1976 FJ40 Build Up/Resto Thread

[40's rock]

keeping me motivated...engine back in my 76 this week for round up...79 is down to frame and a pile of new iron pig parts....keep the good work coming

 

[webelk6]

Also picked up a new rag joint while I was at it - probably a good idea as the old one was in rough shape.

When you did the disassembly, did you have to take apart the steering column? I am doing this as well, and would like to get the part that bolts to the firewall powdercoated as well as the housing covering the steering shaft. Don't know if the upper part of the rag joint should be powdercoated. Where did you get your rag joint?
Great pics and nice thread.

 

[bsmith123]

nice work

Nice work and good pics. I am just about ready to start similar work on mine--any recommendation on the mig--what ya using?

 

[Nomis]

When you did the disassembly, did you have to take apart the steering column? Where did you get your rag joint?

There are 2 bolts that connect the column to the underside of the dash and then 4 bolts at the firewall - I pulled all of them and then it gave me enough slack to replace the rag joint. If you were going to remove the column from the vehicle - there are a few electrical connections that would need to be disconnected as well. The rag joint was on sale at CCOT at the time, although many other folks carry them as well.

 

[Nomis]

I am just about ready to start similar work on mine--any recommendation on the mig--what ya using?

I picked up a Hobart 140 (110v) and have had good luck with it - just make sure to set it up for use with shielding gas as the gasless flux core is messy.

 

[Nomis]

More done on the driver's side:

 

[Nomis]

Pax side:

 

[mx4white]

Stripped the interior of mine the last 2 weeks.....how long did it take you to get that junk of the drivers floor?
We are new to this and i'm determined to do as much as this as I can. You mentioned the heat gun....where's the best place to buy one?
Keep up the great work.....my 40 is a 76 also and same color.....my husband and I graduated from Florida.....I miss Gainesville and the Florida sun.

 

[Nomis]

You mentioned the heat gun....where's the best place to buy one?

I picked one up at Northern Tool for around $20. It probably took about 20 mins per side. Scrape off what you can and then hit it with a wire wheel on a grinder. Use acetone to clean up the remainder as needed.

 

[Nomis]

Trans hump and bib. Done and done.

 

[Nomis]

Installed Mini P/S

I had power steering on my short list of mods to do. Gathered the parts together and went at it.
I found it easiest to cut out the old manual gear box mount - this made getting the rivets out that much easier. Had to drill through the rivets before they would let go but it came off in the end.

 

[Nomis]

Had a new high pressure hose made locally. One end is metric for the Toyota gear box and the other is standard to match the outlet of the Saginaw pump. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out as the center section of the hose is easily replaceable. Test fit the gear box and drilled the holes in the gearbox mount.
Installed the remaining pieces of the puzzle and tested it for pressure - works like a champ. Now back to the body work. I'm getting closer.

 

[77FJDream]

Thanks for the tips!

Awesome job, I have learned a lot from your pics and explainations on what I am getting myself into when I start my build.

I look forward to seeing this one progress to completion.

Keep up the great work!

 

[Nomis]

Primed, blocked and began painting. I still have some odds and ends to take care of but I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[Nomis]

A few more:

 

[metalonmetal]

i love that tire/wheel combo. good job you're doing, that cruiser's looking great.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Looks good. Where'd you get the paint?

I'm afraid we can't get any single stage paint in CA any more.

 

[MStars]

Eddy, I'm in Michigan and I just got some DuPont single stage acrylic paint from Finishmaster in Toyota color code #653. Mixed it up right there, in and out in 10 minutes. Matches perfectly. I looked up Cali on Finishmaster's website and they have branches in

2530 Chester Avenue 9162 E. Rosecrans
Bakersfield , CA 93301 Bellflower, CA 90706
(661)323-3008 (562)323-3008

6071 Beach Blvd. 36-055 Cathedral Cyn.
Buena Park, CA 90621 Cathedral City, CA 92234
(714)521-3344 (760)328-1187

2666 Willow Pass Rd. 182 Granite St. #105
Concord , CA 94519 Corona, CA 92879
(925)685-6500 (951)736-9740

6805 Sierra Court, Ste. E 1425 N. First Street
Dublin, CA 94568 Fresno, CA 93703
(559)268-6421


13772 Harbor Blvd. 8480 Church Street
Garden Grove, CA 92843 Gilroy, CA 95020
(714)554-6700 (408)848-1802


4823 W. Rosecrans 235 W. 24th Street
Hawthorne, CA 90250 Los Angeles, CA 90007
(310)973-8111 (213)746-1421

11072 Philadelphia St. 4809 Holt Ave.
Mira Loma, CA 91752 Montclair, CA 91763
(909)624-1687


110 E. 16th St. 2303 Martin Luther King
National City , CA 91950 Oakland, CA 94612
(619)474-4651 (510)836-1364


2868 Vineyard Ave. 2591 E. Foothill Blvd.
Oxnard, CA 93036 Pasadena, CA 91107
(805)485-8500 (626)795-4319

6 So. Linden 3201 Folsom Blvd.
S. San Francisco , CA 94080 Sacramento, CA 95816
(650)589-2848 (916)452-5738

111-B Abbott Street 390 S. I Street
Salinas, CA 93901 San Bernadino, CA 92410
(831) 751-6020 (909)884-4831

1021 Howard Ave. Suite A 1660 Monterey Road
San Carlos, CA 94070 San Jose, CA 95112
(650) 595-2210 (408)295-4600

2088 Wayne Ave. 825-A West Franciscso
San Leandro , CA 94577 San Rafael, CA 94901
(510)895-9929 (415)258-0988

1501 Broadway 15131 Califia St.
Santa Monica , CA 90404 VanNuys, CA 91411
(310)451-5936 (818)781-2100

716 E. Acequia 1220A Liberty Way
Visalia , CA 93292 Vista, CA 92083
(559)732-5675 (760)734-3800

I'm sure you're already aware of this but figured I'd try and be of help. I just got my cruiser a few months ago so the areas that I can help are still limited. Hope this helps

Matt

 

[Nomis]

Looks good. Where'd you get the paint?

I'm afraid we can't get any single stage paint in CA any more.

NAPA carries it locally - it's in their Martin Senour Crossfire line. I'm relatively new to auto paint, but it went down easy enough. If I had to do it over, I would probably have tinted the 2K primer with a bit of green as I had to lay down approx 6 coats of color to cover the standard light gray colored 2K primer. Other than that it went fine.

 

[MStars]

the DuPont paint I laid down, went on in one coat. I'm sure there's tons of ways to go, but for what it's worth I'll try and post a picture of mine also. I used a DuPont self etching primer called VariPrime if that makes a difference. Only went up as high as above the wheel wells on mine. By the way yours looks great Nomis. Great project I will keep watching your progress.

Matt