Builds 1979 FJ40 Preservation-ish Project

[Rock Slide]

40 looks great. Glad you were able to get one. They're definitely enjoyable.

I too have wanted one since I was a kid. Finally purchased a 40 about a year ago. I've really enjoyed it.

Question- Do you have a headliner in yours or is the roof cap painted white both inside and out? I removed my headliner recently as it has deteriorated too far as a result from multiple water leaks. After repairing the cap, I've thought having the cap repainted inside and out and not worry about a headliner going forward.

 

[OPMACHINE]

@rockslide Yes, my headliner was replaced my the previous owner @TheRealFJ40. The exterior of the roof cap has been painted white. I see no reason why you could not ditch the headliner. You might be left with a little more noise... but these are not quiet rides to begin with.

 

[Mean One]

I have 31s on now but had 33x10.5 BFG A/Ts for 10 years with no issue. Mom and pop place mounted them.

 

[OPMACHINE]

Truck looks great! I would prefer A/T over M/T for my intended application.

 

[Mean One]

Here is a pic with 31s. I actually prefer them but I don’t do any serious off road driving. Yokohama A/Ts.

 

[Mean One]

Pic didn’t attach...

 

[OPMACHINE]

@Mean One Why did you choose to go with 31''? Is there any practical advantage to having a smaller tire? Easier turning? I will mostly be using my truck to cruise around the farm, go on date nights with the wife.

 

[Mean One]

Well, no real big reasons. I wanted to lower the truck a bit for a future roof rack (garage fit) and for the wife though she hates the machine and rarely gets in it. Also, I like the look slightly better than 33s. I have 31s on my T100 that perform very well off road so I wasn’t worried about giving up too much capability.
Couple more with 31s

 

[OPMACHINE]

Not too much to report. I am waiting on a bouquet of various parts to arrive. This is my first sizable OEM parts order in the post @Onur era. I ended up spreading the love around between a few trusted MUD approved venders.

A little weight savings from cleaning the skid plate. This is when I would normally walk everything down to the powder shop, but I will stay to course and preserve not re-powder.

Vintage Castrol sticker under the hood, so i figured why change.

 

[reddog90]

@OPMACHINE beautiful truck. I dig sky blue.

Will 33x10.50 go on stock rims?

@rkymtnflyfisher did you have any trouble getting a shop to balance 33x10.50 on stock rims?

No trouble balancing for me either. Big chain tire shops probably won't mount 33/10.5 on 5.5 steelies for you though. Razrs run much more true to size than KM3s. I would advise a chalk test after you get them mounted and watch how they wear.

 

[OPMACHINE]

@reddog90 great looking dog and cruiser! What did you do for a rear tailgate? I am thinking about the Real Steel tail-gate for when the hard top is off.

 

[reddog90]

@reddog90 great looking dog and cruiser! What did you do for a rear tailgate? I am thinking about the Real Steel tail-gate for when the hard top is off.

Thanks. I have a CCOT tailgate. Nothing fancy but it does the job. My swingouts mostly cover it anyways.

 

[OPMACHINE]

A little forward progress, with lots of cleaning and waxing. Parts are starting to trickle in, so hopefully I will be able to make some real progress this weekend.

Skid Plates cleaned up nicely:

I was able to pull the hard top off without any problems. I have been soaking all of the rubber seals in petroleum jelly, with good results so far.

Changed all of the fluids with the exception of the radiator because I am still waiting on hoses. All of the fluids looked clean and normal.

I removed the OEM rubber floor liners initially so I could clean and inspect the floor plan. But, I have decided to keep the floor liners out for the time being and just use regular floor mats with a 3/4'' Dynapad glued to the bottom for heat protection. It came out pretty well.

 

[OPMACHINE]

 

[OPMACHINE]

New rubber for the trans tunnel.

 

[plink01]

Mate that cruiser looks awesome!

I'm 32 as well and just bought my first 40 a few months ago. I also have the worst rust in the right rear quarter.

Dont you dare get rid of the factory aircon!! That thing is priceless, that's the one thing I wish I had on mine.

I'm going to buy the same rear quarter panel patch, hopefully you replace yours first and get to be the guinnie pig! I'm super interested to see how you go.

Everything you wrote is pretty much the same plan as what I have. This is my thread, I'll be watching this with massive interest! Good luck man!

Builds - 'Little Yellowy' 1982 BJ42 LX build

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[OPMACHINE]

Holy Vacuum lines Batman:

I suspect I have either a vacuum leak or carburetor that needs an adjustment or both.

The symptoms:

Full choke required for starting even at temperature.
Takes 3-5 min. to find idle. without choke - and it is just holding on
Dies with a quick drop in RPM back to idle
Dies when the resistance of A/C clutch is engaged.
slight drop in RPM when the brakes are applied.

The Plan:
Wrap my caveman brain around the vacuum system.
hood up a vacuum gauge and check for leaks and tune
Relearn how to tune a carburetor- I was 15 years old the last time i worked on a carburetor.

 

[OPMACHINE]

Window tent removed:

 

[SW20]

View attachment 2091310View attachment 2091311

Where did you get this mat?

 

[OPMACHINE]

@plink01 I have been following your build, with interest. Looks like you have a great truck. Mine will be on the operating table in a few weeks, once i get all of the little thinks squared away. How to the patch panel interacts with the rear sill is my biggest concern. I plan to coat the inside of the patch and the rear sill with a zinc based weld-thru primer. I will most likely TIG weld the patch in, but this options seems less popular for some reason? I think TIG welding will help me control the heat better.