1976 FJ40 refresh

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Volcanic Iceberg said:
Its also the first year of the 3rd gen top. (1st gen = ripple, 2nd gen = recessed windows, 3rd gen = flush windows, 4th gen = wing windows). Also first year of angled long jump seats and 3 piece bench seat.
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Looks like this is a very late 71. The weatherstripping happen in 7/71. The three piece back on the front seat was a emission thing not a improvement. Not all other markets got this seat. I do have a nice set of 71 bench seats I hope to convert the centered fixed section into a fold down arm rest. Angle jump seats were a 72/73 model accroding to SOR but it would be the first time they date were off. Not sure what the difference was in the vent windows. US market got vent windows on the hard doors up until 1/75. During mid 65 was the change from bug catcher to standard vent. What change happened to the vent window. The removable fresh air vent for the heater was a 71 model thing so this has the heavier steel tub. How about a picture of the back end. Curious about the gas can and ice chest carrier. I'm amazed how more you can feel them wanting to tip over with a hard top compared to a soft top. Wonder how more it would feel with more weight up that high.
 
Living in the Past said:
Looks like this is a very late 71. The weatherstripping happen in 7/71. The three piece back on the front seat was a emission thing not a improvement. Not all other markets got this seat. I do have a nice set of 71 bench seats I hope to convert the centered fixed section into a fold down arm rest. Angle jump seats were a 72/73 model accroding to SOR but it would be the first time they date were off. Not sure what the difference was in the vent windows. US market got vent windows on the hard doors up until 1/75. During mid 65 was the change from bug catcher to standard vent. What change happened to the vent window. The removable fresh air vent for the heater was a 71 model thing so this has the heavier steel tub. How about a picture of the back end. Curious about the gas can and ice chest carrier. I'm amazed how more you can feel them wanting to tip over with a hard top compared to a soft top. Wonder how more it would feel with more weight up that high.
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I see the emissions stuff. Runs back to PS rear fender. Im wondering what is behind the panel in the fender well. The vent window I was refering to was on the hard top that started in 77'. Here are some pics of the rack when I had it mounted on my old 78'. I Dont have one of the back of the 71' yet. Still waiting to find another OEM Steel wheel and a 33x 9.50 BFG spare to match. I built the rack, havent had the cooler loaded yet to give feed back on handling but no real noticable difference with the jerry can full. Even with the cooler full were only talking about 30lbs at most. thats less than most roof baskets weigh and this sits lower so I dont see it being a problem. I also imagine using the rack for a small action packer with some light weight things I.E. tow strap, blanket, toilet paper, etc. depending on the trip. I like the looks of the vintage cooler though.
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Got the engine & tranny pulled. Swapped fuel pump, bell housing, & motor mounts onto the 83' 2F. Removed the Intake & exhaust on the 2F. Got a new exhaust/intake manifold & some copper coat. Gotta figure out how to make the E-Brake cable from the 4 speed work. Also trying to figure out how to update to a dash pull heater valve.........Lots of little things to get this motor swap to work right. Crossing my fingers that everything will work once its in. Big thanks to MrPepper for the help last night.
 
Volcanic Iceberg said:
Got the engine & tranny pulled. Swapped fuel pump, bell housing, & motor mounts onto the 83' 2F. Removed the Intake & exhaust on the 2F. Got a new exhaust/intake manifold & some copper coat. Gotta figure out how to make the E-Brake cable from the 4 speed work. Also trying to figure out how to update to a dash pull heater valve.........Lots of little things to get this motor swap to work right. Crossing my fingers that everything will work once its in. Big thanks to MrPepper for the help last night.
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I was able to make my three speed hand brake cable work with the H42. The other option is to drill a floor in like it was on the 76 and replace the handle as well. So you would installing all the parts from the 76.
 
I swapped the E brake assembly from the 71 onto the 4 speed T case. Also swapped the output on the front of the t case to work with the older Drive lines. Im guessing that I will have to modify drive line lengths to work with the newer tranny/Tcase combo. Got the gasket cut for the fuel pump. covered in copper coat. Found a couple of NPT fittings that will work. Connected with rubber fuel line. Installed clutch and mounted transmission. Engine is ready to go in. Also painted the bib & bezel with color match paint to return to stock horizon blue and cygnus white.
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Looking good, Volcanic! I was wondering what size/brand of tires are in the pics on post #22?
 
Funkytown 40 said:
Looking good, Volcanic! I was wondering what size/brand of tires are in the pics on post #22?
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I dont recall the brand. They were an off brand purchased on Ebay. Size is 33 X12.50 R 15
 
I spent my Labor day installing the 83' 2F and the 76' 4 speed tranny in the 71'. Although the 71' had previously been modified for floor shift I had to enlarge the hole to fit the later shift boot, and cut a new hole to make the switch from vaccume shift to floor shift on the T case. I eyeballed the tranny hump from the 76 for reference then cut. Wow, Not bad, transfer case shifts without interferance, holes in the right place.

Before I stuffed it in, I removed the limiting plate on the transfer case shift leaver to allow me to have 2 wheel drive low ( a great asset since I plan to install a nonselectable locker in the front diff., Thus allowing me to select it via the transfer case.) :cool: durring install I broke off the oil preasure sender. :o So I will add that to the list of parts to buy.

Due to the added length of the 4 speed transmission, the front drive line is now about 4" short. Not clear yet if I can peice something together or if I will have to have custom drivelines made. If I have to go that route, I will take the opportunity to include a longer slip joint, which is necissary for shackle reversal since the suspension ark changes. That will be a mod down the road.

Im pretty excited about the progress today. Looking forward to Cruiser night tomorrow with MrPepper and Airrider. Hopefully we can get everything hooked up and see if she'll turn over.
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Soooo I recently realized that the color is not horizon blue, it is capri blue. :meh: Still looks great and is one of my favorite cruiser colors. I like it. The cruiser is still in the garage. Ive been held up trying to get drive lines worked out. Ive had to swap out all the pinion flanges to get bolt patterns to line up. Also found out that the center cross member is quite close to the e-brake flange which, unless moved will make the E-brake unserviceable.:bang: I did however get the clutch fan to fit. static fan would not work with later water pump and I didnt want to go to the earlier style, So I trimmed the fan shroud and now it fits great. I then Installed a new 3 core alluminum radiator. Also got the exhaust headers on. greased it all up with copper coat prior to install. Have'nt turned her over yet, but making some progress towards it. Work is a bit intense right now, looking forward to the next slow time so i can work on the cruiser.
 
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I have been struggling to keep this project moving with very little free time and several other projects. This week I ordered a bunch of parts. I just love cruiser christmas! I got the heater hoses sorted out and installed a cable actuated universal heater valve that will work with the heater pull switch from the 76'. I also installed a new lift gate handle. So nice to be able to open the lift gate from the outside again! I lubed all the internal parts and it works like butta. I also came across a couple OEM steel wheels (sand blasted and painted to match) and found a 33X9.50 tire that I mounted up, so now I have a full size spare. Installed new hood bumper rubber and a new tire carrier bumper. Next is new visors and a new dash cap and new door window squeegies. Also coming in the mail is a new rear sil. :D

Still working through a few more issues with the engine wiring, throttle linkage & drivelines.
 
New dash cap installed....
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Ripped out the rotten rear sil. Initially I thought there might be some good metal below to weld to, but the support piece was shot as well. So ive got a new one coming in a week. Still have to cut out the corners.
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Fast Eddy said:
Not looking forward to that day. :frown: Buy new parts from Awl_TEQ in the vendors classifieds section.
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I wasnt looking forward to it either, but it had to be done and I'll be happy to have it repaired. I already had a rear sil from CCOT and it just happened that I found a rear structural support piece that a fellow cruiser head made and was selling for $25! It will be here next week end. timing couldnt have been better on that find.

What I am really excited for is that I have an FST tail gate that came with the 76' that I am going to use once the sill is repaired. :cool:
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Rear sil support got delivered. havent had a chance to put it in yet. Ordered Trollhole carb :)
 
I have been working out the wiring issues with the 2F conversion. I extened the alternator wires from drivers side to passenger side, hooked up the Gear reduction starter, installed new battery cables, mounted the coil on the fire wall, connected the passenger front turn signal. Oh, and the trollhole carb showed up today so I put that on. Still working on drive lines and ignition switch.

Out of curriosity, with a battery installed, I decided to see what works. All running lights lit up, head lights, indicators, and front signals. hazard switch works. dome light works. No wipers, fan, signal switch, dimmer switch, horn, or tail lights. Glad to see that at least some things work. Got my work cut out for me.
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Tonight I got the manual choke connected to the carburetor. Got a vaccume line ran to the brake booster. I extended the wire to the oil pressure sending unit. I swapped out the dimmer switch for one that worked. I also tore into the horn button to find that the contact plate was all rusted. So I pulled out the dremmel tool and made it shiny again. Horn works again. :) I need to figure out how to eliminate the voltage regulator since the alternator is internally regulated. Also need to check wiring on the ignition switch since turning the key did nothing.

Ive been reading up on coolermans site and build thread. Lots of good info there. found out that I need to cut & rotate the mid cross member so I can service the E-brake. Right now there is only about an inch of clearance and the flange won't come off. gotta swap it out for the 4 speed flange. I had put the 3 speed flange on before install, not realizing that the 4 speed tranny is longer.
 
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Break through. Stayed up late, studying wiring diagrams. Rewired ignition switch and got the starter to turn over! Wipers motor and heater fan also.........WORKING!
 
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Tonight I reparied the passenger seat that had a broken off bolt on the back rest, Modified the tensioner bracket for the alternator to accept an older alternator (thus eliminating my wiring dilema), Installed an older alternator, Filled all the fluids, and.......wait for it..................Started it up!!!!!! Yes it is alive!!
 
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