Builds 1969 FJ40 named Mavis

[120mm]

Now to tackle the stoplights and turn signals.

According to the schematic, a red/white wire runs directly from the bus to the switch, and a green/white runs back to the turn signal switch, where somewhere, magickally, it goes to the taillights.

I tested the red/white coming off the bus and it has a constant 3V or so.

My brake switch has two wires coming out of it and they are green/something. No accommodations that I can see for a red/white wire.

Need to see how to rip that sucker out so I can get a good look at it. I can't see sh*t under that dash.

 

[120mm]

Dunno if this will render on this forum, but here it is.

 

[120mm]

Now to tackle the stoplights and turn signals.

According to the schematic, a red/white wire runs directly from the bus to the switch, and a green/white runs back to the turn signal switch, where somewhere, magickally, it goes to the taillights.

I tested the red/white coming off the bus and it has a constant 3V or so.

My brake switch has two wires coming out of it and they are green/something. No accommodations that I can see for a red/white wire.

Need to see how to rip that sucker out so I can get a good look at it. I can't see sh*t under that dash.

Just before bed, I realized that 3V at the bus is Not Good.

Went back to Mavis, and tightened up to fuse connection and it now reads 12V.

Didn't fix the issue, but now I have the right voltage.

 

[120mm]

Farmer grade.

Got the fan to run on low, and have 12V to the light port.

Now am waiting on leaf spring bushings.

 

[Thechief86]

Farmer grade.View attachment 3321326

Got the fan to run on low, and have 12V to the light port.View attachment 3321327

Now am waiting on leaf spring bushings.

I've got some extra old man emu bushings I could have given you...

 

[120mm]

I've got some extra old man emu bushings I could have given you...

Oops!

 

[120mm]

Received the bushings a couple days ago. Unfortunately, the box got pushed to the back of the mailbox and I didn't see it until today.

Got the rubber ones because farm truck

 

[120mm]

I've been using a chinesium farmer jack for years in my FJ55 and I finally decided to drag this out and restore it to use with this rig.

I got it from my dad and I've used it for years growing up to work on farm equipment. Need to find a new handle and handle retainer for it as the steel tube in their right now just flops around.

Also need to figure how to mount it.

 

[middlecalf]

Across the front, horizontal, behind the hooks, on custom blocks mounted to frame. With a good long rope and chain this is now your <farmer> winch.

 

[120mm]

Across the front, horizontal, behind the hooks, on custom blocks mounted to frame. With a good long rope and chain this is now your <farmer> winch.

I did as you suggested, and this is how it turned out.

Wow! I never knew a farm jack could turn into a vintage Warn winch! Thanks for the tip.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

I did as you suggested, and this is how it turned out.

View attachment 3322212

Wow! I never knew a farm jack could turn into a vintage Warn winch! Thanks for the tip.

View attachment 3322213

PFM…

 

[120mm]

Drove it for about an hour, solid, with no ill effects.

Getting used to the noise, though. The noise level is enough higher than my FJ55 that I almost go into freak out mode when a new noise appears.

Also did a touch up on my top sill where I got some partial separation. Hit it with SEM adhesive and then went over it with some of that Flex sealant to see how well it works.

Also installed some weatherstripping where the top doesn't mate perfectly due to the accident that deformed the driver's side top panel. Will run it like that for awhile until I can find a straight panel to replace it.

 

[120mm]

I was super excited to receive my dimmer switch from Indonesia today

And it's cheap garbage.

Super disappointed that I paid $117 for something I could've got for $50.

Not even slightly as advertised.

 

[120mm]

Since my goal is to document and inform, I thought I'd take the opportunity to compare and contrast the differences between the OEM and cheap Chinese knock off dimmer switch.

Besides the "IR" instead of the "TR" as per OEM, there is also a lack of manufacturing location of "Nagoya Japan".

Most importantly, the case on the Chinese POS is not only thinner, but lacks the rim of the proper OEM part.

That means the cheap plastic fails to seal and spins freely in the housing. This means it's almost impossible not to damage it upon installation because you can't get any tightening rotation on the screws.

Since this mechanism is exposed to both the engine compartment and any water/mud/sand ingress into the open area immediately below it, it will not last very long in real use.

I very carefully installed it just for grins, and it sometimes actually works. Most times it either stays in high beam, or it turns the lights off.

This is a sh*tshow, from a 100% rated ebay seller. I've messaged the seller, and will update as I get more info.

Looks like my next step is to spend $100+ on a used unit, which may or may not actually work.

 

[120mm]

Well, at least communication with the seller was prompt.

Sorry for the inconvenience. we make sure it's Genuine Parts.
If you don't like:
1. Please apply for a return and send the item back
2. Partial refund we return $40, goods kept for you

regards
ekooke

 

[rainingagain]

Well, at least communication with the seller was prompt.

Did they send you a return shipping label? Or they going to make you pay for it?

 

[120mm]

Did they send you a return shipping label? Or they going to make you pay for it?

No idea.

Still waiting for the response

 

[120mm]

Today my FJ55 was getting new power steering hoses and was blocking in my Mustang, my wife was gone with the GX460 and I had to go prepare a meal for 80 hungry college students so I had two firsts.

First time I actually needed this rig for actual transportation and first time driving in the rain.

I had temporarily installed the wipers, so I quickly drilled them out with a taper drill, run a tap through the nuts and a die on both the wiper studs and miraculously got it right in one try, just in time to drive through pouring rain.

Got there and the sun came out. Once dinner was in the oven, rides were given. Happy day.

 

[thatcabledude]

Today my FJ55 was getting new power steering hoses and was blocking in my Mustang, my wife was gone with the GX460 and I had to go prepare a meal for 80 hungry college students so I had two firsts.

First time I actually needed this rig for actual transportation and first time driving in the rain.

I had temporarily installed the wipers, so I quickly drilled them out with a taper drill, run a tap through the nuts and a die on both the wiper studs and miraculously got it right in one try, just in time to drive through pouring rain.

Got there and the sun came out. Once dinner was in the oven, rides were given. Happy day.

View attachment 3324695

I don’t know if it was intentional, but that’s a LOT of Yotas in that pic… The Matrix aka Vibe included.

 

[120mm]

I don’t know if it was intentional, but that’s a LOT of Yotas in that pic… The Matrix aka Vibe included.

I parked there because of the vintage mini truck. I hadn't noticed that every vehicle in the lot was a Toyota product.

Lots of Yota fans in our church Young Adult group.

BTW, another first; drove home in the dark. Lights only went off 4 or 5 times.

I need another dimmer switch, bad.