Builds Hard Ways - Rigger's 1969 FJ40

[Rigger]

The teardown continues . . .

 

[Rigger]

I had quite forgotten what a messy job it is to rebuild a front axle!

 

[Rigger]

More cleaning . . .

 

[Rigger]

 

[Rigger]

My default thoughts were to clean this axle up and paint it before putting it under the MP. But now I'm thinking, hey, the underside of the MP is gumpta and patina. Maybe I'll leave this axle unpainted so it sort of fits the decor.

What do you guys think?

 

[FJ40|RUNNER]

I'm trying to keep mine an honest old rig while fixing things along the way...my rule is if it's out I'm going to clean it up/repaint/restore. I figure there's nothing wrong with giving the rig another 40years component by component. The pretty paint will be apparent for a very short period of time anyway.

 

[Rigger]

This is the master cylinder and adapter that Marks Off Road supplied. It's heavy and solid.

 

[Rigger]

This MC doesn't have a push rod attached or included.

@65swb45 do you know what push rod I need?

 

[Rigger]

Not sure what these are for. They look like bleeders.

 

[Rigger]

I assume I hook the brake lines to these two ports.

 

[Rigger]

Or do I connect brake lines to these?

 

[Poser]

Brake lines attach to the large hex adapters that have orange plastic plugs in them.

The plugs on the bottom of the master cylinder are for the brake pressure switches.

The bleeder screws are just that; bleeders that will permit you to bleed the master cylinder while on the truck.

 

[65swb45]

This MC doesn't have a push rod attached or included.

@65swb45 do you know what push rod I need?

View attachment 1355952

Reuse your old pushrod. It is long enough.

 

[Rigger]

Reuse your old pushrod. It is long enough.

Thanks Mark!

 

[Rigger]

Brake lines attach to the large hex adapters that have orange plastic plugs in them.

The plugs on the bottom of the master cylinder are for the brake pressure switches.

The bleeder screws are just that; bleeders that will permit you to bleed the master cylinder while on the truck.

Steve: The openings on the bottom; do they need to be capped or plugged?

 

[65swb45]

Steve: The openings on the bottom; do they need to be capped or plugged?

Yes, they need to be sealed one way or another. If you don't want to use sensors I can send you a couple of cap screws. Are you still interested in the reflector and hood hook. I haven't pulled them off the karma cruiser yet. LMK

 

[Rigger]

I'm really liking this simple and compact master cylinder arrangement. No booster to deal with.

One thing that has me a little puzzled: Do I bolt the adapter to the firewall first? Or bolt the adapter to the master cylinder first? Either way, there's a few screw heads that become inaccessible and might prevent fully tightening. I guess I could add a tack weld to those screws to prevent them from turning. Or drill a few access holes in the firewall for those screws?

 

[Rigger]

Does anyone know the part number for the brake hose for backing plate eliminators?

I found BH38009 somewhere, is that the correct part?

 

[65swb45]

Attach the adapter plate to th firewall. I have never had an issue with the MC screws failing to tighten...and I run the identical unit on all four of my rigs.

 

[65swb45]

My default thoughts were to clean this axle up and paint it before putting it under the MP. But now I'm thinking, hey, the underside of the MP is gumpta and patina. Maybe I'll leave this axle unpainted so it sort of fits the decor.

What do you guys think?

Complete degrease is a must. Paint and hardware replacement optional.

My eye is drawn to hardware that is fully distinuishable from what it fastens by lack of grease. Sign of an owner who cares.