Formerly FJ60.............


I spent the whole weekend tinkering and driving my new FJ40 around town:D and for those that thought the wifey might explode when another FJ came down the driveway:flipoff2: she offered her spot in the garage for the 40's first night at home. (I declined because it leakes like a sieve).

The drivetrain is solid and the 283 is built out the arse, I particularly enjoy smoking the 31's:D It all worked out great and after I replace the clutch slave and the battery, I'll be ready for some REAL mods.

I know some of you guys have been through multiple cruisers and have done every imaginable mod out there soooo........where should I make my first investment in this future trail rig?????

1978 FJ40
stock 4speed/4.11 diffs
283 - rv cam/flat top pistons/headers/holley/ bla bla bla.....

In order......

Locker-rear
SM420/T350 something......
Spring Over
Front Locker/Super Birfields
Mongo Meats

Enjoy!!!

There have been two mods that, after I installed them, I felt like a moron for not getting my ass in gear and installing sooner. They changed the way I wheeled.

1) SM420 with a plate adaptor and 3spd transfer
2) Power steering.

Both have made my life off the tarmac alot more comfortable, and enjoyable. I am sure that 'spring over' will be added to the above list, once I get off my ass and into the garage and pull the Skyjacker 4" springs off my junk. :)

I admit to being a real live, bonified newbie, so feel free to flame, but is the sm420 really that huge an upgrade? Why?

thanks!

Originally posted by wngrog
In order......

Locker-rear
SM420/T350 something......
Spring Over
Front Locker/Super Birfields
Mongo Meats

Enjoy!!!

Naw, do them all at once, like I am!!:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Originally posted by stran
I admit to being a real live, bonified newbie, so feel free to flame, but is the sm420 really that huge an upgrade? Why?

thanks!

lower first gear, dirt cheap, bulletproof............everybody's doing it;)

correction... the sm420 is BOMBPROOF!! and ya...dont forget p/s. its way mo betta!!

Originally posted by stran
I admit to being a real live, bonified newbie, so feel free to flame, but is the sm420 really that huge an upgrade? Why?

thanks!

I went from 28:1 to 70:1 low range crawl ratio. Instead of burning my clutch and stalling alot, I can actually choose a line and idle up. Now I want more gearing! And the best part. I have under $500 in it after buying the tranny, an F bellhousing, the adaptor and the transfer case. Not too shabby. :D

70:1? Now that is quite a jump! Let's say an enterprising young fj owner wanted to install this so-called sm420... where would such an individual aquire one?


:confused:

-SM420 for sure
-Power Steering..Dude there ain't nothing like power steering. Pulling into the hard stuff and turning circles, just cause you can?? That's nice!
-Spring over - But make sure to not go crazy with the height other wise you end up on your side or roof more than on the tires.
-Rear locker - Nuf Said
-Front locker - See above


And yeah, why do one at a time?? Get it, all of em at once. Why not??

Originally posted by stran
70:1? Now that is quite a jump! Let's say an enterprising young fj owner wanted to install this so-called sm420... where would such an individual aquire one?
GM trucks from 1947 to 1967 had SM420s.

http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/convtrans/gm/gmsm420id.html
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/sm420.htm

http://www.ih8mud.com/ for info on the conversion, and contact Spaceghost for the adaptor, he will hook you up.

Charlie Glabe has a great write up about his SM420 install.
http://members.cox.net/cglabe1/SM420/sm420.html

thanks! I already started comning ih8mud for install info. How long does the install usually take (usual + me = 4 x usual)!?!?