Topic: 70 FJ40 questions

[Duffil]

OK, LC guys I need some help.  I am going to be helping a buddy semi restore/get this pile on the road type project on a 70 FJ40 he just picked up.  First on the list is disc brakes up front/SOA.  This is early model, so we would have to swap to late model pickup/fj birfs to just swap knuckles, right? I am considering swapping in an 83 PU front axle that I have around here, and I don't know what axle gears are in the FJ axles.  this thing is already tore apart fairly far, but the axles are intact.  Anyone know what was common? Any ideas here would help a lot.

[Hottrod81]

I know that my Megolfers has 4:10's in it.  If you put an 83 PU axle in it, you are going to have to outboard the front springs a bit, but that really isn't that hard.  If you do a SOA on the original LC front in, you'll have to cut and turn the knuckles.  My vote would be for the toy front.

[freds40]

I'd say run the Cruiser axle and use the mini brakes on it.
The cruiser axle is easy to do an soa on. A cut and turn is not difficult at all, takes an hour or 2. Run the mini birfs and from the knuckle out and you're set. The Cruiser third and gears are a bit bigger/stronger than the mini.

[Duffil [OP]]

I'd say run the Cruiser axle and use the mini brakes on it.
The cruiser axle is easy to do an soa on. A cut and turn is not difficult at all, takes an hour or 2. Run the mini birfs and from the knuckle out and you're set. The Cruiser third and gears are a bit bigger/stronger than the mini.

Yeah, that pumpkin is huge.  I thought they were supposed to have a small pinion though? I'm not sure on the cut and turn, he plans on a shackle reversal and *possibly* different springs.  Damn guy keeps changing his mind.

[greenfox]

 look at my build thread on my front axle. Swap over the mini brakes, Cut and turn. And call Ruff Stuff for some spring perches shock mounts, spring plates, ford towers. Post up if you have any questions.

[Duffil [OP]]

look at my build thread on my front axle. Swap over the mini brakes, Cut and turn. And call Ruff Stuff for some spring perches shock mounts, spring plates, ford towers. Post up if you have any questions.

You happen to have a link? I assume you mean on Pirate?

[mr_manny]

Duffil,
Checkout a few threads down...axle thread is right here on Marlin

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=32768.0

Ryan,
Your b*std axle turned out better then factory 


 

[greenfox]

 Thanks Manny I for got to add that to my post. Will Worth the time I spent on the front

[Hammerhead]

Mini disc swap on cruiser axle is the way to go.  Cut-n-turn is easier than outboarding the springs for the axle swap.

[Duffil [OP]]

I thought I'd post up some pics of how this is coming along.  I am doing very little of the fab work, mostly sourcing/selling him parts, giving him ideas and lending a hand...it actually belongs to a mutual friend who is not mechanically inclined but wants a wheeler/look pretty rig.
Ended up doing SOA, rear disc, mini knuckles, etc.etc...here are some pics.

[Hammerhead]

What steering arm is that?

[freds40]

Looks like a flipped or re-bent stocker.

[Duffil [OP]]

Yeah, he cut and swapped the stock mini arms, and welded them back on opposite sides.

[Mace]

Yeah, he cut and swapped the stock mini arms, and welded them back on opposite sides.

Creepy...

Bent is one thing, cut and rewelded is another...

Interesting booster and front spring lift..
HOw much lift does it have?  I was able to easily fit 38's with just a springover (no extra lift)

[Duffil [OP]]

Creepy...

Bent is one thing, cut and rewelded is another...

Interesting booster and front spring lift..
HOw much lift does it have?  I was able to easily fit 38's with just a springover (no extra lift)

I agree there...I tried to get him to buy a crossover kit, but the owner won't pony up the cash. Like I said, I am not doing the fab...very little actually.

 The booster is a 7 1/4" dual diaphragm unit off of an 84 Mustang SVO, as is the master (f+r disc car)
Supposedly those are stock springs, with Con-ferr shackles...and with the shackle flip, he would have plenty of clearance for 37/38"++ tires.  It's gonna have 35s on it.

[Mace]

Yep, look like stock springs, but the plated front frame horns are new to me.  With 35's, that is gonna be really tall..

Looks like at least 2" more lift than a standard springover.


BTW, I am very curious to see how the booster master works

[Duffil [OP]]

should be done by the end of the week.  I'll let ya know.