VMJ73 Resto-Not (2 Viewers)

AlbertoSD · May 4, 2015

Yes, same principle of the elocked axles but cable actuated. The same side and all. The shift fork and collar ride on the same side as the rear 80 series elocked. I would assume the same mods that apply to the rear elocker can be transferred/applied to the 9.5" cable locker.

The long splined shaft is the right side on the rear axle (shorter one) and left one on the front axle (longer one) as you will have both 9.5" cable locked thirds on this 73 .

Now, a question for the experts, would machining down the splines would make the axle shaft weaker?....I have no clue, hence the question.

Hope this helps, Chris!

Alberto

Delancy · May 4, 2015

AlbertoSD said:
I would assume the same mods that apply to the rear elocker can be transferred/applied to the 9.5" cable locker.

Assumed the same, but have been known to err on issues that I knew, for fact. Ha.

AlbertoSD said:
Would machining down the splines would make the axle shaft weaker?....I have no clue, hence the question.

The debate abounded on the 80 board, as usual,

but feel the theory sound, as a means of extraction, without any negative effect on axle strength, since the spline are extruded from the axle shaft, so removal of doesn't lessen the shaft diameter.

I've two that were new, (larger than OE 80s) splines removed in the same manner, then cryo'd, that I'd intended for the 73 axles (one spare....just in case.)

AlbertoSD said:
Hope this helps, Chris!

It does!!

As always, many thanks!

Hope to have most pulled, cleaned, and packed for the axles to be built in the next few weeks, along with the drivetrain pulled and sitting at local shop to start prepping frame and body.

Delancy · May 25, 2015

Time of death 12:08.....

Hadn't had out in sometime, but decided a good day to degrease in preparation for surgery.

Ran good....well, as good as 4 of 5 cylinders can, so pushed my luck and headed cross town to pick up a few parts at a local shop of known Cruiser affiliation.

Luck ran out, so going home, after the tow and crawling back into bed.

cruisermatt · May 25, 2015

Did you pick up some of the trash along side of the road to patch the engine up? Seems like commonly known technique.

I just realized I'm subscribed to all of your build threads and can never quite remember which is which.

cruisermatt · May 25, 2015

With all the parts you aren't using on each truck we can build something good, I'm thinking:

80 series body
VMJ engine
FJ55 chassis (not sure if you have a spare of this)
FJ40 transmission/t-case

What could go wrong?

cruiserdan · May 25, 2015

At last it was still wheels-down.....

Delancy · May 25, 2015

cruisermatt said:
Did you pick up some of the trash along side of the road to patch the engine up?

I don't think anything will ever get the engine running again, but it was her swan song run as a VM'd 73, anyway. Apart from the tow bill and the wasted time, I'm not too disappointed, knowing full well her days were numbered.

Surgical arrangements have been made for her transplant from a slightly different donor than previously mentioned in thread.

Don't want to jinx it, so keeping a lid on the variant, but it'll remain Cruiser powered.

Delancy · May 25, 2015

cruiserdan said:
At last it was still wheels-down.....

This time.....

I don't like killing Cruisers, but feel no guilt about this one.

Delancy · May 25, 2015

cruisermatt said:
With all the parts you aren't using on each truck we can build something good, I'm thinking:

cruisermatt said:
With
80 series body

That I don't have.

I do have a titled, rolling 80 chassis with recently refreshed drivetrain, uber built E locked axles, perfect for someone else's Aqualu swap I'd entertain offers on, because I'm projected out for the next decade.

cruisermatt said:
With
VMJ engine

It's worthy of performing no more than boat anchor duties, at this point.

When smoke pours out of every orifice of an engine, including the head gaskets (yes, that's plural for 5) then it's a heavy hunk of metal and valued at scrap pricing.

cruisermatt said:
With
FJ55 chassis (not sure if you have a spare of this)

Yes. It's titled and its free, because it's destined for scrap, too.

Have a '72 that, someday, will be primered and ready to restore or resto-mod, that I'll prolly punt, top......or it'll wind up FZd.

cruisermatt said:
With
FJ40 transmission/t-case

It'll be free to a good home, too.

cruisermatt said:
What could go wrong?

My optimistic attitude vanished a few hours ago, when I said to myself:

"The worst that can happen is having to tow back."

OGBeno · May 25, 2015

Ah man... after the video you sent I thought "hey..... Maybe Chris will drive this thing a little"

Sorry to hear man.

Delancy · May 25, 2015

beno said:
I thought "hey..... Maybe Chris will drive this thing a little"

I did have opportunity to drive it to the car wash to rinse away the degreaser it'd been marinating in for several days. Then, pushed the envelope with, not only a crosstown journey, but a highway one to boot, with speeds topping 120km/h.

Only the occasional one finger wave from passing vehicles that escaped the dark, cloud-like envelope the VM produced, on this trip, which was disappointing. Most instances, it'd be road rage:30, but in a Cruiser, just beam back a chit eating grin, momentarily, before returning to the "gauges, rear view, windshield, gauges" progression.

I did gain new appreciation for the H55, though. So much smoother and fluid, with a (perceived) shorter shift throw and borderline sportiness about it. It'll be interesting comparing the VMs H55 "feel" to the Redheaded 2F, '78 2F, and the power plant chosen for transplant into this 73 carcass.

Does suck that I spent so much time over the course of a few days, getting it running, finally narrowing down the second fuel leak, post primer, because time is valuable and lack any extra.

Delancy · Jun 8, 2015

Post worthy:

The benevolent Sir Harris bestowed upon the project a Doug's Tub.

Thank you, sir. You're both a gentleman and a scholar.

Not much more to add, at this time, except the arrival of these new fangled spark plugs that are supposedly good for an additional 6MPGs.