Builds Found an Arabian FJ40 (1 Viewer)

[Michael B]

So shiny! I like it!!

 

[Living in the Past]

Decided to commute by 40 today… such a pleasant driver. And the 40 easily fits in the compact parking spots.

View attachment 3214534

I bought a set of split rims longer ago than I can remember. Never installed and if I did would only be on my FJ45. I was lucky to find a spare tire winch setup from an 84 troopy. The 65 FJ45 spare setup left a lot to be desired. Lifting a spare onto back carrier on a FJ40 is beyond what I am willing do today. I also wonder the extra strain the the tub over the stock 15" wheel used here in the US. I have a fondness for these rims.

Requires an inch spacer on the front axle and used one with the spare. These rims weight far less than the steel split rims. Unless you pound on the rocks to bend a rim aluminum is find. Not a permanent change and easy to go back to stock.

 

[Honger]

Been driving her a lot more again... she's back in my driveway now and I did a thorough washing recently.

 

[RevISK]

Fun read.

 

[Honger]

My brake booster recently gave up the ghost... it was the original 1977 part. We restored it during the truck's Resto and even preserved the original part tag. When I upgraded to front discs and replaced the brake master some suggested I just replace the booster. But it was working and it had that cool part tag. And it's given me 10 years of service, so not too bad.

Here it is, retired at 47 years of service.

Still so pretty looking.

And it's out...

Snagged a new one from CityRacer. Set all of the adjustments to match the old booster and dropped it in.

Holy cow what a difference! I think mine must have been degrading in performance over time... because the brakes are amazing now.

Huge thanks to @Racer65 for offering these parts to keep our trucks on the road.

 

[RevISK]

I should probably do this proactively as I just randomly decided to replace my booster hose and my brakes are way better all of a sudden. Just trying to track down possible vac leaks and this hose looked suspect.

 

[Honger]

I should probably do this proactively as I just randomly decided to replace my booster hose and my brakes are way better all of a sudden. Just trying to track down possible vac leaks and this hose looked suspect.

Wouldn't hurt to have the CityRacer part sitting on the shelf for when that day comes.
I checked vacuum on the hose when the problems first started... 16-20 psi of vacuum, so no issues there. A quick Mityvac test of the booster showed it was the problem.

 

[RevISK]

Wouldn't hurt to have the CityRacer part sitting on the shelf for when that day comes.
I checked vacuum on the hose when the problems first started... 16-20 psi of vacuum, so no issues there. A quick Mityvac test of the booster showed it was the problem.

I’m showing a steady 17.5 but I’m at a whopping 660’ so I feel like it should be higher. I’m desmogged so not too many culprits.

Having a spare booster ready to rock is sound advice, especially with this honker in here:

 

[Chungas Revenge]

My brake booster recently gave up the ghost... it was the original 1977 part. We restored it during the truck's Resto and even preserved the original part tag. When I upgraded to front discs and replaced the brake master some suggested I just replace the booster. But it was working and it had that cool part tag. And it's given me 10 years of service, so not too bad.

Here it is, retired at 47 years of service.
Still so pretty looking.
And it's out...
Snagged a new one from CityRacer. Set all of the adjustments to match the old booster and dropped it in.

Holy cow what a difference! I think mine must have been degrading in performance over time... because the brakes are amazing now.
Huge thanks to @Racer65 for offering these parts to keep our trucks on the road.

That’s a good run…

 

[Chungas Revenge]

I should probably do this proactively as I just randomly decided to replace my booster hose and my brakes are way better all of a sudden. Just trying to track down possible vac leaks and this hose looked suspect.

I’m launching a preemptive upgrade soon.

@Honger your old booster is Toyota Art Du Jour, worthy of enshrinement on the garage wall, office, den or man cave. I bet the Mrs would enjoy a night stand lamp made from an old booster..


I have boxes of old parts I can’t seem to part with…. you never know, someday I might need a set of worn out leaf springs, old shocks or a vintage 15” tire..

 

[Honger]

So I drove the 40 for, by far, the longest duration in the seat. A bit over 6 hours up to NM... and a bit over 5 hours back to AZ.

My daughter and I participated in the FJ40 Cross-Country Expedition, meeting up with @mesa man and @Mesa Woman to pass off the original Briefcase baton. You can read our portion of the Travelogue here. More good stuff from the mesa's here.

I won't retell the Travelogue story here which was more about the journey and participating in the relay. I'll focus on the 40 here. And probably wax nostalgic a bit on the time with my daughter.

Thoughts on the 40:

1. I need to install the OME springs and Bilstein shocks ASAP. The old suspension is tired. And loaded up with gear my rear was sagging pretty good.'
2. I need to upgrade the alternator... mine is either a 25A or 35A. With headlights and windshield wipers it struggled to keep up. I also had the fridge/freeze plugged in and a phone charger. When I put the fog lights on it was even worse. Believe it or not we got hit with some very dense fog for about 15 minutes. Anyway, I need "more power"!
3. If I'm going to do this again I need to get the spare gas can rigged up as well as, maybe, a roof rack. Certainly if I'm ever going to take it camping with more than just two people (not likely since I have the Troopy).

On with photos.

Driving in northern Arizona

In camp in Pie Town, NM...

Woke up to snow!

Great shot by mesa woman...

For my daughter waking up to snow was like a fairytale. She was quite proud of her snow creature (she said it was a reindeer, but it wasn't the perfect consistency for molding)...

And handing off the briefcase.

A great trip.

 

[Honger]

This trip was one week after my daughter's ninth birthday, and just by happenstance it was our first daddy/daughter camping trip. I'll be planning more for sure now.

She's my youngest kiddo, and the only girl. Spoiled a bit. But the drive gave me time to reflect... and I spent time pulling up old photos of her with the Cruisers. She loves the 40 and she has forbidden selling it. She's grown up with it and would pick it every time we drive somewhere if she could.

I'm a rich man to have been able to make so many treasured memories with this little girl and my Cruisers.

Her first campout, via 80-series, at 6 months old.

Playing in the 40 before it was restored.

Desert ride in the 40 after it was restored.

Helping me work on the 80-series.

Riding in the 40 and making faces.

And a happy passenger on this recent trek.

 

[Michael B]

What a great father and daughter trip! The Mesa’s are great people to camp with as well.

 

[cbmontgo]

 

[Bear]

You're her hero, Joel ! Good job, man !! Rich indeed.

 

[MOTOV8R]

And a happy passenger on this recent trek.

That grab bar! Love it!

 

[Honger]

It’s been awhile… man, a long while.

Been enjoying the 40 a lot over the winter here in Phoenix. Still love driving it.

Hit up a coffee shop this afternoon to finish up some work. Got back to my 40 and found the telltale sign of a flat bill Jeep-bro…

It is NOT going on my dashboard. I didn’t realize this could spread to Toyotas.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

It is NOT going on my dashboard. I didn’t realize this could spread to Toyotas.

It can’t; it won’t; don’t start.

 

[Bear]

Gotta excuse him--the poor Jeeper thinks your 40 really IS an old Jeep version he's never seen in his short life !

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

...I'm a rich man to have been able to make so many treasured memories with this little girl and my Cruisers.

Yes, you're a reach man Joel (for the reasons mentioned above by our brother @Bear)!

Best Easter wishes
Demetrios
(Once a MidEast expat too!)