1973 FJ40 "Herman"

[Kayaker]

Do you have a thread running because I would like to see more pictures. What does your control panel look like? (With the fan/windshield wiper levers) Where are you jack levers stowed? I am pretty sure they go under the passenger side jumpseat. Confirm? I will definitely be asking you lots of questions. Thanks.

No thread but I do have a pretty nice garage. If you open the Garage tab below my Icon on the left of this post, you can visit. There are some photos of my dash. I relocated the light switch from next to the ignition switch to beside the choke to accomodate a small vacuum guage and a tach, so it's not the stock configuration. You are correct about the jack handle extensions, they go under the passenger side jump seat; if you need more photos of that or anything else, just let me know.

 

[Phares]

Well some success and some failure today. The brake parts are in at the local Toyota Dealership but I can't go get them until Friday. I got the new front grill badge only to discover that I ordered the wrong one. Although Herman is a 1973 40 the badge changed in 9/73 so I needed the earlier one. So I ordered the correct one from SOR and it was cheaper!! Doh! So if anyone needs a 9/73-? emblem send me a PM. I have a brand new one for sale.
Also the 4 wheel drive shift boot didn't fit perfect because apparently I ordered a 9/73+ for that too. I drilled out the rivets, removed the leather boots and now need to go buy new rivets and some gloss black spray paint so I can put the good boot in the correct bracket assembly and then reinstall. Actually was kind of cool. Win for me.
I also fixed the broken horn wire I broke the other day, rerouted my L Heater Hose so I can get defrost on the DS windshield. I need a new one but at 110$ I was hard pressed with the coming summer. Definitely before next Winter though I will be refurbing the heaters and new heater hoses.
I think I Have settled on some ProComp Xtreme MT2s in 31x10.5R15 and new no-lift springs, shackles, and shocks from Man-A-Fre to keep Herman at stock height.
So it was an interesting day to say the least...
*Just got off the phone with MAF*
200$ for shipping a set of springs??? Seriously???

 

[sarca]

Hellcreek did me a solid on shipping, a fine American business and excellent customer service to boot. Alas I believe they closed their doors.

 

[Phares]

MAF Has been excellent when I called to ask lots of questions. They seemed confused when I told them I want to keep it at stock height. I called CCoT and they said shipping their lift kits is around 190$ so I guess 200$ is what it is going to take. Just seems like a lot considering I shipped Herman for 650$...So I posted up on ONSCs board seeing if we can get a group order in. Except for having to come into work tonight it was a great day with the 40.

 

[Phares]

I finished the transfer boot today. I had to go pick up 3/16" rivets and then drill out the holes to 3/16". It turned out really good I think but now the shift lever is jealous!
The correct front emblem showed up late this afternoon and I didn't have time to put it on before work. I did replace the passenger side mirror which was cracked. I also got a new antenna put on Herman so now I can get music!
If I had to do it all over again I would probably just get the boot repair kit from SOR but since I ordered the wrong one I made lemonade out of lemons...
I'll finish the front grill tomorrow and get the valve cover back on so I can drive it some more before we start brake work on Wednesday...

 

[jmdaniel]

Much better emblem for you. And the first one you bought will look good on mine, if I can bring myself to retire the bowtie!

 

[Phares]

Finally finished the front grill. I think it looks a million times better. Maybe I will finally stop getting "Is that a mail truck?" Before & After.

 

[Snowdogyyz]

Looks much better! Great job.

 

[sarca]

Nice job Phares!

 

[Phares]

Another late night

I finally got all the brake parts together so I began on that. I got the 40 up on jack stands after loosening the lug nuts and then pulled the wheels. I placed the wheels back under the frame of the 40 incase something terrible happened. I have seen too many horror stories of vehicles up on stands not to be extra careful.
I had spider webs and egg sacs on my drums! This must be an over due PM item huh? I was only able to get one of the drums off, the other three were stuck on. I am fairly certain I only need to loosen the cylinders up to free the drums but I am going to ask around and due some research first.
In the meantime I went ahead and changed all the shocks out for new ProComp ES3000s I picked up from SummitRacing this week. Excellent customer service, good prices, fast shipping, what else can you ask for? I got stock height shocks to go with my no lift spring set I am ordering from Man-A-Fre tomorrow. I also ordered up 31x10.5R15 ProComp Extreme MT2s from FourWheelParts today. They gave me a good Mud discount and again were super friendly and helpful.
So hopefully by the end of the week I will be able to finish the brakes and then the following two weeks get the new springs, shackles, and pins installed. Again, a lot to do but it seems to be going well so far.
If you have any thoughts or comments feel free to leave them below. Thanks to all who have helped me so far.

 

[Phares]

More brake photos

A couple of photos of the brake job thus far.

 

[sarca]

Looks like you need a BFH. You're replacing the drums anyway.. beat the heck out of em, go all the way around the drum..it's aggravating as hell.. but once you get em off it's a bit easier. Also adjust the tension.and loosen on the drums via the star wheel on the cylinders

 

[Phares]

It took a 4lb engineers hammer but I finally got all four of the drums off and have begun cleaning everything up that is staying on the 40. After review and thought I am returning the CCoT cylinders and spending a little extra cash on OEM. I have been able to track down everything but DS front cylinders. Toyota has discontinued them (Because everyone is going disc up front) and I have run out of ideas to source them. So right now I am trying to decide if I want to get a set of SOR aftermarket DS front cylinders or rebuild the OEM ones with a rebuild kit. Thoughts???
I hope to get the springs, shackles, and pins from Man-A-Fre next week sometime and new tires should go on the rims on Saturday. That leaves me waiting on parts before more can be done. The April 27th car show is approaching quickly but I think it can still be done.

 

[sarca]

Have you tried Napa? Let me know..I believe Darin said he gets his there.

 

[Bodean]

I have a set of CCOT cylinders on the rear of my 78 that have been fine. You have them so just run em'. The drums can be a little trouble if they haven't been off in a while for sure. You are making good progress man! It's fun to watch a new 40 owner get excited about all of the things I did 13 years ago. Do it right the first time and enjoy for years. Looks good man!

 

[sarca]

What tires did you decide on? I can't wait to see em!

 

[Phares]

I decided on 31x10.5R15 ProComp Extreme MT2s. Based on all my research they should fit under the stock setup with no issues. We will see. I got the wheels off the truck and the back sides had some decent surface rust so I decided I would get them blasted and painted before I put the new rubber on. So 20$ at the local GoodYear store to get them stripped and then off to the NEW powder coater since the last guy irritated me. The plan was just to have them blasted and then I would spray paint them but when I got to the Coater he wanted 25$/wheel to blast them or 45$/wheel to blast and powder coat. That seemed like a really good deal since the last powder coater charged me 80$ per wheel to blast and coat so I took it. I only had two grays to choose from that would provide a fast enough turn around time for my crunched schedule so I hope I chose the right one. I will provide pictures when everything is back up and running...The brakes should be back together this weekend. The tires will be mounted on Tuesday. There is still no sign of the Man-A-Fre order so that might have to wait until after the car show on the 27th...we will see.

 

[myquestoyota]

Just be sure and put the two matching wheels on each side. Looking good!

 

[Phares]

No, I meant there were two different shades of gray to choose from for all 4 wheels. I picked one that I thought was close to the pictures I've seen. All four wheels should be the same color.

 

[Phares]

I finished up the project last night. All the brakes have been refreshed, the wheels were powder coated, and new tires have been installed. Also new Pro Comp shocks. A full report will be up tonight with some photos. I didn't get the Man-A-Fre order until Monday night so I am not installing that until next week. I don't want to rush it and screw it up. All in all I am super happy with the new look and stance as well as the performance from the quick trip around the neighborhood.