81 FJ40 Project

KY Longhunter · 06-26-09, 08:57 AM

Google Blair Spot Weld cutter. This is the best way to break loose the rocker panels from the cowl.

You will need to cut your floor pan at base of firewall, but I wouldn't cut anything until you get your new stuff in.

And as someone once told me, "measure twice & cut once."

Somehow, I didn't listen and have been scratching my head for months...

71AZFJ · 06-26-09, 01:14 PM

D`Animal is right , Who cares what it looks like as long as it doesnt leave you stranded .Mechanical First.

PappaSmurf · 06-28-09, 03:19 AM

There is at least one thread of someone doing what you are talking about but with an aluminum 3/4 tub. Do a search for the company you bought the tub from and I'll bet you find out everything you need. Good luck! Keep it fun dude!!

Michael Hanson · 06-28-09, 05:46 AM

After removing the tub with a torch and saw zaw.I would sand ,prime and paint the frame and check all the brake lines etc first.Reseal the rig,clutch,belts,hoses ,fluids .I think your a ways from the new tub going on.Besides I WOULD PUT SEVERAL COATS OF PRIMER ON IT BEFORE RE-ASSEMBLY! You dont want it to rust again. 2 cents Mike

RattSki · 07-29-09, 07:36 AM

Thanks for everyone's advice, especially all the info you have given me Alex. I pretty much have it down to frame and axles right now and have started pulling the springs so I can send the frame in to be blasted. Does anyone have an opinion on powder coating versus POR for the frame? Thanks again, I'll post some pics of before and after when I get the frame back.

Blue77FJ40 · 07-29-09, 09:18 AM

My personal experience with powder coating has been that once rust gets started under the coating it'll run along underneath like poo through a goose. One option would be to galvanize the frame if you're never going to weld on it. Another, and my choice would be to POR/rust bullet, etc. / paint it, as spot repairs will be so much easier than powdercoating.

RattSki · 07-29-09, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue77FJ40

My personal experience with powder coating has been that once rust gets started under the coating it'll run along underneath like poo through a goose. One option would be to galvanize the frame if you're never going to weld on it. Another, and my choice would be to POR/rust bullet, etc. / paint it, as spot repairs will be so much easier than powdercoating.

I feel my mind changing

. This thing has enough rust already and I need to stop it dead in it's tracks. Hopefully the guys I'm taking it to for blasting do a good job of cleaning it up. Thanks Blue.

Centermass · 07-29-09, 11:35 AM

Rattski you should be able to get the factory service manueals directly from toyota media distrabution for a fraction of the cost. They told me it would be 70.00 for body/chasis 24.61 for engine and 10.32 for the emissions. They get you on shipping so it is best to order everything at one time. The number is 1-800-622-2033 I bought a set for the 79 I have they are great. I need to purchase a set for my 83.

RattSki · 09-19-09, 01:07 PM

Ok it's been a while. Have the frame back after being powdercoated. Installed the new Man-A-Fre rear crossmember and diagonal gussets. Cleaned up the rear axle and painted and now I'm trying to put the rear axle back on to get it off the ground to do the brake work. I'm installing a Hell Creek 4" lift and anti-inversion shackles but Hell Creek only sent me 16 new bushings which I'm assuming are for the shackles. What is everyone using for bushings where the leaf spring re-attaches to the spring hanger and the frame? Thanks.

RattSki · 09-19-09, 01:10 PM

Hmm some pics didn't upload so I'll try again.

RattSki · 09-21-09, 05:04 PM

Ok so sometimes I'm not the brightest bulb in the pack. Got the bushing question answered.

Maybe I should stick to bicycles haha

dmaddox · 09-21-09, 05:09 PM

You are doing fine man - keep up the good work. Looks fantastic.

tmarx · 09-22-09, 01:05 AM

Looking good, keep it up !

RattSki · 10-16-09, 08:50 PM

Finished sandblasting and painting the front axle now I get to attack the disc brakes.

Quick question, on my front spring plates where the top of the plate meets the bottom side of the springs one side has a small shim already attached to the plate. Does that shim belong at the back of the plate or at the front of the plate? Stupid me attached the front axle to the springs already and then thought hmmmm I hope I didn't put those plates on backwards.

Other than that making very slow progress.

KY Longhunter · 10-17-09, 11:31 AM

Matt,

Got any pictures?

AR

greenbeast · 10-17-09, 03:07 PM

Ok newbie here with ambitious project of my own, but reading your posts and seeing what your doing is killing me! Feel like i should get instructions in crayola, Have you done this before Rattski? Im just trying to find someone to help do this and occasionally let me slow them down with questions, Looks like your doing great job!

greenbeast · 10-17-09, 03:08 PM

I know for sure someone is going to make some money off of me in the future, more if they dont tell my wife how much!!

RattSki · 10-18-09, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KY Longhunter

Matt,

Got any pictures?

AR

Pics on the way buddy.

RattSki · 10-18-09, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenbeast

Ok newbie here with ambitious project of my own, but reading your posts and seeing what your doing is killing me! Feel like i should get instructions in crayola, Have you done this before Rattski? Im just trying to find someone to help do this and occasionally let me slow them down with questions, Looks like your doing great job!

I got lucky Greenbeast. My wife's brother and nephew both are master mechanics with Toyota down in Sacramento. Anytime I run into a problem all I do is call them up and interrupt their lives hahaha. I've never done this before but hopefully with some luck I won't ever have to do it again.

Truthfully I'm having a frickin blast. My only regret is I can't get it done fast enough

. I'll help anyway I can. I'll pm you with my email.

RattSki · 10-26-09, 09:10 PM

Putt Putt Puttin along. Almost finished with the front axle and disc brakes.

RattSki · 11-04-09, 03:23 PM

Ok dumb question..... I'm getting ready to start putting the engine back in but I can't remember the position of the engine mounts. I bought new mounts and I can tell from the old mounts how they were positioned but I don't think they were positioned correctly. Can anyone help me out with the proper positioning of the mounts? Thanks.

Splangy · 11-04-09, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RattSki

Ok dumb question..... I'm getting ready to start putting the engine back in but I can't remember the position of the engine mounts. I bought new mounts and I can tell from the old mounts how they were positioned but I don't think they were positioned correctly. Can anyone help me out with the proper positioning of the mounts? Thanks.

I left my camera at work!

But, my '81 engine is sitting in the garage on the stand, with the mounts still on (I think). What exactly do you need to know?

RattSki · 11-04-09, 07:49 PM

Just looking for the correct engine mount positioning as in which side faces which direction. My SOR catalog shows them facing one way but the old mounts were facing a different direction. Just trying to verify before I tighten things down. Thanks a ton.

Splangy · 11-05-09, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RattSki

Just looking for the correct engine mount positioning as in which side faces which direction. My SOR catalog shows them facing one way but the old mounts were facing a different direction. Just trying to verify before I tighten things down. Thanks a ton.

OK, I see what you mean. The engine mounting bolts are offset in the mounts and are installed opposite one another. The one on the left (drivers) is installed with with bolt closer to the rear and the right side is installed the opposite way, with the engine bolt closer to the front.

Hope that helps.