Forum newbie

[fjkev]

Hi,

New to the forum. Just getting back into the LC hobby after a brief hiatus. I have a '70 FJ40 that I bought ~10 years ago. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures at the moment. It is white (used to be light green) with a black Best Top soft top. The previous owner swapped out the transmission for a later model 4 speed. Otherwise as far as I can tell it is pretty much stock.

It is in the shop having some repairs done - can't take any pics to post at the moment. One of the problems is the carburetor. I have ordered one from Trollhole but will have to wait until he gets his shipment.

It has some rust issues that needs fixed and some of the wiring fixed/replaced. Some of the enhancements I would like to do are the following:

- Replace the seats with some sort of bucket seats and add shoulder seat belts. I've looked at corbeau and seen some posts on this forum in the past. Still deciding on what I really want to buy.
- Replace the Best Top soft top. Don't like it and the velcro doesn't work well anymore. Have seen some interesting tops in the past so will need to track those down again. Maybe even buy a third party hard top. Saw one once that looked cool but can't seem to track it down. Don't really need it since I now live in NC but it would add to the coolness factor.
- Put some sort of bed liner (like Rhino Liner) on the floor.

I look forward to enjoying my LC again once I get it back on the road

Kevin

 

[lostmarbles]

Welcome Kevin.

I've owned mine for the last 30 years and my obsession for 40-series cruisers has never waned. In fact I think it may even be getting worse .

Recently I've started picking up the odd bit here and there to hold as spares. But a few weeks ago in a moment of weakness I clicked the buy-now on AN ENTIRE ENGINE. And I did this despite:

• it being located a long way from where I live,
• my "pick-up vehicle" being off-the-road undergoing restoration,
• having no place available to store it (without making my unusable garage even more cramped), and
• not even having a hoist to lift it on or off my trailer.

(But the obsession wins.... I have my hoist now and will shoot off to pick the engine up within the next 2 weeks.)



PS. I'm looking forward to seeing your pics

 

[FJFOOL]

Welcome, pictureless one !

 

[Assassin]

cool========pic's please

 

[fjkev]

Guess I can post a couple of sneak peaks I was taking pics of a '73 Bronco I used to have The LC is hidden behind a couple of them. Unless I want to pay for a tow the LC might stay at the shop until I get the carb from Trollhole. So it will be awhile before I can get some good pics.

Please forgive for the Bronco pics

The second one reminds me that I need to find a way to fix the tire carrier. The tailgate is two doors and the carrier pounds against them as I am driving. The doors have been pushed in a bit from the beating and from trying to adjust the top bolt to reduce the vibration.

Kevin

 

[Assassin]

nice fj========btw those early bronco's are cool too.........

 

[FJFOOL]

Yes they are, had a lot of fun in a '69 I used to have. Easy to trash side panels with those though !

 

[fjkev]

nice fj========btw those early bronco's are cool too.........

Yep, wish I still had it. Long story short.... My father in-law gave it to me with the agreement that it would go to is grandson. It sat in a storage lot in Vegas for many years. I towed it home to Denver put new tires and got it running again. Towed it to NC (when I moved) then was told it was time to give it to the grandson. Had to get it towed to Kansas. It is an awesome vehicle but nothing like the LC!!!

Kevin

 

[1979FJ40LOVER]

Well not that it sounds like you had to choose between the FJ or Bronco BUT if you did have to I would take the FJ any day of the week. Nothing like driving past jacked up vehicles on the trail in a stock FJ.

 

[splitshot]

Nice rigs, two of my favorites.

Hard tops are way over rated for the 40 IMO..

Welcome!

 

[fjkev]

Well not that it sounds like you had to choose between the FJ or Bronco BUT if you did have to I would take the FJ any day of the week. Nothing like driving past jacked up vehicles on the trail in a stock FJ.

I've always wanted an FJ. I saw this one, driving down the road one day, with a for sale sign. Fell in love (don't tell my wife) and eventually bought it. The Bronco would have turned my head but I wouldn't have bought it.

Uh oh I read the "off frame" thread and now my obsession is starting to return. Need my carb Trollhole!!!!

Kevin

 

[fjkev]

Nice rigs, two of my favorites.

Hard tops are way over rated for the 40 IMO..

Welcome!

Especially in NC where there are only about 10 days of cold weather I originally bought this one in Denver and it is not the warmest of vehicles during the winter - although that didn't stop me from driving it.

The one aftermarket hardtop I saw was very cool. But I would rather get a better soft top first.

Kevin

 

[splitshot]

Uh oh I read the "off frame" thread and now my obsession is starting to return.

Should be a warning on that one..

 

[fjkev]

Guess I should take advantage of the time and get my honey do's done!!

Kevin

 

[bsmith123]

hello

Welcome to the madhouse!

For a top I suggest looking up SouthBostonFJ's post on the group order we did you can check out my build for the install and final product --there are several others too

Also SOR has started selling OEM style soft tops at a price competitive to having it made and shipped from overseas so have a look there too

 

[fjkev]

Welcome to the madhouse!

For a top I suggest looking up SouthBostonFJ's post on the group order we did you can check out my build for the install and final product --there are several others too

Also SOR has started selling OEM style soft tops at a price competitive to having it made and shipped from overseas so have a look there too

You mean the 66 page thread The top looks good. Guess I will need to budget for a good top. Thanks for the info.

Kevin

 

[bsmith123]

another source

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/378437-canvas-top-jim-ocdbeetle-new-post.html

In this post there is a real nice top I think he said he had it made for $650

 

[fjkev]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/378437-canvas-top-jim-ocdbeetle-new-post.html

In this post there is a real nice top I think he said he had it made for $650

That looks like a great option along with the Real Steel Bows. Probably be awhile before I can order this. The good thing is my wife likes the look of this top better than mine so it will be easier to get budgeted.

Kevin

 

[73fj40lc]

That looks like a great option along with the Real Steel Bows. Probably be awhile before I can order this. The good thing is my wife likes the look of this top better than mine so it will be easier to get budgeted.

Kevin

Jim is a perfectionist. If he puts his name on something I can assure that it is the best that it can be. Having looked at his work first hand I will have Jim make mine as soon as some other 40 projects are done. Having said how good Jim's tops are Southbostonfj Paki tops are also very well made. I know that Jim put alot of time and research into using the best materals to make his tops durable and long lasting.

 

[fjkev]

Finally some pics

I realized that I never posted pics of my cruiser. Here are a couple:

I've had quite a bit of mechanical stuff done since my first post...

- My carb was "Mark'd"
- Replace fuel pump, fuel filters, water pump, rear brake cylinders, among some small items

Its running good now but has a couple remaining mechanical items:
- Parking brake is making scraping noise
- Manual steering box needs rebuilt or replaced

I want to keep it as original as possible but there might be a hitch to this plan. The steering box free play is ~45 degrees. Mark (65swb45) said that might be more free play than he can fix. Looks like I have 3 choices:

1. Buy used manual box
2. Convert to mini truck P/S
3. Convert to Saginaw P/S

I've been reading up on this and still trying to decide. Not asking for a discussion on this yet

My budget is running out so I have been doing minor stuff like refurbishing the LandCruiser emblems, dash knobs, window hooks, etc.

Anyway, the good stuff... some pics showing some of the work needing to be done.

Kevin