Long time lurker, first time poster.
I just got my first cruiser home from Golden, CO. 1966 FJ40, rust-free and recently repainted. Apparently I'm the third owner, and it was bought new in Grand Junction, CO in '66.
The previous owner finished a great deal of the cosmetic work, and hadn't touched anything mechanical when I bought it. The truck had not been run in 5 years, but after replacing the coil and dumping in a bit of gas, it fired right up and idled, valves tapping away (as I'm told is common with the F's...).
I intend to turn this truck into a daily driver, which shouldn't take much work. It's much nicer than I thought it was going to be though, so I probably won't drive it through the salty U.P. winters.
Needed work:
Brakes - I just ordered all new wheel cylinders and shoes from CCOT because the adjusters are frozen on the current cylinders. Aside from this, everything on the brakes just comes apart. I'm stunned at how I can just take anything on this truck apart without penetrating oil/torches/etc.
Clutch - The clutch slipped bad when I test drove it. There was no play in the pedal, so I adjusted that first and it improved it dramatically. I haven't climbed a hill yet so I'm not sure if it will slip again. The PO thinks it's the original clutch, so I'll probably have to replace it soon.
Seat bracket - I have all of the original seat hardware, which is in perfect shape. I'm probably going to install some Jeep TJ buckets though. I need to fabricate a seat bracket, and i'm considering adding on to the stock passenger side bracket, as you'll see in the pics. I'm nervous about messing with them, though, just in case I ever want to go back to original. They're pretty much perfect now.
Wiring - The lights were a mess, but I took care of all that over the weekend. Now I have the heater blower, horn, and a couple other simple tasks.
Shackles - They're fine, but the PO cut the back ones in half and welded in extensions. Not something I'd like to use forever.
Probably a lot more I haven't discovered yet...
I had a YJ before, so I have some wheeling and wrenching experience. I was in high school then and didn't have money for silly things like lockers or gears. I was much more concerned with springs and getting as big of meats as possible underneath it. Times have changed a bit .
Pics in a few minutes. I'm stoked as hell. Fire away with comments and especially suggestions!
I just got my first cruiser home from Golden, CO. 1966 FJ40, rust-free and recently repainted. Apparently I'm the third owner, and it was bought new in Grand Junction, CO in '66.
The previous owner finished a great deal of the cosmetic work, and hadn't touched anything mechanical when I bought it. The truck had not been run in 5 years, but after replacing the coil and dumping in a bit of gas, it fired right up and idled, valves tapping away (as I'm told is common with the F's...).
I intend to turn this truck into a daily driver, which shouldn't take much work. It's much nicer than I thought it was going to be though, so I probably won't drive it through the salty U.P. winters.
Needed work:
Brakes - I just ordered all new wheel cylinders and shoes from CCOT because the adjusters are frozen on the current cylinders. Aside from this, everything on the brakes just comes apart. I'm stunned at how I can just take anything on this truck apart without penetrating oil/torches/etc.
Clutch - The clutch slipped bad when I test drove it. There was no play in the pedal, so I adjusted that first and it improved it dramatically. I haven't climbed a hill yet so I'm not sure if it will slip again. The PO thinks it's the original clutch, so I'll probably have to replace it soon.
Seat bracket - I have all of the original seat hardware, which is in perfect shape. I'm probably going to install some Jeep TJ buckets though. I need to fabricate a seat bracket, and i'm considering adding on to the stock passenger side bracket, as you'll see in the pics. I'm nervous about messing with them, though, just in case I ever want to go back to original. They're pretty much perfect now.
Wiring - The lights were a mess, but I took care of all that over the weekend. Now I have the heater blower, horn, and a couple other simple tasks.
Shackles - They're fine, but the PO cut the back ones in half and welded in extensions. Not something I'd like to use forever.
Probably a lot more I haven't discovered yet...
I had a YJ before, so I have some wheeling and wrenching experience. I was in high school then and didn't have money for silly things like lockers or gears. I was much more concerned with springs and getting as big of meats as possible underneath it. Times have changed a bit .
Pics in a few minutes. I'm stoked as hell. Fire away with comments and especially suggestions!