Finally! My introduction, Thanks, and Pics!

[singletrackjunkie]

Wow, great find. I agree keep it stock. I wish I had found mud before I bought mine, looks like it was well worth the wait. I'm in northern MI, nice to meet another cruiser addict in my state.

[MStars]

Thanks guys

And the Bezel was already in the correct position when I bought it but even if it wasn't I've read this forum for too long. I wouldn't have dared post anything until I flipped it asap =).

I will get some more pictures posted up tonight. Noah gave me a few things to do to get started but I'm sure I'll have endless questions for all you guys.


Also, I'm lookin to buy a nice tool set. I realize that there will be many different random tools I need along the way but I want to start with a nice mechanic set that will allow me to do all the basic work etc. What do you think of this one? Craftsman 245 pc. Mechanics Tool Set with Easy-To-Read Sockets in 3-Drawer Chest - Model 34245 at Sears.com

Should I get one with more pieces in it? Craftsman 260 pc. Mechanics Tool Set with Lift Top Lid Chest - Model 33260 at Sears.com
Less pieces and save some money? Craftsman 137 pc. Mechanics Tool Set with Easy-To-Read Sockets - Model 35137 at Sears.com Really never had a nice set of tools so I want to get started.

Craftsman the brand I should be buying?
Thanks again


Matt

[Shawn Russell]

You can never have too many tools. Craftsman is fine, as long as there is a Sears near by.

[MStars]

Ya there is a Sears, that's np. Just wondering if Craftsman is preferable or if most of you gear heads prefer another brand. Also, note taken that I can't have too many tools. However, really just wondered if for a nice place to start, where is the breaking point? Yanno, not gonna get a $3k tool kit to start but also don't wanna start with something crappy or too little.

Thanks,

Matt

[rabid]

damn. Nice rig for around here! Congrats.

For the hubcaps- get some 00 grade steel wool from the hardware store and some mothers polish. They are not that expensive new from the dealer, btw. NOt sure if you can still get both ends, but you can get the rears.

For tools, get two sets of 6pt metric wrenches (one being ratcheting, if you want), a 3/8s driver, three extentions, and a set of shallow and a set deep well metric sockets. That is a good start.

The problem with the kits is you usually end up with a pile of stuff you do not need.

[rabid]

one box of screwdrivers, assorted, a pair of vice grips (good ones, not the crappy companion ones), feeler gauges (valve adjustments), a grease gun......

a mig welder, grinder....

tubing bender, plasma cutter.......



OK, maybe not yet.

[rsbcruiser]

Buying tools. I suggest only buying 6 point box end wrenches and sockets. 112 point is okay but stay away from them for motor work. What they said about Crashmans, true, except skip their ratchets, pure junk. Buy better ratchets, the junky ones have too much drag on the return stroke so you will be forced to hold the socket in order to resist socket rotation.

Richard

[Ralph]

great rig man excellent excellent

[ontherox]

Damn you guys and your "stock" talk...guess i'll spend more time in the hardcore corner

[MStars]

rsbcruiser: what is a better option than the craftsman? You said skip the ratchets so what would you suggest? Just don't wanna buy some tools and spend a bunch of money and then be pi**ed, down the road when I'm more familiar, that I bought the wrong/crappier tools than I should have.


P.S. each guy that writes and says what a nice find and nice cruiser I got makes me happier lol. Is that wrong


Thanks a lot guys,

Matt S

[mike@dw]

Are these tools to keep on the truck, or are these tools for the garage and you are starting from scratch? I would get a quality craftsman chest with either ball bearing or quiet glide. It doesn't have to be one of the roll around, but just the top of the roll around that you can set on a work bench. I started very basic and bought tools as I needed them. I will tend to buy individual quality tools as I need them instead of a "set" of tools from the start.

[MStars]

These are tools for the garage to keep and start from scratch.

[BigRedFJ40]

Beautiful rig! I too vote for keeping her stock and enjoying her for the classic she is

I have never seen a North East Cruiser that clean...... nice find

[1973Guppie]

Matt, I would say get a good basic craftsman set you can afford, along with a tool chest or cabinet. Then from there you will find yourself going back to sears for several other stuff you need as the occassion arises. snap ring pliers are always good if you are going to dig into the axles, a good torque wrench, dead blow hammer, soft mallet, the list goes on and on. I think you will figure out what tools you will need as you move further into the process of working on it. No need to get it all right now.

Noah

[pc4400]

Matt,

Welcome to the sickness


I give you 6 months tops untill you start talkin about brake upgrades and lifts. It is truely a sickness.

BTW, yes craftsman has gone down in quality in recent years but the warranty has stayed the same. I exchange a broken tool about once every 6-7 months or so.

[My wife said no FJ!]

Very nice So what's the story behind it? Why is it sooo clean?

I'm stock all the way, and had I known I'd have driven down to get her myself!

[MStars]

Story is, the guy I bought it from kept it in storage never driving it in poor weather. The truck was originally his mother in laws so pretty much the original owner. The old lady just wanted an 4x4 so while she was picking blueberries in the mountains of Vermont she felt more secure about never getting stuck. That was the extent of it's off roading history. Through it's life the guy I got it from always did all the maintenance on it and kept it in the shape it's in today. The old lady's grandkids didn't have much interest in having it so the guy decided it was time to get it to someone who would appreciate it and give it a good home like the old lady wanted. Thankfully that person was me =). Thats pretty much ol' girl's story.

Thanks for all the tips on tools guys. I'll post back with what I get

Matt

[Weedhopper]

GORGEOUS !!! ENJOY!!!

What state are you from ???

[MStars]

I live in Michigan =) Grand Rapids Area

[fortysixandtwo]

Originally Posted by MStars

Story is, the guy I bought it from kept it in storage never driving it in poor weather. The truck was originally his mother in laws so pretty much the original owner. The old lady just wanted an 4x4 so while she was picking blueberries in the mountains of Vermont she felt more secure about never getting stuck. That was the extent of it's off roading history. Through it's life the guy I got it from always did all the maintenance on it and kept it in the shape it's in today. The old lady's grandkids didn't have much interest in having it so the guy decided it was time to get it to someone who would appreciate it and give it a good home like the old lady wanted. Thankfully that person was me =). Thats pretty much ol' girl's story.

Thanks for all the tips on tools guys. I'll post back with what I get

Matt

Cool story. Always nice to find gems like that, and a gem you have for sure. Beautiful Cruiser man, I only hope I can find one that clean some day.

[Thornton]

Great looking 40. I've got to show the pics to a buddy of mine from who is originally from Troy,VT. He's not going to believe it.

As far as tools go I've got Craftsman. Started out with a basic set of sockets and wrenchs. If something breaks Sears is about 5mi. from my house. My son is a mechanic and swears by Snap-On. If your making your living with them I can understand going with Snap-On, especially since they come right to the shop.

Congratulatios and Enjoy

[DomSmith]

Matt-

Congrats on the Cruiser, but first things first...

Go WINGS!!!!!!

Anyway, I concur with Noah and most others... Craftsman will be just fine. Don't buy the big sets (they come with tons of stuff you won't use) and piece it together as needed. If you can hold off, wait until the sales. You can save a reasonable amount on socket sets, screwdriver sets, etc. during those events. Look closely at what you are buying, sets appear the same but are not.

Glad to see some Michiganders on here, I'm coming back for a family reunion in 8 days. Flying into GR as a matter of fact...

[MStars]

Glad to hear it! And yes GO WINGS!!! we rock =) Should stop in and see the new Cruiser Thanks for the compliments and I look forward to working on it.

As for the tool suggestions I have taken most all of the advice. I purchased a 6 pt. Metric set of shallow sockets as well as deep sockets. I bought a set of 6 point combination box end, open end wrenches. I bought 3 ratchet extensions. The last thing I'm getting for now is a 3/8 in drive Snap-On ratchet per the advice of most on here saying the Craftsman ratchets aren't quite up to snuff. So far thats all I got but I will build slowly. I definitely realized I didn't want a big huge set of stuff that i'd use only a handful of tools out of. Now wondering if I should buy a set of ratcheting wrenches or not? They are expensive so maybe I'll do without unless really really necessary for now anyway. Thanks for all the tips, any more advice is welcome.

I'm pretty much a master mechanic now that I have a socket set lol. Thats what I tell my gf anyway

Thanks guys,

Matt

[DomSmith]

Matt-

I like my Craftsman ratcheting wrench set but did without them for many years. Wait till they go on sale and grab them then. I'd recommend a small file set (I mean SMALL) and some good electrical tools (dikes, wire strippers, multimeter, etc.). Helps with cleaning up bad grounds, wiring small jobs and troubleshooting gremlins, etc. which are quite common on these old rigs.

Good Luck!