Builds 1968 FJ40 Build Page "the rocky road" (1 Viewer)

[huminajumina]

Ok Here's a few pictures from my recent trip out west, In my Van. There were several trimes that I wish I had the Cruiser, and there were several FJ62s that looked pretty cool. I drove out to Oregon to meet up with my old roommate, so I stopped a few places along the way.

It was actually speed week at Bonneville Salt Flats when I drove through, but I had to get to Oregon on time so I was only able to stay for a short period of time.

Rusty was pretty cool with the long hours to get out west as long as I had the A/C on and stopped every so often to sniff around.

We drove up the 101 for a bit and saw some cool beaches.

After the coast I headed toward Glacier, with a few recommendations by @rkymtnflyfisher . I really could have used the Cruiser for this drive, the van doesn't handle the back roads as nicely...

We met up for dinner and beers, I got to check out all the work @rkymtnflyfisher 's been up to while I have been MIA. Then I got a few more recommendations for how to head through Montana to Yellowstone and the Tetons...

There are a ton more pictures, it was a 21 day trip total, and the van only broke down once! I had a blast, saw a lot of friends and met a few along the way. I'm hoping to get the cruiser out that way for some adventure! Here is an album full of the rest of the pictures if anyone is interested:
Rusty Rolls West

https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment...4/?temp_hash=3423d4875b59b4bf35f3767c4e36dd41

 

[Vae Victus]

Man, I LOVE my compressor. Don't know if you've not used a compressor, or just THAT compressor. I probably unroll my hose 3x/day on average.

 

[huminajumina]

Man, I LOVE my compressor. Don't know if you've not used a compressor, or just THAT compressor. I probably unroll my hose 3x/day on average.

I've used them the entire time, only I was using my dads shop to do most of the work..... so yes, it is kinda like I am using it for everything because it is right outside my house!!!! I just ran to harbor freight and picked up a cheap coil hose as well as some 4" cutting blades for the cutoff wheel. I have been working on Motorcycles these past few weeks, since it hasn't been raining, and the weather is more enjoyable. It has been great to walk out to the garage and have all the air tools and what not at my disposal!


I drove the Cruiser this weekend and noticed a pretty bad hesitation, its been sitting a little bit. I need to pull the air filter and check the throttle body for some build up or whatever the issue is, I put a tank of gas through it and the fresh gas didn't make a difference, so I am thinking its something in the TBI unit. ( IAC, TPS or some carbon).

In the welding shot you can see the way I hung my half doors with some extra conduit clamps I got while running the electric to the garage!

 

[huminajumina]

For my birthday I decided to knock out a brake job on the cruiser. I’ve had an issue with getting the rear/ front brake equalizer set correctly, which has led to some severely warped rotors. It would appear that because I used Loaded Calipers (from Rock Auto) when I upgraded the front axle to ‘88 4Runner calipers, and I then purchased the JTOutfitters rear disc conversion (w/ loaded calipers) I had two different types of pad material. I’m thinking this had something to do with it. I’m going to purge and bleed the lines really good and see how she does. I had to repack the wheel bearings as they appear to have seen some water. I’m excited to finally have good brakes.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Rusty is looking old bro!!!!

 

[huminajumina]

Rusty is looking old bro!!!!

I know he’s getting up there

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

I know he’s getting up there

You should take him on another cross country adventure!

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

BTW, nice to see the cruiser getting some love again.

 

[huminajumina]

Yes, I want to in the fall. The van is functional now so I can finally focus on the poor cruiser. I got a new Red top battery & fixed a slight throttle hesitation. After the brakes & a manifold gasket, I think I’ll start to focus on that rear sill & rocker panels....I also need to clean and POR the frame.

 

[huminajumina]

Trying something new getting the top off...

 

[huminajumina]

I hung out with a few friends last weekend.... put a lil mud on the cruiser, and Rusty barked at a few trees as they grazed the roof rack.....

 

[huminajumina]

Well, I was trying to have some birthday fun and go paddleboarding...it is slowly becoming the most expensive paddleboarding trip I've made to date....

With very little vibration, noise, and notice, I was coasting down a long gravel road ( down the side of a mountain) and my back tires locked up. What I initially thought was a sheared pinion shaft turned out to be my pinion nut backing off and wedging in the carrier. I finally got the driveshaft off and the pinion nut back on while I was waiting for a tow truck. My roadside assistance covered the tow back to my house, which was nice!

 

[huminajumina]

I was able to pull the 3rd today and get a look at everything.. I have been pricing the whole set up and it looks like I am going to need it....

My gears already had a fair amount of rust on them from sitting and the ring gear has some damage from the pinion hitting it. One of the pinion bearings is destroyed and the Carrier has a decent amount of damage from everything. I also confirmed have coarse spline axles which I am hoping I can replace in the process.....

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Rusty looks like he's ready to help you out and get busy on another road trip!

 

[huminajumina]

Rusty is just mad that hes too heavy for the Paddleboard!

 

[huminajumina]

Once again, I have been bad about updating everyone on my cruiser!!! I got the rear back together in June and it is running strong, I also saved the front 3rd for another time when I have energy to break down the birfs again and swap it out. I know my front ring gear doesn't look great, from when I bought it years ago....

I picked up a set of axles on FB marketplace for around $200 I think...They are early ball and claw style, with the smaller Studs for the Third.....I think like pre 1967??? so I just drilled out all the wholes on the third to accept the bigger studs on my housing... The gears were in great shape (front and rear).

Then I threw some new shocks on as well....

The Slave cylinder started to weep also, so I got a new cheap one off Rock Auto, but when it arrived, I quickly remembered, something about the line fitting size having two different diameters, so I just took the guts out of the new one and rebuilt my old one...quick fix.

Then, Some of you may remember my brake issues...Since 2014 (I think). I did the JTO rear disc brake conversion ( I wish I hadn't).... I have had brake equalization issues...I have combed the forums for solutions, I and I have followed all the advice: I have ....

1988 4-runner 40mm front calipers
100series Landcruiser Master cylinder
JT Outfitter rear disc ( chevy truck rotors, el camino calipers)
Willwood Manual proportioning valve (5 lines, front-in, rear-in, FR out, FL out, Rear out)



I have never been able to prevent the rear Tires from locking up first.... manually adjusted all the way in BOTH directions (just for S!!ts and giggles)...

I FINALLY FIXED IT!!!!!!! my rear line had crushed the flange in the willwood valve, partially blocking the flow....I re did the lines going from the MC to the Prop valve and now it adjusts the front/rear as it should have!!!!!

Then I have just been driving it and working on all my other projects... time has been flying by faster than I can keep track of. I have been spending way too much time this year either working on, or fixing up this airplane... I starting working on it in August of 2019, it had sat in a barn for 10 years not flying, I spent Aug-Feb2020 getting in airworthy, including being gone for another Training School for work in November 2019...so that has taken some Landcruiser time....

But she also takes us on some remote fly-in camping destinations!!

Rusty went on a few adventures in the new plane, barking, farting, and shedding an abundance of dog hair everywhere as usual. Unfortunately he passed away back in June. He is missed a lot, the house is noticeably quiet and doesn't feel full without him around. He had a long and adventurous life, traveling from coast to coast in the van, numerous landcuiser trips all over, as well as, flying around with me.

Recently my friends towed "Jeep Heap" over and we took them out on the trails behind the house, we had a good time.

I had to replace an ignition coil, causing some intermittent misfires under a load, the landcruiser is running strong now. I also got a new set of SOR fender flares to put on the rear. The old ones are cracked and beyond repair, I will get around to throwing those on soon.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

ah man, sorry to hear about Rusty! He was the vanlife champ!

 

[huminajumina]

Beer run!

 

[huminajumina]

I finally got the lift moved over to the new shop, just in time to replace a rear axle seal. Its started to leak a little more, so I am going to try to get it knocked out this week! I also have a new winch cable and fairlead that have been laying around from the Tacoma project, so I am going to throw them on the Landcruiser as well!!

 

[huminajumina]

Took Charlie for another Landcruiser ride.