1977 Complete Restoration (All The Way)

[themaraisbouleurway]

The DW was was a great help. She also cleaned the blue protectant off of the white letters on the tires. I think the wheels need to be waxed today. Note the dogs just laying around, they normally don't lift a paw to help when it comes to spring cleaning.

 

[themaraisbouleurway]

Got the bell-housing painted today, and the drive shafts disassembled and ready for paint. The wind kicked up after lunch, lots of debris blowing around. Gonna try and paint the shafts tomorrow morning. I'm gonna go ahead and mount the bell-housing along with the transmission and transfer-case into the chasis, and install the drive-shafts. Once the engine is rebuilt I'll have to support the transmission and pull the bell-housing. It will be a little more work, but I want to get the transmission off of my desk. Has anyone stabbed an engine onto a bell-housing. I'm not certain how much trouble it will be to put the clutch and flywheel onto the transmission shaft, bolt the block to the bell-housing, then bolt in the transmission and clutch. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[themaraisbouleurway]

Here a few shots of the drive-shafts. I don't know if the u-joints have ever been changed; quite a bit of mud built up in there. Brush painted the slip yoke. The shafts are ready to be sprayed.

 

[TCSTARK]

My hat is off to you and your solid work. I can only hope to do this one day! Keep the pics coming!

***SUBSCRIBED***

 

[SliderJack]

Are you missing the rear frame supports that attach to the bumper?

TOYOTA LAND CRUISER--Landcruiser FJ40 R.Frame SUPPORTS | eBay

 

[themaraisbouleurway]

Are you missing the rear frame supports that attach to the bumper?

TOYOTA LAND CRUISER--Landcruiser FJ40 R.Frame SUPPORTS | eBay

Good lookin' out. You are the first to bring it up. I have both rear frame supports. One is a little bent. The plan was to straighten it out, blast them, and coat them. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I planned on using carriage bolts to re attach them, but if anyone knows where to get the original style rivet, I would consider going that route. chpeck it out. You may not be able to see the bow in the one, but I can't find a decent picture of the gussets.

 

[themaraisbouleurway]

"chpeck it out."

that's what I get get for not proof-reading!!

 

[themaraisbouleurway]

Finally got the tranny and T-Case into the chasis. Got the rear drive-shaft installed. Screwed up one u-joint, so couldn't install the front shaft. I got a needle turned sideways, and ended up breaking the needle in two. I ordered a new U-joint that won't be here until Tuesday. It's a real bummer, the cost of a new joint for one little needle. All in all, I feel better to have the tranny off of my desk. Maybe I'm wrong, but in my opinion, it's all downhill from here. The body work may take some time, but that has no mechanical effect whatsoever, just an eternity of block sanding.The engine should be a breeze compared to the tranny and T-case overhaul. Here are a few pics, including me screwing up a u-joint.

 

[Falco80]

Great attention to detail mate! The tranny and xfer case came up awesome.

 

[themaraisbouleurway]

Having mounted the transmission and transfer case along with the bell-housing first do you think you'll run into problems aligning the pilot bearing and input shaft when it comes time to put in the engine?

Has anyone else done it this way?

check out Post #164. I'm asking the same questions. I really needed to get the assembly off of my desk. My route from here is to rebuild the engine and keep moving foreward. As it looks to me, I will rebuild the engine, unbolt the bell housing, secure the tranny, attach bellhousing to the block. Install flywheel, clutch plate and whatnot. stab engine into chasis. Hope all goes well.

 

[Dianna]

More please!



Amazing!

 

[themaraisbouleurway]

I started tearing into the engine yesterday. Found some pretty bad wear. The rod bearings are shot, and I will be needing an new cam for starters.

 

[themaraisbouleurway]

Engine block is cleaned and painted. Here is a better shot of the cam lobes.

 

[broth9640]

Subscribed! Who are you buying your rebuild kit from?

 

[broth9640]

What was the final choice on the transfer case finish? Just a clear coat of something or is that silver paint?

 

[themaraisbouleurway]

broth9640 - "What was the final choice on the transfer case finish? Just a clear coat of something or is that silver paint?"

I ended up painting the transfer case silver. I used fine black aluminum oxide for the blasting media and wasn't happy with the grayish look of the aluminum. I thought about clear coat, but was concerned about the finish "yellowing" over time. I thought it would be easier to wash the mud off of paint than it would be to clean the aluminum.

I'm still researching my options for the engine rebuild kit. I want a new cam, not a regrind. Had to order a 4" micrometer, so I don't know yet about the crankshaft. May have to go with a new crankshaft as well, don't really want to get it turned. Don't plan on replacing the pistons. Definitely need new lifters.

 

[themaraisbouleurway]

About 2 years ago, I got a the hair-brained idea to line the tub floor with "Herculiner". What a mistake. The only time I was happy with it was for the first 3 days. I soon realized that the rubber chunks were much too rough for what I had in mind. It always trapped dirt and dust. Not very easy to clean either unless you used a pressure washer. It gets pretty hot in the summer months. Oh, and try kneeling on that stuff , nasty on the knees. IMO, it is a good product, but not for this application.

Anyway, I researched ways of removing the liner, nothing looked very promising. I bought a gallon of paint stripper yesterday and poured a little on the liner in a small test area. Today it was bubbled up pretty good. My hopes were high. After using the whole gallon, here is where I am with it. Looks like I'm going to need a few more gallons.

 

[themaraisbouleurway]

OK, I've been putting it off for some time now. Time to come clean. Up to now, everything is OEM and completely factory designed.(other than the wheels, tire size, and stainless brake lines) The wheels and tires can easily be replaced, and I have the original brake lines. But, I have been sliding towards a few changes. Thinking about headers, aux.fuel tank, safari rack, swing out tire system, etc. If any of you purists have any heartburn about it, now is the time to speak. I may even have to change the name of the thread (if that is even possible). I'm not quite there yet, but I will need an exhaust system before too long. An aux. fuel tank will require exhaust modification. I have no plans to sell the '77, although everything is for sale, so resale value is not the reason for this restoration. Any opinions would greatly appreciated.

 

[Scott68FJ40]

I am no purist and firmly believe that you should build your truck the way you want your truck to be.

 

[waiting for time]

Toyota is constantly trying to improve their cars so why not improve yours.