FJ140 Build

[Notyourmomslx450]

coming along nicely!! I need a shop space like yours!!

 

[Capriblue45]

coming along nicely!! I need a shop space like yours!!

I does make this type of project a lot more enjoyable.

 

[Capriblue45]

Picked up the steel body mount brackets from the fabrication shop this morning. I then spent the rest of the day working to get the body placed perfectly on the chassis. There are a bunch of critical dimensions to pay attention to when putting a body on a chassis that has no reference points. I temporarily bolted on the front clip with the radiator to establish the fan centered in the shroud. Then spent several hours shimming and adjusting the body to get everything just right. I still need to make a few minor adjustments tomorrow but then should be able to start tacking the mounts to the chassis so the body can come off one last time to fully weld out all 12 mounts. The shop built the rear mount incorrectly but a quick notch with a cut off wheel saved the parts and keeps me moving forward.

 

[Capriblue45]

Got the body fixed to the chassis today with all the body mounts welded on . Also completed the fuel tank hook up to all of the new tubing. Found an interesting thing on the 80 series chassis that I did not know. It appears as the upper attachment for the panhard bar is different from a 94 to a 97 80 series. I was scratching my head trying to figure out why the rear axle was offset to the passenger side then realized the panhard appears to slightly different lengths between the years due to the offset in the upper attachment.

 

[Capriblue45]

Put the front clip on hopefully for the last time today. Tomorrow I will test fit the hood and dial in the gaps before welding the radiator support brackets to the frame. Once that is completed I can start to hook up all of the electrical and finish plumbing in the brakes.

 

[White Stripe]

Nice progress!

 

[Capriblue45]

Fired up the 140 today, man does it sound nice with that header. Another plus is no more leaks from the factory exhaust manifold. Measured up the custom brake lines and took them to my local hose builder, hope to have by Monday afternoon so I can install them and bleed the system. Getting close to making a maiden voyage with the 140.

Once I can shake it out for a month or so I will tackle wiring the front and rear lockers.

 

[Notyourmomslx450]

Man that’s great! You’re really chugging along with this build!!

 

[Pz10420]

Remember not to get the body aligned too well with frame. Since it's half 80 series now it needs to have too much lean to the drivers side.

 

[Capriblue45]

Still waiting on new front brake lines but I got the interior put back together today. Also finished up the front end minus hood as I don't want to work around it when I clean up the wiring and replumb the front brakes.

Got the bumper put on as well, it ends up the ID of the 60 series rails at the front are very close to the OD of an 80 series. I was able to spread my attachment frames by about 1/16" and bang it on with a BFH.

I won't have any more time this week as I have some other commitments so it will have to wait until next week for the final few finishing touches and it's maiden trip.

 

[Telly]

I'm just amazed how quickly you are completing this project. I wouldn't even know where to start.

 

[Capriblue45]

31 days from driving in to the shop to maiden trip with the 140. I ran it a few miles in to town and put in a 1/2 tank of fuel to make sure the 80 series float was playing nice with the 60's fuel gauge and all appears to be functioning. I did have a small leak at the hose clamps to the rear heater but a snug up has cured it for now. I think i'm going to try to find some OEM hoses and replace them as they are 41 years old and a bit swishy.

Next on the list is to get the sliders modified so I can get them installed.

I have to say I am a fan of the 80 series steering geometry over the 60 and the ride is oh so plush. I will work to get the lockers wired over the next month or so and then hopefully get it on a trail to try everything out.

Thanks again to @rover67 for the sweet deal on his wrecked 80 to give me the push to take on this build.

 

[RDub]

Wow, Mike, that’s just awesome! Very impressive.

 

[Notyourmomslx450]

31 days from driving in to the shop to maiden trip with the 140. I ran it a few miles in to town and put in a 1/2 tank of fuel to make sure the 80 series float was playing nice with the 60's fuel gauge and all appears to be functioning. I did have a small leak at the hose clamps to the rear heater but a snug up has cured it for now. I think i'm going to try to find some OEM hoses and replace them as they are 41 years old and a bit swishy.

Next on the list is to get the sliders modified so I can get them installed.

I have to say I am a fan of the 80 series steering geometry over the 60 and the ride is oh so plush. I will work to get the lockers wired over the next month or so and then hopefully get it on a trail to try everything out.

Thanks again to @rover67 for the sweet deal on his wrecked 80 to give me the push to take on this build.

That’s an amazing amount work accomplished in such a short time! Way to go!

 

[KC Masterpiece]

Very impressed.

Are you still using the 60 transfer case so you are part time? Was that as simple as locking hubs on the 80 axle?

 

[rover67]

Awesome Mike I can't wait to see it in the flesh!!!Nice work!!

 

[Capriblue45]

Very impressed.

Are you still using the 60 transfer case so you are part time? Was that as simple as locking hubs on the 80 axle?

Yes still using the split case that I put a 4 to 1 low gear in. I have not added the lock out hubs yet but from what I have read you just need to machine in a new groove in the shaft around 11MM further inboard so the hubs can be put in free.

 

[Capriblue45]

Awesome Mike I can't wait to see it in the flesh!!!Nice work!!

Thanks Marco, I have been driving it a bit and the 80 set up rides so much nicer than the leaf springs..

 

[KC Masterpiece]

Thanks Marco, I have been driving it a bit and the 80 set up rides so much nicer than the leaf springs..

I took Amber wheeling in the 60 for the first time a few weeks back. I was wearing this shirt.




She asked me what it meant and my reply (on the way to the trailhead) was "You will see". Coming from the 80 with tapered coils she thought something was wrong with the 60 when we hit the dirt.

There is a reason Icon is doing all their 60 builds on 80 frames.

 

[Notyourmomslx450]

I took Amber wheeling in the 60 for the first time a few weeks back. I was wearing this shirt.




She asked me what it meant and my reply (on the way to the trailhead) was "You will see". Coming from the 80 with tapered coils she thought something was wrong with the 60 when we hit the dirt.

There is a reason Icon is doing all their 60 builds on 80 frames.

Sometimes you just can’t beat the simplicity of leafs though.