1969 fj55 Rebuild/OffRoad Rebuild

[JesseFixesCATs]

just bought this fj55. im new to fjs and I was pointed to this forum and was told that yall could help. im very excited about this rebuild.

 

[JesseFixesCATs]

gonna get rid of all the rust first

 

[Fitzgerald]

Welcome!

 

[PabloCruise]

Nice find!

That is not an FJ, you have an Iron Pig!

 

[Delancy]

Glad you found the right forum.

To bring anyone that hasn't seen in the 40/55 section....

Ill look around in there a bit. Does anybody know the diffrrent carborator types like (and I don't know the terminology) single hole or something like that. Does anybody know if the 1969 fj55 have a single carborator hole/bore/tube or will I have to post some pics of the aftermarket strange carborator that is on it now
Thanks

Pics always help, especially for non-OE.

Probably be useful for you to know the block casting number found on the passenger side of block, closer to firewall. Can determine production date from it, which also aids in determining corresponding components, since there are changes mid year.

http://www.sor.com/catengine.sor

Its an f125. Does that help?

It doesn't look like an F125. Maybe somebody was having some fun with a paintbrush!

There's an off chance it's actually a 68, as you do have the front marker lights that were common to both years. If so, you could have a metal adapter plate on the intake manifold as well that adapted it from a 2bbl down to a one bbl.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

On cylinder rebuild

Fronts should be the same as 40s on the early drums, rears were 55 specific. You can get cylinders and rebuild kits from $OR -

Tucker

does anybody know where I can find or does anyone have a brake booster for a 1969 fj55
the only ones I can find are over $300

would it be cheaper to convert the brakes to disc brakes (also in the future) or keep and just do a rebuild on the drums

Cheaper?

Probably not, but would be a good time to consider along with power steering plans, of any.

Drums could remain on the rear and I was wrong in saying the OE rebuild kits are NLA, because Onur (beno, whom you might want to contact) just shipped rebuild kit for the rear of the 76.

On the front, there's several ways to go about the disc conversion, but, in my opinion, converting to 60 series makes the most sense, as does the 60 series PS conversion.

Parts are abundant for both and should be for some time, but mounting the PS gearbox requires some fab work. Not a big deal, I had planned and purchased similar, then determined the 72 I'm working on to he a restoration only.

Be back with links.

 

[JesseFixesCATs]

Thanks everyone i orderd some brake cylinder and clutch cylinder rebuild kits yesterday. tomorrow im getting it off the ground taking the tires off and inspecting everything i need brake/axel wise. ill post photos

 

[JesseFixesCATs]

Does any body have a favorite spray paint to spray on bare metal that prevents rust from returning. I was looking around and I couldn't decide on one because they all say rust free or stops rust. I'm going to use it on the frame and other metal components on my fj
thanks

 

[greentruck]

Rustoleum is commonly available and OK, but not really what you want to do a restoration. It just won't hold up over the long run and I don't know of any other product in a spray can that will in automotive use.

State of the art isn't spray paint, rather it's a product called POR15. I've got no experience, but I'm sure there's others here who do. It can be painted and, I assume, sprayed, but I don't think it comes packaged in a spray can. Anyone?

While the spray can has convenience, that's the only plus. Rust if the mortal enemy of the FJ55, so you're right to make it Job#1. Best to make sure you use the best methods or it'll be a lot of labor lost in a few years time.

 

[JesseFixesCATs]

Rustoleum is commonly available and OK, but not really what you want to do a restoration. It just won't hold up over the long run and I don't know of any other product in a spray can that will in automotive use.

State of the art isn't spray paint, rather it's a product called POR15. I've got no experience, but I'm sure there's others here who do. It can be painted and, I assume, sprayed, but I don't think it comes packaged in a spray can. Anyone?

While the spray can has convenience, that's the only plus. Rust if the mortal enemy of the FJ55, so you're right to make it Job#1. Best to make sure you use the best methods or it'll be a lot of labor lost in a few years time.

Ill check those out. I was pretty sure I wasn't going to use the spray paint as the final coat just something to make me feel better since there's probably going to be bare metal on this estimated 2 year rebuild. I just wanted something to cover it up before Im done with it and handed it to a paint professional.

 

[JesseFixesCATs]

I'm not an expert on brakes. The brake cylinder rebuild kit on fjparts.com just shows a few rubber pieces. I was unsure if this was a rebuild kit because it was so cheap and there wasn't much to it. Could anybody verify that for me. I'm doing it on all 4 break drums.
Thanks

 

[JesseFixesCATs]

This is what it looks like

 

[JesseFixesCATs]

This probably sounds like a dumb question but how many brake cylinders are there per wheel?

 

[Delancy]

This probably sounds like a dumb question but how many brake cylinders are there per wheel?

Two per wheel.

There are OE rebuild kits for the cylinders, but you'll want to consider shoes and spring kits, too.

 

[Delancy]

Are you a CAT mechanic?

 

[JesseFixesCATs]

Are you a CAT mechanic?

Yea I'm still in school for it

I've never heard of anything have 2 cylinders per wheel. I guess there different

 

[Delancy]

 

[JesseFixesCATs]

The F145 engine in my fj is old and has never been rebuilt. would it be beneficial to do a gasket rebuild on it. I dont think it needs a full engine overhaul and ive heard its hard to find parts for that. I found a gasket kit for it for $155.
is it worth it?
thanks

 

[Midgainc]

From what I read, most gaskets are decent except for the head gasket. All here say go with OEM for that. Contact Beno for it.

For Rust, I I use the best product on the market. It is called Blackstar from MROChem. The formula is used in the shipyards on Long Island. I figured that if it is good enough for ships in salt water, then it just might be good enough for a pig. Checkout some picks on my thread https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-iron-...7691-ga-55-left-woods-20-yrs-10-73-model.html. I can't say enough good things about it. Goes on with a brush, dries slick, paintable, supposed to last forever. I have put all over the frame and underside and then coated with undercoating. I hope this helps.

On your rebuild, if you plan on keeping it a long time, you should rebuild now. Parts will be really scarce soon. My parts guy told me there was one set of 0.20 over pistons left in the warehouses nationwide....they could be yours. You may need them. Fwiw...

 

[Midgainc]

BTW, I got a cat at my office that needs fixing. I think she's pregnant. That your sorta thing?

 

[bigsal]

You should seriously consider just putting on discs in the front. The rears are not so critical, but the fronts get boring/tiring having to adjust all the time and the parts are spendy. Some may disagree, but I feel they are safer.

Above all, have fun with whatever you decide to do.