Builds 76 Fj40 Face Lift

[Chungas Revenge]

You must be pickled in shig tit.

So great.

Yup. Short road trip around the home turf last night to get a feel for the EPS. Initial impressions = Wow. It’s still the aerodynamic profile of a cinder block. But, it handled the curvy two lane and the driveway obstacle course like a champ. Game changer.

Temps here had fallen to the low 90’s by the time I tried the AC. We made the right call on the vent location(s). Didn’t get the full effect due to the door cards and window cranks not installed yet (windows down).

Headed to the mountains this AM for some R&R. I’ll post up a detailed review later..

 

[knuckle47]

Your impressions on that a/c will mean a big thing for me. Got my cruiser back from the @Jdc1 Rubber City Land Cruisers spa and retreat and I am all set to daily drive for the rest of the summer…naturally the last 3 days are like this. Silverado here I come.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Will do…stay cool.@knuckle47

 

[White Stripe]

I used my vintage air on the great smokey mountain trail ride. It was really hot outside and was really glad I had it. I would have been miserable without it. AC is a game changer.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

I test drove the Frankenair yesterday, Vintage/old air combo. Huge difference. Even with the windows currently in the fixed down position, you could feel the cool air pumping.

I used my vintage air on the great smokey mountain trail ride. It was really hot outside and was really glad I had it. I would have been miserable without it. AC is a game changer.

 

[MatthewMcD]

I test drove the Frankenair yesterday, Vintage/old air combo. Huge difference. Even with the windows currently in the fixed down position, you could feel the cool air pumping.

Can you feel it pulling power from the engine?

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Can you feel it pulling power from the engine?

That’s a good question…My leisurely run around my neighborhood, on 45mph roads didn’t draw my attention to a power drain. Tooling along on the mile and a half stretch of freeway, didn’t seem any less anemic than the 2f ever felt. I have the rubber over drive w/3:70 gears and 33” tires already installed. 65-ish is a norm. AC didn’t detract from that.

I pulled the levers on the EPS and AC looking ahead to a different operating environment than I used 1.0 for. Sea level leisurely cruises enjoying the salt life was the screening criteria.

So, depending on your end state, I do t think adding a bolt on air system will be detrimental to your performance objectives.

 

[igotta40]

Your impressions on that a/c will mean a big thing for me. Got my cruiser back from the @Jdc1 Rubber City Land Cruisers spa and retreat and I am all set to daily drive for the rest of the summer…naturally the last 3 days are like this. Silverado here I come.

View attachment 3935823

LOL welcome to Texas- the devils kitchen

 

[OlYellr]

That’s a good question…My leisurely run around my neighborhood, on 45mph roads didn’t draw my attention to a power drain. Tooling along on the mile and a half stretch of freeway, didn’t seem any less anemic than the 2f ever felt. I have the rubber over drive w/3:70 gears and 33” tires already installed. 65-ish is a norm. AC didn’t detract from that.

I pulled the levers on the EPS and AC looking ahead to a different operating environment than I used 1.0 for. Sea level leisurely cruises enjoying the salt life was the screening criteria.

So, depending on your end state, I do t think adding a bolt on air system will be detrimental to your performance objectives.

I totally missed it in your thread, did you upgrade your alternator at any point?

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Yes, if bumping from 45 to 50 amp counts. I’m at the minimum recommended right now with the 50 amp.

I totally missed it in your thread, did you upgrade your alternator at any point?

 

[knuckle47]

@Chungas Revenge so the question begs; is this the City Racer replacement that is listed as 5 amps more? Or do you have a model of what was swapped?

I have a Denso replacement from @ToyotaMatt and it works perfectly. Since my alternator was dead when I bought the vehicle, I replaced it with a simple rock auto match for about $80 and it also worked quite well but in my attempt to keep everything as toyota DNA as possible I did get the one from Matt. I’ve have slowly bumped the draw up with a few things and notice a higher swing to the +30 side when running. Through the course of normal operation it settles back to zero for a moment or two and then swings up to the plus side as needed.

I am also adding air conditioning, coupled with the electric fuel pump from the sniper and a few other little lighting accessories and would enjoy a properly charged battery. @Coolerman has a substantial post of information on how the alternator and its electrical pathways perform. Notably it is not measuring drain directly from the battery, only what passes through the ammeter.

In my discussion with Jesse, @Jdc1, he brought up a few options, but I would like to retain the 30 amp meter, on the other hand, maybe I just have no alternative but to bypass it and leave it in place. I would just run a voltmeter to ensure a positive flow of power

So…?

 

[Chungas Revenge]

@knuckle47

I think it was the “Matt” upgrade. At least to the best of my recollection. New VR added at the same time. I’m currently away for a few days and only speculating from a front porch rocking chair. Not being a certified voltologist, my initial thought(s), at least in my case, was to “dance with what I brung”, IE start w/the 50 Amp Alt (minimum) I already had (new).

I see your point though, you have a few more accessories. What course(s) of action are you looking at?

 

[knuckle47]

Obviously for reliability I am thinking of the city racer alternator or possibly an FJ 60 with new voltage regulator although the regulator I do have is brand new as suggested by Matt.

As this vehicle becomes a daily driver over the course of the next few months, I would just like to make sure it is up to par or slightly better.

I just put in a new Toyota battery and things are looking great. I may not need to change anything, but I know the Air Conditioning is going to pull some amperage.

 

[RevISK]

50 amp alt was what came out of my 4/80 FJ40, found a rebuild of the same model number and put it back in. Jives with the ammeter.

 

[OlYellr]

50 amp alt was what came out of my 4/80 FJ40, found a rebuild of the same model number and put it back in. Jives with the ammeter.

Like Ian, I have the stock 50 and I also got an rman 62 series from Uncle Toyota on sale and wondering if I need to do that with EPS or not.

Coolerman made connections/harness to convert the plugs from 40 Series to 60/62 that I am thinking about. Originally posted by Nolan - then Jim C and Mark B (cooler man) contributed to as well.

Sorry for the ramblings

Thanks for the intel!

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Like Ian, I have the stock 50 and I also got an Arman 62 series from Uncle Toyota on sale and wondering if I need to do that with EPS or not.

Coolerman made connections/harness to convert the plugs from 40 Series to 60/62 that I am thinking about. Originally posted my Nolan - then Jim C and Mark B (cooler man) contributed to as well.

Sorry for the ramblings

Thanks for the intel!

No worries in the least. My world view of all things electrical stem from an electric fence and a bad choice as a six year old.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Still in the mountains dodging the heat . keeping the toes in the sand and pulling daily operator level PMCS on the cooler.

Heading back Monday afternoon. Wanted to post up a pic of 2.0 to show the black on brown and the contrast. This is why I went with the black top as opposed to the tan and switched the Jseats to black vice silver. The top translates a littler lighter in photos than it does in the wild.

Also, a pic of the new door hardware/bling. I’ll toss in some closeups of the mods next week.

I’ll practice due diligence and give RCLC a good write up/run down of the EPS & AIR upgrades. @Jdc1

See if I can slip in a few hours on the Meade Hall too.

 

[knuckle47]

Awesome vehicle… at this point you must be beyond happy. There are so few in this class of show that are at least, driven. Likely not something you’re bumping through the woods with but the joy is the same. Mine , not as radiant but mechanically over the top, is now a daily driver…your a/c criticisms are high on my list.

Great truck…you should be grinning ear to ear!

Save me a copy of the magazine !

 

[Chungas Revenge]

I don’t know who is grinning more me or The House Frau/Dictator for Life!!??

The plan, at least the current plan, is to ship it down to Amelia Island FL. Skeet range duty, fishing duty, beach duty etc etc etc. OK maybe a foray to “Publix”, CVS and the nail salon on occasion. I picked up a Honda Pioneer 500 as a new hunting companion, more mountain goat than machine. It’s like the 40 series of the SXS world. Doesn’t go anywhere fast but goes anywhere.

I think 2.0 and I are dipping our toes into a different reality now and have a better understanding of each other. Just two old Mules counting on the other not to blow a fuse, lose oil pressure or fail to start

Good copy on the AC. I promised Jesse I’d give a straight up peer review on the AC performance. I’ll document everything here.

There’s a phase III percolating on the back burner…

Awesome vehicle… at this point you must be beyond happy. There are so few in this class of show that are at least, driven. Likely not something you’re bumping through the woods with but the joy is the same. Mine , not as radiant but mechanically over the top, is now a daily driver…your a/c criticisms are high on my list.

Great truck…you should be grinning ear to ear!

Save me a copy of the magazine !

 

[knuckle47]

Looking forward to the previews…Revision 3? Wow.