First time Females and FJs
- Thread starter sarca
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- Thread starter
- #122
Well, the huz decided to change the oil without me..I wanted him to wait (i was at work) We bled the clutch and took her for her maiden voyage around the neighborhood..the 2F runs pretty darn solid!! Drum brakes are okay, steering will need a little work (we're not sure on this...as its the first 40 we've driven)
The huz joined the forum..Im sure he'll be much more technical about it -
Driving her around and through a ditch with the biggest grin on my face, my daughter was in the back bouncing up and down yelling WOOHOO! Its the hottest day of the year..but I couldnt be more pleased..Think its time to start my build thread...with pics!
The huz joined the forum..Im sure he'll be much more technical about it -
Driving her around and through a ditch with the biggest grin on my face, my daughter was in the back bouncing up and down yelling WOOHOO! Its the hottest day of the year..but I couldnt be more pleased..Think its time to start my build thread...with pics!
Welcome.
cruisers are a expensive addiction but imho, well worth it. I'm on my 5th one which is currently a 73 w/ a sbc conversion. I do not get to drive her much unfortunately as it seems to have a fuel issue. As far as your mods I would recommend doing the FJ60 PS swap and mini disc brake swap. If it's going to be a while until you do a ps swap, you will want to check your TRE's, tie rod ends, for play and/or wear.
.02
GL
cruisers are a expensive addiction but imho, well worth it. I'm on my 5th one which is currently a 73 w/ a sbc conversion. I do not get to drive her much unfortunately as it seems to have a fuel issue. As far as your mods I would recommend doing the FJ60 PS swap and mini disc brake swap. If it's going to be a while until you do a ps swap, you will want to check your TRE's, tie rod ends, for play and/or wear.
.02
GL
Adjust your brakes a bit tighter than the manuals recommend, your drums may impress you when properly adjusted. Search "Center arm pivot" and snug that up too.
- Thread starter
- #126
1974 FJ40 aka MeJane - a set on Flickr
Here she is! Ive already "ooops-ed" ..on her maiden trip around the neighborhood - I couldnt figure out where to turn around. My huz said "GO THROUGH THE DITCH-Thats what shes made for!!"
I found this amusing,..as for the last 15+ years Ive driven cars...which dont really enjoy ditches..so ... I did turn her around using a ditch. "GUN IT!" My huz cries laughing at me - I do, and she jumps right through the ditch back onto the road..We heard a clunk - came back to the house and discovered Id caught the overly large right rear tire on the wheel well.
My face hurts Im cheesing so hard.
Here she is! Ive already "ooops-ed" ..on her maiden trip around the neighborhood - I couldnt figure out where to turn around. My huz said "GO THROUGH THE DITCH-Thats what shes made for!!"
I found this amusing,..as for the last 15+ years Ive driven cars...which dont really enjoy ditches..so ... I did turn her around using a ditch. "GUN IT!" My huz cries laughing at me - I do, and she jumps right through the ditch back onto the road..We heard a clunk - came back to the house and discovered Id caught the overly large right rear tire on the wheel well.
My face hurts Im cheesing so hard.
- Thread starter
- #127
I have THOUSANDS of questions...and no idea how to rank them. Ill be right over to report!
Nice pics, she looks great. I think she will be a very solid first 40 for ya. Oh yeah, I said first....I'm sure the "huz" will have to get his own eventually 
Even if you've lost the transition engine to a 2F (probably no great loss), you may still have the "Transition Transfer Case"in your '74. That's the transfer case most used for the "3-speed gears in a 4-speed case" mod. So, if you happen to have a set of 3-speed transfer case gears lying around, and a 3-speed case rebuild kit, you can put those 3-speed gears in your transition case. Without any extra shimming, etc. some people think that case is valuable.
Just one more reason why the '74 is one of my favorite years.
Just one more reason why the '74 is one of my favorite years.
- Thread starter
- #130
Im pretty sure you just blew my mind - Im beginning to think I need to keep a list of things to research!!
We'll be going back over to see the PO when time permits, he told me he still had a bunch of the original pieces that had been replaced.
I dont know much mechanically speaking. I just learned today how a clutch works - pretty impressed with myself right now. SIGH. Be patient with me - Ill get back to you on this once we've honed in on what needs the most priority to get MeJane on the road.
Keep talking though Ive got to learn somehow- if 74's are your favorite - then I already like you more than most of my co-workers!!
- Thread starter
- #131
After getting title transferred in the morning Ive figured out my to do list for the day
1. Oil gauge isnt registering - checking shared ground with fuel gauge (thanks JohnVee!)
2. Ebrake doesnt work..look for obvious fixes first and thank God I dont live on a hill
3. If Ive had any success and its not too late in the afternoon - maybe Ill install a little kit to hold the battery into place (bungee cords are not an option. YET)
4. If Im REALLY rolling Ill look at drum brake adjustments.
1. Oil gauge isnt registering - checking shared ground with fuel gauge (thanks JohnVee!)
2. Ebrake doesnt work..look for obvious fixes first and thank God I dont live on a hill
3. If Ive had any success and its not too late in the afternoon - maybe Ill install a little kit to hold the battery into place (bungee cords are not an option. YET)
4. If Im REALLY rolling Ill look at drum brake adjustments.
Really easy to adjust the parking brake. Hopefully it is not oil soaked though.
I would put a mechanical guage on the oil myself, have had one on mine since the late 80's and it has always worked right.
I would put a mechanical guage on the oil myself, have had one on mine since the late 80's and it has always worked right.
1) Put in a mechanical oil pressure gauge... If you're feeling particularly handy, put a T fitting in the oilpressure sender location and run both oilpressure gauges.
B) parking brake has 2 places to adjust.
IV) The little brake adjusting tool I got from SOR really made adjusting the front drums much easier.
B) parking brake has 2 places to adjust.
IV) The little brake adjusting tool I got from SOR really made adjusting the front drums much easier.
Congrats on the getting a 74! That year is my favorite as well! Good luck on the addiction.
Adjust your drums like a 'Mudder...
Tighten your drums much tighter than the FSM says.
With the (either) axle up in the air, tighten the adjusters until both wheels that are up don't want to turn with max hand pressure. then back off both adjusters both sides until the tires will turn, usually 2 or 3 clicks of the adjuster. Back off both sides the same number of clicks. If one drags a little more than the other, do not worry. They will self-clear in a mile or two.
This is assuming that your adjusters are in good condition. This usually entails a 4 wheel drum rebuild with special attention paid to the adjusters (an often overlooked part). naturally, 4 wheel discs are slightly superior. But stock drums, properly maintained, will surprise you with their stopping ability.
Tighten your drums much tighter than the FSM says.
With the (either) axle up in the air, tighten the adjusters until both wheels that are up don't want to turn with max hand pressure. then back off both adjusters both sides until the tires will turn, usually 2 or 3 clicks of the adjuster. Back off both sides the same number of clicks. If one drags a little more than the other, do not worry. They will self-clear in a mile or two.
This is assuming that your adjusters are in good condition. This usually entails a 4 wheel drum rebuild with special attention paid to the adjusters (an often overlooked part). naturally, 4 wheel discs are slightly superior. But stock drums, properly maintained, will surprise you with their stopping ability.
I'm just surprised I haven't seen anyone scream "did you do a search for that?"... No, I'm not.
- Thread starter
- #138
Anchored the battery, replaced leaking fuel line , tightened alternator belt,windshield wipers today - My immediate plans are to get her roadworthy. Tomorrow night is "check transaxle fluids and carburetor"
Wednesday is drum brake adjustment night.
But just in case - I got the AAA 100 mile roadside assistance (great advice from here)
Then its working on rust and random things..
HOPEFULLY its easier than dealing with an 11 year old girl!:D[/QUOTE said:Ha ha ha... Much easier...
Congratulations on your buy..
Its a great lookin ol' cruiser, body looks good.. Post up some interior shots please...
Whats under the spray touch ups?
Welcome aboard 'Me wrench jane" good to see its a family thing..
My club mates call my cruiser the 'African Queen' chug chug...
Gaz....
- Thread starter
- #140
under the spray? Probably rust or bondo..The body does seem to be pretty solid. I will take more interior shots - I promise!