Decision Time - Am I Ready For A Frame Off Restoration (1 Viewer)

[TCSTARK]

I had Big Blue towed to ACC Toyota (Atlanta's cruiser experts) this Thursday so they could go over all the work I had done. I spoke with Michael and went over my laundry list of items I wanted him to look at. By the end of the conversation I had agreed to let him button up all of the projects so it would be ready for its daily driving duties. I will be officially selling the Lexus IS250 and daily driving the Fj40 on April 14th.

ACC's going to handle:

• Oil Gasget Replacement
• Rear Break Line Replacement
• Remove all of the smog equipment that was left by the PO after it was de-smogged and eliminate all unecessary vacuum lines.
• Complete welding of the Saginaw bracket/steering shaft u-joint and reinforce the crossmember.
• Valve/carbeurator adjustment and timing

I have to say I became quite used to not paying for a mechanic's labor. Sticker shock!!! I look at it this way, I am paying a professional to ensure that my modifications were done in a safe way. It will give me the peace of mind that Big Blue is safe to drive and will be able to perform optimally (gonna get that 12 mpg). I will definately want to learn how to do the engine adjustments and fine tuning in the future.

So now I will go back to twiddling my thumbs and staring at an empty garage....

 

[TCSTARK]

Parts keep on rolling in,...

I was busy buying some parts this week. I ordered a Tuffy Deluxe Stereo Console (TUFFY-024), FJ40 mounting bracket (TUFFY-057) and 12v power (TUFFY-862) from TRD4x4.com.

I went back and forth on what Vendor to purchase them from and finally chose TRD4x4.com because they had a listing on 'evilbay'. It was a 'or best offer' listing and they accepted my offer of $231.00 for it. I put a call in to Jacque at TRD to find out what type of group buy he could give everyone for a Tuffy Console. I will keep you posted.

Fellow Mudder, Biscuit, provided me a Pioneer DEH-3300UB head unit at a smoking deal. Thank you! Now i just need to figure how to get it all hooked up...

I picked up one of those fancy delete plates and 2F manual. I blew thru all of my funds pretty quickly. It looks like the Grant steering wheel upgrade will have to wait until payday.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

More pics are needed

 

[Bug Gut]

sawzall a hand grinder and maybe a small mig welder for the body work.

 

[TCSTARK]

sawzall a hand grinder and maybe a small mig welder for the body work.

The body work is the next phase... I don't plan on a show room finish but I will address the rust spots and the PO's attempt to repair the front right fender. Right now I am just focusing on getting it road worthy so it will be reliable for daily driving.

 

[71-CRUISER]

Its getting close...

I should have the new pan gasket tomorrow.

 

[jraj]

Squeezer has a great point. I just bought my '75 FJ40 last week and there are so many things I want to do with it, now. But at least I know that this will be my 20-yr project and that I can take things slow, one-step-at-a-time. Thanks Squeezer for the advice. And yes, my daughter will learn how to drive stick on the FJ40!!!

 

[TCSTARK]

It's been difficult to post an update this weekend because I have been out driving around in the cruiser. Woohoo!

I went down to ACC's shop this past friday to pick up my cruiser. I was able to spend a few moments with the shop's owner to discuss what was done and what I will need to do in the future. I have to say it was an awesome shop. It had the coolest assortment of cruisers in almost every state of repair.

Now some details:

1. De-smogged cruiser
2. Valve adjustment and tuned carbeurator
3. Reduced axle shims to 4 degree and installed steering stabiliser (Zero death wobble)
4. Replaced oil pan gasget
5. Welded steering box components
6. Installed greasible shackle pins
7. Repositioned the steering pump and added a tensioning bracket
8. Buttoned up all miscellaneous items

In talking with Michael he informed me that the engine had been rebuilt at some point. That would have been a good piece of information for the PO to tell me, right? He also said that a front end rebuild and a rear disc brake conversion should be my next project down the road. Outside of that Big Blue was stated to be in excellent condition for a 35 year old vehicle.

I motored out of the shop and immediately stopped for gas. E means empty. I filled her up and headed back to work. I wasn't going extremely fast but I felt very comfortable on the highway. I got back to work where Big Blue made its debut and everyone thought it was cool. I cut out of work early and drove all over town. I dig it.

I am extremely pleased with the results of ACC's work. They did a great job! It started easily, had decent power and drove straight. I couldn't ask for more. Well, maybe a diesel engine but that will be a different thread...

 

[TCSTARK]

Sunday Update

My Tuffy Deluxe Stereo Console has been installed. It was a fairly straight forward install and looks pretty sharp. I will post pictures once the Easter Bunny leaves the house.

The one thing that comes to mind about the console. It's a close fit when shifting to 2nd and 4th gear. But I sure do like having a spot to rest my arm when driving not to mention a place to securely store my valuables. I hope to be installing my stereo system soon so I can jam on some tunes.

Vintage Air Update -

The Vintage Air system has now been hardwired into the cruiser. Thanks ACC! It seems to blow cold when I start the cruiser and when I am driving in lower gears. It seems to cut out when I am in 3rd or 4th gear. I will most likely call VA tech support to figure this one out.

 

[TCSTARK]

Pictures

Here aresome of the latest photos. De-smogged engine

 

[TCSTARK]

Tuff Enough Console

More pictures. Tuffy Deluxe Stereo Console

 

[TCSTARK]

Some Glam shots while it dries off in the Georgia sun...

Note - brush gaurd is not fully attached.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Been thinking of finding a '78 to do something similar to use as a local DD...very nice

 

[TCSTARK]

Update

I was driving home after work on Friday listening to some tunes on my iPod and then I noticed something didn't seem quite right. I pulled my ear buds out and paid close attention to any strange sound, vibration or anything that didn't feel right. I stopped at a light and then I couldn't get the clutch into 1st gear. I was able to get it back in gear by slipping it into reverse and then into 1st gear. I was able to hobble through the intersection. By the time I got to the next intersection the clutch pedal was flat and I wasn't able to do anything but roll onto the side of the road.

I called AAA and had it towed home. It was definitely the drive of shame.. I did some research on MUD, figured out where to start troubleshooting and then ordered up a new Clutch Master Cylinder, Slave Cylinder and Hose. I will post up some pics of the process when I tackle it this weekend.

 

[TCSTARK]

Almost three weeks later and it is finally fixed. A combination of waiting on parts, busy at work and multiple trips to the auto parts store was the culprit. I ended up buying an Aisin Clutch Master Cylinder and Aisin Slave Cylinder from ALL-FOREIGN CAR PARTS. It was a great deal plus the free shipping wasn't bad either. I rounded up this project was a standard 4" brake line extension and a 3/16th 60" stainless brakeline.

BIG BLUE is up and running!

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Cool

 

[Pumpkin Troopy]

Great job deciding not to do a frame off...

stripping down and painting and engine are the easiest bits .. most people loose track and give up with all the fiddly little details..

The last car that i built took me and my daughter 6 months.. however it took over a year to finish adding the little details, like chrome bolts, console alignment, speedo cables, radio face plate, correct lug nuts, and the list goes on...

With that said I just stripped down my HJ47 troopy and it is now it is a few thousand parts and I we have already killed $80 of copper on the mig welder and I have 2 solid weeks of welding to go...

 

[Chamba]

Great job deciding not to do a frame off...

stripping down and painting and engine are the easiest bits .. most people loose track and give up with all the fiddly little details..




I agree, and you can always do a frame-off later. There is so much you can do to improve the rig without doing a frame off: wire wheeling and painting the frame, stopping any rust which you come across and keeping the rig clean in the winter.

I have not done a frame-off on my FJ40 LX (yet), but I have striped it to a bare tub and painted everything, cleaned up the frame and painted it and replaced lots of rubber and other bits.

Your rig looks great, and I bet you'll love having the p/s and air con. Are you going to put a 5 speed in? That make a massive difference in how it drives in a modern world.

Josh

 

[TCSTARK]

Are you going to put a 5 speed in? That make a massive difference in how it drives in a modern world.
Josh

I hadn't considered it until you mentioned it.. I think that could be added to the short list now. Rear disc brakes are on the horizon.

 

[Chamba]

5 speed is a great addition in my opinion; you get a lower first gear, so bigger tires are not an issue, and you get an overdrive. You will be able to cruise comfortably at 70 rather than 55 and your engine will not sound like it is about to send a piston through the hood.

I've never had rear discs, but I'd love to one day.

Josh