Anyone near the Houston are done this? I am seeking experienced help with my 70 FJ40. I like to measure twice and cut once. If you live close, 100miles or so; I will pay gas and feed you beer. Afterwards! <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/jeep1.gif" border="0">

I believe that you use a huge pipe cutter (=lots $$$) and cut on the outside of the cruiser 3.188" tube about 1 " from the end of where it necks down. You do this until you reach the tube inside it. This inside tube is part of the housing end...(the "ball" and the necked down area on the end of the housing are slid into the ends of the cruiser housing then welded on.)

Once you have cut the outer tube you can then stick a big bar in the holes where the trunion bearings go (knuckle bearings) and turn the housing end to the desired degree.

3 1/2" pipe cutters are really expensive otherwise I would have one by now. I'm just waiting for that swap meet or garage sale deal which will eventually come along. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

Why not just rent a pipe cutter for the day from your local rental yard. <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

$12 bucks to rent one here.

I didn't even remove the axle to cut and turn the knuckles. Just disassembeled it.

Works really well.

And the housing is like 1/4" thich so it does take a bit of cutting to get to the knuckle...

Yah but renting tools just leaves me feeling empty and used. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

I just finished mine this past weekend. It took me a while to grow the nuts to do it without having any help from anyone with experience. I used a cutoff wheel to cut the welds and I probably should have just used a grinder. Make sure you cut toward the axletube side of the weld and not the knuckle side like I started out doing. I would love to give you a hand but Baton Rouge is a bit far from Houston and besides I barely have enough time to finish up all the little things on mine before next months trip to Clayton.

Originally posted by Tankota:
<STRONG>I believe that you use a huge pipe cutter (=lots $$$) and cut on the outside of the cruiser 3.188" tube about 1 " from the end of where it necks down. You do this until you reach the tube inside it. This inside tube is part of the housing end...(the "ball" and the necked down area on the end of the housing are slid into the ends of the cruiser housing then welded on.)

Once you have cut the outer tube you can then stick a big bar in the holes where the trunion bearings go (knuckle bearings) and turn the housing end to the desired degree.

3 1/2" pipe cutters are really expensive otherwise I would have one by now. I'm just waiting for that swap meet or garage sale deal which will eventually come along. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

hey Dave will that Rigid one I have work? I think we looked and its too small, my bad

Acctually I think the grinder with a cutting wheel would be the fastest. If you can cut a strait line or even a sawzall. If the pipe cutter will cut that deep use it I use one at work sometimes and it makes a nice strait cut.

the reason I think a grinder would do better is because it will give a good groove to fill in with weld rather than a skinny groove.

I laugh, I cut and turn housings all the time, takes me about 5 minutes per side to cut through with 4 1/2" cut off wheels. And a cut off wheel will leave about an 1/8" gap in the metal. Perfect for welding.

Jeff

Hey Rustyb - you got it done! I am impressed! I'll have to come by and take a look next time I'm down in BR. Should I bring my new 78 front and some beer??? <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0">

Bring it on down here. I have some confidence in what I am doing now.

I agree w/ jeff,
The cut off wheel is the way to go. it's quick, cheap & does not pressure weld like a pipe cutter. make sure you cut on the axle side of the weld though. w/ a few quick measurements & an $8 magnetic base angle finder, cutting & turning is a piece of cake.

There is a great write up by Scott Wilson at this web page. It is being done on a 4runner with SAS but the concept is the same!! <IMG SRC="smilies/usa.gif" border="0">
http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/toyota/tech/rotated_housing/

All right. Now you're getting me interested. So can I use my old '73 3 speed housing (drum brake style) and swap in all the stuff from my rebuilt 76 Housing (disc brake). What mods would I have to do?

I am almost positive you can swap everything out of your 76 housing and put it in the 73 housing. This was my backup plan if I messed up the 77 housing. It gave me a little more nerve knowing that I had a spare if I screwed up.

Yes, you can swap your parts from the 73 to the 76 housing. If you use the stock TLC disks, you will have to use the 76 tie rod or shorten your drum brake one a little.