utroda's Tacoma (LT, Lckd, 35s) & FJ40 Build (In Progress)

He said it was on CL for less than 4 hours...

 

Sounds good thanks

 

I bet

 

Well, ordered some new FK uni-balls from @Wheeler's Off-Road Inc hope to have them by the weekend and get the lowers replaced while the wife is in Arizona watching some spring training games.

Also did the oil change on the tacoma and tundra, has anyone seen any good deals on mobil 1 full-synthetic, need to restock.

 

@velillen are you going to be linking your 40 or running leafs?

 

here is another 80 with low miles - > CL

 

Okay, so here an update on the 40.

When we started we couldn't decide if we wanted to restore it or build it into a crawler. I think we are leaning towards a crawler. Our first thought was to get a donor FJ80 with the full float rear and swap everything over and keep it toyota, but after getting some measurements off of one it just doesn't seem to work without possibly stretching the frame.

With the FJ80 motor to end of transfer case is around 80-83". which would basically end around 6" from the rear axle in its stock location.

So now this is the new idea

Option 1
Chevy 350
TH400 (auto) - with the smallest tailshaft
Atlas 4 Speed
--
Option 2
5.3L Vortec
4L60-E (auto)
Atlas 4 Speed
--

Stretch Wheelbase 105-110"
Full Width Dana 60s with ARB's
37-40" Tires
3-Link Front
4-Link Rear
King Dual Rate Coils
Internal Cage so the hard tops still fits

Anyone have thoughts on option 1 over option 2?

 

5.3 are every where and cheap. That’s what I’d go with. Easy to build horse power also.

 

I just found one in Idaho for $1500 that with the ECU and harness, but might have a line on 350 with the TH400 transmission for $900.

 

My buddy got the 5.3 with transmission and transfer case for 1400. Guess it really depends on which you cannot me across first

 

Either will work fine. Im more of a fan of the 350 just cause its an "easier" swap in the sense of no computers and less wiring needed. And if you stay carb'd you wouldnt need to change out fuel setups all that much. I vote for just going with whichever you find first for the price you are willing to pay

The 2uz could be an option for keeping it Toyota....though itll cost a lot more.

I have a TH350 if you are open to using that instead of a Th400. It MIGHT need a rebuild but really I have no clue. It was in my FJ40 but I swapped over to a H42

 

Thanks on the trans I'll keep that in mind, I should get some more info on the 350 tomorrow its currently in a guys FJ, he wants to swap to the LS he has in one of his corvettes.

 

350 on propane

 

Didn't think of that, but that would be cool. One of my old friends had his 22r converted for propane.

 

A friend of mine runs it in his 22r powered truggy.

 

Hows it work for him, any downsides?

 

He's got an older Holley setup that works about perfectly. It's been going strong for 10+ years. He had some issues when it was first done but I think it was mostly learning the system and breaking in a whole new build.

 

Day one on the 40 tear down,

Finished getting the fenders off and disconnecting everything from the fire wall






Pulled the gear shift off and the gears look brand new,



Then pulled the tub off, engine hoist and ratchet strap made easy work





Just had to finish off by getting the motor mounts and trans mounts off




Picked that heavy bitch up and set it to the side




Finished the day pulling the axles and getting the rest of the bolt on shit off. Going to start tomorrow by building a box to get the frame up off the floor so we can work on it at a decent height and then finishing getting the break lines and everything that's riveted on off. Pretty good progress on the first day. Frame is in super nice shape just hella dirty.

 

Bad ass! Damn good progress for one day

 

I thought so, its nice to have the tub off and able to start taking some measurements.