Boston area newbie. Basic advice needed ...

[behindthepen]

Hi all

I now own a 79 FJ40. Just a summer tool around town set of wheels for now, the top hasn't been on it years. Only 48k miles!

The body has been fixed up nicely, along with the suspension and the muffler. But there a few little things that need fixing for sure, and it needs a full checkup under the hood.

Is there a shop, preferably North of Boston, that is good for these kinds of rigs?

The little things are 1- fixing the fuel gauge and 2- fixing the wiper fluid sprayer.

The bigger things are 1- probably needs a new air filter/housing and 2- need to figure out if the engine/ transmission are up to snuff (not used to driving and 5000 pounder, not sure how its supposed to feel!)

Any advice appreciated.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Where do you live?

 

[behindthepen]

Where do you live?

Winchester.

 

[billmc]

Winchester.

Hey, is that your orange 40 with the snorkel? I almost stopped to say hello when I saw you out washing it the other day. I live up the road from you. I enjoy looking at it every time I drive into town.

Bill

 

[behindthepen]

nope, I'm a red with no top. I had it in town a couple of summers ago.

I did stop by and chat with the guy who owns the orange this weekend though, I had admired the work a few times. He dropped a diesel engine in it.

 

[edwjmcgrath]

Those two electrical issues are pretty simple for someone who knows what they're doing.
The fuel gauge is either the sender or the gauge. Here's a link to help you (or mechanic) figure out which: https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/675417-fuel-gauge.html
Also, below is a schematic. Any reasonable electrical mechanic could work on your vehicle if you print this out and give it to him.

The washer motor is a common failure. If you're not getting power to it (an easy test), here's an inexpensive after market replacement.
http://www.cruisercorps.com/windshield-washer-kit.html

The only cruiser mechanic that I know is in Marshfield, but he seems to know his stuff.
Hopefully someone knows one closer.

I'm sure someone nearby would volunteer to go for a test ride with you to evaluate your engine/transmission. Good luck.

You got pictures of this vehicle?

 

[Splangy]

I'm in southern NH and can give you a hand.

 

[behindthepen]

here's the only halfway decent picture I have. It's got a 2" thick rope wound around the front bumper which is a nice touch.

 

[rain76king]

Looks nice from what can be seen.

 

[REDrum]

There is a shop on Mystic Ave in Medford: A&M Foreign Motors. The owner is from Guatemala and knows LCs very well, loves working on them His name is Edwin. He was recommended to by two LC guys I met a while ago. I have not worked with him, but was damn close, and spent a lot of time talking with him.

For my FZJ80 rebuild I ended up going with that ornery guy from Groveland instead...

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

There is a shop on Mystic Ave in Medford: A&M Foreign Motors. The owner is from Guatemala and knows LCs very well, loves working on them His name is Edwin. He was recommended to by two LC guys I met a while ago. I have not worked with him, but was damn close, and spent a lot of time talking with him.

For my FZJ80 rebuild I ended up going with that ornery guy from Groveland instead...

I have heard bad things about A&M and I think they're in Somerville near the Medford line. They used to be further in Somerville.

 

[joey.w]

+1 on A&M. Eddie Santacruze is his name. He did a boatload of work on my 60 before I knew what I was doing. Pricy.... But the work is quality and fast.
Just my 2 cents

 

[behindthepen]

here's the only halfway decent picture I have. It's got a 2" thick rope wound around the front bumper which is a nice touch.

Here's another shot. Had to put the roof on to get some work done, you can tell the new paint job. Got the windshield wiper fluid working, the battery lead fixed, and luckily the fuel gauage just started working.

 

[edwjmcgrath]

Looks good. Headlight bezel should be painted white like the roof though.