Close
 

Thanks Joe !

Jeff ... we were this close to going with the same, (SPAL system) but after talking to some folks that sold them they said if the windows or the cranking systems are sticky then they would be very slow and would eventually break. We took a chance and ordered up the Electric Life universal flat glass kit and somehow got it to fit. BUT, not without serious modification to the kit itself and to some of the interior door panel.

Had to cut open a section along the base of the door to house the motor and the lower portion of the track, then Fabbed up some enclosures that will get powder coated or covered ... yet to be determined

Cheers
Steve

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1844/...e4e3ecec_h.jpgIMG_9612 by Steve Heck, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1871/...a3cc83d1_h.jpgIMG_9625 by Steve Heck, on Flickr

66 r2.8
 

Oh ... and just because I dont want to get bored too quickly and because Ryan announced publicly that I was bringing 2 bad a!& FJ40's to Motorama next March ... here goes #2 to the paint shop !!

Thanks Ryan :thumbsup:

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1915/...a6a991a4_h.jpgIMG_9619 by Steve Heck, on Flickr

Mine definitely do have "slow" spots. My style was not the first choice but I was told the type you have wouldn't fit, no way, no how.... goes to show stubborn car guys can win out!! I will know better next time.

Jeff-

Jeff ... honestly there were a few moments that I though OMG this is not going to fit !! Its soooooo tight in a few spots even a few MM off and we would have been screwed. The track had to be placed at a slight angle in that EXACT position only as well

Steve

Nice fix. I bet there's a few guys with Fj's that would love to see this. You definitely have to keep us in the loop on the blue one.

Love how the handle operates the motor! And how you overcame a "problem" with an even better than original solution... Nice work.

Doors
 

Ok ... Got the panels back from the interior shop today and finished one of the doors off. Very happy with the design, fit and finish that Harold came up with !!

Thanks Harold


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1949/...fe216ae3_h.jpgIMG_9693 by Steve Heck, on Flickr


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1932/...a93c3b8d_h.jpgIMG_9699 by Steve Heck, on Flickr


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1928/...989bfe8f_h.jpgIMG_9707 by Steve Heck, on Flickr

Beautiful as always sir ... and I said something semi private to one person on Instagram about your plan .... lol you never told me it was a secret Steve lol ... I'm sorry if I ruined anything , I was just trying to get Mark to bring his targa truck to the show too

Turned out super clean, just like everything else you do!

Wow they came out really nice.

Tme
 

Jeff, Wayne ... as always thank you

LMAO ... Ryan, no issue as it wasn't really a secret and no you didn't ruin anything ! You lust lit a fire under my butt to get going on the 2nd one
Who follows Instagram anyway ! lol

Hope Mark will bring his truck ?

Steve

Phew... you had me worried for a minute. Mark never said yes or no if he was bringing it . I just thought it would be awesome to see three trucks in the front hall lol

maiden voyage
 

Well guys ... today was the day !!!
.... I cant believe it but she went on her 1st drive today
I have sooo much to report, but its almost Turkey time (thanksgiving here) and I'm exhausted ... so with that I'll just say this

Friggin AMAZING experience ... so much fun to drive, could not be happier

Details coming, 1st stop ... more gas

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1903/...e14da5a1_h.jpgIMG_9756 by Steve Heck, on Flickr


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1954/...c3da660f_h.jpgIMG_9754 by Steve Heck, on Flickr

First drive video

double click ...


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1923/...16de6d49_b.jpgIMG_8265 by Steve Heck, on Flickr

@ Steve, I get this on the above video:


This video is private.

Oops! You don't have permission to view this video.

Here's a link back to your home page.

Looking fantastic! Congrats!

I can build a truck, but I cant figure out how to post videos !
I'll figure it out

LOL
Steve

Awesome!

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!

In my opinion you NAILED the ratio of lift and tire size...it's stance is PERFECT!

Love all the black trim against the grey base paint color also. Very tastefully done...

How's it drive? NVH way better than stock? I know it's got great power, how's the handling\street manners?

Only thing that maybe looks a little out of place to me is the soft top. I LOVE the look of these with the smooth hard top but I also get the desire to be able to easily take the soft top off. I kind of want to see it with the top off to really get a feel for it.

Wow Steve she looks fantastic!!!!! Its perfect in every way!!! You nailed it!

Thank you
 

Thanks everyone !!!
Lance ... Let me drive her for a few more days and get you some feedback on the driving characteristics. The first thing I need to do is reduce the tire pressure, ride is a bit harsh and this will help a LOT.
As far as the soft top, I totally agree the hard tops do look better and 'finished', BUT as you said, soft top is the best of 2 worlds, I am really looking to rolling up all the windows and taking her for a cruise tomorrow as its going into the 70's.

Cant wait, more to come ....

And Steve, Camaro is looking great buddy !! I'm coming down in the FJ to see her

Cheers
Steve

And try this guys, I believe I unlocked the video


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1923/...16de6d49_b.jpgIMG_8265 by Steve Heck, on Flickr

Video works!

Photo shoot
 

Took a few shots in the driveway :flashie:

Lance ... Cant do this with a hard top !

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1922/...b6acab95_h.jpgIMG_9788 by Steve Heck, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1962/...e0420e1f_h.jpgIMG_9784 by Steve Heck, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1971/...2fdb56c2_h.jpgIMG_9796 by Steve Heck, on Flickr

And stole the license plate from the Camaro ! lol

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1914/...9bae9011_h.jpgIMG_9772 by Steve Heck, on Flickr

There's a lot of bad a$$ery going on here.

This came out beautiful, I love it.

Dyno Day
 

So laid down some serious #rs ... :lmao:
Massive drive train loss

Just got her back from the Dyno / Tuning shop, and for what she is, she hauls A$#!! Just dont make any quick turns !!


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4839/...cb9e9b9b_h.jpgIMG_9930 by Steve Heck, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1939/...3352b027_h.jpgIMG_9939 by Steve Heck, on Flickr

Isn't there like a huge loss just based on the tread of those tires as well? seems like I've heard that before, that off road type tires don't transmit power to dyno wheels very efficiently.

Still, with as light as that rig is, I'm sure it's got PLENTY of power...

How many miles on it so far?

Money Shot!
 

Amazing build.
Mr. Ward should be thankful you do this for pleasure and not business 😁

Sweet! Good Number. My 190,000 mile FJ40 Towed my 5,000lb boat for quite a few years, and could pull down a house! Excellent job!

welcome
 

Peter ... welcome to the forum !! (and thank you btw)
You'll love it here, anything goes and the folks here are just awesome.

So Lance yes, according to my tuner the believes this motor is in the range of 450 so we are looking at a 150tq-170hp loss range.
I have to say it though, this has to be one of the most fun vehicles I've ever driven. EVERYBODY does the double take, and then you realize by the questioning look on their face they are thinking WTF is that !!
Wayne, whats funny is my mom needed a small tree taken out of her front yard so I hooked up the front 10,000lb winch last week and yanked it out ! Likely the only 'action' this winch will EVER see .. LOL

Cant wait to get her in the March show with FJ#2

Cheers
Steve

Let's see number 2 Steve

Fj #2
 

Not much to see yet ... but getting there
I'll start a new thread

1966 FJ40 originally from Alaska ... thus NO rust
Stripped down to bare steel and epoxied

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1938/...6d637060_h.jpgIMG_0354 by Steve Heck, on Flickr


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1938/...71e81fae_h.jpgIMG_0391 by Steve Heck, on Flickr


ALL holes are getting filled in

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1945/...ab8e6f79_h.jpgIMG_0352 by Steve Heck, on Flickr


Ordered custom wheels very similar to these


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4846/...7607f099_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-27 at 9.59.04 AM by Steve Heck, on Flickr

Congrats on a build so well done Steve. :thumbsup:

I just picked up a basket case 74 FJ40,and will be watching your fj40 threads for tips and ideas.

Welcome to the madness!


Jeff-

I know it's weird but those split lower rear doors was one of the thing I liked most on my 72 FJ. This is in in amazing shape. More fun for me to watch.

LMOA ... yup !!
Thank everyone ... so REALLY looking forward to putting both of the trucks into the March Autorama side by side here in TO just to show people 2 very different but really cool trucks.

Ryan, I assume I'll be seeing you !

Cheers
Steve

You bet buddy... I'll be the one licking the windows

Announcing for next year Steve will be bringing my 70ss chevelle , lots of work to do so anytime you want to start sending money let me know Steve lol.

You know Steve I would like to sit back and come up with a comment that would describe this build to a T. But with everyone's comment, I can't think of anything that would just be over the top. I believe everyone has just about named everything in your build. I my self think it is amazing! Just as all your builds are. You are truly a very talented man with a good eye for detail.

All I can say.. Very good job and keep coming up with something else to build and keep all of us happy watching.

Carl

Inspiration from SEMA
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqBkraCg1yt/