18 year old with an 1968 fj40 1500 miles away from my garage.

[Mason1500]

So a few months ago I posted on here about doing a road trip to college asking for advice and now I'm back. I made It from Denver CO to Boone NC with limited problems, just had to top off the oil a few times and the transmission. But daily driving a 47 year old car with what I believe to be just over 300,000 miles requires experience and tooling than I have away from home.

Here is my situation, the transmission and transfer case have gotten excessively loud and feel as though there is no gear oil, but I top it off quite regularly. Then I sheared off one of the studs that holds the exhaust pipe onto the manifold, so it's too loud for me to diagnose any of the random clatter in the engine compartment. Then to top it off I think there is a knock in the engine, it sounds like lifter stuff but I'm just not sure. I would love any help advice I could get or if anyone lives near Boone NC and would let me borrow some tools in like a month or so when I get back from winter break. If anyone actually wanted to help me in person I can help you out with any projects you need help with too, I can weld, do woodwork, basic electrical, and I have young back.

thanks
-mason

Colorado to Boone road trip

• Mason1500
• Dec 10, 2015

 

[White Stripe]

My recommendation to you is get a part or full time job, preferably at a shop that has equipment to rebuild tcases and motors. Heavy equipment shops are awesome for this and they often need laborers. And who knows, they may decide to take you on as an apprentice-heavy equipment mechanics can make a lot of money. Also buy a cheap 4cylinder car like a old 4cylinder camry or something as a daily, old cruisers break a lot and are not practical daily drivers anymore due to sourcing parts. Then, pull the pan and check the bearings on the cruiser motor and find the source of the knock. Hopefully it just needs bearings. Sounds like you need to rebuild your t case which some of the gear sleeves may be worn out and is a lengthy and expensive process to work out. The trannys are pretty good on a stock 40 and rarely have issues or find a used complete t case. The exhaust stud is not much of an issue and can be easily fixed. This all will take a significant amount of time and I can't see you chopping wood in exchange for a cruiser guru helping you rebuilding your cruiser to be a reality. Even if you do, old cruisers break down a lot, and so you will be chopping a ton of wood, and be out of a ride a lot. I was in a similar situation as you, but I had 24hr access to a full tilt cruiser/fab shop. Buying a cheap car took a ton of stress out of the whole situation, and I could repair my cruiser at leisure and not be out of a ride.

 

[greenbeasty]

Mason, I sent you a PM with contact info.

 

[handcannon]

It is not uncommon for the seal between the trans and TC to go bad and let the TC pump oil into the trans. Doing so will leave the TC low on oil, and the trans overfilled. A common "temporary" fix is to run a hose from the trans fill plug to the TC fill plug, allowing extra oil in the trans to flow back to the TC. There have been venders who have sold this balance hose, and in the recent past there was a member here on Mud selling a kit for doing this, but I don't remember who it was. Many years ago I found somebody advertising a used kit in the "for sale" section of Mud, which is how I did it.

In order to track down unusual noises a mechanics stethoscope is used. Also, a section of garden hose, or other type of hose, can be used (cheaper). Hold one end of the hose up to your ear and place the other end over suspected areas to pin point the sound. A hose can also be used to pin point exhaust leaks that you hear, but don't know just where they are.

Wish I could do more to help, but I'm on the opposite coast. So, I wish you the best finding a place/way to do your repairs.

Don

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Here's the bypass hose you probably need.

Transmission to Transfer Case Bypass Hose

 

[David70FJ40]

If you are interested, I have a 3 speed transmission I removed from my '70 FJ40 and replaced it with a 4 speed. If you want the 3 speed as a replacement I can work out something with you. BTW The replacement 4 speed I installed is making the same loud whine and when checked the case was full to the fill plug with grease. So I have a replacement 4 speed that is in need of replacement.

I am about 3 hours from ASU.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I love your attitude Mason!!

Sorry you are having problems with your 40, but that's the nature if the beast...

Great suggestions, from a bunch of MUDders... Especially @White Stripe' suggestion of a different DD, to take the edge off
Cruiser ''challenges".

Sounds like @greenbeasty's got your back too!!

Good luck, I'm sure you're in good hands!!

 

[JohnnyC]

My 74' fj40 DD has served me well for 24+ years

You will get a setback here and there ... But... The process of owning and driving the cruiser as a DD is very satisfying

 

[shipmag]

I am the mudder who does group buys for the transfer case to transmission hose. Send me a PM and I can give you the details. Take the fill plug out of the transmission. If oil comes out the transfer case seal is bad. The seal will need to be changed out at some point. The stainless steel braided hose I designed is a good temp fix for the real problem. I have a lot of mudders who put the hose on as insurance rather than chance running the transfer case low on oil.

 

[White Stripe]

My 74' fj40 DD has served me well for 24+ years

You will get a setback here and there ... But... The process of owning and driving the cruiser as a DD is very satisfying

I drive mine a couple times a week, but stuff happens. And when it does, sourcing parts takes time. A lot more time than my normal modern vehicle. Also sometimes I just feel like driving something with air conditioning, or I don't want winter ice melt all over the nice 40 sheet metal

 

[bikersmurf]

Personally I'd swap in a 60 series drivetrain before rebuilding an F motor. Here rusty 60s are plentiful and could be found cheap.