1973 FJ40 Rebuild ……...another learning experience…….. (1 Viewer)

[natvet]

Before I start I wanted to thank all the contributors and sponsors to this message board. Most are a source of inspiration and humor and both are much needed when the tools and parts are scattered everywhere, the pages of the FSM are too greasy to read, and the 4 letter words are abundant.
I have learned (and will continue to learn) a great deal from you all.
Bought the 40. Tore is to pieces……Yep I sure did…………Dang there are A LOT of pieces
Note to self ……take more pictures before and during tear down.
Pic 1 when she came home
pic 2 done
pic3 during

 

[natvet]

Frame work

Power washed the frame 3-4 times with simple green and 3000psi water. Wire wheeled ALOT until down to just metal. Very little rust, thanks to being in Gods country (Texas)

pic1 stripped etched and painted w Zero rust grey
pic2 black zero rust
then 2 coats rustoleum pro black
In the fall(no leaves on the trees)

 

[natvet]

Next up swap thirds

My plan is to make this one more of a daily driver.
So...... I found a young man in town w a 1985 FJ60 and he wanted the lower gearing for offroad.. so we swapped thirds. Now have 3.73 front and rear. He was nice enough to come over and show me how to remove the thirds from the front and back....cruiser people are cool.

Mistake I made.... just wanted 3.73 in the rear and 4.11 in the front . that is a serious problem:whoops:.
pic1 removing bolt from diff
pic2 removing pin
pic3 all things that came out of the diff with axles removed

 

[natvet]

new suspension

;pThirds are in and painted.. I ordered OME drakar 2" suspension to replace the original.
pic 1 rear suspension installed
pic2 front installed
pic3 she is rollin'
Got to work now will update as I can
Post up any thing you see that I messed up. (or any other comments) I am not a mechanic and this is a learning experience for me ,so help a brother out

 

[fj40_73]

nice project, and great photos.

 

[nspctr1]

Where are you located here in TX... Good job so far. Are you putting the 2F back in? While your at it I would swap in discs in the front. You definitely will not regret it. It's an easy swap with parts from a mini truck or 4 runner.

 

[natvet]

"Where are you located here in TX"
Located in Georgetown just N of Austin.
Disc brakes swap has begun will post pics as soon as finished(takin me forever)

1F engine is in the rebuild shop. pics will follow
Also plan ,and have parts for, power steering. No plans are written is stone.....seems the plans change as I read more info

 

[tmarx]

Looking good !

 

[reece1]

looks like your doing a great job there.

 

[natvet]

Thanks

thanks for he comments Next up pics of disc brake swap 3 to 4 speed swap. I will have many questions about the 3-4 speed tranny swap. I have all the parts and may get started this weekend. It is Fathers day so I should get so time in the barn.

 

[fueg0]

Looks great! Nice to see another 40 here in the Pflugerville area...

--jeff

 

[natvet]

update

More stuff done been to lazt to post So here are some pics

pic 1 mini truck front disc(thanks guppie)problem I had was getting fish scale to read correct lbs must have changed shimms 6-8 time....luv those ****ing cone washers
pic2 3-4 speed tranny swap kept 3spd tcase checking the linkage
pic3 enigine in and tranny too

 

[natvet]

other stuff

Ran all the brake lines and rear wiring harness. Started mini truck ps see pics

pic 1 bottom of bracket w 2 tabs I added(thanks Coolerman)
pic 2 top bracket I made to attach to water pump

 

[krookedpandas]

Mistake I made.... just wanted 3.73 in the rear and 4.11 in the front . that is a serious problem:whoops:.

I'm not sure if I just misread this but you can't run two different gear ratios in your thirds. If you engage the 4wd with two different ratios you will do a lot of damage to your drive line.

 

[Coolerman]

Coming right along! I fabbed a bracket for the mini-truck pump reservoir. I'll post those pics later in my pump thread...

 

[natvet]

3rds

Yep I wanted to run different ratios but thanks to IH8MUD I did not. Decided on 3.73 from an 85 fj60 front and rear.

Coolman cant wait to see the resevoir backet ....What are you using for the gear box mount? Saw one on Ebay but ave not heard any thing about it.

 

[warpdriv]

Man, I love restro threads. GREAT JOB!!! Keep the pics coming!!!

 

[ohrly?]

Oh I see the problem! You have a gas engine on that brand new frame!


Nice choice on the suspension,

 

[natvet]

ready to launch

Doing a little catching up.....After power steering came engine break in. I wired up dizzy coil and idle on carb. then starter to mission control,dropped the fuel line in a gas can and flipped the switch . Ran her for 20 minutes at speed then ran at various speeds for an additional 10. Changed oil. fired up again and set timing. Problems
1. Valve cover gasket leak
2. Slight gas leak on fuel pump
3. water leak at heater hose


Restarted and did valve adjustment
NOW it sounds like a grandma's sewing machine

 

[e rock]

Nice job so far.

And "Mission Control" is possibly the most awesome thing I've seen all week.