Build 1982 FJ60 - Project Clifford

[Sperl]

Howdy, everyone! Long time listener, first time caller here. After literal decades of wanting an old Land Cruiser...I have one to call my own. A buddy of mine (and FJ owner himself) found it near him in NC and was kind enough to take a look and gave me the thumbs up. I had it shipped to me in Colorado and it's game on. I'm calling it Clifford.

PO was generous with his time and honest/transparent about condition. He bought it desmogged and otherwise modified, and with an array of project remnants. He did a lot of work that you'll see in the pics and discussion to follow, and I happy to have a few things already taken care of. He also included a bunch of parts, and between those and my own plans I have a long list of projects to tackle.

I'm handy and have done a good bit bit of mechanical work in the past, but I plan to tap this community's knowledge base to push my limits and learn a bunch of stuff along the way. I'm fortunate to have access to an incredible resource in a DIY Auto Craft Shop just down the street, so the equipment and expertise in that building will facilitate lots of stuff above and beyond what I'd otherwise tackle in the driveway.

Thanks for following along, and a HUGE thank you to the community in general for the knowledge I've already soaked up.

 

[Sperl]

Started out with a once-over to get my bearings and tighten up the mental project list. I had a couple of free hours today so started in on project remnants. PPO (I think) was definitely running a few accessory electronics, and there was a bunch of wiring to clean up in the engine bay and under the dash.

If anyone wants those lights I'll happily send them your way for the cost of shipping. Wires were cut when I got it and they're not tested, but filaments are intact.

 

[Sperl]

Next up was removal of what appears to be a custom trailer hitch. It came off with minimal drama. I'm going to mount a 2" receiver hitch for the bike rack and towing our little camper, so this guy had to go. It seems to be well-built and is certainly burly, but not the right utility for my use.

Free to anyone who would like it. Probably prohibitively expensive to ship, so pickup in Colorado Springs or elsewhere nearby.

 

[Sperl]

And my first ask for the hive mind - what is this cylindrical bracket? It's mounted on crossmember forward of rear axle and towards driver side but doesn't have a matching one on passenger side, looks like it should take a bushing of some variety.

I'm planning to re-do the exhaust and noticed this while crawling around to identify and confirm original exhaust brackets.

 

[klip]

Looks like there’s remnants of some bracketry that was cut off the axle also. I think it might be an old traction bar mount.

 

[onemanarmy]

Yea, that's not a factory piece

 

[Sperl]

Looks like there’s remnants of some bracketry that was cut off the axle also. I think it might be an old traction bar mount.

Ah, I bet you're right. I'll crawl around a bit more in the daylight tomorrow and look for other remnants. Thanks!

Yea, that's not a factory piece

Didn't think so, appreciate the validation!

 

[onemanarmy]

good looking truck! looks like it could be driven as is!

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Welcome. Tailgate looks mint compared to the faded paint on the other panels. Did you spit shine it?

 

[boots4]

Looks like there’s remnants of some bracketry that was cut off the axle also. I think it might be an old traction bar mount.

Yup, that used to be a anti-wrap bar to control "S" curving spring packs and protecting the pinion angle/u joints. No really needed for a spring under set up unless running some monster power. Usually seen more on spring over set ups.

 

[Sperl]

good looking truck! looks like it could be driven as is!

I'm having a blast driving it as is! Driving as is also proving useful to inform (and triage!) my project list.

Welcome. Tailgate looks mint compared to the faded paint on the other panels. Did you spit shine it?

Mint is a little generous, but it's definitely a swap. My neighbor said (pointing at tailgate) "Man if the whole thing looked like that...it would be great!"

Yup, that used to be a anti-wrap bar to control "S" curving spring packs and protecting the pinion angle/u joints. No really needed for a spring under set up unless running some monster power. Usually seen more on spring over set ups.

Good feedback, thanks. No plans for monster power. I'm learning this vehicle has lived a few different lives, so that bracket will live on as a nod to a former one.

 

[dbleon]

Best color. Very nice looking rig to start with
keep it original

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

I'm having a blast driving it as is! Driving as is also proving useful to inform (and triage!) my project list.


Mint is a little generous, but it's definitely a swap. My neighbor said (pointing at tailgate) "Man if the whole thing looked like that...it would be great!"


Good feedback, thanks. No plans for monster power. I'm learning this vehicle has lived a few different lives, so that bracket will live on as a nod to a former one.

I bet you if you follow the “preserving patina” tips and tricks on Mud, it will pop!!!

 

[Sperl]

I bet you if you follow the “preserving patina” tips and tricks on Mud, it will pop!!!

Oooh - haven't come across any of those yet. I'll dig into it; if you have a favorite thread link handy send it my way and I'll send you back a beer IOU.

 

[Sperl]

I bet you if you follow the “preserving patina” tips and tricks on Mud, it will pop!!!

Never mind, I found what seems to be the definitive guide in @wngrog's thread. I'm still good for that IOU...

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Thread 'Preserving Patina - How To Tips and Tricks'

Oct 18, 2018

I keep retyping my “formula” for old Patina preservation so I decided to make a thread so I can just link my response to how I preserve my old Land Cruisers the way I do.

For the last 3 years I have been learning how to preserve Land Cruisers in their original state. Protecting their original finish where able to let the worn paint and dents tell the story of the vehicle.

It all started when I found this 1968 FJ40. I immediately fell in love with it and wanted to keep it as close to the same as I could yet build a “sleeper” interior and drivetrain that made it a true driver as well...

• wngrog
• Replies: 1,005
• Forum: 40- / 55-Series Tech

• 

 

[Sperl]

I've pulled out a ton of remnant wiring, but could use some help a few remaining electrical puzzles. So...is this an aftermarket fuel pump? It's inside frame rail, passenger side, just forward of fuel tank and plumbed into fuel supply line.

The wiring has me scratching my head...
- fuel pump(?) is wired to the relay you see in the second pic (red wire at pump splices to green, which splices to yellow into the relay)
- relay green wire spliced to wiper motor power (I think, according to a couple of wire diagrams, light blue at wiper motor)
- light red/orange wire at relay is cut; pretty sure this was control but no idea where it went
- relay power and ground are connected

What do we make of this? Pull it all out?

 

[bhsdriller]

aftermarket, the 60s used a mechanical fuel pump. Located kind of below the oil filter to the right. There would be a block off plate installed if they were using that electric one

Mine had one too when I got it. Pulled it all out and went back to stock

 

[Sperl]

Next project is swapping the carb. It currently has (as best I can tell) an EMPI EPC 38E that's running but in bad shape - choke is disconnected, tuning is out of whack, the truck is known to diesel and vapor lock, etc.

My plan was to clean it up, tune it, and sort out the desmog from there. As I got started on that today I noticed it's leaking fuel from this pressed (or maybe cast?) plug next to the fuel inlet. It starts immediately and is steady so...change of plans. I'm going to swap it rather than try to get it running better.

Luckily I have its replacement on hand. The PO had purchased and intended to install a new-in-box OEM 21100-61012, which this forum taught me is the non-US market carb. He also had a used US-market carb. He included both in the sale, so now I'm just making sure I have all the bits and pieces on hand to swap in the 61012 before I get started.

I'm studying the 'How to desmog...' pdf and hope to clean up the desmog job as I install the new carb. It was done by a PPO and there are a few mismatches to the pdf. I also read a couple of threads on the one-wire vs two-wire fuel-cut solenoid and I think I'm comfortable with the differences and how to handle it (one-wire connection to ignition-switched 12V, please holler if that's incorrect). I'm planning to replace all vacuum lines and the fuel filter when I do the swap.

One question I'm pondering is whether to re-jet the carb before I install. I'm in Colorado around 6,000 feet and intend to take it much higher, and I've read a number of threads about how to handle that. The original HAC is gone and I don't think I could rig it to the non-US carb anyway, and I've come across a couple of sources (City Racer, e.g.) that recommend smaller jets above 4,000 feet. Thoughts?

Other advice as I dive in? What else should I look out for...?

 

[Sperl]

aftermarket, the 60s used a mechanical fuel pump. Located kind of below the oil filter to the right. There would be a block off plate installed if they were using that electric one

Mine had one too when I got it. Pulled it all out and went back to stock

Thanks for the feedback here. Mine has the original fuel pump in the usual place and it's working, which is why this other one was a head-scratcher.