AntFJ 1971 Build

[antFJ]

more pictures of where it stands.

 

[antFJ]

more wow this camera on this phone sucks. I thought I lost my throttle cable so i had the plug in there. I found the cable and restored it but haven't installed it yet

 

[Rainman]

Lookin' great Ant'ny!

 

[antFJ]

holy cow its been a while. so i moved to california.. the truck got really dirty in the move.. lost a couple body mount bolts so i had to buy another kit. When I sprayed the body I had a bunch of runs and the seams cracked. I also don't have the space to paint the rest of the stuff so the truck got partially disasembled (once I got all the mechanicals sorted out) and it is has been at the body shop for a couple months. The painter just got around to painting the truck (though we need to redo the seams because they cracked again).

Here are some pictures of what I have been up to.

I've been restoring all the little stuff - steering wheel, horn button, shifter linkage, new channels for the FST doors and door hinges as well.

 

[antFJ]

some more pictures a little out of order but here are some before shots of the body work and of me driving the truck around.

The gas tank is new - it has been desoldered - welded and powder coated. I'm not sure it was worth it but it does look nice!

 

[antFJ]

here are the "before dropping the truck off at the body shop pictures"

 

[antFJ]

some more

 

[antFJ]

and finally these are the most recent from my work today... hopefully the last time I will be assembling this thing!

 

[antFJ]

and the dash partially done. I didn't realize that will the column shifter you need to drop the entire column down just to get the gauge cluster in and out so the cluster needs to go in before I mount up the steering column

 

[antFJ]

Today we got ready to repaint the tub for the new seams. I starting going a little more on the dash and steering column

 

[antFJ]

Truck is painted & buffed. final assembly is on the way

 

[JohnnyC]

This build totally slipped my mind... It's been awhile since I've seen it... Looking great !!!

 

[antFJ]

Today...

Im not ready to put the Transmission tunnel in so i hope i can reach those two bolts under the gas tank

 

[Racer65]

Will it have power steering?

 

[antFJ]

Stock everything except. .. hei dizzy, 4 wheel disc, 3 pt seat belts, & plastic fan.

I'm sure there are other things.

more work today. Fired right up - gotta love the trollehole carb.

 

[winnie]

sweet colour Ant, and great attention to detail ...

 

[SSCR]

Looks great!!!with those tires, power steering isn't necessary. The other upgrades are spot on!

 

[antFJ]

Drove it home today about a 40 min drive. It drove well but i definitely have some timing and tuning to do.

Question on steering - my 78 will rerurn to center if i let go while driving but the 71 just kept in the turn. It steers nice and smooth with no vibration all the way to 60 mph. What would cause it not to return to center? Did i tighten that side bolt on the steering box too much after i removed some shims to adjust the play? Does the center arm need adjusting?

 

[antFJ]

There's steering adjustment both at the center arm and at the steering box. Have someone move the steering wheel back and forth while you watch the orbit of the arm on the center arm. If it's normal, you're good. If it's eliptical, you can try to tighten it (works sometimes), or you're in for a rebuild. (One banana job). You can take a bit more slack out with an adjustment to the steering box itself. On the side toward the engine, there's a big nut (may be behind the heat shield) with a screw in the center of it (straight slot). Loosen the lock nut, and while holding it so it won't tighten up, turn the straight screw in toward the box. You can go too much here, and the steering wheel won't return to center when you cut a corner, so trial and error is the key. Obviously, check all the other stuff like wheel bearings, tie rod ends, and etc.

Found my answer

or possibly this - i think I remember not backing off that 1/4 turn. I'll try this method this time.

Try this from Jim C : RMLCA - Rocky Mountain Land Cruiser 4x4 Association

There are 2 ways to determine if the bushing is really hosed. Method 1 is to
disassemble and inspect. That is a PITA. Method 2 is to try to adjust the
slop out of it. If the adjustment fails to remove most/all the slop, then it
is time for the rebuild kit.

> How does one adjust this center arm?

Loosen the 14mm lock-bolt on the top of the Center Arm (CA). Break loose the
big (24mm?) hex on top of the CA. Jack the front end up so the wheels are
off the ground. Grease the CA. Now begin tightening down the big hex
adjuster. What you are doing is screwing the whole top of the CA assembly
down onto the pivot, squashing it down into the tapered housing, and hopefully
removing the slop. I have a helper turn the steering wheel back & forth,
while I run the adjuster down. When the steering wheel gets heavy, then back
it off a little bit to where the steering is just getting heavy. Tighten the
lock-bolt and set it down on the ground. Take it for a test drive. If the
steering seems too heavy, or the steering wheel doesn't return to center
freely, then the adjustment is too tight. If, with the weight of the vehicle
back on the tires, the CA still shows visible wobble when the steering is
wiggled, then the adjustment was ineffective and a new kit is required.

 

[antFJ]

more work done to the truck. This tire carrier was a bitch to get lined up. I am going to drill a hole and install a pin in the latch to ensure it can never open while driving. The latch closes tightly enough but I don't trust it.

seat belts are in. I wasn't sure the 3 pt seat belts were going to work but it looks like everything is going to work out just fine.