Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
It touches right a full lock, but I'll adjust my bumps out just a smidge so I get about a 1/16 of clearance. With those knuckles and 1/4 DOM as my tie rod, I'm not worried about anything flexing much.
76 FJ40 Wheeler Build
- Thread starter Danger Noodle
- Start date
It touches right a full lock, but I'll adjust my bumps out just a smidge so I get about a 1/16 of clearance. With those knuckles and 1/4 DOM as my tie rod, I'm not worried about anything flexing much.
J Kimmel
Hard Core 4+
I wouldn’t think twice
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
I flipped my drag link over to the top of the pitman arm, which made a lot better geometry for the Panhard. They are basically in the same plane now, with about a 1/4" of height difference on the pivot points. I'm amazed at how well the link geometry has worked out for this build.
I then had to notch the frame and lower cross member to get it to fully clear lock to lock.
It's such a small notch, and the 4x4 labs Saginaw kit plated that area, so I'm not worried that there was any strength lost there.
I then started working on the Panhard bar and lower mount. I made a mockup bar out of some thin-walled tube to check and see what bends would need to be made.
Lower mount at full lock.
The geometry is great. You can barely even see the Panhard, and it's sitting high because there was no bend in it, yet.
Rough bend. I will do a complete curve when I do it, it was just harder to do with square tube. I have about 1/4 of lateral movement going from ride height to full stuff, and probably less than an inch on droop, but I haven't tested it yet. I'm really happy with how it worked out. I'll have to notch the frame with the real bar in, but I want to fully see how much I will need to trim before doing it, though.
I then had to notch the frame and lower cross member to get it to fully clear lock to lock.
It's such a small notch, and the 4x4 labs Saginaw kit plated that area, so I'm not worried that there was any strength lost there.
I then started working on the Panhard bar and lower mount. I made a mockup bar out of some thin-walled tube to check and see what bends would need to be made.
Lower mount at full lock.
The geometry is great. You can barely even see the Panhard, and it's sitting high because there was no bend in it, yet.
Rough bend. I will do a complete curve when I do it, it was just harder to do with square tube. I have about 1/4 of lateral movement going from ride height to full stuff, and probably less than an inch on droop, but I haven't tested it yet. I'm really happy with how it worked out. I'll have to notch the frame with the real bar in, but I want to fully see how much I will need to trim before doing it, though.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Panhard bend. Bending 1/4 DOM is tough. The oxy torch helped a lot, as did packing the bar with sand. Backhoe as an anchor.
Bent, letting it cool.
Not the prettiest bends ever, but it should work.
It fits well.
Compression clearance is great. Now I just need to zip up my front axle, and that will be done.
Bent, letting it cool.
Not the prettiest bends ever, but it should work.
It fits well.
Compression clearance is great. Now I just need to zip up my front axle, and that will be done.
rover67
Rising Sun Member
Very nice
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
It's been a bit since I last updated. I went and did some trail leader training with Bill Burke and the Rising Sun guys. It was nice to follow @Hants down to Grand Junction. It was a ton of fun and some really great information. Anyhow, I'm going to be leading trails out at Cruise Moab, so that should be fun. I also went and helped @CheyenneTrucker with his 383 swap for a few days.
Anyways, I have gotten a ton done, just haven't found time to post until now.
I started with my diff armor. I had to trim the top to get my tie rod to clear.
Lower links painted.
Final clearance check. I have about 2 3/4 of overall lateral movement with this Panhard setup, so not perfect, but I'm happy enough with it for 16" of travel.
I have basically no bump steer with the current relations between the drag link and Panhard, so I am really happy with that.
Anyways, I have gotten a ton done, just haven't found time to post until now.
I started with my diff armor. I had to trim the top to get my tie rod to clear.
Lower links painted.
Final clearance check. I have about 2 3/4 of overall lateral movement with this Panhard setup, so not perfect, but I'm happy enough with it for 16" of travel.
I have basically no bump steer with the current relations between the drag link and Panhard, so I am really happy with that.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Limit straps installed. I still need to do bump stops, but I'll do that today.
I also got my steering linkage built. It is fully removable from the column joint down so I can get my headers out.
The turning radius is pretty good for a Saginaw box, so I am happy.
Sitting back on its own weight.
I also got my steering linkage built. It is fully removable from the column joint down so I can get my headers out.
The turning radius is pretty good for a Saginaw box, so I am happy.
Sitting back on its own weight.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
I got my foot heaters made up today. The muffler is a tight fit, but everything does fit, so it works, I guess. I have 200ft of titanium exhaust wrap that will go on here once it is fully finished and my headers are ceramic coated.
I have the space and angle to make up a pair of sliders, so it will all eventually be skidded up.
Tucked up nicely.
Other side done.
Twins! I'm not sure how I am going to trim the ends to look nice, but it will just have to wait till I decide.
I got all of my brake line parts and fuel line parts ordered today, and they will be here Monday. Summit 2 day shipping is great. I have all the aluminum for the tank, and I will be bending that up on Tuesday.
I have the space and angle to make up a pair of sliders, so it will all eventually be skidded up.
Tucked up nicely.
Other side done.
Twins! I'm not sure how I am going to trim the ends to look nice, but it will just have to wait till I decide.
I got all of my brake line parts and fuel line parts ordered today, and they will be here Monday. Summit 2 day shipping is great. I have all the aluminum for the tank, and I will be bending that up on Tuesday.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Lots of updates, I've just been lazy about posting.
Driveshafts are built and installed. The rear one looks really funny.
Radiator mounts installed.
Driveshafts are built and installed. The rear one looks really funny.
Radiator mounts installed.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Skid plates painted.
I then started working on my fuel tank.
More CAD
Testing with my seat frame.
I then started working on my fuel tank.
More CAD
Testing with my seat frame.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Sniper fuel lines bent.
Rear tail lights wired up.
Dash almost finished.
Rear tail lights wired up.
Dash almost finished.
that's got to be the shortest driveshaft i've ever seen!
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Me too! Angles are good though, so it should work.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Front calipers cleaned up and painted.
I built my brake system and it is bled 100%, so this thing is about ready to run.
Rear light housings installed.
The LEDs look great. Big shoutout to @SandiaFJ40 for an awesome product.
Rear wiring plug made, and wiring cleaned up.
I filled my axles, transmission, toybox, and transfer case with oil. I h8 gear oil.
I also got my mirrors installed as well. So close!
At this point, I need to hook up my radiator, battery, fully install my vintage air, make heater an a/c lines, power steering lines, install my fuel tank once it is done, plumb the fuel system, final install headers and exhaust, air compressor, and probably a few other small things I am forgetting. I'm hoping to be running next week.
I built my brake system and it is bled 100%, so this thing is about ready to run.
Rear light housings installed.
The LEDs look great. Big shoutout to @SandiaFJ40 for an awesome product.
Rear wiring plug made, and wiring cleaned up.
I filled my axles, transmission, toybox, and transfer case with oil. I h8 gear oil.
I also got my mirrors installed as well. So close!
At this point, I need to hook up my radiator, battery, fully install my vintage air, make heater an a/c lines, power steering lines, install my fuel tank once it is done, plumb the fuel system, final install headers and exhaust, air compressor, and probably a few other small things I am forgetting. I'm hoping to be running next week.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Monday's update that I totally didn't forget to post. 
Dual batteries for the rear. I got a really big deep cycle to run all my accessories and winches (front and rear)
Battery isolator is ordered, just waiting on it to arrive.
Acc. Battery busbars mounted. One is switched ignition power, the other is always hot.
Power run to the relay box.
In other news, I had my interview with Proffits Resurrection today, and currently have a job offer from them for a summer position, and I'm really excited about that.
Dual batteries for the rear. I got a really big deep cycle to run all my accessories and winches (front and rear)
Battery isolator is ordered, just waiting on it to arrive.
Acc. Battery busbars mounted. One is switched ignition power, the other is always hot.
Power run to the relay box.
In other news, I had my interview with Proffits Resurrection today, and currently have a job offer from them for a summer position, and I'm really excited about that.
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Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Wednesday's Update.
Lots more wires made, few pictures. All my major grounds are run, and I have been confirming functionality of all my wiring. Everything seems to be working.
I also got my phone mount installed to use up the last little hole in my dash.
Slowly creeping closer to running.
Fuel tank is almost finished as well.
Lots more wires made, few pictures. All my major grounds are run, and I have been confirming functionality of all my wiring. Everything seems to be working.
I also got my phone mount installed to use up the last little hole in my dash.
Slowly creeping closer to running.
Fuel tank is almost finished as well.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Well, it's been a busy week for me. Big update ahead.
Switch bracket made up. I really like the look of the bracket and switches.
ARB compressor installed.
Hood on to check for clearances.
Air line.
Radiator. It barely fits, but it does.
Switch bracket made up. I really like the look of the bracket and switches.
ARB compressor installed.
Hood on to check for clearances.
Air line.
Radiator. It barely fits, but it does.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Holley sniper displays panel works. It can be seen through the sun visor and I think it looks really nice.
Loading up for the first trip since arriving here last January.
Loaded up. I'm absolutely loving the stance now that it can be fully seen from a distance.
Loading up for the first trip since arriving here last January.
Loaded up. I'm absolutely loving the stance now that it can be fully seen from a distance.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Me, next to the last year and a half of my life. 
Charging the coilovers with Jed @ Armorology.
Charging the coilovers with Jed @ Armorology.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
A quick test fit of the fuel tank, now being welded up.
Upper radiator hose was a biatch to find. This is a lower radiator hose off a 2003 Bonneville. Part number 22329 @ O'Reilly's for my reference.
Power steering lines run. I like the heaver looking AN fittings and hydraulic hose, so that's what I had made.
Headers back from coating, heat shields still need to be made.
Heading home.
Upper radiator hose was a biatch to find. This is a lower radiator hose off a 2003 Bonneville. Part number 22329 @ O'Reilly's for my reference.
Power steering lines run. I like the heaver looking AN fittings and hydraulic hose, so that's what I had made.
Headers back from coating, heat shields still need to be made.
Heading home.