Builds 10/79 40 Rolling Resto

[peterb]

Hello All
I just picked up my 6th Land Cruiser (three are gone), a 1980 FJ-40 that a club member did a significant amount of work on, including installing a new aluminum tub, and then parked for about 12 years. After a three + year negotiation period, I brought it home yesterday. We actually got it running after switching the carb and draining out the old gas (it was so smelly). It needs paint, an exhaust and some other work but is okay.
The fellow doing all the work is my buddy Rod.
My daughter gets her license in a couple of months and I am giving her my GX 470. I hope to make the 40 into my daily. Plan to add PS and AC but not sure what else.
I have never had a build thread but thought it might help keep me motivated. My daughter's driving test is at the end of May!
Feel free to chime in!
Peter

 

[peterb]

Drained the tank and put in fresh gas before we trailered it home. Now it won't run. The fuel filters turn black as fuel tries to get through. I believe the sloshing while on the trailer stirred up the sludge in the tank.
I plan to drain it the tank again
and buy some additional filters.
Good times!

 

[FJ40Jim]

Put a cheapy parts store filter in line right in front of the more expensive OEM toyota filter, that way you're only throwing out $3 filters instead of $10 filters. Eventually the tank will clean itself out.

There is a rubber seal that is supposed to be snapped into the neck of the air cleaner. It is actually smashed flat & laying on the top of the carb. Still available new from Mr. T.

Looks like you got a good foundation to build on. Good luck!

 

[peterb]

Put a cheapy parts store filter in line right in front of the more expensive OEM toyota filter, that way you're only throwing out $3 filters instead of $10 filters. Eventually the tank will clean itself out.

There is a rubber seal that is supposed to be snapped into the neck of the air cleaner. It is actually smashed flat & laying on the top of the carb. Still available new from Mr. T.

Looks like you got a good foundation to build on. Good luck!

Thanks Jim @FJ40Jim !
Good call on the seal between the air cleaner and carb. It's on the buy list.
Great suggestion for the consecutive fuel filters. I would not have thought of that but it makes sense. The first two I installed (single) look like they are filled with roofing tar. The current one is okay but the carb might now be full as the truck is only running on gas poured down the carb.
The good times continue!
Peter

 

[peterb]

Here's a pic of fuel I drained from the tank. It didn't go in looking like that.
Next is a couple of the fuel filters I've used. They're doing their job.
Finally is a pic of the dual fuel filter set up I am currently using thanks to a suggestion by Jim C. @FJ40Jim

I got the rig running well on Sunday afternoon after cleaning up the original carb. Then it stopped. I think I have a fuel delivery issue. I will be checking the fuel pump this evening.

The fun continues!

 

[peterb]

Issue solved, maybe. I checked the fuel flow from the pump and it was low. Like half a pint for 20 seconds of the engine running. Heck, I have more pressure.
I will install a new Toyota pump and report back.

 

[peterb]

The pump was likely the problem but there could have been another reason for low flow beside the pump not pumping:

not sure if you can see in the outlet of the pump but it is full of something that is not gasoline. Apparently, the fuel line up to the carb was full too as the new, unclogged pump was able to fill up my clean carb with what looked like instant coffee:

I have removed the line and cleaned it out with carb cleaner and compressed air. Still working on the carb. This nastiness is difficult to get out.
First batch of parts:

In addition to the fuel pump, I obtained the carb to air cleaner gasket mentioned by Jim C.:

I am still hopeful I will get it running before I lose my patience and take it to the crusher <smile>.

 

[FJ40Jim]

I'll pay you twice what the crusher offers.
Because I care.

 

[peterb]

Hello All
My apologies to those that have been holding their breath waiting for an update. My house renovations (new house and original house) are now complete and the original house has been sold. Time now to refocus on getting this rig to paint. Target date is 3/1/21.

I would like to buy some parts from Real Steel Cruiser Parts. I have e-mailed and called them but not received a reply. Has anyone had contact with them? Any info would be appreciated.

Peter

 

[Wadesters]

I recently bought and received parts from Real Steel. They were backed up and it took 3 weeks to get them. HTH

 

[peterb]

I recently bought and received parts from Real Steel. They were backed up and it took 3 weeks to get them. HTH

Just spoke with the fellow at Real Steel. Nice guy! Thanks for bringing me luck today @Wadesters!

 

[peterb]

Progress post!
The parts are coming off and going to the metal cleaners. The former owner installed new fenders that were primed but let the truck sit outside unpainted for @ 15 years. The photo shows the primer under where the turn signal was mounted. Hope they clean up okay.

 

[76 PTO]

Are you keeping the hardtop???????

 

[peterb]

Are you keeping the hardtop???????

Yes. Hope to disassemble it and get it cleaned.

 

[Drake2]

I am enjoying your progress! Keep that motivation moving in the right direction and it will be well rewarded in the end.

 

[peterb]

Hello All
I am having some parts powder coated pewter and am wondering what the consensus is on what should be pewter on the hood, if anything. Are the latches for the hood and to hold down the windshield when it is folded supposed to be pewter? Anything else?
Thanks!
Peter

 

[Drake2]

Hello All
I am having some parts powder coated pewter and am wondering what the consensus is on what should be pewter on the hood, if anything. Are the latches for the hood and to hold down the windshield when it is folded supposed to be pewter? Anything else?
Thanks!
Peter

You may want to consider the latches and hold downs to be an accent color like black or a dark metallic grey, otherwise the primary color on all of it may be just overwhelming.

 

[peterb]

Got fenders and other sheet metal back from the cleaners today. Also picked up a tub of stuff that was powder coated. Fenders look great after cleaning! Glad to have some progress to share.

 

[Drake2]

Good progress!

 

[FJ40Jim]

I may have missed it, but what process was used for cleaning the sheetmetal?