Build Hard Ways - Rigger's 1969 FJ40

[Rigger]

This is my third FJ40. First was a derelict 1970 that had been hit while parked, second was a 1977 with a bad paint job. I liked the 1970, and should not have sold it. I never warmed up to the 1977, but should not have sold it, either, but for a different set of reasons.

I got this one from the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum in Salt Lake City. Ad here:

For Sale: - SOLD 1969 FJ40, Land Cruiser Heritage Museum collection.

This will be my build, resto, and documentation thread. I'll need your help along the way, so thanks in advance.

Here I am about to make the drive from my home in Sheridan, WY, down to SLC. I borrowed my buddy's trailer - he's always a big help to me.

Here's CDan bringing the truck out to get it on the trailer.

And here we are, strapped and almost ready to roll out to head home.

 

[Rigger]

Anyway, a busy few days getting the truck home. It was cool and wet at home, so it was a few days later before I started thinking through what exactly I am going to do, what gets rebuilt, what gets replaced, and in what order.

This thing spent some time in the museum, so it's literally a museum piece. So, it became MP40. I think one of my boys came up with that.

 

[myquestoyota]

Heck, looks like a driver to me but I enjoy driving mine so much I can't hardly stand to park it. Still looking for one to tear into but yours looks good man, enjoy.

 

[Rigger]

I think this truck needs some carb work. It doesn't start easily, and when it does get running, it seems to idle kinda high. If anyone has any suggestions on what I could do to improve the way it runs, please post 'em up.

Here's a couple of carb pics:

 

[Rigger]

The brakes work fairly well after pumping them a few times. Must be a bad master cylinder. And the peeled paint and puddle of brake fluid in the driver foot well are also indicators of a bad master cylinder. So, do I replace the old single circuit master cylinder with an identical one, and just run the old drum brakes? Or do I go straight to a four wheel disc conversion? Still mulling that over. I have already started collecting parts for the four wheel disc setup, so that's where I'm headed.

 

[Rigger]

First mod:

 

[Rigger]

The truck has a PTO winch that I think I am going to remove. I did a bunch of reading on PTO winches and I learned that I will need a PTO cover plate. Already searching for one. Then I got under the truck and, surprise, it's one of those odd PTO setups that mounts to the rear of the transfer case, NOT to the side. Very hard to get a good picture of it.

 

[Rigger]

Once I remove that doohickey on the back of the transfer case, I think I will need one of these:

Not one of these:

(These are not my pics - I just grabbed them off of Google)

@3_puppies do you have one of those rear covers?

 

[Rigger]

Here are the seats. Not original - they've been reupholstered. I'm planning on trying the SOR seat reupholstery kit. That will be new ground for me. I've never done any of that type of work.

 

[Rigger]

So my work list is:

Carburetor
Brake Master
Clutch Master
Hood side hooks
Hood windshield pads
Seat upholstery
Leaf spring bushings
Misc hardware

 

[airon23]

Very nice rig! Good luck. I'll be watching

 

[3_puppies]

interesting connection on the temp guage.

that's a Ramsey PTO, I've got those covers also.

I'd probably start with a tune up, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, points, condenser, filters.

change the clutch slave along with the master. If going with the disc upgrade, it would be best to upgrade to a dual circuit.

 

[Rigger]

Has anyone done a four wheel disc conversion with a non-boosted master cylinder? Could such a thing be done and provide good performance?

 

[JohnnyC]

Ramsey is/was a fairly common setup

Dealers even put them on

X2 on getting the basic tuneup stuff don't first ... then if not performing as you think it should the carb most likely needs a rebuild

I have heard of guys doing 4wheel disc on nonboosted ... but... they do it on the dual reservoir masters ... not a single like you have

I had a friend loose his single line and had to put his truck into a tree to save it from rolling out of control backwards when he was going up a hill/steep incline

What is your intensions for the truck?

 

[3_puppies]

Has anyone done a four wheel disc conversion with a non-boosted master cylinder? Could such a thing be done and provide good performance?

for some reason I was thinking some had used a corvette master from the mid 70's, non boosted 4 wheel disc.
might be in FAQ

 

[Living in the Past]

My 70 reminds my a of lot your 69 right down to the Ramsey PTO winch. Probably remove it down the line and install a Toyota PTO winch. Got lucking a original owner installed the winch knob to the bottom of the dash not the face. Like slowing fixing things and bringing back to closer. After finally taking the time redo my 68's brakes right I can lock up all four wheel and not have pull to either side. Haven't had to do anything to the 70's brakes.

 

[Rigger]

@JohnnyC asks what my intentions are; I plan to fix what can be fixed, replace what can't be fixed, try to get it back to stock, all while keeping it budget-friendly. If anyone has suggestions, I'd like to hear them.

@Living in the Past that's a nice rig!

 

[lc69hunter]

My 69 only had a single barrel carb when I got it. You are lucky.

As for non-boosted disc brakes, a lot of people do it with a 94 FJ80 master cylinder. I elected to boost mine.

BTW, good looking rig

 

[Living in the Past]

My 69 only had a single barrel carb when I got it. You are lucky.

That is a 3/69-9/69 two barrel carburetor. Only pre 2F in the US market that has the stud on top. I had one years ago but haven't seen it in a long time. It also has same time period air cleaner. If your one barrel was stock it's from before 3/69 and won't have the VIN/data plate on the driver's A pillar.

 

[lc69hunter]

That is a 3/69-9/69 two barrel carburetor. Only pre 2F in the US market that has the stud on top. I had one years ago but haven't seen it in a long time. It also has same time period air cleaner. If your one barrel was stock it's from before 3/69 and won't have the VIN/data plate on the driver's A pillar.

Yeah, mine was a 3/69 and didn't have the plate on the pillar. Probably one of the last off the assembly line in that configuration. Ah, memories...