That’s a really nice soft top! I wonder who made it!
Build 02/75 fj40 restoration
- Thread starter LSUfj
- Start date
Member Builds and Stories
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #202
Lots of little stuff the past week or so.
- I got that little brake light reassembled with the correct connector
- I replaced the leaking clutch slave cylinder with a new Aisin unit
- Put clear coat on the valve cover
- New body mounts and panel alignment.
- Parking brake lever installed
- Checked the cylinders for water due to my paranoia of the 3f experience, all good thankfully.
- Made some brackets for the Koito headlight fuses/relays
Looks good @LSUfj …winch wiring next?
- Thread starter
- #204
The 8274 will get a future restoration, its current duty is to pull the 40 back into the shop when I roll it out occasionally. With a functioning drivetrain, it’s been put in the back burner.
- Thread starter
- #205
Finished up body mounts and got the valve cover on. Unfortunately I had to do a little grinding on the rear engine lift point to get the valve cover on straight. I didn’t want to risk a head gasket leak to get it moved over. All lights are functional except the brakes. I’ll dig into that next, along with getting all the steering components adjusted/tightened.
I pulled it out of the garage and let it run for a bit. Found a message from my daughter in the dust on the dash pad bracket
I pulled it out of the garage and let it run for a bit. Found a message from my daughter in the dust on the dash pad bracket
- Thread starter
- #206
Several more accomplishments over the last few months.
- Reinstalled the OME steering damper
- Got new bilstein shocks
- New energy suspension spring bushings
- Exhaust is done
- 3d printed a slick radio delete/sniper and phone mount.
- Ordered a Cruiser Corps Windshield and some 3-point seat belts
Don’t know why I have not seen your build before… looks really nice…enjoyed going back and reading about it…17 years?
- Thread starter
- #208
Yes….17 years. A combo of life and lack of funds got me here, buts it’s coming along now.
- Thread starter
- #209
It’s registered and road worthy. Took my daughter on a ~10mile trip to get coffee. It was stressful hearing the freshly rebuilt 2f screaming through the holes that remain in the floor and cowl, but it ran great. Temps remained below 190 in the Texas heat. Lots of little things to sort out, but it was good to stretch the legs after about 15 years of disassembly.
MAR FJ40
SILVER Star
Looks great! Congrats on getting it back on the road. I know that feeling well! 
- Thread starter
- #211
Had to replace the brake light switch. Replaced with another aftermarket and I have brake lights now, but I’m still troubleshooting a brake warning light. It comes on during the initial press of the brake pedal, then goes off. Any tips?
While at it, I also found the clutch master was leaking into the cab at the firewalll. Replaced with a new Aisin master. Also replaced the brake master with a new one from Cityracer. The original was working but had an internal leak that was causing the rear circuit reservoir to overfill from the front circuit.
One other issue I need to sort out is a rattling noise occurring when I coast to a stop with the clutch depressed. Everything is new down there - throw out, pilot, u joints, clutch…I’ll try to get it off the ground to get a visual.
While at it, I also found the clutch master was leaking into the cab at the firewalll. Replaced with a new Aisin master. Also replaced the brake master with a new one from Cityracer. The original was working but had an internal leak that was causing the rear circuit reservoir to overfill from the front circuit.
One other issue I need to sort out is a rattling noise occurring when I coast to a stop with the clutch depressed. Everything is new down there - throw out, pilot, u joints, clutch…I’ll try to get it off the ground to get a visual.
Are you going to SAS?
- Thread starter
- #213
Sadly, no. I would love to go, but just got back from a family Colorado trip. Perhaps 2027 is a reasonable goal.
looks great!
- Thread starter
- #215
Here’s a video that captures the noise. This is in 2H with the rear wheels off the ground. You can hear it best when it coasts back to idle around 0:30 and 1:56. I think it’s only making this noise when the clutch is depressed, but I may need to do a little more investigating. Seems more prominent in 4th gear even if I run it up to the same speed in other gears (about 30mph in this video)
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #216
Any thoughts on the driveline noise? All the transfer bearings are new. Input/output seemed pretty firm before install.
MAR FJ40
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #218
Yes. And the u joints are solid/new. It very well could be vibrations caused by the tires, so I may try to eliminate that. No vibrations when revving in neutral.
- Thread starter
- #219
I removed the rear wheels and the noise seems to be less obvious, so maybe it’s just a vibration making its way up the driveline? Not sure. I tried running the front drive in high and low. No noteworthy observations from the front, other that a decent clunk as the clutch is released. I think I’ll take the tires in for a balance and check again.