'72 Factory Soft Top Project. "Power Wheels"

[highlandcruzer]

its titled as a 72...keep the 72 plates ...and tell people its registered 72 truck built in 71

when looking for parts...look 71

Oh sure. I'm not worried about it. Just caught me by surprise. My first thought was "crap, now I can't use those plates". They were a gift from a friend that's been squirreling them away for years. He found them in his barn when he bought his house 14 years ago. Lots of people have tried to get them off his hands. I'm pretty fond of them.

 

[Dusty 66]

1972s had factory 3 speed floor shift

 

[highlandcruzer]

It's sucked not having internet for so long. I'm normally the guy to try and learn everything I can about whatever I happen to have. Haven't really gotten to know the old girl up til now. Interesting. Was floor shift an option in '71?

 

[highlandcruzer]

Sept. 1971 they went with the one piece hood, lost the marker lights in the grill and went to the rectangle directionals on the fenders......

Don't have the marker lights in the grill. I just realized I thought you had a 72 for some reason. Also not a 72!

Everything but the split hood on mine. Mine is still split and has the spear. In a way I've learned most FJ40s are pretty inconsistent regarding their year of production. Especially when it comes to emissions. They were made for so many markets in and outside of the U.S. and who knows how and when they source items.

Seems that they sure can be.

 

[KY Longhunter]

Subscribed. You move fast!

 

[highlandcruzer]

Well, I've managed to make a little progress over the past couple weeks. I've had some trouble trying to update my computer after being offline for so long. Picked up a nasty virus. Been a helluva fight with this thing trying to save my files. Should be good to go now.



I've been wanting to get the tub braced up so I can start rust repair. I work from home the majority of the time, and it's a bit of a drive to town from here. I'm pretty lazy about going to pick up materials/supplies. When I do, I never seem to remember everything I need to get. Finally had a light bulb go off the other day. I've got tons of 7 ft. "T" posts that I use to stake tomatoes. Perfect! Got the first one tacked on at the door posts. Went ahead and removed the tool box too, to get that out of the way. Made it a lot easier to work under the dash.

 

[highlandcruzer]

I've been hung up on a couple things trying to clear off the firewall/dash/cowl. I've been fighting with the pin connecting the brake pedal to the booster for a while. That was a good feeling when it finally gave way.

 

[highlandcruzer]

I've been scratching my head over the steering column removal for a while. Thanks to Coolerman, and his website, I was able to get it pulled.
Don't know how long it would have been before I figured out I had to pull the gear box and column in one piece.
As usual, the pitman arm was a . Like everything else on this truck, I've been hitting it with penetrating oil from time to time. It still felt like I was going to break the puller getting it off. I put as much pressure on it as I thought it could stand, and gave it a few taps with a hammer. Then I would back the puller off, take a break,....repeat. Took about a half dozen tries, and two beers, I guess.





Nice to see the booster and column gone.






Finished taking out the pedal assembly/bucket, etc. and pulled the wiring harness through the firewall.

 

[highlandcruzer]

Finished labeling and pulling the wiring harness. I'm planning to clean it up and re-use it. Luckily, it hasn't been touched before.

Pretty much got the dash clean.

 

[highlandcruzer]

Moved on to clearing parts from the frame, and engine. Drained and pulled the radiator. Pulled splash guards, shocks, alternator, battery tray......I've been pleasantly surprised by how clean and easy the bolts are coming out in this area. I've been prepared for lots of broken bolts. I guess all the pb is paying off .

 

[highlandcruzer]

 

[highlandcruzer]

And here's something I've been putting off.....The windshield hinges. I've been spraying them since I bought this thing. I have a go at the bolts every so often, but have been frustrated to no end. Tried heat. Could only manage to break three loose no matter what I tried. So I decided to clean up the heads and weld nuts on. Winner. I can't tell you how glad I am to get those hinges off!

 

[highlandcruzer]

 

[JohnnyC]

very VERY nice ....keep it up...those hinges are a pain LOL

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Good start to this project...

I didn't think a '72 had a column shifter or split hood. Are you sure about the year?

Mine is also a '72 factory soft top. Built 9/71. Split hood but three on the floor..

I am surprised at how smooth that metal appears after the pain and surface rust is coming off. Nice.

 

[peteinjp]

Nice job on the hinges. I'm gonna keep that method in mind for when I get to mine.


Pete

 

[BigRedFJ40]

Don't have the marker lights in the grill. I just realized I thought you had a 72 for some reason. Also not a 72!

mine is a 72...... kind of

12/71 actually...... and it did come from the factory with a 3 speed on the floor too.......



Great work too!! You are moving along nicely!!!!!!

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Very nice...I'll be following, so keep those pics coming

 

[highlandcruzer]

Mine is also a '72 factory soft top. Built 9/71. Split hood but three on the floor..

....Interesting.



So then,....floor shift was standard in 72. Check. But was it an option for the 71 model? The reason I ask is that I've been tempted to convert to floor shift. I've already got a floor shift 3 speed, that that came attached to a transfer case, that I picked up to convert my 78. I could just swap the top plate. I'm kinda torn. On one hand, I really dig the 3 on the tree old school factor. And,..I'm enough of a purist that I don't want to muck that up.

On the other hand, floor shift just plain feels better to me. If it was a factory option, I might be tempted to convert. Dunno. Opinions?

I am surprised at how smooth that metal appears after the pain and surface rust is coming off. Nice.

Me too.

 

[highlandcruzer]

Nice job on the hinges. I'm gonna keep that method in mind for when I get to mine.


Pete

Thanks! The only thing that I would have done differently would be to use a smaller hex nut. The only weldable nuts that I had on hand were 13 mm. It didn't leave much room to get good bead contact on the bolt head, and not weld the bolt to the hinge. I had to be really careful not to "clean" the hinge itself around the bolt. Had a couple make a tiny bit of contact, that I had to cut with a hacksaw blade.