4Cruisers
SILVER Star
A lesson from Mr. Costanza - be careful around irons
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Builds F-Bomb Buildup (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter newmexicokid
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- Thread starter
- #102
I’m always careful around irons. I have some updates but first an orphan story…. Look what followed me home. It’s a 1979. Supposed to have a 20R but the valve cover says 22R. We used the patina formula found here in the hallowed halls. We thought it was oxidized red but were blessed to find legit orange. The pinstripes are all painted. Down to bare metal in a few spots but it should get better and better. The interior is ok shape. This thing runs great and is so much fun to drive around. It gets thumbs up all over. We thought about flipping it but my sister in law and kid’s nixed that idea. The FJ Cruiser wheels and City Racer LED headlights I had for the FBomb have all been donated to the cause.
- Thread starter
- #103
More orphan pics.
- Thread starter
- #104
On to the FBomb updates. I’ve just been puttering with it this week so no big thing. I put on the quick hinges with City Racer rubber gaskets. The gaskets turned out just ok. Installed the BTB steering column support. I like it. It’s not all the way done and painted yet. Started test fitting the generic Summit Racing tilt column. New brake booster and MC. Installed the mirror arms and the half doors. Parts are trickling in and hopefully we’ll keep steady progress. I also am leaning towards City Racer steel wheels with hub caps. Would love to see pics if anyone has some.
- Thread starter
- #105
I switched things up with the exhaust on this thing. The headers were dumping the exhaust out right into the frame as well as with too much of a backwards sweep. I tried out the Summit LT swap manifolds and they weren’t close enough to the block. These are from Holley and I think they’ll work. I’m gonna have to swing the passenger side forward and around the oil pan then Y into the driver’s side bank. We’ll see how it works.
How does AC compressor removal look for you? Nice thread. Thanks for sharing life and progress together. Makes it real.
- Thread starter
- #108
I need to get with Vintage Air about that compressor to see if we can use it with their system. That would be nice.
Sorry what I meant is that the LS AC compressor is low and poses a challenge to remove later if engine location is not right. Only option would be to lift the engine to get at it.
- Thread starter
- #110
I looked at and it looks like there’s enough room to get it out. It’s tight though.
- Thread starter
- #111
Installed the tailgates, windshiel (no glass yet though), new LED rear marker lights (thank you vintageteqparts.com), and soft top anchors. I guess that’s what they’re called. The stainless hardware and marker lights are like jewelry. Bling.
4Cruisers
SILVER Star
When my son did his, he had a vibration at about 40 mph. Fixed it with 4 deg shims in the rear. Runs amazing. I think Tom Woods mentions you need to be under 6 deg angle.
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- Thread starter
- #114
Thank you for the compliment and feedback.
- Thread starter
- #115
More life has happened. We took a trip to Rocky Point with the family. Had a great time. If anyone wants to go I would be happy to tell them where we went. It turned out to be about an 8 hr drive from Gallup. We chartered a fishing boat for $650 for all 10 of us. It was like the best day of my boy’s life.
- Thread starter
- #116
Saw this little gem in the parking lot as we were cruising through PHX. Pretty sweet. More pics from the trip.
- Thread starter
- #117
So as many of you more experienced FJ40 guys already know...I made 1 step forward and 2 steps back this weekend. I really want this truck to be something I can drive everyday. I don't want a science project or something that I always have to screw with. I want it to be comfortable enough to drive anywhere anytime. With that in mind I purchased a set of Corbeau seats which I really like so far. They are really comfortable to sit on here in my office.
I ordered a seat frame from cumminscruiser. It went together really nice. It fits well and is well thought out. It would allow me to keep and utilize the factory underseat tool box which I liked the idea of. Heres a picture of the seat installed on the frame all tacked together. There's my step forward.
I ordered a seat frame from cumminscruiser. It went together really nice. It fits well and is well thought out. It would allow me to keep and utilize the factory underseat tool box which I liked the idea of. Heres a picture of the seat installed on the frame all tacked together. There's my step forward.
- Thread starter
- #118
Now for the 2 steps back...I'm 6'4" and my wife is 1" shorter. My 2 oldest are 6'7" and 6'9". I have 2 more younger boys who are 12 and 9. I have a suspicion they will be just as tall. We always prayed for a fat kid and I don't think our prayers will be answered. With all that said the seats are too high! When sitting in the seat I'm definitely looking out the top 1/3 of the windshield. This won't come as a surprise to some of you more experienced FJ40 guys and I don't think it really surprised me but it did irritate me. I took the seat out and put a 2x4 on there and its about the correct height. So the solution is to move the fuel tank, remove the underseat toolbox, and cut the legs down on the seat frame. Like I said, I'm irritated but not surprised. So now I have a brand new factory tank with a really nice Holley in-tank fuel pump installed for sale. I'm also on the hunt for one of those rotomolded rear mounted fuel tanks. Then I'll cut the legs down 3 inches or so to drop the seat down. Pictures below show how high it is. I had seen pictures of the seat frame with seats installed but you just don't know until they are in and you're sitting there thinking...these are too high. The build continues!
- Thread starter
- #119
So in an effort to ease my irritation with the seat height I engaged in some retail therapy. After letting the original FJ Cruiser wheels and tires go to a good home (see orange pickup above) I needed something for the Bomb. I picked up the wheels and hubcaps from my local Toyota dealership and then had the 33x10.50 tires installed at my local tire shop. I’m really liking the stance and the retro look of the OE wheels. Exactly the look I was going for.
- Thread starter
- #120
I got this picture from my boy in Austin. I’m sure proud of that (big) turd. I was just starting to like him and then he left me.
