Builds 1970 FatherSonJ40 project

[Kmehr]

Working my way through some more things today and found some real horrors.

First, investigated the speedo cable. Unscrewed it from the t-case and wouldn't you know it, there's nothing inside! completely empty sheath..

Next, pulled the rear driveshaft to take a look at the parking brake situation. the main castle nut looks like it has been sitting on the titanic. Put a breaker bar on it and gave a couple of grunts, it didn't budge. Decided I didn't want to break anything, and left it alone.

Then I got onto the full drivetrain fluid drain. oh the horrors I found. Starting at the back, the rear diff fluid was pretty nasty. It was black and had quite a bit of sludgy metallic gook in it. Peeking through the hole though, there was a visible 12mm bolt hanging on by its absolute last thread. Then I found some beat up looking large copper washer just sitting in the bottom of the diff. Good grief. So I've pulled the rear diff cover and of course the PO used about 7 tubes of RTV to seal it, so I'm looking at a good half day of gasket scraping at least.

The transmission and t-case were both about the same, black sludge with lots of metal glitter. The front diff though....I've never seen fluid so nasty. It was like fudge. I've seen diffs that had water intrusion, but this was something altogether different. It was like someone put axle grease in with the fluid. Guess I can add two differential rebuilds to the ultimate project list...

 

[pb4ugo]

The washer is a thrust washer and should go between a spider gear and carrier. You can see the one in your pic,. The small gear that the center shaft goes thru. The loose bolt is a pin that holds the center shaft in place.

 

[Kmehr]

A little more progress today- got the new speedo cable in. At first it wasn't registering anything once hooked into the transfer case, so I pulled the gear adapter out expecting to find shredded teeth. The gear looked perfectly fine! was marked 6x17. I cleaned it off, then re-seated everything and it now works great!

Now I'm looking like it's running hot. The temp gauge has been pegged off the Hot side periodically and I've always just assumed it's a wonky old gauge. When I pulled back into the shop, I got out my IR temp gauge and was reading 230-240 in a few places around the cylinder head. Ugh. I'm betting I've got a blocked coolant passage somewhere. Might be time to take it into a shop and see if I can't get it flushed really good. I never know what to do with the 50 gallons of coolant water after doing it myself. Will pull the thermostat and test that, though its a new Toyota OEM...

I'm definitely having fun driving this thing! After getting a good bit of seat time lately, I've got some notes for Toyota. First and foremost being the 3spd. I get it that it's a tractor motor, but every tractor I've ever encountered had about 15 forward and 10 reverse gears. 3 is simply not enough for this weak of a motor! I just have to think the 5 speed behind the 1F is transformative, even without an increase in power. Second, is also the 3 speed. Why the hell did they cheap out on the first gear synchro?! I just can't not look like a rookie shifting down into first with that horrible grind. Third, it the 3 speed! First gear is too tall. An old 4x4 like this needs a bulldog low 1st. Like my old Cummins trucks that you started out in 2nd unless pulling something. I've got 4.11s but idling in 1st still seems too fast.

I'm enjoying driving it, but man I can't wait to get the 12HT/H55f planted in there. and take the top off.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

My youngest son (20) DD a 40 which has a 350 mated to a 3spd. Its about the best combo I have driven. He routinely drives 80 mph. I have raced him off the line in a 5.7L tundra and I cannot hold a candle to him. I am a huge fan of the 3spd. Itbhas fantastic long pulls in each gear. Get to speed fast! If you chuck it let me know. I always notch the gear into 2nd before I move it to 1st and it never grinds. Only move to 1st gear at a standstill.

 

[Kmehr]

My youngest son (20) DD a 40 which has a 350 mated to a 3spd. Its about the best combo I have driven. He routinely drives 80 mph. I have raced him off the line in a 5.7L tundra and I cannot hold a candle to him. I am a huge fan of the 3spd. Itbhas fantastic long pulls in each gear. Get to speed fast! If you chuck it let me know. I always notch the gear into 2nd before I move it to 1st and it never grinds. Only move to 1st gear at a standstill.

I'll definitely let you now when its out. Probably will sell the whole drivetrain once the 12HT is in there. I'm switching gears to get my Alfa back on the road hopefully in the next month or so (ditching the carbs for EFI and adding A/C to make it a legit summer run about.) and then I'm going to start working on the new power train. Hopefully I'll have that ready to drop in by the fall/winter and can do my full repaint over the winter.

 

[Kmehr]

First top off cruise today….ever! Man it’s so awesome. My boys just kept saying “we don’t want to go home yet!” Even though it was about 45 degrees out.

New temp sending unit appears to have…fixed the over heating? Gauge is much steadier now and not getting over half way. Though it’s pretty cold out today. Time will tell. I tested my thermostat in a pan on the stove and it’s working. Getting the odometer rolling is the last gauge to get working.

Bumping second then shifting to first, what a trick! That makes a huge difference, though I stand by I can’t wait to get that 3spd out.

Running rich, based on smell, and I’d love to get some exhaust smell reduction. Any body have a recommendation on a cat to run?

 

[archie73]

First top off cruise today….ever! Man it’s so awesome. My boys just kept saying “we don’t want to go home yet!” Even though it was about 45 degrees out.

Congrats on the first tank. Don’t worry that experience is never that far away to enjoy over and over again…

Running rich, based on smell, and I’d love to get some exhaust smell reduction. Any body have a recommendation on a cat to run?

Before you get a cat, where’s your exhaust routed? For topless cruising, the general consensus is to exit just behind the rear tire. Out the back catches the aerodynamics drag and pulls the fumes up to the rear passengers and possibly the front too. Next is any exhaust leaks should be checked. Plenty of 40’s have been driven without catalytic converters and no smell. In fact, even when I was running very rich on my V8 I never smelled the exhaust while driving.

 

[EWheeler]

First top off cruise today….ever! Man it’s so awesome. My boys just kept saying “we don’t want to go home yet!” Even though it was about 45 degrees out.

New temp sending unit appears to have…fixed the over heating? Gauge is much steadier now and not getting over half way. Though it’s pretty cold out today. Time will tell. I tested my thermostat in a pan on the stove and it’s working. Getting the odometer rolling is the last gauge to get working.

Bumping second then shifting to first, what a trick! That makes a huge difference, though I stand by I can’t wait to get that 3spd out.

Running rich, based on smell, and I’d love to get some exhaust smell reduction. Any body have a recommendation on a cat to run?

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Oh man, the photos of your little ones.....so cool!

 

[Kmehr]

Congrats on the first tank. Don’t worry that experience is never that far away to enjoy over and over again…

Before you get a cat, where’s your exhaust routed? For topless cruising, the general consensus is to exit just behind the rear tire. Out the back catches the aerodynamics drag and pulls the fumes up to the rear passengers and possibly the front too. Next is any exhaust leaks should be checked. Plenty of 40’s have been driven without catalytic converters and no smell. In fact, even when I was running very rich on my V8 I never smelled the exhaust while driving.

My exhaust actually appears pretty tight. Though I’ll say the header may not be sealing great…

Maybe I’ll just suck it up until I swap in the diesel…

 

[Kmehr]

The parts fairy made a stop today. My 12HT power steering pump and mounts showed up. The pump will certainly need a rebuild, or to be swapped for a a rebuilt unit, but it came with the tensioner I need. Came from Pakistan, via UAE. Gotta love the global parts supply these cruisers enjoy. If only this pump could talk, I sure bet it would have some cool stories.

The powder coated/black mount is an HJ47 mount for comparison. I'll use that one for the motor, but the power steering eye will have to be transferred over. Will be a fun fab project.

 

[diesellibrarian]

12H-T in a 40 is gonna be an absolutely boss setup.

 

[Kmehr]

12H-T in a 40 is gonna be an absolutely boss setup.

Your threads have been an inspiration for me! Love your persistence and insistence to fix the old stuff, not just swap it out. Well done man.

 

[Kmehr]

Well I’ll be damned, the parts fairy found my house AGAIN today!

Delivered this full float rear axle with a en 80 e locker and Downey cable conversion. So excited about this one, not just the locker but also the hubs and being able to flat tow this thing that much easier.

Haven’t measured anything, but based on looks, I think my brakes are going to swap over directly. Fingers crossed it’s that easy.

 

[Kmehr]

Did some measuring and it looks like my brakes will be a direct swap. That being said, can anyone ID the brakes I have now? Would like to know for future servicing, I don’t see any part numbers:

 

[pb4ugo]

Looks like Monte Carlo gm metric. Typical standard fj40 conversion set up.

 

[Kmehr]

Got some good dirt miles in today. My local forest service road finally opened for the season. My oldest and I did about 15 miles this afternoon. So much fun was had, but we’re now really ready for some shade. We pale white boys burn easy! A soft top is in the works, and we’re ready for it.

The more I drive it, the more I love it, and the better the motor seems to run.

 

[6f40j9]

Bikini top makes all the difference. I didn’t have one the last 2 summers. Now I can’t imagine life without it.
I’m not running a roll bar so I improvised a 3/4” emt B pillar.

 

[Kmehr]

Bikini top makes all the difference. I didn’t have one the last 2 summers. Now I can’t imagine life without it.
I’m not running a roll bar so I improvised a 3/4” emt B pillar.

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I’ve actually got a metal tech cage and TROA full softtop ordered, very much looking forward to it!

 

[Kmehr]

Rear axle is swapped and was nearly plug and play. Two issues have come up- 1) my driveshaft has a square flange on the axle side, and the new axle has a circle flange, 2) I need shock studs for the the new axle housing. Was a bear to get in but it’s there!

 

[pb4ugo]

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/shop/shock-mounting-hardware~14-16-566-31229