Cooper's Cruiser - 79 Build

[Cooperrh6]

@Cooperrh6
Welcome to the madness and sorry for your loss.

What @waiting for time said is my only advise...
Getting her running and stopping first will keep you busy enough & motivated to tear her apart for the full frame off after enjoying it and driving it around a bit.

I’ve been getting mine up and running for longer than it takes some on here to do a full frame off restoration but I am learning a lot in the process. As you will too. There are many on here to help you especially the ‘79+ owners. Square bezels rule!

Depending on how original you want it, you may spend more time scouring the internet for parts than actually wrenching.

What is the date stamp on yours? Must be a late ‘79 as the fuel door hinge is forward. My 2/79 is the opposite with the hinge aft.

I'm stamped June/79

Keep in touch as we both work through the quirks of these later models. I'm going to desmog and delete the air line, plugging the air ports on the top.

 

[Cooperrh6]

Hard to tell what kind of shape that one is in. Is their any rust on the cowl? 79 and newer are the most rust prone. They rust everywhere, and it's unlikely you'll find a used tub of those years that's rust free. As impressive is a rust free nicely restored steel tub is, it's a ton of work. I really like my aqualu, not having to worry about rust again is a good feeling. It slingshotted the body work process by leaps n bounds. I cut off the steel tub in March, had the aluminum tub installed, painted, and truck back on the road by September. It turns just as many heads as it did with the steel tub. People are often surprised when I tell them it's aluminum.

No rust on cowl but rust on everything else. the Aqualu is pretty, and I mean VERY pretty, but shipping would hurt by feelings. with that said, I need a new hood as well, so I could get everything I need sent together. decisions decisions. did you only purchase the tub from them or did you end up with any other aluminum pieces?

 

[White Stripe]

No rust on cowl but rust on everything else. the Aqualu is pretty, and I mean VERY pretty, but shipping would hurt by feelings. with that said, I need a new hood as well, so I could get everything I need sent together. decisions decisions. did you only purchase the tub from them or did you end up with any other aluminum pieces?

No I just got the tub. Shipping was 500.00. I dealt directly through Aqualu, but you can deal with them 3rd party such as through cruiser outfitters @cruiseroutfit or something I think. I personally would not get a aqualu hood. Thats the only part they make that I really don't like, Aqualu was unable to duplicate the factory curves in the steel hood so their hood is quite different looking than the steel. Aqualu tubs can also be ordered with a cool tool box built into the rear floor which is kind of neat. You can also stretch the rear half of the frame and install a fj43 or fj44 3/4 tub as well which would give more interior space. Lots of options.

 

[onemanarmy]

I know time is valuable so I’d budget $4000 and get it running and driving, replacing and upgrading all critical components. Then take off on the TAT. I’d quit wasting time thinking about the black hole that is frame off/ body work. Suspension, tires, brakes, axle rebuilds and seals, good seats, some tunes, all new cooling components, all lights. That should keep you busy. Looking forward to the transformation.

 

[Rooster47]

Question for you on the carb rebuild. I have been trying to figure out what the deal is with the hole/port to nowhere in the base of the carb. It's the one with the bolt with the hole through it.

Your video shows it clearly and you had a gasket beneath the carb that did not cover it, allowing air flow to the intake manifold. A lot of folks on here recommend no gaskets between the carb and insulator, which would mean that port gets sealed off. Which I believe is common. Just curious what you'll do when you put it back on.

 

[Cooperrh6]

No I just got the tub. Shipping was 500.00. I dealt directly through Aqualu, but you can deal with them 3rd party such as through cruiser outfitters @cruiseroutfit or something I think. I personally would not get a aqualu hood. Thats the only part they make that I really don't like, Aqualu was unable to duplicate the factory curves in the steel hood so their hood is quite different looking than the steel. Aqualu tubs can also be ordered with a cool tool box built into the rear floor which is kind of neat. You can also stretch the rear half of the frame and install a fj43 or fj44 3/4 tub as well which would give more interior space. Lots of options.

good to know! I like the toolbox idea. Sucker for extra storage wherever I can get it

I know time is valuable so I’d budget $4000 and get it running and driving, replacing and upgrading all critical components. Then take off on the TAT. I’d quit wasting time thinking about the black hole that is frame off/ body work. Suspension, tires, brakes, axle rebuilds and seals, good seats, some tunes, all new cooling components, all lights. That should keep you busy. Looking forward to the transformation.

I like where your head is at on this. thoughts in suspension? I was thinking a 2.5 lift with a a medium weight rating. Winch up front and possibly roof rack or rooftop tent on at all times.

Question for you on the carb rebuild. I have been trying to figure out what the deal is with the hole/port to nowhere in the base of the carb. It's the one with the bolt with the hole through it.

Your video shows it clearly and you had a gasket beneath the carb that did not cover it, allowing air flow to the intake manifold. A lot of folks on here recommend no gaskets between the carb and insulator, which would mean that port gets sealed off. Which I believe is common. Just curious what you'll do when you put it back on.

Funny you mention that. I couldn’t find anyone that mentioned the function of the whole through there. PO tried rebuilding the carb and lost or destroyed half the screws. To the point I dremeled many of them into flat heads.

My best guess is some sort of pass through vacuum to equalize pressure among all lines? But that’s a shot in the dark at best. I tried using all the gaskets that were supplied in the kit. You can see I’m on my computer watching pinhead’s YouTube walkthrough to a T. Invaluable resource. I recommend following closely on .5-.75 speed. I have tons of videos and such I’d be willing to post of me documenting random stuff but I have to send it up to YouTube before it can be posted here. My bowl was filled with black tar corn paste. Tons of fun cleaning that out. I also discovered I have two primary jets or whatever they’re called. The things that shoot down the barrel.

I’ve also decided to do a full desmog. Taking the parts off the carb that are rendered useless in the process. I didn’t document much of that as there is a wealth of knowledge out there.

Also, if anyone has tips for testing for vacuum leaks before tuning the carb that would be much appreciated!

 

[Cooperrh6]

Update:

high idle is killin me! I cant seem to find the vacuum leak or why she's running away from me. I think i might be missing a lever of the back (firewall) side of my carb that works in conjunction with the top air flap thing. I also dont have the diaphragm with the 90 degree down port. (see pic from the interwebs)

Anywho, here is a fun little video. should have the brakes (new calipers up front) bled and on some new rubbers by the end of the week!