The spendometer has slowed. Pick up the tempo please. It makes me feel so much better watching others spend $$$$$
Builds 1st FJ40, '76 - SMOKEY - Puttin’ her Back Together (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter Vae Victus
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Vae Victus
Posting more than I know
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- #482
Yea - but lookie here at that rusty set of wheels you sold me:
The one on the right spent the night in the tank. Clearly that is slowing me down.
I'm doing 4 projects at once: Derusting parts (tranny case currently), body prep for blasting, finishing drive shafts (found the missing needle bearing, but now where's the damn cup it came out of?), and finishing tranny rebuild.
It just looks slow. (Ha Ha).
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Vae Victus
Posting more than I know
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- #483
I'm ready to remove glass. Should I try to save the weatherstripping that looks good - especially the rear windows. I plan to get new but will others want some cheaper weatherstripping since this stuff is so expensive?
I save everything that is reusable at least until I am done, just in case something goes NLA during the process.
Rainman
Wondering what my next vehicle will be...
Don't break that glass. It's worth more than used weatherstripping.
Vae Victus
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- #486
Ok. Thinking the same thing.
I dunno - $2000 for a full set of weatherstripping.
Vae Victus
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- #487
Pulled the rear wiring harness. Removed rest of fuel lines. Removed rear lights. Got two body bolts off, broke a third.
Wanna get the damn body off. Soaking other body bolts overnight.
Wanna get the damn body off. Soaking other body bolts overnight.
Mine were rusted so bad that I just cut through the bolts. You will be replacing all the body mount bolts and bushings anyway, right?
Metal cutting blade in a reciprocating saw did the trick for me.
Vae Victus
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- #490
Yes, I figured I'd get out what I can get out, and then have to use a reverse bit to get out the rest that break off. What's the best way to remove those?
Holy Sh!t you've spent 8 grand in parts? How bad was the 40 when you bought? Rig must be looking almost new now
It's beyond easy to spend 8k in parts without blinking on these things. Mines a mess and I'll be in it for that much just to get it running reliably!
VV- your progress makes me incredibly jealous! I'm neglecting mine something awful - but my shoestring budget is getting in the way. Glad to see someone making serious, dedicated progress. Still following closely.
The body mounts include their own captured nuts. If you use a cut-off wheel or reciprocating saw on the bolt shafts, you can just pry all the rusty body mount scraps free after cutting. There should not be any necessary rehab to the tub or frame, assuming you keep your saw/cutoff wheel where you want it.
Vae Victus
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- #494
Yes, and I've decided to do it as slowly and carefully as I can. I'm replacing what I can, and rebuilding or refurbishing everything else. Therefore mucho dinero. I hesitate to say it will be showroom given my lack of experience and skill, but that's the goal, without worrying about smog stuff and little details like that.
Thanks Rick. I'm moving quickly for 1 person with a couple hours per week. Trying to anyway.
Re your moving slowly: it's about the journey, not the destination, right? I'm enjoying the camaraderie here, so in no real hurry to be done. I hope we can all enjoy these great vehicles together.
Wow that's scary. Hoping my costs down here in Costa Rica will be cheaper if anything should need replacing.
Are you replacing out of need or desire?
Just curious if yours ran when you purchased
Are you replacing out of need or desire?
Just curious if yours ran when you purchased
Agreed - I enjoy working on the truck and I'm learning a lot as I go. That said, I wish I could spend more time DRIVING and less time repairing. Objective is to have FJ60 knuckles and totally redone brakes by next spring so driving doesn't feel quite so suicidal. Shackles and bushings tomorrow. Consistently resisting the urge to do exactly what you did and just tear it down and get the body off the frame like you did...
Vae Victus
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- #497
I'm replacing out of 50% need and 50% to ensure everything works. Some of my parts will joint the ranks of perfectly acceptable used parts available out there.
Very many people have very serviceable trucks and don't spend a lot of money on them. It's more of a choice.
If you look at the start of this thread, my truck "ran" for about 10 minutes. It was not in good shape.
Ah right one. Well I'm sure you are excited to get it back on the road.
Looking forward to the finished product!
Looking forward to the finished product!
Vae Victus
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- #499
Thanks Ryan. Your truck looks very clean! Great starting platform. Diesel too. Rare here.
Ya I was lucky to find a good one. Previous owner did a lot of work and I was able to snag it for 6500 US. Had to go disel as its much cheaper here than gas.
Our roads where we live are in very bad shape so my back doesn't love the rough ride lol but we need a big rig for rainy season. So it's perfect.
Quite a common truck here.
Our roads where we live are in very bad shape so my back doesn't love the rough ride lol but we need a big rig for rainy season. So it's perfect.
Quite a common truck here.
