The Mongrel: FJ62 body + FZJ80 chassis + turbo diesel + ???
- Thread starter RMP&O
- Start date
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Thanks!!
I suppose I should give s small update.
First up, I am about 6 months behind on this project. Pretty typical. Between work and lacking tools + space the project just hasn't gotten the kick it needs to be a full on project yet.
However, I recently bought a 5hp 60gal compressor, plasma cutter and a number of other goodies. I have all the air tools but my employees killed my compressor a few years back and am only now replacing it. The plasma cutter is going to save me many hours of work I don't enjoy much. I still need to get my engine hoist rebuilt, going to try and make that happen this week. I am also thinking I need an engine stand, Harbor Freight should work for that. Not much else to tell other than I think I will start making some good progress once the compressor shows up.
Oh ya and I am converting my "garage/storage" space into a workshop.
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jim65wagon
Well-known member
Oooh, this is good! I have neglected this thread for a bit, but a nice running engine is always a good thing! I dig the shipping crate, those Aussies know how to crate a block! I also know exactly what you were feeling as you hooked up the juice for the first time, put some fuel in it, and turned that key.....the cool thing about this project is: you get to feel that exact same excitement again - when you get the motor swapped to its new home - firing it up for the first time; again!
OK good luck now, and we are waiting!
OK good luck now, and we are waiting!
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Thanks and you are right!!
It was a darn long road to get the engine at my house. Thousands and thousands of dollars and years waiting. But it is here and it rocks hard! And your points about the engine are also true for many other parts of the project. My portal axles for example have been sitting idle for a couple years. In fact I have only used them 2x in the last several years. Everytime I look at them they scream use us!!
Plasma cutter showed up yesterday, bought an Everlast Supercut 50P. Looks like a pretty decent unit for $500. It will do up to 3/4" which is more then enough for me. Also got new parts for my pressure washer yesterday, gun, nozzles and few other bits. I like to work on a clean truck so this was key for me.
New IR 5hp 60gal compressor showing up tomorrow morning. This afternoon $300 in cut wheels and flap discs will be here.
I will still have to get some power work done here at my house, plasma and compressor are 230v. Also need better lighting in my shop area. I am good buddies with an electrician though so no worries.
All this has been holding up the project but more than that I need my bellhousing, clutch, trans & t-case. I jumped the gun early on thinking I could tear into the project without these things. Now, I think that would be a mistake. I need to set not only the engine in the new chassis but also the trans & t-case bolted to it. Along with my steering box these things are key, if I start cutting & chopping before this I will likely regret it and have to do things over. The project needs to flow so to speak and for it to flow the puzzle has to be put together in a certain order.
My first order of business is actually not even The Mongrel. It is another truck I am slapping together to sell. That is a 1977 Nissan Patrol pick up. It is getting brand new locked axles, SOA suspension, a new 5spd & t-case and an old ratty diesel engine. This is gear I have no use for and can't sell as parts for anywhere near what I have in them. Building the Patrol Ute with this gear and selling it = my new trans & t-case plus few other bits.
I am sure reading some if not all of this is confusing as can be to some of you. Understandably! It has been a bit of a puzzle for me just coming up with a solid plan! However it should start to come together in the coming months and be much more clear on what I am doing, why and what the results planned will be.
cheers
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
My electrician buddy has stopped by and gave me a bunch of big gauge wire. I am going to do the dirty work and he will do the actual wiring. Installing a starter and fuse box panel next to the compressor. Will have a plug for my plasma and a few other plugs there too. I am transforming a total junk area into an actual usable shop space! Some more shelves being built and the floor leveled out and then crush laid down. Lights going in too and now I am really considering buying a cheap used wood stove to heat the area.
I think I might buy my steering box soon and get around to buying a fresh air system for painting, sandblasting and heavy grind jobs. Need to make some big jack stands for doing axles and support the frame up high. Other then this I am getting there....the ball slowly rolls forward.
I think I might buy my steering box soon and get around to buying a fresh air system for painting, sandblasting and heavy grind jobs. Need to make some big jack stands for doing axles and support the frame up high. Other then this I am getting there....the ball slowly rolls forward.
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Not much progress but I finally got enough muscle around to get this into it's permanent location.
Got some wire to run from the house breaker panel to the wall next to the compressor. Not long after I hope to be up and running, stoked!!
And I got my WE wheels with 37" rubber mounted up. I will never run bigger then this size tire on this truck so I want to build it using these. And hey, I only paid $50 each for the tires!
Cheers
Got some wire to run from the house breaker panel to the wall next to the compressor. Not long after I hope to be up and running, stoked!!
And I got my WE wheels with 37" rubber mounted up. I will never run bigger then this size tire on this truck so I want to build it using these. And hey, I only paid $50 each for the tires!
Cheers
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
So not exactly an update on the Mongrel but an update none the less and a move in the right direction...
Today was day #3 of working on the man cave! I have had this space for years now but it has always been cluttered, dirty and a mess. Up to now it was just a placer to store my junk out of the weather.
The floor up to now was a disaster. This is an old horse stall so there was old horse crap, clay, rocks, compacted soil and old hay for the floor. It also was nowhere near level. It was also very dusty, I had sheets of plywood over it to try and cut down on the dust. We carved the floor off and down about 4", leveled it off and hauled the junk away, not a fun job! The floor now is crush but it is about 4" deep, maybe more, there is about 4yrds of crush on it. Every inch or so of crush we compacted the crap out of it and wet it down. It is not perfectly level but it is flat and very hard. I need that...
It is wet in the picture
I have been looking for a wood stove for awhile now since I got the idea in my head to convert this space to a workshop. A friend gave me this old Fisher stove, for free!
Durock on the wall for protection where the stove will sit. Made a 3ft square concrete pad with permanent steel frame. Mounted a stainless 4ft 24g sheet on the wall with 1 1/2" spacers off the wall for fire protection. Stove is not going to face out but rather sit along side the wall to save space. Where the compressor sits will be all my electrical, ie breaker panel, plug for plasma cutter, few 120v plugs and the starter for the compressor.
Shelves been in for a year and need to be organized, I have to much crap! There is a beer fridge tucked in there.
Big sliding "barn" style doors on the right with enough room to move my junk in and out.
The other corner....and access to the house.
It is small but enclosed and I can heat it! To finish it off I need to install the stove, get the wiring/lighting done, do a few small shelves and fix up my work bench. I may also do some insulating. Usable space is about 12-14ft x 18ft. Just barely big enough for a chassis!
I hadn't planned on getting fire wood this fall but looks like I need 3-4 cords now, at the least! Been nearly 8yrs since I have done the firewood thing.
Cheers
Today was day #3 of working on the man cave! I have had this space for years now but it has always been cluttered, dirty and a mess. Up to now it was just a placer to store my junk out of the weather.
The floor up to now was a disaster. This is an old horse stall so there was old horse crap, clay, rocks, compacted soil and old hay for the floor. It also was nowhere near level. It was also very dusty, I had sheets of plywood over it to try and cut down on the dust. We carved the floor off and down about 4", leveled it off and hauled the junk away, not a fun job! The floor now is crush but it is about 4" deep, maybe more, there is about 4yrds of crush on it. Every inch or so of crush we compacted the crap out of it and wet it down. It is not perfectly level but it is flat and very hard. I need that...
It is wet in the picture
I have been looking for a wood stove for awhile now since I got the idea in my head to convert this space to a workshop. A friend gave me this old Fisher stove, for free!
Durock on the wall for protection where the stove will sit. Made a 3ft square concrete pad with permanent steel frame. Mounted a stainless 4ft 24g sheet on the wall with 1 1/2" spacers off the wall for fire protection. Stove is not going to face out but rather sit along side the wall to save space. Where the compressor sits will be all my electrical, ie breaker panel, plug for plasma cutter, few 120v plugs and the starter for the compressor.
Shelves been in for a year and need to be organized, I have to much crap! There is a beer fridge tucked in there.
Big sliding "barn" style doors on the right with enough room to move my junk in and out.
The other corner....and access to the house.
It is small but enclosed and I can heat it! To finish it off I need to install the stove, get the wiring/lighting done, do a few small shelves and fix up my work bench. I may also do some insulating. Usable space is about 12-14ft x 18ft. Just barely big enough for a chassis!
I hadn't planned on getting fire wood this fall but looks like I need 3-4 cords now, at the least! Been nearly 8yrs since I have done the firewood thing.
Cheers
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Pictures of the man cave after todays work, nearly a 12hr day! We got a lot done and it is starting to look like a proper work area. I am no carpenter that is for sure! I am also using scarp items I have around as much as possible. So today was dry wall in the areas you see, electrician showed up and did my wiring (some is temporary), do the ceiling with Celotex 1/2" and hang the lights. Oh ya and we got rid of a yard or two of crush on my driveway to fill some potholes! It is about 80% done or more now....
The holes in the ceiling are for the stove pipe work and an access panel yet to be made for getting up in the rafters. I am going to go around and spray foam up where needed on the walls and or ceiling to seal up for any drafts. Still got some drywall to hang and finish off the insulating of the ceiling. I think I will tape the seams in the ceiling too. I am digging it a lot so far! Ran the compressor today for the first time, it is nice and quiet. Powered up the plasma cutter too of it's new plug but didn't cut anything. All seems well though. Still lots of work to do though such as; pipe the stove, set up my work bench, organize all my junk and I might due some pavers around my stove pad. I also need to set up the piping/filter for my compressor.
The holes in the ceiling are for the stove pipe work and an access panel yet to be made for getting up in the rafters. I am going to go around and spray foam up where needed on the walls and or ceiling to seal up for any drafts. Still got some drywall to hang and finish off the insulating of the ceiling. I think I will tape the seams in the ceiling too. I am digging it a lot so far! Ran the compressor today for the first time, it is nice and quiet. Powered up the plasma cutter too of it's new plug but didn't cut anything. All seems well though. Still lots of work to do though such as; pipe the stove, set up my work bench, organize all my junk and I might due some pavers around my stove pad. I also need to set up the piping/filter for my compressor.
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
I got to say I have been thinking about some things with the truck lately. Mostly, the suspension and mostly in the front. I am starting to consider keeping the front radius arm set up rather then doing my own 3-link. The intended uses of the truck will be very limited in the rocks. For the most part this truck is to be used for long distance trips, once there do some good off-roading. However, I don't need to be able to do serious rock crawling. I think what is more important to me then being able to do some gnarly rocks once every few years is that the truck handles nice on pavement for the long drives.
So we will see, but I may just glue on the radius arm mounts to the portal axles. The front will still have to be coil overs though due to limited space on the front axle.
cheers
So we will see, but I may just glue on the radius arm mounts to the portal axles. The front will still have to be coil overs though due to limited space on the front axle.
cheers
TangoBlue
American Adventurist
I agree completely. The dual radius arm on my front axle gives me that. We thought about using 80 radius arms but opted to build our own rugged version that offered more clearance at the axle. After some tweaking since installation the new poly bushings (previous was nitrolon) for the re-buildable joints give it a super-smooth ride. If you remember it has coilovers using the existing, slightly modified coil buckets.
2025 deleted member
Well-known member
Do you travel with the dog?
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Yes sir.
krazytoy
Adventurer
Why do you think the radius arm suspension will out perform on road the link set up you have designed? If the radius arms or so great why is the 80 series one of the only factory 4x4 suspension that uses it? Jeep has used a parallel 4 link front end for ages, hell even the new Jeeps use it. I see a hell of a lot more of those lifted and hauling *** down the interstate than I do 80's. Factory stuff is not always better when designed properly. A properly designed 4 link will out perform on road and off road a radius arm suspension.
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
I had forgot a bit about how your SAS was done. You use what looks very similar to the Cherokee radius arms. I like the 80-series design better and I have the 80-series stuff now. With the portals I really do not think ground clearance will be an issue! What it really just comes down to is wanting good or better road handling over a bunch of axle travel and flex. On a drive like I have done before I want to enjoy it not fight it. I really just want to get things in the shop and start playing before I decide but I got two trucks still to get out of the shop first! Almost done with work though for the season so soon I can focus full time on trucks.
cheers
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Ahhhh, ya the four link front. Hopefully soon I will have some of this in the shop, invite you over and we can hash out how well/easy the 4-link front would be.
The 80-series radius arm is really ridgid. A 3-link like we had in the Patrol, not so much. No idea why the 80-series design not around more but everybody I know with an 80 loves how they handle. Let me drive yours and I will know more!
I am not to familiar with that Jeep stuff other then I don't like it much!