Builds 1969 FJ40 named Mavis (4 Viewers)

[Roastchestnuts]

(Insert bad words here)
Just learned something about 40s. Something called a "center arm." Mine is apparently shot and from a bit of research, they look like a PITA.

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I just rebuilt a used one when I went back to manual steering. I got a rebuild kit from Kurt at Cruiser teq. It was actually really easy to rebuild. I feel like as long as the center pin thing is not worn out you should be fine to rebuild it. The little key in there is annoying. super jealous of that top! Real steel stopped making the full bow kit I think.. went to buy it and it was gone off the site.

 

[120mm]

I just rebuilt a used one when I went back to manual steering. I got a rebuild kit from Kurt at Cruiser teq. It was actually really easy to rebuild. I feel like as long as the center pin thing is not worn out you should be fine to rebuild it. The little key in there is annoying. super jealous of that top! Real steel stopped making the full bow kit I think.. went to buy it and it was gone off the site.

They intend to make more of them, once they hire a guy who can.

 

[120mm]

Upon doing further research, it appears as if I am missing at least one piece.

The gold colored spacer/washer is MIA on my rig and doesn't look like it comes with the Cruiser Teq rebuild kit either.

 

[120mm]

Note: This exploded view in the manual doesn't show any kind of washer/spacer

 

[120mm]

I love getting a present in the mail.

 

[120mm]

Well, there is definitely abnormal wear, especially in the races.

Now I am stumped. How do I get the races out, and how do I get the pin out? I can't find a way to get a press on it, and a pickle fork would destroy the top cover.

 

[trainbufftony]

Put it in a vise and use a punch from the back side to drive out the bearing races.
The pin, probably needs a flying press, or if you have an otc ball joint press, that would probably push it out without removing it from the frame.

 

[120mm]

I was done asking it nice. Now to get that top bearing off the pin.

 

[120mm]

Put it in a vise and use a punch from the back side to drive out the bearing races.
The pin, probably needs a flying press, or if you have an otc ball joint press, that would probably push it out without removing it from the frame.

Thank you!

Mr. T helpfully cut channels in the arm in order to facilitate driving out the races. Cool.

Installing new races is one of life's pleasures. Hearing that change in pitch and then knowing they are properly seated just feels good.

Interesting issue here. The original top bearing is beveled and the replacement is not, creating this gap. Wondering if that matters or not.

 

[120mm]

While thinking about whether the bearing will work "as is" I suddenly remembered I build flintlock rifles by hand and realized I could fix this.

 

[120mm]

Success! Took it on a test drive and no wobbley!

 

[Thechief86]

Success! Took it on a test drive and no wobbley!

I bet she handles like an indy car now in comparison to before haha! I greatly improved the handling on my 60 this week by just re-torquing my leafspring u-bolts. Crazy how just small stuff can make a big improvement sometimes.

 

[120mm]

I'm at a point where I'm driving the living daylights out of this thing and loving it.

The top on with the windows all rolled up makes a perfect hot weather rig. It's even pretty comfortable driving down the road in the evenings when its cool once I turn the heater on, still with windows open and the cowl vents closed.

Today I'm going to go after some door seals, and because it is crucial to proper vehicle operation, I ordered one of these from JT Outfitters.

 

[120mm]

Took on my first section of the Tennessee Dirt Devil yesterday.

TN Dirt Devil

Country Dirt Roads providing off road, 4x4 fun outside of Nashville, Tennessee

dirtdeviltn.com

Really fun mud road path through middle Tennessee. Spent about 4 hours on it and both the dogs and I were worn out.

Had about a dozen water crossings, one of which required the use of 4 high.

This is what I was thinking of when I bought/built this rig.

 

[Green Bean]

Curious about water crossings in a stock 40 series... I've seen plenty of posts where folks drain their differentials and they are full of water. Are your axle vents extended? Or is that even a concern? Like I said, just a curiosity... Love the pics.

 

[120mm]

Curious about water crossings in a stock 40 series... I've seen plenty of posts where folks drain their differentials and they are full of water. Are your axle vents extended? Or is that even a concern? Like I said, just a curiosity... Love the pics.

I extended the axle vents.

Later today I'm going to take a peek to see if I have water in the diffs

 

[120mm]

While I really like the STA Super Traxions, the ads that pop up on this forum just suggested these:

MRF Super Lugs, available in both 15" and 16".

I think I might be in the market for a second set of wheels and tires in the future, for a more cross country look and capability.

Also, I mounted my spare because my driver's side front tire had been nearly worn out because of the bad center arm bearing, and when I tried to install the hubcap, it did not fit. Wondering if it's even a Land Cruiser wheel at all.

 

[120mm]

Curious about water crossings in a stock 40 series... I've seen plenty of posts where folks drain their differentials and they are full of water. Are your axle vents extended? Or is that even a concern? Like I said, just a curiosity... Love the pics.

Checked front and rear and no water ingress at all. A tiny discoloration up front from birf moly I believe, but not bad enough for a birf job..... yet.

 

[120mm]

Just bid farewell to my 55 Zeke and did some more wheeling with Mavis at the Southern Swine Soiree at Land Between the Lakes.

After I got home this happened.

Then noticed this

Also had the window felts on the passenger side door disintegrate and blow away in a severe crosswind crossing a tall bridge, so have ordered new wheel brake cylinders, tie rod ends and window felts.

That makes 100% failure of wheel cylinders I've rebuilt. Not going to make that mistake again.

 

[Thechief86]

Every time something fails on your rig, it gets a little better. This is how I'm still able to call my cobbled together pile of shadetree magic a "restoration" project, lol. Eventually I'll run out of worn out stuff to repair, and it'll be a nice rig again.
Hell, I may even paint mine one day.
Mavis has also come a very long way from where you started. As for the tires, I think super swampers would look awesome. I think you can get 31" or 32" pizza cutters still, and they last a long time, even driven on the road, and the TSL tread is actually not super loud if you keep them at the right pressure and rotate them when you should.