Topic: 71 Fj40 Questions (hardcore?)

[MisfitDave]

Picked up a 71 Fj40 about a year ago and it has sat untouched    I started a thread then and it died and decided to start a new post with a few serious questions about my ideas for the build.  I know they may sound crazy but I like challenges and I think it can be accomplished.  This will be mostly a street rig/ tow rig, with mild overnight trails for fun.  I have a 4runner thats my crawler. My ideas are to drop a cummins 6bt out of a dodge with the stock auto tranny and tcase.  Before I get all the 4bt enthusiasts yelling at me I've read for hours about it and I know its gonna be more difficult but I have my reasons.  Its not really the engine swap that worries me, its a couple other things like axle strengths and steering. So:

1. In an attempt to keep it as Toyota as possible, can the stock LC axles be beefed up enough, with minimal upgrades like longs and such, to handle the greater weight of the Cummins? 

2. If so any way to relocate the front diff to driver side to match the dodge output? I know the rear can be centered by making a LC/mini hybrid axle, can some creative work be done with the front as well? 

3. If this is crazy then my other option is shortening the front D60 and rear D70 that were run under the truck.  Is this the easiest/ cheapest thing to do?

4. Any advice on where to pickup some leaf springs that will handle the new weight give it a few inches of lift and still give me a good around town ride?

Ok thats what I got for now, I've got more but I wanted to get some feedback before I got into more serious ideas.  Here's a link to the first build post if you wanna check out some pics. http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=45412.msg570980#msg570980 Thanks, you guys have always been great in the past, bring on the tech and opinions

[MisfitDave [OP]]

Brought the pics to this post so you don't have to chase the link 

[00taco]

you can use a T-case that goes to any of the IFS model toyotas because those are all driver output.  As for the leaf spring i would prob use chevy springs, they are a bit longer so i will give you some flex or check out the leafs marlin sells.  Hope i could be some help! 

[MisfitDave [OP]]

Pretty sure all the ifs model toyotas I've had apart run passenger side output, and the 6bt is cummin's straight 6 diesel engine weighing in at around 1200lbs, I love marlin's springs for my other rigs runnin 22r's but not so sure they would be a good idea for the heavier LC plus the 6bt.  Maybe I'm wrong, don't know the load ratings on marlin's springs?

[boggerunner]

buy an entire 89-93 dodge and use everything, and buy some leafs for a diodge 3/4 ton for the front so they will hold the weight.  but the motor/tranny/t-case is gonna be so long that your rear drive shaft is gonna be 12" long

[00taco]

oh ya it is pass drop Ya maybe some 3/4ton springs with adjustable shocks

[MisfitDave [OP]]

Yeah it'll have a shorty rear drive shaft for sure, I'm thinking moving the rear axle back a few inches longer shackles too.  Giving it a 4" lift and moving the axle back 2 inches maybe 3 should add a little distance. Or maybe 6" of lift? How far back do you think I could move it before it looks noticable, or looks bad? 

[Hammerhead]

To turn the front axle into a drivers drop there are 3 different approaches that I know of.

A) Strip and flip the housing over so that the pumpkin is on the drivers side and cut new ring gear notches.  Remove the 2 longer diff studs and move them to the appropriate spot on the other side.  Cut-n-turn the knuckle balls roughly 180° to get them right-side-up and adjust them to desired caster before rewelding (I like about 5° for 35" tires).  Cut the weld around the diff cover and either weld it back on flipped over or use a rear diff cover and drill and tap for studs.  This method may require the addition of a 3/16ths steel plate shaped like a diff gasket to give sufficient clearance for ring gear.

B) Strip off the axle housing and cut the weld at the end of the tubes just like you were going to do a cut-n-turn and remove the knuckle balls.  Cut the axle tube from the long side so that it can be added to the short side and reinstall the knuckle balls in their respective locations.  Care must be taken to get the housing absolutely straight when using this method.

C) Custom order what you want from someone like Diamond......



For moving the rear axle back with stock fenders I've gone as far 5" and with a bit of quality time with a sawzall, hammer and dollie you can't even tell it didn't come that way.

[Dooner]

Proffitts Cruisers has done alot of leg work on FJ40 diesel conversions and recommend the 4 cyl Cummins. Check out the link to thier website for info and pics

http://www.proffittscruisers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36:cummins-33l-and-39l-diesel-engine-conversions&catid=7:diesel-engine-conversions-&Itemid=13

[Atlas43]

Looks like a fun project.

[Yota87Truck]

Proffitts Cruisers is near Delta Colorado, I used to live 30 min south.  They have some awesome rigs they have built.

[wanabecruisen]

X one million on Proffitts Cruisers - GREAT folks!

[megolfer]

With the 6bt you are going to have some issues.  The first is going to be length.  With the auto tranny you are going to have a really short driveline.  The weight on the front will be to much for the stock axle and springs.  You could try adding a couple leafs and making a custom pack.  Also I dont think it would be worth changing the pumkin to the drivers side.  I would find a 60 front and 14b or 70 rear.  Yu are also going to have a difficult time with the length of the motor and height.  I say if it is something you want to do go for it, but it will be a very challenging swap.

[Yota87Truck]

The 4Bt might be a bit more practical.  But if your going for a 6bt you should 4 link it and stretch the wheelbase and then no driveshaft issues.

[Dooner]

Was just looking at Icon's web site, they are selling a model with a 4 cyl International Turbo Deisel. Seems like they said it was only 16 lbs heavier than the alloy block V8 they use

[MixedBag75]

I'm not one to tell someone not to do something by any means, if you want to go with the 6bt go for it!  But... it seems to me that much engine in an FJ40 is a bit over kill not to mention the extra weight versus a smaller diesel.  IMO I would stick with a smaller diesel and spend the extra cash and labor on building the drivetrain and running gear but you know what they say about opinions too.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

[MisfitDave [OP]]

Thanks to everyone for the input and info    I will probably end up just throwing in a v8 and fixing her up over time.  School consumes all money and time, and so far the Fj has just sat and waited patiently.  I'm hoping that by scaling back severly on the plans I will be more capable of actually getting to drive her this summer.  I've got a buddy that may give me a Ford V8 he had built for a Cj5 that he no longer wants to deal with. We'll see, I promise the second I start into building, however mild, I will keep this thread updated regularly.  till then!

[Dooner]

There is a lot to be said for keeping a project simple, my rigs been in the garage for like 5 years!