1979 FJ40 2UZ Build

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

FloridaPhillip said:
How is it driving these days?
Click to expand...
It’s driving well. It’s surprisingly reliable for a home brew motor swap, and now I’m just working out the little rattles that are normal for a 40.

Things for 2024
-install part time spool in the transfer case
-finish rear tire carrier or buy one from @lcwizard before he closes shop
-reseal the hardtop
-lower the rear end an 1”
-install rear winch
 
Last edited:
How hot is it getting with the Volvo setup? I am doing similar on my Vera build.
 
2fpower said:
How hot is it getting with the Volvo setup? I am doing similar on my Vera build.
Click to expand...
It’s steady at 195. I was running 37s for a bit and on a 100+ day it spiked to 205 when I was merging onto the highway. I fixed some airflow issues with the shroud and also went back down to 33s since then.

I’m going to change the thermostat since I believe the operating temp should be more around 188. We’ll see.

Smaller tires (less load on the engine), better airflow, and new thermostat should prevent it from spiking again. If it does, I’ll work on fitting a larger radiator in there.
 
Bripars40 said:
It’s steady at 195. I was running 37s for a bit and on a 100+ day it spiked to 205 when I was merging onto the highway. I fixed some airflow issues with the shroud and also went back down to 33s since then.

I’m going to change the thermostat since I believe the operating temp should be more around 188. We’ll see.

Smaller tires (less load on the engine), better airflow, and new thermostat should prevent it from spiking again. If it does, I’ll work on fitting a larger radiator in there.
Click to expand...
Was that freeway onramp uphill? Or just flat? Do you feel like the temp would have continued to climb had you not let off?

I don't believe changing the thermostat will help. Once its open, its open. It will begin to open sooner, and be fully open sooner. But, if you change the temp of the thermostat, it will really only lower the temp of the coolant if there is adequate airflow over the radiator and its able to. It doesn't matter if you have a 170 or 180 degree thermostat if your coolant is at 210 degrees. They would both be fully open at that point.
 
UZJ40 said:
Was that freeway onramp uphill? Or just flat? Do you feel like the temp would have continued to climb had you not let off?

I don't believe changing the thermostat will help. Once its open, its open. It will begin to open sooner, and be fully open sooner. But, if you change the temp of the thermostat, it will really only lower the temp of the coolant if there is adequate airflow over the radiator and its able to. It doesn't matter if you have a 170 or 180 degree thermostat if your coolant is at 210 degrees. They would both be fully open at that point.
Click to expand...

Good point on the thermostat. I stared at it tonight and didn’t want to start it because I would need to remove the cooling fan to gain access.

The onramp was uphill. Not sure if the temp would have continued going up or not. Honestly I think it had more to do with the blocked airflow in the radiator which I’ve resolved now.
 
I had a great day yesterday with the 40. @UZJ40 it looks like I fixed the cooling issue with some more vents cut into the side of the fan shroud. I drove about 230 miles yesterday to and from an off road park and cruised at 188-199 degrees. At idle it held at 192.

My buddy grenaded his cv shaft and transfer case on his 100 series. I had to pull him about 4-5 miles through the off road park with my 40. Other than getting whiplashed a few times when he caught on a rock the 40 did great!

This 1st gen Toyota had to pull him through a section that I couldn’t get up and I had to take a 15 min bypass that the 100 wouldn’t fit through while being towed.

IMG_6141.jpeg


IMG_6146.jpeg


IMG_5005.jpeg


IMG_5006.jpeg


IMG_4999.jpeg






Oh and this is the moment he broke his CV, transfer and almost rolled the 100 series.

youtu.be

Crossbar Land Cruiser almost rolls

youtu.be youtu.be
 
Last edited:
Couple of fun updates:

Last weekend I flew to Florida to help an old friend start to reassemble his 1973 40. It’s been disassembled for 10 years and for the last four the painted body has just sat in his garage.
IMG_7352.jpeg

IMG_7361.jpeg

IMG_7382.jpeg




This weekend, I took the family down to a small town in SE Oklahoma for some fishing and exploring. We trailered the 40 there and it did well as the fishing rig.
IMG_7572.jpeg

IMG_7555.jpeg
 
Been a few months since I’ve posted. We are moving to a new house in the next few weeks and I will finally have a shop.

I am toying with a 40/80 swap. I have the 80 donor that has been sitting in storage for a year. Might be time to put the 40 back under the knife for a bit…

IMG_0105.jpeg


IMG_0592.jpeg
 
We’re at a point now that the house is finally getting settled. I slipped out to the garage for a bit to start reworking the wiring. I’m either going to mount the battery on the driver side or relocate it under the driver floor. It’s a 79 so there’s a good amount of space unused under the body there.

The main reasons to relocate the battery were
1) clean up my wiring mess
2) install an 80 series air cleaner.

I don’t think the 80 air cleaner will fit without a bunch of modifications to the fenders. I may go with a 2uz 4Runner intake.

This is from a few years ago:
IMG_0634.jpeg


This is from tonight:
IMG_0980.jpeg


Looks like if I want to put the 80 filter in I will need to remove the stock cabin fan.

IMG_0983.jpeg
 
Last edited:
I took the 40 out in the snow and ice today. I wish I had a video of this, but while driving in 2wd I did a nice little 180. Luckily I didn’t hit anyone or anything!

Oh, and this 80 is on the way to join the fleet.

IMG_1465.jpeg
 
ChubbyHands said:
How have I not seen any of your rigs in town? I'm in Edmond as well.
Click to expand...
Nice! We’re right by Mitch Park. I used to go to Cruiser Corp’s events before the stopped back in 2020. Maybe we should restart something like a cruiser and coffee in Edmond
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Cirbo
67 FJ45LPB build
5 6 7
Replies
122
Views
10K
47coeman
47coeman
KillerPea
Another Possible Build, Looking for Feedback
Replies
10
Views
1K
matzell
matzell
F
  • Question Question
Dad's FJ40 rebuild
Replies
5
Views
1K
DangerNoodle
DangerNoodle
AgentOrange
Builds Orange's Neverending Scrap 80 Build (the s is silent)
9 10 11
Replies
212
Views
20K
AgentOrange
AgentOrange

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom