What have you done to your Land Cruiser this week? (43 Viewers)

[S4Cruiser]

I don't see any sort of slip joint in your steering setup to allow for body movement when the frame flexes. I've read in some cases that the lack of slip can lead to damage to the steering box and/or steering linkages. Is there something I'm not seeing?

It looks like your U-Joints do clear, but for reference, Flaming River makes steering U-Joints that are way more compact if needed.

How much space is there between the steering shaft and your headers? It almost looks like they may interfere with each other during operation.


Now that I've rained on your parade... Your rig looks like it's coming along well. I hope mine will look half as good someday. Keep up the good work, every cruiser deserves a little TLC

Meh - I wouldn't sweat it...run it. Just be aware that with the lack of a collapsible shaft, the steering will become a javelin toward your body in a head on collision. Full disclosure...mine has no collapsible shaft either.

 

[steffan]

thanks for the comments - sincerely appreciated. back when i started this project, i tried to do as much research as possible and at the time, this was the recommended set up (definitely more elegant solutions now - u-joints, etc). i don't remember seeing anyone with a slip joint but now that you mention it, it makes perfect sense. hopefully, with the steering shaft running almost parallel with the frame and the flex in the firewall, it should be ok. there is about an inch clearance between the header tube and the steering shaft. again, not sure how much movement will be there between the motor mounts and the frame - time will tell... I'm sure there will be plenty of other things i'll have to re-engineer as well once I start driving it . as far as safety goes... thats a tough one. i even go back and forth on weather i even want to put the roll cage in because i don't like the looks of them. i am fully aware of the dangers of a non-collapsable steering column but again, running right along the frame and engine like it does, i can't see that it would be able to push forward a great deal and it does have the turn at the fire wall so it should bend over.... thats what I'm telling myself anyway overall, I'm just happy it actually clears everything and works as well as it does.

 

[dogfishlake]

Used the built in bottle opener! Happy 4th everyone. Our forefathers were some righteous dudes. We're lucky!

 

[steffan]

Got the roof sides on: the mounting hole were so hogged out I was afraid the bolts would slip through so I modded some fender washers to cover the mess. There's probably a more elegant way... I considered welding up the holes and redrilling but wasn't convinced I could get the holes centered. I have time to think about it as it obviously has to come off again

 

[skidplate]

Simple solution to an otherwise tedious and frustrating battle with the welder. At least in my opinion.

 

[bikersmurf]

thanks for the comments - sincerely appreciated. back when i started this project, i tried to do as much research as possible and at the time, this was the recommended set up (definitely more elegant solutions now - u-joints, etc). i don't remember seeing anyone with a slip joint but now that you mention it, it makes perfect sense. hopefully, with the steering shaft running almost parallel with the frame and the flex in the firewall, it should be ok. there is about an inch clearance between the header tube and the steering shaft. again, not sure how much movement will be there between the motor mounts and the frame - time will tell... I'm sure there will be plenty of other things i'll have to re-engineer as well once I start driving it . as far as safety goes... thats a tough one. i even go back and forth on weather i even want to put the roll cage in because i don't like the looks of them. i am fully aware of the dangers of a non-collapsable steering column but again, running right along the frame and engine like it does, i can't see that it would be able to push forward a great deal and it does have the turn at the fire wall so it should bend over.... thats what I'm telling myself anyway overall, I'm just happy it actually clears everything and works as well as it does.

!" seems like plenty of clearance... my OEM steering is about an inch from the exhaust manifold and I've never had any trouble even when it has been twisted up on the rocks.

I've seen a 40 went through a car, and the column was still in place so I'd not loose any sleep over it.

If your mostly on the street, the body twist won't likely be an issue.

 

[firestopper]

Installed a new Alpine unit and Polk speakers I got for my b-day/fathers day. Bluetooth,USB, Aux jack in front and XM ready.
Pandora here I come! I used my Apple smart phone to custom tune the sound for the 40. The speakers boxes are held in place to the rear roll bar via hose clamp using 1/2 cut sections of pipe (saddles). The illumination can be custom set (too many choices) and sounds great.

 

[bellaire35]

Preparing front disc conversion on my 77 BJ40 using 83 FJ60 axle. Cleaned all parts and sandblasting. Paint tomorrow and off with the drums.

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Made progress today. Not as clean and professional as some of the others I have seen on here but happy with the way it's turning out. Glad to see the drum brakes go!

Added the HFS 4" lift and will post pics and thoughts of that as well at a later date.

 

[steffan]

Holiday week, making some progress: last piece of the Saginaw conversion

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I've been "enlarging" the inside of 44 of late... I realized that I have more than ample headroom and was, in fact, wasting a lot of very valuable real estate.

My ceiling is painted, not headlined... So, I pried loose two LED puck lights, to make room To glue a 32"x24" Molle panel to the ceiling, then glued the two puck lights back in their new place.

It's amazing what one can learn from watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire... J.R. Introduced the "Charmed Tent" and showed me how to take the small footprint of 44 and build out a huge cockpit area.

I moved a number of the larger things from the bottom of the overhead console (above the dash) to the ceiling... Now Mark (@65swb45), 6'3", will be able to see out of the windshield... Of course, he will probably need to bow his head to ride in 44... But, I think I'll make that a requirement anyway.

I also took a second 32"x24" Molle panel and cut it in half and attached it to the front of my rear "attic"... Cleaned up the look nicely and made it much easier to attach whatever comes to mind.

Now, Dianna will soon be finished painting the inside of the house, cabinets and all... So, I think maybe it's about time I stop dicking around with 44 and get the garage cleaned up.

 

[steffan]

pngunme, too funny, i was scrolling down through your post and initially, was convinced that you had the image upside down!

 

[David70FJ40]

pngunme, too funny, i was scrolling down through your post and initially, was convinced that you had the image upside down!

Took me a while to see how the image was positioned. I had no clue at first sight!

 

[reddingcruiser]

Well, I knew it was too good to be true. Everything was running perfectly, then the radiator sprang a leak. One new aluminum radiator later and it's all great again. I love how smooth the 5.3L engine runs and gas mileage has to be almost twice what the 5.7 was putting out. Engine temps run right at 180* driving around town with daytime temps between 100* and 108*.

Other than that, I got all of the aftermarket gauges in somewhat permanent locations, had a new marine stereo and speakers installed (it's the first sound system in this 40), put the skid plates and track bar back on and made one last check of all the fluids before we start loading up for the Rubithon.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

pngunme, too funny, i was scrolling down through your post and initially, was convinced that you had the image upside down!

Took me a while to see how the image was positioned. I had no clue at first sight!

Yeah, it's really difficult to get a decent picture inside... I guess I need a miniaturized drone, to fly in and take pics.

 

[skidplate]

I've been "enlarging" the inside of 44 of late... I realized that I have more than ample headroom and was, in fact, wasting a lot of very valuable real estate.

My ceiling is painted, not headlined... So, I pried loose two LED puck lights, to make room To glue a 32"x24" Molle panel to the ceiling, then glued the two puck lights back in their new place.

It's amazing what one can learn from watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire... J.R. Introduced the "Charmed Tent" and showed me how to take the small footprint of 44 and build out a huge cockpit area.

I moved a number of the larger things from the bottom of the overhead console (above the dash) to the ceiling... Now Mark (@65swb45), 6'3", will be able to see out of the windshield... Of course, he will probably need to bow his head to ride in 44... But, I think I'll make that a requirement anyway.

I also took a second 32"x24" Molle panel and cut it in half and attached it to the front of my rear "attic"... Cleaned up the look nicely and made it much easier to attach whatever comes to mind.

View attachment 1491181

Now, Dianna will soon be finished painting the inside of the house, cabinets and all... So, I think maybe it's about time I stop dicking around with 44 and get the garage cleaned up.

Do you still have the con-fer rack on your rig? Seems you could move a lot of your stuff into bins and strap them to the rack. I can pretty much get a couple week's worth of gear up top and leave the inside to fire arms, ice chest food etc.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Do you still have the con-fer rack on your rig? Seems you could move a lot of your stuff into bins and strap them to the rack. I can pretty much get a couple week's worth of gear up top and leave the inside to fire arms, ice chest food etc.

Yep, still on top. That's how I initially travelled... Until my back got so bad that I couldn't lift or climb up there.

Now that I've undergone "the cure", I can again use the rack... And do so for longer trips.

But, I have packing 44 down to a science and am able to fit everything I need, for a week or less, inside... And still sleep in there with Chester, when we want to. Except for a small tote, with gear oil and other fluids that I don't like to smell inside. I carry this tote on an old winch cradle on one of my hitch receivers.

I've pared down some stuff... Less clothes, I seldom wear much... Well, to be clear, I seldom wear many changes of clothes. I carry emergency rations... So, I now carry only the normal stuff that I will use... If I break down and have to hike out, I have the emergency rations.

The stuff on my Molle panels is stuff to which I like to have quick access, or stuff which is small and easy for a 68 year old to misplace... First aid kit (the larger red bag), glasses for Chester and I (smaller red bag), toiletries (black bag), on-road CCW (green bag... Very easy access), Beats headphones, binos, knives, K-Bar folding flatware, etc.

But, more than you want to know, I'm sure.

 

[skidplate]

I hear you. I've had 2 total knee replacements, so gravity dictates some of my loading procedures as well.

 

[tls3601]

Refurbed the carrier hinges and had brass bushings pressed in -tight now. Fresh paint as well for the '76

 

[imyahucklbrry]

I've been "enlarging" the inside of 44 of late... I realized that I have more than ample headroom and was, in fact, wasting a lot of very valuable real estate.

My ceiling is painted, not headlined... So, I pried loose two LED puck lights, to make room To glue a 32"x24" Molle panel to the ceiling, then glued the two puck lights back in their new place.

It's amazing what one can learn from watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire... J.R. Introduced the "Charmed Tent" and showed me how to take the small footprint of 44 and build out a huge cockpit area.

I moved a number of the larger things from the bottom of the overhead console (above the dash) to the ceiling... Now Mark (@65swb45), 6'3", will be able to see out of the windshield... Of course, he will probably need to bow his head to ride in 44... But, I think I'll make that a requirement anyway.

I also took a second 32"x24" Molle panel and cut it in half and attached it to the front of my rear "attic"... Cleaned up the look nicely and made it much easier to attach whatever comes to mind.

View attachment 1491181

Now, Dianna will soon be finished painting the inside of the house, cabinets and all... So, I think maybe it's about time I stop dicking around with 44 and get the garage cleaned up.

An absolute classic example of 'organized chaos'....... you're kinda like the Macgyver of methodical order

 

[Solace in Solitude]

An absolute classic example of 'organized chaos'....... you're kinda like the Macgyver of methodical order

Ah, shucks... It's like I said, at my age, I have to keep small stuff in its place... Or, I'll never find it again.