Brent's 1974 FJ40

[YotaJosh]

Here's the thread dedicated to Brent's (beaz (http://ttora.com/forum/member.php?u=23666) on the board) '74 FJ40 Land Cruiser.

He bought it in March from Wade, and had done quite a bit since then.

Here's the current specs:
1.5F engine (Transitional F), with a 32/36 Weber, header, and Crane ignition system.
4 speed transmission
Mini-truck disc brake conversion in the front, upgraded to IFS calipers and LC rotors.
Aussie Locker in the rear.
4" Hell Creek Springs, and MAF +2" shackles.
33x10.50 BFG MT's on 15x8 black steelies

http://lh4.ggpht.com/dotnofoolin/SK3JB7nrxEI/AAAAAAAAA5o/D-rt3cbIpaQ/s800/IMG_2619.JPG

[YotaJosh]

The first order of business was to get rid of the factory drum brakes, and replace all the steering parts so he wouldn't kill anyone.

We sourced a complete '83 truck front axle (thanks Glen!) to get all the donor parts off of. Brent spent the better part of a month tearing down and cleaning all the dirt, grease and rust off all the parts.

While we were doing the swap, he decided to upgrade to the IFS calipers and FJ60 rotors that most truck guys swap to. He also painted everything up. We had to grind down the calipers a bit to clear the wheels, but that was no big deal. New tie rod ends and adjusting the steering box made the steering nice and tight again.

It turned out nice. :kewl: It stops on a dime, and drives nice!

http://lh5.ggpht.com/dotnofoolin/SK3GlM3jpzI/AAAAAAAAA4o/Q2sjoaGUZGM/s800/IMG_2584.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/dotnofoolin/SK3Hf0kpCcI/AAAAAAAAA48/WarMrO-gD9U/s800/IMG_2586.JPG

We also had to put in a prop. valve for the rear drums. FROR came through with one of their kits that contain the ever so important metric-to-standard adapters.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/dotnofoolin/SK3Gl2czaUI/AAAAAAAAA4w/wZYXoS_I9_w/s800/IMG_2585.JPG

And here it is on it's maiden voyage to the gas station after the swap.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/dotnofoolin/SK3HgFhjohI/AAAAAAAAA5E/B3qEB4cwba0/s800/IMG_2587.JPG

[YotaJosh]

Then came some fun. Nothing like paying off your work with a wheeling trip!

The 2008 Razorback Ramble was it's first trip. Brent handled the cruiser like he's been wheeling half his life. I took him down every 3 in the park, and I never had to strap or winch him. All it took was some spotting here and there, and we moved on.

We did have a snag during the trip. He flushed the cooling system a few days prior, and filled it up, burped it, and drove it all the way to Hot Springs without an issue.

On Friday, it was overheating, and had a large air bubble in the system. We burped it again, topped it off, and kept going. Late Saturday, we were on the Gorge, and he had just climbed out of the hole on the right, when the lower rad. hose blew. So we made a trip into town and got all new rad. hoses and more coolant. Got him off the trail and back to camp, and the temp never hit 190*. On Sunday morning, he started it up, and while idling, it was burning white smoke out the exhaust. We blew the head gasket, so it was towed back home. We believe the head gasket was leaking before we started wheeling, and was pumping exhaust into the cooling system, hence the overheating all weekend, and large air bubbles.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/dotnofoolin/SK3JCNJQvkI/AAAAAAAAA5w/rlk-OqaMhnI/s800/IMG_2640.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/dotnofoolin/SK3JC1yTV3I/AAAAAAAAA54/b3oF599m7dc/s800/IMG_2718.JPG

[YotaJosh]

After getting the cruiser back in the garage after the Ramble, we tore into the motor to replace the head gasket. Brent contacted Cruiser Dan on IH8MUD and got a complete gasket kit, and found out that he probably has a "1.5F" motor.

They called this the transitional motor. It has a F block, but a 2F head and oiling system. They were in 74 and some 75 FJ40's and FJ55's. Some consider it the "holy grail" of F motors.

Anyway, we carried the head down to the engine shop to have a valve job and surfacing while we had it apart. No surprises there other than some of the valve seats weren't hardened for unleaded gas. We noticed the side cover of the motor had some "milkshake" on it, and a bit of rust. We think the gasket had a small leak for a while, and overheating twice in a weekend did it in.

Brent did his "cleaning and painting" magic again on the engine parts, and they turned out nice. We slapped it back together, put on a new water pump, cleaned the weber, adjusted the valves, and fired her up. The timing was way too far advanced, so we bumped it down, and now it purrs like a kitten.

Brent claims he can pull hills now without downshifting, and it runs down the interstate with ease, and doesn't run hot either. It's alot quieter, too.

Sorry no pics of the engine work. Maybe I'll get one of the completed work. :missingto

[YotaJosh]

So here are the future plans:
DONE New motor mounts (current ones are broke, and engine is shifted about an inch back)
DONE New ebrake cable
New taillights from CCOT (the current ones are corroded, and the bulbs are rusted in the sockets)
Power steering (probably a saginaw conversion)
Electric fan from a Taurus - won't work, not enough room between water pump and radiator.
Some rewiring here and there
DONE I think he's still wanting the Hell Creek 4" lift.
Maybe some different seats
Paint it

That's all for now. :xsmokin1:

[wadeunderwater]

I can't beleive I didn't see this write up. Am I blind. Nice job and it's good to know it went to somebody who had the time to take care of her. I still miss it every day. :(

[YotaJosh]

Latest carnage: busted 4 of 6 leafs in rear passenger side spring.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/dotnofoolin/SNfsnHudUOI/AAAAAAAAA-c/8kxcvAiNnpY/s800/IMG_2894.JPG

I guess those Hell Creek springs are coming sooner rather than later.

Oh, and the e-brake was recovered from Rubicon Ridge. :D

[YotaJosh]

3 months later, and she's back on the road.

Hell Creek 4" springs were bought, along with some MAF +2" anti-inversion shackles.

Now to measure for new shocks, and get the Ford F250 shock towers mounted on the front.

The springs:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1MscFR5l4ik/SUXdal75f8I/AAAAAAAAB58/sEVEx4unaMY/s800/IMG_3981.JPG

New shackles, hanger pins, ubolts, and bushings:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1MscFR5l4ik/SUXda1p8qTI/AAAAAAAAB6E/iyopWyxuJrM/s800/IMG_3982.JPG

Rear springs installed, still got to do the front. Sitting pretty nice:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1MscFR5l4ik/SUXdbn2BUEI/AAAAAAAAB6M/C67MXlUsFV0/s800/IMG_3984.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1MscFR5l4ik/SUXdb9P6OwI/AAAAAAAAB6U/NGYquQZTdPE/s800/IMG_3985.JPG

Not a bad shackle angle for new, unsettled springs:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1MscFR5l4ik/SUXdcC4CCSI/AAAAAAAAB6c/3ytVB9aoh8I/s800/IMG_3986.JPG

Working on the front now:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1MscFR5l4ik/SUXeBFlp3JI/AAAAAAAAB6o/q_2hOvu4g6E/s800/IMG_3988.JPG

All done. Looks much better:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1MscFR5l4ik/SUXeBlGA3uI/AAAAAAAAB6w/bLw94cZBgvk/s800/IMG_3990.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1MscFR5l4ik/SUXeCPd_hzI/AAAAAAAAB7A/L71gsZGuA_4/s800/IMG_3992.JPG

So far, they ride pretty good. It still needs a good flexing, and measure for the new shocks. There's still a few odds and ends to finish, like trimming the ubolts, and greasing all the shackles. All the parts bolted together with no problems (thankfully :) ).

[YotaJosh]

So Brent, whatcha been up to lately? :D :xdevil: