint right on top of it. I also got everything masked off for paint.

And paint.

 

[DangerNoodle]

I then tried to clean up the transfer case to get rid of the red Georgia mud.

I couldnt reach a lot of spots but it looks better than before.

I then started working on the frameside link brackets.

It then started to get snowy and windy, and now I'm inside.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Well, I lost more braincells today.

I got the second box cut out of the tub, and got it all ready to start cleaning up and patching.

Even with a respirator, both garage doors open, and a fan, the seam sealer still managed to try and kill me.

The tub is looking better though.

I also started a dumpster fire, which this project currently is. Maybe that should become the project name... let me know.

I forgot the trash can was under the tub, and oily rags and sparks dont mix. Whoda thunk.

Anyways, it was a really nice day today so it was nice to be out in the garage for once.

 

[White Stripe]

Have you thought about using a split case tcase?

 

[DangerNoodle]

Have you thought about using a split case tcase?

I would love to. Need to find one. Plus, I just spent all the money getting this one rebuilt. If I could do the 4:1 low that would be great.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Well, I spent the day un POing the tub and filling the rust holes.

I then cut out out the patch from 16 gauge sheet

 

[DangerNoodle]

Tacked in.

The cat supervised.

I then put the tranny hump back in to make sure everything lined up.

And the finished product for today.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Well, I backtracked and replaced more floor today.

 

[DangerNoodle]

I then started working on the missing pieces behind the driver's seat.

Anyways, that's what I did today.

 

[DangerNoodle]

I started on the passenger side hole today.

I trimmed a bunch of tinfoil out, and tried to get to better metal.

here is the patch tacked in.

Second part of the patch fitted up.

And all cleaned up.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Well, I ate some more bondo dust today.

Somebody didn't seem to understand the term 'shotgun' for vehicles.

I would love to know the story behind this one.

I also pulled about an inch of bondo off the quarterpanel.

I then started putting the stock bend back on. I really like the look of the stock wheel well, and I would like to make this look as stock as possible.

I then put the rest of the stiffening peice on.

After a bunch of beating on the panels, it looks pretty stock. I'm happy with it.

 

[DangerNoodle]

All welded up and ground.

I also decided to start cutting out the rear sill.

This one was pretty cancerous.

Because the crossmember was so rusted, i decided to fully remove it and will fab up a replacement.

 

[White Stripe]

Those rear sills were such a poor design from Toyota. They invite rust. Some people just modify a single piece of square tube. That's what aqualu does on their tubs too. Have u thought about using the bud built quarter panels?