Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
There are a lot of small features that we take for granted in modern cars that are really annoying to not have. I'm hoping that some of this will make it a lot more comfortable to drive in and a lot more fun.
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76 FJ40 Wheeler Build
- Thread starter Danger Noodle
- Start date
There are a lot of small features that we take for granted in modern cars that are really annoying to not have. I'm hoping that some of this will make it a lot more comfortable to drive in and a lot more fun.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
I got a ton more wires pulled, but few pictures.
The winch works, along with the rest of the switches. It has taken me forever to get everything for the console connected, as I have been solder every single crimp and connection for added reliability and security.
Lots of wires.
Speaker wire run.
Speakers hooked up. Running it just off my phone, the speakers are pretty loud, and really crisp. It should be great through the radio.
The winch works, along with the rest of the switches. It has taken me forever to get everything for the console connected, as I have been solder every single crimp and connection for added reliability and security.
Lots of wires.
Speaker wire run.
Speakers hooked up. Running it just off my phone, the speakers are pretty loud, and really crisp. It should be great through the radio.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Well, I've been dealing with the septic freezing at the rental house for the past few days, but got everything fixed yesterday. I was supposed to work today, but it was cold enough to not bother trying to start machines today. I got a bunch of school work out of the way this morning, so that means more garage time for me. 
I decided to get my shock hoops all fully burned in today.
Burned in.
Hoops cleaned up and painted.
I'm really glad that nothing moved, and the crossmember fit perfectly after that much heat.
Should I paint the crossmember red to break up the engine bay?
I also got the upper dash console hooked up to a battery to listen to the radio powered speakers, and they are great. Should be able to listen to music in the 40 now. They are currently acting as shop speakers as I wire everything up.
I decided to get my shock hoops all fully burned in today.
Burned in.
Hoops cleaned up and painted.
I'm really glad that nothing moved, and the crossmember fit perfectly after that much heat.
Should I paint the crossmember red to break up the engine bay?
I also got the upper dash console hooked up to a battery to listen to the radio powered speakers, and they are great. Should be able to listen to music in the 40 now. They are currently acting as shop speakers as I wire everything up.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Installing coilovers with springs is difficult without a lift.
Link geometry looks great at full droop.
Sitting about an inch low on its own weight. It has been over a year since that tub was fully on four wheels.
The coilovers look nice with springs on.
Sitting at ride height. Ben @ Filthy Motorsports nailed the spring rates for this.
Link geometry looks great at full droop.
Sitting about an inch low on its own weight. It has been over a year since that tub was fully on four wheels.
The coilovers look nice with springs on.
Sitting at ride height. Ben @ Filthy Motorsports nailed the spring rates for this.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
I then started working on sniper wiring.
Plate started for the coil driver.
Attached.
Computer mounted. Its closer to the exhaust than I would like it, but I'll build a heat shield for it. That combined with a ceramic coating on the headers should keep it pretty cool.
Sniper wiring mostly cleaned up.
Plate started for the coil driver.
Attached.
Computer mounted. Its closer to the exhaust than I would like it, but I'll build a heat shield for it. That combined with a ceramic coating on the headers should keep it pretty cool.
Sniper wiring mostly cleaned up.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Small update.
I have been fighting with wiring a whole bunch, and when you are an absolute trogolodyte like me, it hurts your brain. My PO hacks have not helped.
Light switch rebuild.
Current testing phase. I have the hazards, light switch, hi/low beam, and blinkers working.
I'll start installing and cleaning up the wiring tomorrow, and will try to get my wipe wash switch integrated.
I have been fighting with wiring a whole bunch, and when you are an absolute trogolodyte like me, it hurts your brain. My PO hacks have not helped.
Light switch rebuild.
Current testing phase. I have the hazards, light switch, hi/low beam, and blinkers working.
I'll start installing and cleaning up the wiring tomorrow, and will try to get my wipe wash switch integrated.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Yesterday's update:
Lots more wiring completed. The harness is almost done, I just need to terminate the ends for all the lights, and finish a bit more in the cab.
Pulled to the back. I need to figure out a good way to attach it.
My compressor should be here on saturday, so the rest of my switches and wiring should be here then.
My dash is almost cleaned up. Its getting there.
I got my relay box fully wired up. I am curently running my headlights, 12" light bar, aux backup lights, and 50" light bar through it. It is a super clean way to pack in 8 fused relays.
Engine bay is starting to clean up a bit.
Lots more wiring completed. The harness is almost done, I just need to terminate the ends for all the lights, and finish a bit more in the cab.
Pulled to the back. I need to figure out a good way to attach it.
My compressor should be here on saturday, so the rest of my switches and wiring should be here then.
My dash is almost cleaned up. Its getting there.
I got my relay box fully wired up. I am curently running my headlights, 12" light bar, aux backup lights, and 50" light bar through it. It is a super clean way to pack in 8 fused relays.
Engine bay is starting to clean up a bit.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Tested my light bars to verify relay functionality. Relay #4 was dead, and I'm glad I figured that out before wrapping eveything up.
Nicely wrapped up. The Painless Classic Braid stuff is great. A little pricy, but it looks really good in my opinion.
It's been snowing a bunch, so I got to take a few poser shots.
Front loom all cleaned up. It is looking great. H4 plugs installed, I still need to get blinkers figured out till I get my tube fenders done.
Nicely wrapped up. The Painless Classic Braid stuff is great. A little pricy, but it looks really good in my opinion.
It's been snowing a bunch, so I got to take a few poser shots.
Front loom all cleaned up. It is looking great. H4 plugs installed, I still need to get blinkers figured out till I get my tube fenders done.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
I got my reservoirs mounted as well. The Kings sure are pretty.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Intake and filters installed. I absolutley love the look of the dual filters, but the one on the drivers side is just a tad long so it slightly hits the brake master. The engine should flex down on that side, so oh well.
My dad thinks it looks like Yoda now. Should that be it's new name?
My Axia Alloy stuff came in as well, and it is beautiful. It mounts on the cage perfectly, and they look really nice.
I got the tinted version.
A little tighter on the driver's side, but nothing major.
I will also be making a new mount for my rearview mirror, so I can run with the windshield down if I want.
I have a little progress on wiring up the main brain of the Dakoda Digital, but nothing worth taking a picture of. I should have that finished by tomorrow.
My dad thinks it looks like Yoda now. Should that be it's new name?
My Axia Alloy stuff came in as well, and it is beautiful. It mounts on the cage perfectly, and they look really nice.
I got the tinted version.
A little tighter on the driver's side, but nothing major.
I will also be making a new mount for my rearview mirror, so I can run with the windshield down if I want.
I have a little progress on wiring up the main brain of the Dakoda Digital, but nothing worth taking a picture of. I should have that finished by tomorrow.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
More powdercoated stuff tossed on.
Headlights.
Air compressor finally showed up.
My dad decided to clear some snow off a bit better.
Sliding off the edge. I can't count the number of times that he has done this, but it's at least twice a season.
The truck was just spinning trying to pull him out, so out came the backhoe. It gave me a chance to move a bunch of the snow in front of the garage, though, so oh well.
New headers. They are AA heep cj conversion headers, and they seem to work great for this.
I had so many constraints on this it wasn't even funny, but these worked with some slight tweaking.
They tuck up really nicley into the sides, but I had to remake the first set of body mounts. Oh well.
I can still stuff a full muffler in there and maintain my breakover angle. I can also run sliders that don't drop any father down than normal.
I put some 1400 degree paint in there so it looks a bit funny, but hopefully it wont burn off. I will be ceramic coating and wrapping eveything under there to help with heat, and I will probably end up stealing @GA Architect 's heat shielded floor mat idea as well.
They aren't pretty, but I'm not too worried.
Headlights.
Air compressor finally showed up.
My dad decided to clear some snow off a bit better.
Sliding off the edge. I can't count the number of times that he has done this, but it's at least twice a season.
The truck was just spinning trying to pull him out, so out came the backhoe. It gave me a chance to move a bunch of the snow in front of the garage, though, so oh well.
New headers. They are AA heep cj conversion headers, and they seem to work great for this.
I had so many constraints on this it wasn't even funny, but these worked with some slight tweaking.
They tuck up really nicley into the sides, but I had to remake the first set of body mounts. Oh well.
I can still stuff a full muffler in there and maintain my breakover angle. I can also run sliders that don't drop any father down than normal.
I put some 1400 degree paint in there so it looks a bit funny, but hopefully it wont burn off. I will be ceramic coating and wrapping eveything under there to help with heat, and I will probably end up stealing @GA Architect 's heat shielded floor mat idea as well.
They aren't pretty, but I'm not too worried.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Horns installed.
The Dakota Digital is all wired up now. It looks great.
@cbmontgo stopped by to pull some 80 parts. It was good to see the 47, Carson. @Notyourmomslx450 also stopped by, it was good to meet you, Andy!
The Dakota Digital is all wired up now. It looks great.
@cbmontgo stopped by to pull some 80 parts. It was good to see the 47, Carson. @Notyourmomslx450 also stopped by, it was good to meet you, Andy!
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
My Hellfire Knuckles showed up today, so the final piece to this puzzle is here, after about 8 months of waiting.
They are beefy as can be, so I'm happy.
Have I ever mentioned that ih8birfields? I'm extra glad that I didn't pack the knuckles with grease last time I stuck them on.
One side on with my fuseable link (the AVM hubs) installed.
Other side on.
I'm going to have my machinist drill out the original tapers, and I have some weld-in inserts that should allow me to flip my drag link and tie rod to the bottom of the arms, so no frame clearancing will be needed.
They are beefy as can be, so I'm happy.
Have I ever mentioned that ih8birfields? I'm extra glad that I didn't pack the knuckles with grease last time I stuck them on.
One side on with my fuseable link (the AVM hubs) installed.
Other side on.
I'm going to have my machinist drill out the original tapers, and I have some weld-in inserts that should allow me to flip my drag link and tie rod to the bottom of the arms, so no frame clearancing will be needed.
the set up is so easy w/ these knuckles. Lookin good man!
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
It was definitely very easy. I'm really glad I went with them.
rover67
Rising Sun Member
This is awesome, I've been watching closely. I love the build and appreciate you posting it up. super fun to watch. I'm stoked for the race to Cruise Moab and am excited to see it working.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
Yesterday's update:
I got my steering arms drilled out today, there was no way I was trying to go though all 5 holes with my little press.
I wish I could have tig'd these, but mig will have to do.
The tie rod gets really close to my diff. Do I need more space than this? I really don't want to have to notch or bend the link if possible.
Turn radius looks great.
Full stuff clearance is pretty good, but I'm having a hell of a time trying to get my panhard packaged in.
I got my steering arms drilled out today, there was no way I was trying to go though all 5 holes with my little press.
I wish I could have tig'd these, but mig will have to do.
The tie rod gets really close to my diff. Do I need more space than this? I really don't want to have to notch or bend the link if possible.
Turn radius looks great.
Full stuff clearance is pretty good, but I'm having a hell of a time trying to get my panhard packaged in.
Danger Noodle
Trail Ready
A race it is indeed. I'm almost done with my front suspension, have a little more welding to do on the rear, fuel tank, brakes, driveshafts, wire up lights, batteries, steering, vintage air, and a few other small things, and then I'm done. I'm hoping to get it running by the 20th, but that may be a push, but I really want some break-in time before heading out to moab.
J Kimmel
Hard Core 4+
If that pic is at full lock I wouldn’t sweat it. Might push in a little but nothing to worry about.