My first 40: 1963 fj40 hardtop

Living in the Past · 08-10-09, 09:18 PM

No way that I know of to check the by looking. Try marking the tire and roll the vehicle one turn and count how many times the driveline turns. If it's just over three it's the 336s. If it's just a little over four you have the common 411s. The 411s are better off road while the 336s would be better on the highway.

3jvj · 08-10-09, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pardion

Great find! You should have a center rear diff. Check your axle ratio's you may have the rare 3.36 to 1 ratio, Parted out lots of cruisers but only seen one with that option. John

What makes you say that (center diff). Are we talking about the rear?

Offset (rear). If the first raised number is it; then I've got 4.11's.

3jvj · 08-10-09, 09:26 PM

So the 41111-*&%$# is not ratio then?

No fluid from rear drums, and the front are ooze monsters.

It's a given that it needs a rebuild.

Can I get parts for this system (sorry; haven't searched yet)?

I noticed that the master is three bolts and the minis are four. I may shelve the old master and fab a conversion plate so I don't have to drill holes.

Having a single curcuit system seems.........
scary.

Really scary when it's leaking down two drums as is.

Cruiser_Nerd · 08-10-09, 09:45 PM

There are no numbers on the axle that will give you the ratio. The rear has been replaced, given it's offset. The original centered axle was swapped out. Plenty of centered units kicking around if you want to return it to original.

Before you start down the parts gathering trail you need to figure out what year your axles are. Assuming no one has messed with the brakes, if you pull the front and rear drums and snap a picture these guys should be able to narrow it down for you. Since everything was pretty much bolt in, swapped parts were pretty common even on stock looking rigs.

Those are pretty clean looking lenses, check out the reproduction thread, they may be wanting one of those for a mold.

Oh yeah, I'll send you some spacers for your nifty aluminum wheels if you send me your hubcaps.

3jvj · 08-10-09, 09:52 PM

Funny.

So when did the axle go offset, and how did they do it (the swap)? Does this mean the tc was swapped as well?

Living in the Past · 08-10-09, 10:07 PM

I need to do some checking on my new 61. The shop where I picked it up worked on the brakes but couldn't get them working right. They replaced the drums. The old one were in the back and the front and back drums look different like the ones on the FJ25s. The rear drums they installed have a hole in the side from a grinder. I sure it was some drums the PO supplied them from one of his other later cruisers.

Living in the Past · 08-10-09, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3jvj

Funny.

So when did the axle go offset, and how did they do it (the swap)? Does this mean the tc was swapped as well?

The center diff was a carry over from the FJ25s. The FJ25 had the driveline straight out the back. The FJ40 had the transfer case output of set from the beginning. The center diff lasted well into 63 before it was offset to match the transfer. It's not that uncommon to have the centered diff changed to the later offset to straighten out the driveline.

Cruiser_Nerd · 08-10-09, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3jvj

Funny.

So when did the axle go offset, and how did they do it (the swap)? Does this mean the tc was swapped as well?

I don't know, too new for me.

After yours though. The centered axle was a holdover from the 25 which had the centered transfer output. The early 40's had an offset transfer case with the centered rear. Crazy huh?

Edit: You know it's time to go to bed when Living in the Past is quicker than you......

3jvj · 08-10-09, 10:25 PM

Okay. So let me see here......

Same t-case either way?

I assume the only advantage of center was same shaft for all 4?

Why would one changee it, and is there anything I should worry about?

Sorry fellas; I feel like a noob boob.

Living in the Past · 08-10-09, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3jvj

Funny.

So when did the axle go offset, and how did they do it (the swap)? Does this mean the tc was swapped as well?

Post up some pictures of your transmission/tranfer case. Yours should be the early style. The floor shifter for the early one is not very common which makes me think you have the later one which is very common. Plus the later one is real easy to change to a floor shifter. The whole deal is a bolt in conversion.

Living in the Past · 08-10-09, 10:36 PM

The early transfer with the offset went at a angle to the centered diff. The later transmission/transfer was a good upgrade. That system was used for the next ten years so parts are easy to find. The offset diff made more sense too. Those too are easy to find. It's more what do you want to be totally original or make a good running cruiser that only a very few would know what wasn't original.

3jvj · 08-10-09, 10:37 PM

That would explain the fresh screws in the tranny hump and the dangle loop/lever. No complaints on floor shift over column.

The po said the fella he bought it from was going to make a crawler out of it.

I'm getting dizzy now.

Time to read these manuals and get a grip.

b.t.w. Charged the battery and it fired right over. The gm rochester carb dumps fuel on the exhaust like the float is stuck. Good recipe for a fire.

Idles nice though; no ticks, taps, or squeels.

3jvj · 08-10-09, 10:40 PM

I'm going to spin my tires when I get a chance. The potential for a ratio mishap (front vs rear) seems too real here.....

Cruiser_Nerd · 08-19-09, 07:20 PM

Well, looks like Woody lost a few days from the forum. Start a build thread if you want (please repost your pics

) and I'll link it in the build sticky.

Your call, but maybe mark your stuff "1962" because that's what the 40 is. The other guys can maybe narrow it down, but I'd say early '62. Only because if someone is searching it has more in common with the '61-'62 than a '63.

Living in the Past · 08-19-09, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruiser_Nerd

Well, looks like Woody lost a few days from the forum.

I was really beginning to think I was "Living in the Past". I looked at the forum a few hours ago and was being to wonder what happened to a couple of posts I had posted in a couple of treads. You get to be my age and it really makes to think your getting a bad case of old timers setting in.

3jvj · 08-19-09, 10:34 PM

I'm at a loss to recall the username of the fella who was the third owner of this rig.

I'll be starting a build thread from here on out but I'm still on a "history" hunt at this point. I know it doesn't really matter as it has nothing to do with the future build (or everything if you look at it as a base platform), but I'd still like to know as much as I can.

..........and he has my bezel

Thanks.- Josh

ToyotaDon · 08-19-09, 11:43 PM

Was it this guy?
http://forum.ih8mud.com/members/whitey45.html

whitey45 · 08-20-09, 10:18 AM

Josh, I am the third owner,that was weird what happened to the thread, anyway when I bought the 40 in 96 ish it had been sitting in a guys back yard for about 10 years,so I think the mileage might be pretty low. I was driving by this house on occassion and noticed the unmistakable white roof just peeking over this fence on a side yard. Of course I had to investigate and low and behold an early complete original 40 in great shape,still had cali black plates and the Landcruiser bezel!! I quickly ran to the front door and the owner couldnt believe I wanted that OLD THING on the side of the house! I towed it home and began putting the engine and trans back in which was in the back of the truck. That is when I dicovered the original engine was shot,so I located a good running f motor and put that in. I dont think the current engine is the one I put in. The valve cover was red ,unless someone changed it. did you get some early hub caps with the deal,they are very hard to find these days, I have some old photos of your truck but they would need to be scanned and I cant even post on here anyway,I will try to figure out a way to get those posted. If you can contact Morgan Fletcher he can fill you in on more of the history....YT

3jvj · 08-20-09, 07:30 PM

Awesome!

The plugs were 3/8 length so I assume it's an older f. Who knows........
Runs strong though; I'm happy.

If you ever part with your 45; I'll give you a fair price on that bezel.

Just swapped fluids and gave it a tune up and it's running great (still rich though).

Maybe by the time you figure out a scanner scenario I'll have a build thread running.

You can mail me pics at jjjvjackson@msn.com and I'll post them. I'm in no hurry. Thanks again for the history.

My goal is 5 years and 10k. If my checkbook can swing more $$ or my life allows a quicker build I'll be happy.

wichitakid · 08-20-09, 09:02 PM

Nice cruiser. I have a '66 with the same hard top. It's good to see someone with the same folding rear hatch. If you end up shopping for parts for the back, please post what/where you find. Good luck.

3jvj · 08-20-09, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wichitakid

Nice cruiser. I have a '66 with the same hard top. It's good to see someone with the same folding rear hatch. If you end up shopping for parts for the back, please post what/where you find. Good luck.

Pics?
By "same top" do you mean one that will bruise your rib and make you bleed if you're digging around with the roof off and not paying attention as you exit (day four)?

or the corrugated? I like the look. Not very many out there.

Need, can, and will do. My pass. side is missing the wheel. SOR may have them but I'm probably going to alter it a bit. It'll be on the build list.

Corrugated Toy · 08-22-09, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3jvj

another roof shot

There's foour small holes and evidence of a rack; factory or add on?

What was on the steps?

I have the same top on my 64 and I believe the 4 holes in the rail gutter are weep holes to allow the rain to drain.

My running boards came with the same white vinyl. I have put a alternative on mine. Still the same idea just not quite "original". I thought it through and white doesn't wear as well as black.

Living in the Past · 08-22-09, 12:52 PM

I would still like to see a picture of the driver's side of the transmission and the back of the transfer case. I have a feeling the transmission and transfer case were updated the same time the engine was replaced. The floor shift on the early transmission is very rare but the floor shift on the later three speed is more common than the column shift.

I posted this question before but it was one of my lost treads.

3jvj · 08-22-09, 01:17 PM

Wow.

Just tried to get some shots and found it's pretty tight with the skid pan on.

What are we looking for? Maybe I can get one from behind?

Corrugated Toy · 08-22-09, 01:53 PM

You mentioned earlier in this thread about your front axle leaking. I have the original ball and claw front end which I believe you have as well. I have rebuilt mine and it still leaks. For what its worth my mechanic says that it is the nature of the beast that it will ooze!?

As for the previous interior pics.... I notice that UGLY, NON OEM, IN THE WAY, WORTHLESS, heater you have. If you want to get rid of it, I'll take it off your hands

That heater is in great shape!

Living in the Past · 08-22-09, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3jvj

Wow.

Just tried to get some shots and found it's pretty tight with the skid pan on.

What are we looking for? Maybe I can get one from behind?

Picture of the back would probably work. All I need is a picture of the cover that fits over the back of the transmission shaft. Those are totally different types. The transfer cases bolt to the transmission between the two styles. So what ever transfer case you have the transmisssion probably matches.

Cruiser_Nerd · 08-23-09, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corrugated Toy

You mentioned earlier in this thread about your front axle leaking. I have the original ball and claw front end which I believe you have as well. I have rebuilt mine and it still leaks. For what its worth my mechanic says that it is the nature of the beast that it will ooze!?

Not sure how deep you went into it, but if it was just the knuckle gaskets you're probably getting gear oil in the knuckle. If you had the ball and claw out and replaced the bushings they should be pretty effective at stopping the gear oil. But no, it's not normal for the grease to ooze past the knuckle seal.