Da'40: The Baby Steps Forward

[pappy]

Drill bit will depend. I don't remember which flavor rivet nut I have. If they are stainless rivet nuts it will be 9mm. Otherwise 10mm. I have a 10mm bit.

Friday should work great. Off hand, do you know what size hole I should drill for the M6 nutserts? If I get the holes drilled, then we might be able to just pop them in super quick. The plan is to be hauling the 40 tub to the blaster on Friday, and your place would be on the way... I could also pop them in when it bets back from paint, but checking things off the list, you know...

Dan

 

[cruiserdan]

I have a hydraulic setting tool if you want to borrow it. Much nicer than other methods.

 

[2manycruisers]

I was just searching back through this thread, looking for your fuel tank source and found this on page 32. Just wondered if one of the very few "A" grades might need re-evaluated in light of the current condition of the basketcase?

I've decided that since this is almost over I'm going to do a list of vendors/companies I've used to pull this project together. Then I'm going to grade their performance. If they met expectations, they get a B. That is the starting point. In order to get a higher grade, they must exceed expectations, or simply out perform. As you can see most companies did well. Local companies first.

Of course Dan gets an A+ for following his own advice and everything else he had done to help on this project. The list might grow.

Local Companies

• Albuquerque Driveshaft: B-
• B & K Fabrication: B
• Capitol Scrap: B+, good prices, help hauling parts out with forklift.
• Cruiser Dan: A+
• Discount Tire: B+, went out of their way to get me a matching spare.
• D&B Glass: B+, windshield done sooner than promised.
• Edward's Engines: B-, minus for charging more than they said.
• Kaehr Paint Shop: A-, Ron and Dolores were great to work with. Dolores liked my legs.
• Metal Supermarket: B
• Muffler & Brake Specialist (MBS): B-
• Quality Powder Coating: C, only because they stopped doing "car parts."
• R & C Bodyworks: C+
• U-Joints: B

Out of Town Companies

• 4x4 Labs: B+, plus for a little extra help.
• Advanced Adapters: B
• Alcan Spring: B
• All-Pro: B
• AutoReWire.com: B
• BTB Products: B-
• Classic Cruisers: B
• Cool Cruisers: B
• CruiserCrap.com: A-, for not just selling me fun stuff, but helping out with the 3FE tech.
• CruiserParts.net: C (part was rusty and seized)
• CV Unlimited: B
• Del City: B
• DOA Racing: A, for a super sweet engine and being great to work with.
• Faultline Fabrication: F-
• Iron Pig: A- for the skid plate, and coming out to wheel with us.
• Jeg's: B
• JT Outfitters: F, I would give them a minus, but that would put them on par with Faultline.
• Man-A-Fre: B
• Mark's Off Road (CA): B
• Marlin Crawler: B+, plus for cutting a custom drag link and tie rod.
• McMaster-Carr: B
• Metal Tech: C+, frustrating delivery, but worth the wait. Great cage.
• Missouri 4Wheelers Supply: B
• Northern Tool: B
• Northwest Metal Products (gas tank): A-, great to work with. Customized my gas tank.
• Proffitt's Cruisers: B
• Randy's Ring and Pinion: B
• Richmond Gear: B
• Right Channel Radios (CB): B+, plus for the club discount.
• Ron Francis Wiring: C
• Round Eyes: B
• Slee Off-Road: B
• Sky Manufacturing: B
• Specter: B- (minus for shipping costs)
• Speedometer Service Co: A, great to work with for both my VSS and speedometer cable.
• Steve Kramer (Poser): B
• Summit Racing: B+, plus for the custom off-set on the wheels.
• Superbrightleds.com: B
• The Eastwood Company: B
• The Streetrod Mfg Co: B
• TLC: B
• Waytek Wire: B

There were many other boneyards that I didn't list. I also didn't list the local part stores including NAPA, Checker, Autozone, or places like Lowes.

 

[pappy]

Ummm. Tank was from Northwest Metal Products. It was an aux tank they modified for a sender so I could use it as a primary.

 

[2manycruisers]

I found it on the list thanks. Seeing their price for that tank, I think I'll do some more looking before I contact them. I'm looking for either custom or universal that I can use on my 45 project, but I haven't left many options with the drivetrain I have. I hoped I could use a tank from a Chevy or Toyota truck that would fit inside the frame rail in front of the axle, but with the centered diff I'm using, nothing fits. Probably have to look for something similar to the FJ40 aux tank.

TanksInc might have a universal I can use, and I need a fuel pump like they offer for the vortec anyway.

Ummm. Tank was from Northwest Metal Products. It was an aux tank they modified for a sender so I could use it as a primary.

 

[pappy]

Update

Both time and motivation have been lacking lately. That said.

A few weeks ago Larry was by and helped me heave the cylinder head back on the block. Since then I have ...

Torqued the head down (thanks Mike for the t-wrench loan).
Installed the exhaust manifold and lower intake.
Installed the exhaust pipes.
Installed the fuel lines.
Installed the thermostat housing.
Installed coolant lines.
Reinstalled the power steering pump (needed to remove to reinstall manifold).

What's left?

I need to take the rocker arm assy to get it cleaned. After it comes back it can be installed on new studs. From there it's all down hill. Adjust valves. Install upper intake. Make sure there are no fuel leaks. Fill the radiator. Oh so close.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Oh so close.

Do NOT let me get Dad's 40 back on the road before you get Da'40 back. You will not hear the end of it.

BTW--we ended up taking the tub to R&C also. So far, the parts they did came out great!

Dan

 

[pappy]

Ummm, so is R&C now the official club painter? They were great to work with.

I only have two weekends available until I leave for Baja. I'll see what I can do to have da'40 running before I leave. It would be nice. Too much to do.

 

[OGBeno]

Really, at a certain point, don't you think you need to start another thread about "rebuilding" a vehicle that you already rebuilt?

I think this one needs to be retired. It's been going on for years now Jon.

That said, I am glad you are getting this thing back on the road. I was very disheartened when it died.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Ummm, so is R&C now the official club painter? They were great to work with.

The thing about it was when we decided to have it painted (primarily timeline and weather concerns) I was concerned about finding someone who would shoot my brand of paint (and mostly the primer). That's the reason we went there.

Funny thing, the PPG that I wanted is exactly what they use anyway.

Also, is there such a thing as a non-opinionated painter???? All body work that was previously done was obviously crap, and someone should be flogged or something should they attempt to fix a dent...

I haven't heard the rant about the ugly canyon of a patch on the left side of the tub. We told them to just fill it with Bondo after giving it the good primer. They have been excellent to work with though. Expensive, but VERY impressed with the work.

Well, if you get it done before you head to Baha you beat me handily. I'm just shooting for "late March."

Dan

 

[Beowulf]

I think this one needs to be retired. It's been going on for years now Jon.

I dunno Beno, this seems like the right place. Jon is trying to get the dubious distinction of having the longest & most expensive project rebuild on 'Mud for a 'trail truck'. Think of how long this woulda took if he was taking it back to stock.

Besides, he only drove it 3 times between rebuilds so I think we should bridge his service... so to speak. (Kinda like the unions do with seniority or is it the way academia does with tenure?) wait... I just reread your tag line. Nothing is like anything else. It is what it is. I'm now completely confused.

-Mike-

 

[Beowulf]

Ummm, so is R&C now the official club painter? They were great to work with.

Yet they only got a C+ rating in your 'lessons learned' post. You're brutal.

-Mike-

 

[pappy]

Do NOT let me get Dad's 40 back on the road before you get Da'40 back. You will not hear the end of it.

Dan

Did I win?

 

[alia176]

I think we need a video proof of said engine......

 

[pappy]

Talk to Gage, Steve H., Steve L., Keith. I finished in time to wheel in the Puerco on Sunday. There even might be picture proof out there.

 

[alia176]

Never happened unless there are pics....

 

[Voodoo FJ]

Hey! Da' 40 is looking awesome under the hood and all the way around! It rocks!

 

[cruiserdan]

Never happened unless there are pics....

Video, with sound.

None of that grainy surveillance crap like David shoots either........

 

[pappy]

Geez, rough crowd. If the weather is nice tomorrow maybe I'll drive it up to AmToy to pick up the 4Runner parts.

 

[cruiserdan]

If I don't se it, it doesn't count............................