1976 FJ40 Build Up/Resto Thread

[Nomis]

Subzali - it's really not that difficult, just time consuming. I did not have any welding exp. prior to this project - did a lot of research prior to picking up the welder. So far, so good.

 

[subzali]

Nice, that's what I wanted to hear. Like buckroseau says, any garage-monkey can do it! Looks great!

 

[Nomis]

buckroseau was a great help and gave me some good info while I was getting started. His rebuild/resto threads are impressive to say the least.

 

[Nomis]

I replaced the gas tank with an OEM unit a few months ago - these are still available from Toyota. Originally, I was considering CCOT's steel repro tank - but for a few bucks more you can pick up an OEM Toyota part - the decision is simple - go for the Toyota part whenever possible. New tank should last another 30 years.

 

[Spud]

Realy looks like top notch quality work you are doing...keep it up.

 

[1973Guppie]

looks great man! keep us updated.....

 

[Rhinoliner]

Nice job on your build up. I really like what you did with the body mounts. Very clever IMOP. I hope I have time to make some like it before you get a patent on the idea.

 

[40's rock]

Keep it going.....just pulled the engine on my 76 (washed out cylinders) and this gets me motivated to keep working on the rusty stuff!

 

[Nomis]

Rhino - the mounts are fairly easy to put together - just flatten one of the old mounts, trace the outline on some 16ga cr steel, cut and put in some holes and your done. Then pick up some reinforced rubber - some use old fire hose, but I couldn't source any locally.

Not too much to report on the Cruiser - welded in a few more patches. Recently picked up a 60 gallon IR compressor as well as a few spray guns from Northern Tool. The spray guns are similar to the decent gun at HF but in a kit that includes 3 guns; 2 full size guns with 1.4 and 1.7 tips and a smaller detail gun with a 1.0 tip - the tips are interchangeable. Should work well. I'm planning on shooting the 2K high build primer with the 1.7 and possibly using either the 1.7 or the 1.4 tip to shoot the SS Urethane.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200310925_200310925

 

[Nomis]

Tried my hand at painting today - shot the wheels in a SS urethane. Tried to get close to the OEM color. I basically wanted these done, so the next time 4Wheel Parts had a sale on tires I would have the wheels ready to go. Threw the new tails in the bumper just to see how they looked.

 

[Nomis]

Picked up some new shoes. Old rubber was 33x12.50x15 BFG AT's. New rubber is 33x10.50x15 BFG AT's - I wanted to go tall/skinny on the new tires as the old meats protruded too far beyond the fenders. Originally, I planned on TSL Radials in 33x10.50 but felt that they would have been too harsh for the street. I'll try to get a shot of them on the rig at some point.

 

[MDH33]

Great work. Your rig is going to make a lot of cruiser heads jealous when it's done.

 

[1Fine40]

Very nice work, thanks for sharing your experience. It gives me hope for my future body work...darn sills...
One question, is the CCOT sill any better than stock in terms of having less places for moisture to collect??

Cheers!

 

[Nomis]

One question, is the CCOT sill any better than stock in terms of having less places for moisture to collect??

Cheers!

I would say probably not. There is no design feature on the CCOT sill that was intended to reduce the moisture collection that I am aware of. I used seam sealer where the sill meets the quarters at the top in hopes of sealing off the nooks and crannies. I left some openings at the bottom of the sill/quarter to allow it to drain/vent if moisture does get in there. I'll probably put some undercoating over top of the sealer at some point.

 

[Nomis]

Tires installed. Last pic is with the caps BigBoreLover gave me - thanks again.

 

[Big Bore Lover]

Sean,
Those look great on there. Glad they work for you and thank you for the wheels. I only have one question, how can the date on your posting be 8/11/07 when we hooked up today and today is 8/12/07?

Just thought I would bring that lil bit of wierdness up.

I love the work you are doing on your 40 though. Folks, his work looks good in the pics but it looks even better in person/real time. You are doing a hell of a gr8 job on her.

Talk to ya later

 

[Nomis]

Sean,
I only have one question, how can the date on your posting be 8/11/07 when we hooked up today and today is 8/12/07?

Oh, I added the pic to the original post. Good luck with your rig - and try to get a build-up post going, as I'm sure we would all like to see the progress you're making.

 

[Nomis]

Picked up a carb "cooling fan" to help prevent fuel evaporation and hot starts. From what I can find, these fans didn't show up until '78. My '76 doesn't have mounting bracket holes on the d/s fender and no OEM connectors on the wiring harnes - so I will have to make my own at some point. When I got the fan, I tested it and it worked but rattling noises were coming from the motor. So I disassembled it and found quite a bit of grime as one would expect but also found one of the magnets had come unglued - this was the source of the noise. I reaffixed the magnet, cleaned things up a bit and painted it - now it works good as new with no rattle.

 

[thecrazygreek]

Is that what all carb cooling fans looked like? My 76 has one and it looks more like your typical house fan. Wierd

Pic later...

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Tried my hand at painting today - shot the wheels in a SS urethane. Tried to get close to the OEM color. I basically wanted these done, so the next time 4Wheel Parts had a sale on tires I would have the wheels ready to go. Threw the new tails in the bumper just to see how they looked.

I may have missed it, what size are the rims? 15" by whaa?