Hi H8Mud'ers,
I have been reading some of the threads here, but decided to join since I currently have my dad's 72 FJ55 that I want to work on a little before we have to end up selling it. I'd like to keep it, but I currently have 5 other cars, and I just don't have the room. It was garaged for about 10 years, and the last 6 years my dad didn't drive it and sadly has Alzheimer's. and Dimentia, otherwise is healthy and is able to walk, feed himself, and have conversations, but he will keep asking the same questions and doesn't know what year or day of the week, or the current date is, and other lack of knowing about current events.
I think my dad had owned this since the early 90's or late 80's, he bought the vehicle and had the engine rebuilt, and then he drove it on a trip to Alaska and back. The car was already repainted (poor respray) when he bought the vehicle. My dad tried to maintain the vehicle but I think as he got older and memory problems affected his ability to work on the vehicle, so he just parked in the garage and there it sat.
I helped my dad get settled in a board and care home, as well as had to do a remodel on his house to get it ready to sell since he is unable to live there without 24 hour care. Then I started to slowly work on getting the pig road worthy so we can eventually sell it.
I replaced the battery and the VR because there was a problem with the battery not properly charging. I also drained the radiator and replaced the upper and lower rad hoses, also new oil filter and oil were done.
I had to replace the front brakes as the wheel cylinders were leaking, I also replaced the brake MC with an AISIN unit. There was a badly worn brake line that came off the front frame and connects at the front axle that I also replaced. After bleeding, adjusting, and adjusting the pedal, the pig now stops much better. I still need to replace one of the rear WC that was also slightly leaking, but for now the brakes work.
I noticed that the engine is leaking oil from the rear (probably the rear main seal). I will replace that when I do the clutch which I am planning to do next. That brings me to my question about buying a replacement clutch. I was thinking of buying an Exedy replacement clutch kit and have the flywheel resurfaced. If, not the Exedy then any suggestions are welcomed.
I also, noticed that the left front hub is loose and does wobble a bit, and I will repair that soon too. Any info or suggestions on doing the front hubs is also welcomed. The suspension is kinda bad and the leaf springs are in need of replacing too. The back window seems to work, but does need help going up and down (need to service this too).
The worst part of the FJ55 is the body and rust, but not super terrible rust, and the roof is mostly rust free, overall, it seems to be a good foundation for resto-modding.
I did take a bunch of pictures of the Pig and they are on Google Photos.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/e0wapVd5lxhVr5Yk2
I have been reading some of the threads here, but decided to join since I currently have my dad's 72 FJ55 that I want to work on a little before we have to end up selling it. I'd like to keep it, but I currently have 5 other cars, and I just don't have the room. It was garaged for about 10 years, and the last 6 years my dad didn't drive it and sadly has Alzheimer's. and Dimentia, otherwise is healthy and is able to walk, feed himself, and have conversations, but he will keep asking the same questions and doesn't know what year or day of the week, or the current date is, and other lack of knowing about current events.
I think my dad had owned this since the early 90's or late 80's, he bought the vehicle and had the engine rebuilt, and then he drove it on a trip to Alaska and back. The car was already repainted (poor respray) when he bought the vehicle. My dad tried to maintain the vehicle but I think as he got older and memory problems affected his ability to work on the vehicle, so he just parked in the garage and there it sat.
I helped my dad get settled in a board and care home, as well as had to do a remodel on his house to get it ready to sell since he is unable to live there without 24 hour care. Then I started to slowly work on getting the pig road worthy so we can eventually sell it.
I replaced the battery and the VR because there was a problem with the battery not properly charging. I also drained the radiator and replaced the upper and lower rad hoses, also new oil filter and oil were done.
I had to replace the front brakes as the wheel cylinders were leaking, I also replaced the brake MC with an AISIN unit. There was a badly worn brake line that came off the front frame and connects at the front axle that I also replaced. After bleeding, adjusting, and adjusting the pedal, the pig now stops much better. I still need to replace one of the rear WC that was also slightly leaking, but for now the brakes work.
I noticed that the engine is leaking oil from the rear (probably the rear main seal). I will replace that when I do the clutch which I am planning to do next. That brings me to my question about buying a replacement clutch. I was thinking of buying an Exedy replacement clutch kit and have the flywheel resurfaced. If, not the Exedy then any suggestions are welcomed.
I also, noticed that the left front hub is loose and does wobble a bit, and I will repair that soon too. Any info or suggestions on doing the front hubs is also welcomed. The suspension is kinda bad and the leaf springs are in need of replacing too. The back window seems to work, but does need help going up and down (need to service this too).
The worst part of the FJ55 is the body and rust, but not super terrible rust, and the roof is mostly rust free, overall, it seems to be a good foundation for resto-modding.
I did take a bunch of pictures of the Pig and they are on Google Photos.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/e0wapVd5lxhVr5Yk2
