Landcruisers in the house?

[RhinoJr]

Hey, do any Landcruiser guys hang out on this board? I'm a long time Scrambler owner, but I'm going Toyota... Looking to make some contacts if there are any. Thanks.

[lowdown]

I've built a hand full of 4runners and mini trucks over the last few years. I can think of a few Cruiser guys but they're not very active on the board.

[RhinoJr]

That's what I thought, but it never hurts to ask around. Had to part with my 85 4Runner last year (that hurt), so I'm looking for a 40 project and thought I'd look around for where the other Cruiserheads hang out. Thanks for the info.

[joe fj]

I have a 1976 FJ40 w/ a small block chevy set up for rock and trail use. I have historic tags on it but it's gone over to the extreme side so no highway stuff. What Cruiser are you running?

[Arya Ebrahimi]

I've got a '94 80-series and an '86 mini-truck.

www.ih8mud.com is the pirate4x4 for cruiser guys.

[CrawfishStu]

I have cruiser axles under the zook buggy. They seem pretty tough.

[Radon222]

Where the hell has Scooter been lately??

[Jack]

Facebook. :)

[RhinoJr]

I've been frequenting 'Mud a lot for my tech, but was not having luck with local connections. I was looking for a 40 project and stumbled onto a primo '97 FZJ80 for $1500, so I got it to build for a family wheeler. I'm still going to get a 40 to replace my Scrambler for personal and harder trips than the 80 will see. Glad to see there are some FJ folks around.

[Arya Ebrahimi]

I'm gonna be building up my 80 here in the next couple months and I live in Derwood. I've also got the SST for the rear axle wheel bearings if you need to service them.

[joe fj]

I've got alot of 40 parts in my shed if you find that you need something let me know.

[RhinoJr]

Arya, what are your immediate plans for the 80? I want to take mine to my club's annual outing at Oakridge, VA in the fall. I need sliders first (probably Metal Tech) and a mild lift so I can run the 34" swampers waiting in my garage. Of course there's always more to do, but it's a start and I can wheel with that. Keep me posted on your progress, and thanks for the SST info.

[RhinoJr]

Joe FJ. Thanks for the offer. I'll start my list now and see if you can come through (LOL). Hopefully you stock parts like I do. My garage is stuffed with Jeep and other 4X4 parts.

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Arya, what are your immediate plans for the 80? I want to take mine to my club's annual outing at Oakridge, VA in the fall. I need sliders first (probably Metal Tech) and a mild lift so I can run the 34" swampers waiting in my garage. Of course there's always more to do, but it's a start and I can wheel with that. Keep me posted on your progress, and thanks for the SST info.

I'm gonna be doing a 3.5" Frankie's lift, which everyone I've talked to said is fawking awesome. Not cheap, but I'm convinced it's the hot ticket.

I'm gonna be running 315/75 16 TrXus's(35s).

I'm also in the planning stages of a LSx swap, probably an iron block 6.0 or something of that variety.

Other than that, I've been wheeling my 80 stock for 4 years, and it's an awesome machine. Just want some more height and some more power :stir:

[RhinoJr]

Now you're talkin'! I was thinking of a re-power somewhere down the road, so keep me posted on your progress. I don't have the funds for the FOR lift, so I'll probably go with the ARB for about half price. I also am liking the Metal Tech front bumper and sliders. That should do for the short run. Glad you like wheelin the 80. It will be a new experience from the Scrambler. I can't wait.

[joe fj]

I am in the process of adding 3" of width to a set of FJ60 axles, swapping in my 30 spline birfs and adding new inners from Longfield. Rear disk brakes off my 40 axle along with my locked 3rd members. That will get me 6" wider in the front and 3" in the rear. The front is already pushed forward 3" but I will relocate the rear about 2 or 3" back with a set of FJ60 rear leaf springs. With the sm420(7.4:1 first gear) and Orion 4:1 transfercase I will be crawling at 115:1 and the extra width and wheelbase sure will be useful. I am looking at the Poly Performance rear axle shafts as upgrades, anyone have any experience with these? JoeB

[RhinoJr]

Are you using the axle widening sleeve for the short side so that you can center the axle for a fj40 frame boltin without needing to outboard the springs? If so, where did you get it? I need one and can't find them. Have you considered an FJ80 rear to match the width of the widened front? I may have a spare one to part with. I also have a 420 but with a Marlin mini range box adapter and then an OTT Dana300 adapter to that. What do you think of the Orion? Do you already have all your stuff and in the process of installing, or are these your plans and you are rounding up the parts for the build? I'd like to see your setup some time. Until then, keep the info coming....

[joe fj]

I am using that kit, I will get you the company info. The Orions been in for almost 2 years and the problem is using the Toyota front output, mine was 10 spline and blew apart taking the entire output with it. I have upgraded to a 23 spline output and not had the same problem again. Your setup is stonger I am sure. An FJ80 axle would be great, I have never been able to find one but I have not looked much either. JoeB

[Truck]

Pat, you going to dark side....for shame!!!! There is several guys in Fredricksburg, VA that run FJ40s. The guys at Iron Pig Off Road are big into it. Call and talk to Lance.

Truck

[joe fj]

http://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/196544-notched-60-front-axles.html

Here is a link for the axle extension. Dave is the guy that sells the inner axles by Longfield and the machined extension pieces. Post 16 for contact info. Joe B

[RhinoJr]

Truck,
Long-time no-hear. I'm not going to the dark side, just trying something new. I've been to Iron Pig and talked to Lance and Cam. Cool stuff for sure. So if Toyota is the Dark Side, how come you know so much them? Landcruiser envy, hmmmm? Don't worry, I won't tell your Scrambler friends, and hey, even Cruiser guys dig Scramblers.

[RhinoJr]

Joe,
Thanks for the link, I've been looking for that. Did Iron Pig do the work in conjunction with a cut and turn on the knuckle balls? Gonna run that spring under or over? Are you running the FJ60 springs now. If so, how is the ride on them? Hey, maybe some parts trading is in order... I'll PM you.

[joe fj]

I cut and turned the FJ axle myself when I did the SOA about 4 years ago. I am currently running FJ40 springs with the fronts reversed which gives a couple inches extra wb, the rear springs are not reversed. I am really looking at 1/4 elliptical for the rear suspension because my rear frame is getting more rotten by the year. I would backhalf the frame and start over with tube while retaining the boby as much as possible but money and time is always the issue. Trades are always welcome.

[RhinoJr]

I've cut Dana 44 inner knuckles off before and shortened axles for my jeep, but never Toyota knuckle balls, though I've read up on it. How did it go, pretty straight forward? When aren't money and time an issue...

[joe fj]

You need to watch your alignment when welding the ends back on, they want to move as the welds cool. The FJ60 axle will be tricky because I have the extension and the bell to weld, I will try some sort of a jig to hold everything stable. I need to get my butt in gear and do some work on the rig this weekend.

[RhinoJr]

Is that spacer a slip fit or a light press fit. I'd like a light interference fit so that the weld isn't doing all the work, and then it shouldn't shift at all during the weld/cool. Let me know how that goes. Do you have a wheeling trip or event that you're trying to meet schedule for?

[joe fj]

The FJ is ready to go now. I am planning to get everything ready to change over and do it all in a weekend. My problem is I lent my trailer out and the dude bent an axle while turning it around(w/ jeep on it) with his bobcat. He spun it around like a skid steer and tucked a tire under the trailer. He has no money and can't replace it, I ordered a new axle this week. Out of work friends have money to wheel but not replace parts.

[RhinoJr]

That stinks. So how close is your parts roundup to being ready for the change-over? Sounds ambitious, but way better than having a rig down hard for a while. Being drivable is always a good thing...