Chino's new Toyota

[chino63]

Originally Posted by rockhugger

that's a great pic




I disagree sir!!! those hubs look quality and strength... Plus Warn is just up in Oregon.

Thank you!

As for the hubs, I found another set of these in a box of crap I got with this Cruiser. I guess it will be hideous for quite some time.

Just went up to Stockton today and talked to Georg at Valley Hybrids about an Orion T-case. Turns out I know him from back in the day. Things are moving ahead faster than I planned.

[chino63]

The other day, I pulled the TH400/T-case out and got things ready for the NV4500. Planned to get more pictures but that didn't happen. Anyhow, the TH400 has a shift kit and works flawlessly. The t-case works great too but the rear seal leaks pretty bad. However it has a case saver on the back, all the vac shifter and levers will go with it.. They need to find a new home since I don't care for automatic transmissions.





Stuffed the NV4500 in for mock up with the Orion and AA bellhousing.





Here's where it will sit, a few inches below the frame. Note all the factory (or dealer installed) under coating.



Floor cut and shifter installed. Bummer, it's into the leg in 1st and 2nd. Need to see if I can find a different tower or mod the one I have.



Crossmember will be made soon.

[Tommy R]

Dean, can you just heat and bend the shifter to the right a bit? I had to do that on my Jeep after the tummy tuck (to keep it out of the dash). Might work for your situation?

[chino63]

Originally Posted by Tommy R

Dean, can you just heat and bend the shifter to the right a bit? I had to do that on my Jeep after the tummy tuck (to keep it out of the dash). Might work for your situation?

That's what I was thinking too. A friend needs a new tower to replace the worn out one on his truck so I thought I'd see what's out there and sell this one to him if I find one that suits my needs.

[YoUnG_vErSiOn]

im on the prowl...

[chino63]

This has been on hold for awhile due to other things keeping me busy.

Today I finally got the crossmember finished up. I spent alot of time debating if I was going to reuse the full length skid that the previous owner made or not. In the end, I plan on reusing it. I have to modify it quite a bit but it will be worth it in the end.

Anyhow, I wanted to keep the crossmember as high up and tight to the trans as possible to clear the skid. I notched the tube so it would clear the t-case adapter. Since I don't have a tube bender, I had a buddy bend this up for me.





Also had to clear the front drive shift housing.



Here it is ready for some paint.



Tomorrow I'll get the frame holes filled and the tabs welded on...

[1BadJeepBruiser]

Nice job Dean, cross member looks great

[NorCal 2500HD]

lookin fancy!!

[gregrocks90046]

Looks killer, Dean! You should be able to sell that TH400 easily to a hot rodder. If you haven't already!

[chino63]

Originally Posted by NorCal 2500HD

lookin fancy!!

Originally Posted by gregrocks90046

Looks killer, Dean! You should be able to sell that TH400 easily to a hot rodder. If you haven't already!

Thanks guys.

A few weeks ago, I installed the Centerforce clutch, had the drive shafts modified, installed the trans and t-case for the final time and got it all hooked up and drivable. Been driving it for the last couple weeks with no issues. Clutch is seated and adjusted, trans is shifting smooth and cruises at 70 MPH at 2100 RPM. Awesome!



Since all is well, I decided to start on the t-case shifters. Today, I only had a couple hours to work on it so I got started on modifying the tunnel. It took longer than expected as usual but the new shifter hump is ready for final install.











Let's not forget the shifter handles!



One more just because it was an awesome experience. I went to Toyota two weeks ago with my daughter to buy some new u-joints for the driveshafts. I figured I'd order them and be in and out in 10 minutes or so.... WRONG!

Turns out that pretty much all of the Stevens Creek Toyota parts dept are FJ40 fans and were more than helpfull as long as they can get a look at my truck and a picture in front of the Toyota sign on the wall with my FJ40. Anyhow, I got a free hat out of the deal and some new friends (and possibly the last 3 u-joints in the country for a '70 FJ40).

Here's a pic of my daughter and I in front of the sign.

[YoUnG_vErSiOn]

show off!

What no Mad Dog light bar? hahaha!

[BigBaller]

Looking good Dean. You should have parked it ON that Prius though.

[1BadJeepBruiser]

NICE! Isn't it great that Toyota still has a lot of the parts still available for the older rigs

[BigSki]

Extra clean work on the conversion, it looks like it left the factory that way.

[chino63]

Thanks guys! It's fun working on this thing, just taking my sweet ass time.

Ryan, funny shit about the picture, there was a guy parked where my truck is in the pic and I was going to just back up in front of his car but one of the parts guys told me he'd get the car moved. Next thing you know, he's telling the guy that he has to move the car because the parts dept needed to get a picture for the company website. He wasn't too polite to the guy either. At least I got a laugh out of it.

[Rastaman]

Yup that's a cool rig, my buddy has one just like it except its a72..rust free and bone stock, got it from the og owner as well no rust and garaged its whole life...
That's a keeper right there.....

[WHITE-TRASH]

Nice cruiser. It wont take long to break those warn hubs. They are good hubs in most applications but Toyota applications aren't one of them. They are made of pot metal and lack cone washers to keep them tight. You'll end up chasing loose hardware till the hub body is finally hogged out to the point they are scrap metal. Stock Toyota hubs are light years ahead in strength and if you break one parts are cheap and plentiful.

Any mini truck or cruiser hub with 30 splines at the end of the stub will work. Cruisers pre 76 were all 10 spline but odds are your 75 axle will be 30 spline if it has disc brakes on it.

[chino63]

Originally Posted by WHITE-TRASH

Nice cruiser. It wont take long to break those warn hubs. They are good hubs in most applications but Toyota applications aren't one of them. They are made of pot metal and lack cone washers to keep them tight. You'll end up chasing loose hardware till the hub body is finally hogged out to the point they are scrap metal. Stock Toyota hubs are light years ahead in strength and if you break one parts are cheap and plentiful.

Any mini truck or cruiser hub with 30 splines at the end of the stub will work. Cruisers pre 76 were all 10 spline but odds are your 75 axle will be 30 spline if it has disc brakes on it.

Thanks, I know they are not as strong as the Aisin hubs but I have two pair to play with. I've heard stories about these letting go but I don't plan on beating this truck too hard.

Not to mention, I'm out of coin after purchasing the NV4500, Orion and ARB's, still need Longfields too.

[dezfan]

Great pic, love the stance.

Best part is it isn't so pretty you're afraid to use it!

[chino63]

Here are the shifters and tunnel, coldest day of the week yesterday and windy to boot. Paint drying... drying.... drying...
Still a bit tacky this morning so I warmed things up with a torch to speed up the process.



Installed them for the last time today finally! All adjusted and working as they should.

I need to make a top plate for the boot, need to talk my buddy into making one out of some 4mm thick aluminum with countersunk hardware.