Builds 1st FJ40, '76 - SMOKEY - Puttin’ her Back Together

[middlecalf]

Good article on what it takes for high-end quality.

Curious about block sanding. Here’s what the article says: “The smoother and straighter the body, the better the paint job will look, and it all comes down to block sanding.” So is “block sanding“ sanding metal, or sanding filler? If filler, I have a serious problem with spending $9000 for a babybutt smooth vehicle, esp. an off-road rig. But that’s why I don’t have any babybutt smooth rigs .

 

[70fj40]

I think the key to restoring a cruiser is stretching it out long enough that it is easier to digest the amount of money spent. 6k per year average doesn’t sound so bad in the end. The only problem is many of us don’t have the determination to finish a long term resto. I admire your grit V V. Im sure everyone will agree you have inspired all of us.

 

[simps80]

Agree!
Inspiring
Despite cost, the juice will be worth the squeeze

Will be an heirloom quality product that can be treasured for decades.

 

[Vae Victus]

Geez, thanks guys! Appreciate the words.

I'm here to look up what the h*ll I did about a brake booster. I found a new skinny one that says "SELL" on it. Hmmm. Funny when you have to reference your own notes. Dual purpose.

 

[Vae Victus]

Someone remind me - will a slim brake booster work on the 40? I located this new slim one that I bought, but can't find the new, boxed double one that is OEM sized that I bought later. 1976.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Someone remind me - will a slim brake booster work on the 40? I located this new slim one that I bought, but can't find the new, boxed double one that is OEM sized that I bought later. 1976.

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As I recall most of the "slim" brake boosters form later toyotas will bolt up in a FJ40 - (4Runner, Mini Truck, etc.) but most are slightly wider than the stock FJ40 booster. As a result, they block access to the inboard bolt of the clutch slave cylinder which makes it tricky to access. I've been running a later slim booster in my truck since I bought it without issue - both on 4 wheel drum brakes, and 4 wheel disk brakes.

 

[Vae Victus]

Thanks @RWBeringer4x4 - decided to feed Roger's kids again it CityRacer.com and just buy his replacement that comes with the spacer. 4th brake booster I've purchased In 8 years. None have been installed. LOL.

Also of course had to buy another $600 worth of grommets and weatherstripping that I somehow still need.

 

[Rainman]

Dropped by VV place today. one thing I walked away with:

If patience is a virtue, Scott has it in SPADES! Granted, my '32 took 14 years (7 of them dead), but an FJ40? Wow.

 

[Vae Victus]

Dropped by VV place today. one thing I walked away with:

If patience is a virtue, Scott has it in SPADES! Granted, my '32 took 14 years (7 of them dead), but an FJ40? Wow.

It’s like reading a book that you enjoyed again and again with some time in between so you forget the plot.

 

[Vae Victus]

Yesterday I had a few minutes so I was going to throw on the drive shafts. Ha ha ha ha ha. No not gonna happen easily or quickly.

The rear diff flange that I got somewhere at some point when I swapped the gearing is a four hole flange that was a square pattern. As we all know the FJ40 has a rectangular pattern on the U joints. So I removed the flange and proceeded to drill 11 mm holes to fit the OEM oddball 11 mm bolts.

OK, not too hard. But then I went to hook up the front shaft on the front diff and discovered that the eight hole flange only had 10 mm holes in the correct Toyota pattern. So I also remove that flange and tapped the 10 mm holes to be 11 mm.

Then I discovered that I did not have enough of the 11 mm bolts or four of the nuts to fit on the studs on the emergency brake for the rear shaft. I went to Cruiser outfitters which is now Cruiser TEQ I think and I was going to buy four new bolt sets and 4 nuts. But you know, then they wouldn’t all match so I ended up paying $50 to buy 12 bolts and 4 nuts that all matched.

And that as you all can relate why it takes me eight years for me to get this done.

 

[Michael B]

You know what they say Scott, if ain’t one thing it’s another!

 

[Vae Victus]

Quick update - still going. I'm a bit ADHD with this last few months – I'm kind of all over the place. Still working on the electric, still working on the AC, starting to put body panels on, I can't seem to go down one path! And I'm certainly not doing it consistently. I've hit another one of those lulls where I am not as motivated as I am at other times. I just keep trying to go out there and spend a few minutes on it every time I have a few minutes. That's what I've done for the past five years of the 8 1/2 years I've been working on it. Progress is progress.

Photos posted when I get to my other device.

 

[Michael B]

One part a night will get the job done Scott! Just keep at it.

 

[Green Bean]

Scott:
Having read your entire build thread, I'm confident that your motivation/passion for perfection will return in due course and you will see the project through to completion. These lulls will only add to the immense joy and satisfaction when you reach your goal. You are an inspiration to many of us.

 

[Vae Victus]

One part a night will get the job done Scott! Just keep at it.

Yes - slow and steady!

 

[Vae Victus]

Scott:
Having read your entire build thread, I'm confident that your motivation/passion for perfection will return in due course and you will see the project through to completion. These lulls will only add to the immense joy and satisfaction when you reach your goal. You are an inspiration to many of us.

Thanks Green Bean

 

[Vae Victus]

Progress pics

 

[Vae Victus]

Doors are uneven. Ended up enlarging the bottom body-side bolts for the doors. That took away some of my ability to move the hinges somewhat in order to line the doors up so I’ll need to “wallow” out the holes a bit all around. That’s more than 1/2” out of alignment at the top of the doors.

 

[Vae Victus]

All this still to go onto the truck.

 

[Vae Victus]