Hey,
I recently in the last two weeks got a 63 FJ40. Though new to owning my own rig, my hubby has a Jeep (and has for a long time) and has been helping me with modifications and such. Any suggestions from anyone? Anything at this point would be appreciated. I do want to know if any could tell me whether 35in tires will rub with a 4 inch lift? Clearence is looking kinda sketchy, would 33's work better. I am not sure what to expect as far as articulation goes.
Gracias....
:fj:

my first recomendation..is to read the stickys at the top of the page. and do searches/research first. people ask the same questions all the time...i do too :rasta: but i can handle the abuse they give me. hehe...enjoy!

Ok,
I guess I should have been more specific. My other half has been on this board for a long time and I know the kind of crap "newbies" get.
I guess technically I am!
But like I said he owns a Jeep and a Jeep is not a Cruiser. We have difference of opinions on things and getting additional advice from a neutral party can never hurt. :rasta:

Well you are obviously the smarter because you ended up with a cruiser. :D Welcome and enjoy. I have a 4" lift on my 40 and it doesn't rub, of course I have Man A Fre springs and they're not very flexible. What lift are you going with? Also do you have the stock motor or a 350? Power steering conversion is always a bonus and a 63 is gonna have drum brakes swapping those all out will be a definite plus. Good luck and ask away.:D

I think the war of Jeep vs. Cruiser is defiantely ON!!! :)

The lift I got was from another Toyota owner who was doing a spring over. The lift came from Man A Fre and it came with springs and shocks.
I haven't had a chance yet to replace the drums with disk brakes. That might have to be later on down the road. The motor is a straight six and considering its age runs pretty well. I am so overwhelmed by all the modifications that are needed, I am not sure which ones are best to start on first. I think the power steering might be the first. Holy Crap! That thing is a bitch to make a U turn in! :eek:

Originally posted by whlinchick
Holy Crap! That thing is a bitch to make a U turn in! :eek:
Just wait until you try it on the trail when your aired down. You either go to PS soon or end up with some bulked biceps.
Since you already have the suspension handled. I vote for PS.
Disc conversions, and other improvements can come later.
Welcome to the Niravana that is Landcruiser.
:beer:

Now the only modification that is needed is your butt in the drivers seat and some dirt and rocks. The things are amazing in stock form. I just like the ease of 4.88s, ARBs, 35s, power steering, and rear disks.:D

I am hoping to make my debut in Hollister in the next few weeks. Its just about ready to rock. Waiting on my new rims to go with tires sitting in the garage and the good old registration from the wonderful State of CA and I am gone. I am wondering how far I would make it into the Rubicon once I have an ARB for the the front and back with this manual steering? If not far, I had better start pumping some iron. Thanks All for all the words of encouragement!

I would say the two biggest improvements would be power steering and disc brakes in that order especially with the bigger tires and yes I have a buddy with a 4in lift and 35's with no problems but he say he wishes he would have done a springover like mine, it gives you about 6in's, I also have another friend that I went through the Rubicon with that had a stock 40 except for power steering and 31's so it can be done we spent a lot of time on the skid plates and shackles and shortly after that he removed his (mangled) steps and cut the rocker panel up higher and installed a piece of angle iron.

If you are running an ARB front and rear there is a chance your front and rear diffs may have been changed out by previous owners, as I dont think you can put an arb into the older diffs 67 and earlier.
The easiest way would be ask who put the ARB's in.
I have a 69 with quite a few mods including power steering and power brakes but can't justify arbs front and rear, maybe front. Sounds like a saginaw conversion is in your future.
Good luck
Mike :fj: :jeep2:

I would go with a spirng over and 36"s, but that is me. That is my favorite 40 setup. Congrats on being smarter than your husband :p

well because money is a tight thing right now, I have to choose wisely. I would love to do a spring over, but the lift was cheap and the 35' tires were free. I also forgot to mention the fact that it came with no windshield and everyone told us that it was a custom order. 250.00 smacks! ouch :eek:
Luckly a friend of the hubby works for Toyota and gets us what we need at cost. :) I want to be able to get out and have some fun with spending as little as possible right now. The Jeep junkies I know say ARB front and rear. Is this a line of crap? :mad2: Someone tell me!!! AHHH
I didn't realize the age of the Diff mattered, thanks for the info. I just don't know how far I will get open front and rear.

ARB front and rear is a nice setup. I would run that. On the other hand, it is also a very very expensive setup. It would be great if this were your DD. If it is just a trail rig (or even a DD and you could care less about pops like most people here), go with a Detroit in the rear, it will save you a few pennies...

A long time ago we had a YJ and it had a lockright in it. That things sucked really bad. Then recently we baby sat a friends TJ while we was on vacation. (he lived in SF no place to park blah blah) He had a Detroit in his and I thought it rode the same as the lock right. I hated it. Terrible popping and automatic lane changes. I swore I would go that route. As of now this is NOT a daily driver though I would like to drive it around occasionally.
I know the ARB are expensive, but from previous driving experiance well worth the money spent.
I guess I can start saving!!! :D

Holy Crap Nice Type "O"'s


:eek:

Yeah, for dual ARBs you will be looking at around 1500 for just the parts, then a few hundred more for installation. :eek:

Wow!! That is way more expensive. Are you running a Detroit? If so you know what I am talking about right :rasta:

HAaha Smarter then me? I think not..

We would do a SOA on the cruiser as but like she said money tight and the lift was a good deal.

for me I dont mind the detriots, I dont think jen remebers teh detroit in my wrangler because I didnt have it in there long enough for her to take some trips with it..

Detroits in a TJ, Can you say POP Boing boing boing

I run detriots in the CJ..

Originally posted by whlinchick
Wow!! That is way more expensive. Are you running a Detroit? If so you know what I am talking about right :rasta:

No I don't run a detroit, but I have driven trucks with them, and lockrites. They really aren't that bad if you know how to drive them. You get used to how you have to turn when you have them and it becomes automatic. There is still that crazy big pop that comes every now and then unannounced :D

Originally posted by WheelingPiazza
HAaha Smarter then me? I think not..

What we have here is a classic case of Heep denial! :flipoff2: ;)

I would still prefer to stay away from them if I can.
That TJ rode like a cadillac and all of a sudden you would be jarred into the next lane. Keep in mind a 6 inch lift and 35in tires can scare the shit outta the person next to you when that happens :eek:

Whats good for the husband isn't always good for his wife! :skull: :skull:

I am wondering if that would mean HIS HEEP or my heep????? :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Originally posted by whlinchick
I am wondering if that would mean HIS HEEP or my heep????? :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Ask the hubby, he'll know what I mean :p :D

Ok I will do that...



:confused:

Okay,
I got the info from him.
I am feeling truly educated now ;)

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet, but if you've got stock running gear on that '63, you would be advised to swap to a later model front end at least. People complain about drum brake birfields breaking, but a '63 doesn't even have those :)!

Definitely do not lock up the front end before swapping to later running gear or mini disk brakes. You've also got a 3 speed and the old style transfer case. Lots of changes for you to do ;).

Read the Cruiser FAQL (http://www.birfield.com/~morgan/faq.html) to get more information on your rig.

Thanks for mentioning and yes no one mentioned it! Better start saving my duckets, I have alot of work and spending ahead me. :D
But when I am done, I am going to out do that Jeep no problem. :eek:

A power steering conversion is definately the first step in your case. At the same time for safety do a crossover steering conversion. I did the power brakes conversion the hard way! Swing pedals power unit, new twin master(for front disks) and firewall altered to take 78 cruiser parts. If you have original axles you won't be able to put arb into it front . Your money would be wiser spent if you look for a 76-80 front axle with original disk brakes already set up. less headaches than minitruck conversion as I did on my 69 axle. Then when you get the ching you can put arb into it easy. As for the rear you will have to be an extreme off roader for the rear ARB to pay off soon, you might try a PRO-TRAX noslip. More bang for the buck and way less trouble setting up, You could install yourself. It takes less than an hour, the hardest part is pulling axles so you can put it in. You will have to check for rear axle year compatability for locker. Also I think your 63 came with a four speed as original tranny.
Good luck, email if further questions!
Mike :fj: :jeep2:

Well I have a line on a FJ60 axle and 2 72 FJ40 axles. So I am thinking this conversion may happen sooner than later. I got these great alumium rims and I now need spacers in order to tighten down the lugs. This whole thing has been a major drag. I was hoping to be out and driving this weekend and I didn't happen. :crybaby:

Have been given tons of shat about the alumium already
:flipoff2: