1961 FJ40 Hardtop.....rattle can rebuild (1 Viewer)

[JackA]

Cruising today to work out any issues. Gas pedal is uncomfortable. Brakes still need adjust or bleed. Leaf springs are starting to loosen up and flex.

 

[daner]

the red paint makes it look faster.

 

[nuclearlemon]

was just cleaning up my old snap on box...this is like a snap on edition cruiser with that red. doesn't that increase the value even more?

 

[JackA]

Woo hoo.......seat belts

 

[JackA]

Bought a couple of these Lacquer Stik paint sticks. Used it to redo the lettering on a few items. Super easy to use. Apply and wiped off excess.......done.

 

[JackA]

Driven it about 50 miles so far. Working on some small stuff today......like this modified shifter boot.

 

[red66toy]

Fantastic work. Looks awesome!

 

[daner]

I remember when this rig was for sale, it was missing enough parts that it wasn’t the best restoration candidate, but I hoped that it wouldn’t end up a rock crawler. Your approach to this old 40 probably saved it, now you have a classy, solid driver.

 

[JackA]

Thanks. It's a fun little Cruiser. I don't have a ton of money invested and I put another one back on the road.

Sure, it's missing some cool early stuff, but over time those parts could be found. Hint hint Living in the Past......

In the meantime, I am going to enjoy some old school Cruiser fun. Taking it to the desert this weekend to put it to the test.

 

[Rigger]

Nice going! Wow!

 

[a.greenspan]

JackA: “Houston, I have a problem.”
Houston: “What?”
JackA: “The Russians painted the 40 red!”
Houston: “Well, do you have white paint in Arizona, Jack?”
JackA: “Yes. Why?”
Houston: “Write Coca-Cola on it.”

 

[JackA]

Well, the 61 never made it out to the desert. The fuel pump crapped out on Thursday. The run changed for the weekend anyways, so it was not practical to drive it. Took the LV instead.

Bolted on a new fuel pump today and it fired right up. I also started to restore the steering wheel. I forgot to take any before pix. I started by filling all the cracks with JB weld. Then I basically treated it like normal body work. Prime, some filler, prime, sand, prime, sand, and now waiting to paint.

 

[middlecalf]

Nice! What paint?

 

[JackA]

Regular old spray paint. Got everything painted and finished for now.

 

[JackA]

Here's the before and after

 

[JackA]

Got the running boards looking better.

 

[JackA]

Thanks to my friend Aaron, I got a nice early original radiator. It's out of a 1964. Going to take it to the shop for the spa treatment. It will then replace the current leaky one.

 

[red66toy]

Love this build on so many levels.

 

[wngrog]

Great work Jack!

 

[JackA]

Thanks man.

Got the radiator back and it's looking good. Props to the dudes at Hals Radiator service in Glendale. Plus they had it done a day early.