This followed me home

[emac]

I have been reading here for weeks planning my attack. When I was a kid my Dad brought home a 70 FJ40 that he bought out of a field. We fixed it up, drove it for years and sold it to a friend that used it for bird hunting for many years. I ran across this one a week or so ago. Made a deal and brought it home.

I haven't worked on an FJ40 for many years and my interest have wondered to other cars. I just couldn't pass this up. Mid life crisis??

Condition. A really bad paint job. But they did us a lot of paint. It was originally blue. No holes, but the owner said he had some areas patched around the fenders. Floors, frame, and tub generally seem pretty solid. He said it was running a couple of years ago. Gas smells awful. Motor turns over, but I really didn't want to try and run it before cleaning the fuel system. Brakes and clutch seem to have pressure. I would classify it as very worn, but solid.

My plan is to do a body of refurbishment. I don't want to say restoration, because I do not think it will hold a candle to some of the ones I have seen here. But, I will do my best.

I am either going to do the HFS suspension or the OME suspension. 2.5 inch. Factory steel wheels and hubcaps with 33x10.5 BFG tires. Keeping everything else stock and going to paint Olive green....at least that color the kids have decided they like the best.

It is going to be a long process and I am sure I will learn a lot. Thanks to all that have posted stuff in the FAQ's what a great site.

ernest
upstate SC

 

[TheHardWay]

going to paint Olive green....at least that color the kids have decided they like the best.

Wisdom from mouth of babes. Great color. Welcome to Mud
ernest
upstate SC

 

[DSRTRDR]

bezel is upside down

 

[the gimpey one]

Welcome to the madness. Upstate cruisers is located in SC. Hit us up on our page. We are having our big annual meeting at Paris mtn on the 26th. Would love to have you.

 

[shelfboy1]

looks like a nice start good luck on your resto repair

 

[emac]

Thanks guys. I am pretty certain i won't be ready for Paris mtn this year! But I would love to meet some folks in the area to pick some brains and see some nice 40's. I will look for the site. FB?

I put in a message to Marshall in Mauldin, SC about some carb and dizzy questions.

I will get that bezel flipped before I post any more shots! Like pointing out you have a chunk of food in your teeth.....you hate it, but glad someone said something.

 

[Captn Conch]

I don't think you are going to get the 33x10.5 BFG's to safely fit the stock steel wheels? Now if BFG still made the 33x9.50x15 OK, but...

 

[Jdc1]

I don't think you are going to get the 33x10.5 BFG's to safely fit the stock steel wheels? Now if BFG still made the 33x9.50x15 OK, but...

I disagree with this statement. There are a lot of 40s and 60s that are safely running the 33x1050x15. A large tire chain will not mount them because their computer says that they are not allowed but an independent shop will do it with a smile.

 

[Jdc1]

Good luck with your build. Remember to check with the vendors on mud for oem parts. A lot of the times they are very close in price to aftermarket.

 

[winnie]

looks solid enough ... just a suggestion, do the baseline stuff i.e. fluids, brakes, etc, generally getting it running and then drive it if possible for a bit before tearing it down ... plenty you can do re resto without tearing it all the way down right away ... get to know it, let it get to know you ... welcome to the hobby!!!

 

[Jdc1]

looks solid enough ... just a suggestion, do the baseline stuff i.e. fluids, brakes, etc, generally getting it running and then drive it if possible for a bit before tearing it down ... plenty you can do re resto without tearing it all the way down right away ... get to know it, let it get to know you ... welcome to the hobby!!!

plus 1. after my front axle is rebuilt, our next step is to get it running and driving before any bodywork or panel alignment is started.

 

[emac]

Thanks for the advice. Currently, it is still sitting on the trailer! All I have been doing is walking around scratching my chin looking at various parts. I plan to try and get it going this weekend. I am having a no spark issue that I am hoping is something simple. It has the OE spark ignitor on the coil, which will take me some time to figure out the wiring and testing.

 

[coinoperated40]

Another welcome from one state north of you. What part of the southern one you in?
Is the turn signal stock, or just something have not seen before and what year?

 

[emac]

Coinop, I am in Greenwood. It is about an hour from Greenville. I spoke with Marshall (trollhole) who is close by. I really want to get up to his shop and check him out.

As for the front turn signals, I think they must be aftermarket. My front fenders appear to have had "some work" and I can see where the OEM holes were patched. I am probably going to go back to the stock location and get some new fenders.

 

[Jdc1]

Thanks for the advice. Currently, it is still sitting on the trailer! All I have been doing is walking around scratching my chin looking at various parts. I plan to try and get it going this weekend. I am having a no spark issue that I am hoping is something simple. It has the OE spark ignitor on the coil, which will take me some time to figure out the wiring and testing.

I have more time staring at my 40 than wrenching on it. I will run out to the garage to grab something and then spend 20 minutes looking at it.

 

[Fast Eddy]

I don't think you are going to get the 33x10.5 BFG's to safely fit the stock steel wheels? Now if BFG still made the 33x9.50x15 OK, but...

I disagree with this statement. There are a lot of 40s and 60s that are safely running the 33x1050x15.

MTs fit much differently than ATs. I agree they fit ok on the 5.5" rims, but still not great. ATs don't fit. When put on the little rims the tire tread that was supposed to be flat will be curved and will wear funny, and IMO, could present a handling problem. I had a set for a very short while and they bothered me enough to replace them.

 

[ErikinSC]

My 33's are holding OK on stock steelies. I run them a bit lower on pressure, so it is not so bad.

Welcome, @emac ! Dont worry about when the -40 is ready, meet the rest of us as soon as you can! We've got a group of us in the Low Country, and the Upstate Cruisers as well.

My $.02, get the engine to run properly first, second - make sure that it will stop, then drive it, then stop the big leaks..... then worry about everything else !

And remember, SEARCH is your friend - everything you will think of has been discussed, probably more than once ! Lots of great advise and plenty of people to give you tips. Oh, and we REALLY like pictures.....

 

[tweek99]

Looks like yours is in way better shape than mine was to start with. Good luck

 

[emac]

It has been some time since I have updated my original thread. I take a lot of pictures, but they are usually detail shots of how things are put together for reference. With three kids and work, I just don't find a lot of time to post. Most of my time is spent searching for advice and information. But since it is Thanksgiving, I am giving some thanks this year to MUD for helping me on this one. Here is some of my progress over the last couple of months.

Let the tear down begin:

Body sandblasted and headed to body shop. I want it to look good, and I KNOW I can't do bodywork!

Frame back from the powder coater. Best money spent! It really came out great.

Cant figure out how to remove this double picture.....next post is some going back together!

 

[emac]

Some details....Engine, tranny and TC completely rebuilt. Carb and dizzy from trollhole. New clutch kit. New seals and rebuild kits in steering box and damper. A/c from CCOT, along with their HFS lift kit. I have my fingers crossed on the HFS, as I wasn't too impressed when I assembled everything. Front shocks dont appear to have enough travel, but CCOT says that is fine and normal. Thinking I should have gone with OME. Time will tell.

Lots of stuff from vendors here on MUD. No complaints about them. I think I have used something from everyone!

Currently working on the wiring harness, and ordered some stuff from Coolerman. What a great resource he is. My harness should be like new when finished. After that is done, I am going to start a fire under the body shop. He told me he would be done by the end of the year. I dont think he will make it.

More to come in the next month or so.