Her 74 40

[sarca]

First off, Ive owned this 40 for exactly 2 weeks today. I was warned that I had no idea what I was getting into with my first 40. I was blind! But Im in love.
So here's my journey, for an ABSOLUTE BEGINNER. When I say ABSOLUTE, I mean I'd have to follow the owners manual to change the oil. Having my 1/74 FJ40 has provided me with one of my favorite hobbies - I love researching topics. I spend HOURS in the FAQ - (it really is worth reading again and again) But because I start off with NO mechanical knowledge ...well...for me even the FAQ is a much higher level than I understand..so I research the FAQ .
Its a crazy strange obsession .. Im a 40 year old woman..so dont be too hard on me..I dont ask TOO many questions because I enjoy figuring out how to do it. PLUS I have an amazingly mechanically minded guy I call 'the huz'..a retired Navy Corpsman who can fix anything.
So my descriptions of the work I do may be vague..or seem kindegarten - but thats what my thread is for. People like me.

SO, as soon as we got 'MeJane'. First thing we did was check the fluids.
Here in the FAQ where I found out what I needed

The oil was immediately changed, and I learned that to check the front and rear pumpkins - I need a socket that didnt come with my brand spanking shiny new tool set ..Thank goodness Advanceauto AND Autozone are less than 2 miles from my house.

Both pumpkins when opened had some drainage, but I topped them both off.

The battery was just sitting, so we picked up a battery tray and anchored it in.
During this the huz jostled the fuel pump (an aftermarket electric one) and the decaying fuel line began to drip gasoline.
Back to advance auto.
I learned how to bleed the clutch, the reservoir was empty - but there were no leaks.
The drum brakes had been sitting for awhile and we quickly learned that they needed adjusting. I decided to pay someone to do it..mostly because I was afraid of screwing up something this major. After a day at the shop 'meJane' came back with drum brakes that worked, and I drove her to work.



Today, I began working on the rust..overall not near as bad as some Ive seen...but Im no professional. I decided since the undercarriage looks pretty darn good, I start with the interior. Pulled out the floor mats..this is what I saw
The passenger side took all of 15 minutes...so naturally I did the 'easy' side first


Maybe someone can tell me what this rubbery stuff was on the driver side - but based on what common sense I have and the difference of appearance I figured the rubber was bad and I peeled it all off.

 

[sarca]

Scraping off the 1/2 inch thick rubbery stuff - I discovered I was indeed on the right path

After two hours I decided that learning how to use POWER TOOLS would help this side.. Here's how I finished the day

On my list for the next week..
1.Continue on the driver side rust
2.Work on a spot in the tub (no holes..)
3.Finding shocks and needed associated hardware-we're pretty sure she still has the original shocks..I checked out the local dealer and he gave me set of numbers for everything. I decided NOT to purchase from them - especially since cruiserdan is so well regarded here on Mud
4. Go through all the parts and pieces we got from the PO today - most of which I cannot identify (i did however recognize the distributor cap)

Wish Me Luck!

 

[DSRTRDR]

people who have them love their Bilstein shocks - just sayin'

my truck had the some of the same black stuff on the driver's side - I suspect it was meant as a heat or noise barrier

have fun

 

[handcannon]

Looking good there! The rust showing so far really appears to be minor. Hopefully the rest of the body is no worse for rust.

Another area to look closely into is keeping exterior water out, as in rain. Make sure the rain gutters are still sealed, the window and door gaskets don't leak, etc.

Don

 

[My71FJ40]

Looks good, Nice start. Pretty soon you'll know every nic and cranny

 

[Roboosfj40s]

Nice rig!! And we all had to start somewhere. I am not aware of anyone that was born knowing everything ha ha! Learn and enjoy and never be afraid or shy to ask questions. I have to ask, Is that a DICK's Pawn Shop sign in the background of the 1st pic?

Rob

 

[nspctr1]

Good Looking rig,. I had a set of bilstein shocks on one of my other 40's and liked them. It's not going to ever give you a cadillac ride but then again, it's not a cadillac! On the mat on the ds floor, my 75 had it there and I agree that it is most likely a heat barrier. One thing you may want to check is the floor under the fuel tank. You will have to pull the ps seat to get to it but that is a good place for rust to hide and start and it will eat your fuel tank up.

GL

 

[Wayneraintree]

She's a beauty! It's fun to follow your progress, thanks for sharing. Looks like a decent start!

 

[juanchogaviria]

Nice, congrats, clean floors!

 

[Copenhagen1]

......I have to ask, Is that a DICK's Pawn Shop sign in the background of the 1st pic?

Rob

I am pretty sure it is Dick's Sporting Goods. It is a chain store that we have in Texas as well.

MeJane looks awesome! Great find! I think you will do a fantastic job with her.

A slight word of caution..... Do the mechanical repairs first. Get that truck running flawlessly and dependably first. It will be easier to do the mechanical stuff if you are not having to worry about scratching a new paint job. Also, it is very satisfying to spend several hours repairing the cooling system for example, when you know you are going to get to drive it that evening.

Driving the 40 is the rewarding part and I have seen new owners bring their trucks home and completely dismantle them, only to lose interest because it became overwhelming. They did not spend enough time experiencing the 40 before dismantling it.

Small projects first then progressively bigger. Try to keep it operable as much as possible for as long as possible because driving it is what you bought it for in the first place.

Good luck.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[bsevans]

Personally, I would replace all the fluids. Water is heavier than oil and I would want to check the quality of the oil that comes out. I think you should replace the oil in the engine, tranny, transfer case and both axles. I would also flush the radiator and put fresh coolant in. If you look at my ROTW you can see where you can put a flush kit in that Prestone makes.

 

[DSRTRDR]

I have to ask, Is that a DICK's Pawn Shop sign in the background of the 1st pic?

Rob

I am pretty sure it is Dick's Sporting Goods.

/this\

Driving the 40 is the rewarding part and I have seen new owners bring their trucks home and completely dismantle them, only to lose interest because it became overwhelming. They did not spend enough time experiencing the 40 before dismantling it.

/this\ x a gazillion

 

[scott johnson]

Pick up a 4.5 inch angle grinder and a knotted cup brush. It will save a ton of one with rust removal . You should also check out clubs in your area. ONSC is a good group.

 

[custyota]

scott she already joined onsc. now shes stuck with us goobers!

 

[CLK Foxhall]

Sounds like you've found your hobby - Enjoy!


Cheers!
~CLK

 

[JohnVee]

Personally, I would replace all the fluids. Water is heavier than oil and I would want to check the quality of the oil that comes out. I think you should replace the oil in the engine, tranny, transfer case and both axles. I would also flush the radiator and put fresh coolant in. If you look at my ROTW you can see where you can put a flush kit in that Prestone makes.

I wish I had done all fluids when I got mine 18 months ago, but they had all just been done by a reputable shop here in town and I had the receipt to show it (along with a ton of other work). New seals, too, so nothing leaked and still doesn't. BUT, now that I'm trying to track down a problem I really wish I had done it myself for a good baseline reading. I'd never done t-case and tranny fluids before but it's so easy. I wish I knew if the magnets on the drain plugs were clean or not when I got it. I'm gonna try to do the diff's next week for my first time. Oh, my dog hates the smell of gear oil and wouldn't come near me for a few days. My wife, either. Take pictures of everything as you dismantle, clean and reassemble - I think you're the type that will do it anyway - and you'll have a good record for the next time you have to do it...I always wonder what a part looked like last time.

--john

 

[sarca]

Looks good, Nice start. Pretty soon you'll know every nic and cranny

No doubt..Ill have no choice!!

Nice rig!! And we all had to start somewhere. I am not aware of anyone that was born knowing everything ha ha! Learn and enjoy and never be afraid or shy to ask questions. I have to ask, Is that a DICK's Pawn Shop sign in the background of the 1st pic?

Rob

Ahhh..youre a wiseman..I think the only intimidating factor in this endeavor is that I'm in 'kindergarten' but most people here talk like mechanical college graduates..thank goodness Im stubborn!!

Good Looking rig,. I had a set of bilstein shocks on one of my other 40's and liked them. It's not going to ever give you a cadillac ride but then again, it's not a cadillac! On the mat on the ds floor, my 75 had it there and I agree that it is most likely a heat barrier. One thing you may want to check is the floor under the fuel tank. You will have to pull the ps seat to get to it but that is a good place for rust to hide and start and it will eat your fuel tank up.

GL

The only caddy I even LIKE is that monster V10...and I only want to drive it..not own it ha ha
The passenger side under the gas tank is on the next two weeks' agenda..thanks!

She's a beauty! It's fun to follow your progress, thanks for sharing. Looks like a decent start!

I guess things worked out exactly the way they were supposed to..I didnt think Id ever love a vehicle .. its romantic, and dirty all at the same time

Nice, congrats, clean floors!

Thanks!

I am pretty sure it is Dick's Sporting Goods. It is a chain store that we have in Texas as well.
MeJane looks awesome! Great find! I think you will do a fantastic job with her.
A slight word of caution..... Do the mechanical repairs first. Get that truck running flawlessly and dependably first. It will be easier to do the mechanical stuff if you are not having to worry about scratching a new paint job. Also, it is very satisfying to spend several hours repairing the cooling system for example, when you know you are going to get to drive it that evening.
Driving the 40 is the rewarding part and I have seen new owners bring their trucks home and completely dismantle them, only to lose interest because it became overwhelming. They did not spend enough time experiencing the 40 before dismantling it.

Small projects first then progressively bigger. Try to keep it operable as much as possible for as long as possible because driving it is what you bought it for in the first place.
Good luck.

Agreed on all counts. The first two or three days I felt extremely overwhelmed, especially since we dont have a garage! I have no intentions of doing a frame off resto - and thanks to the PO being a mudder...she's in pretty darn good condition and reliably drivable!

Personally, I would replace all the fluids. Water is heavier than oil and I would want to check the quality of the oil that comes out. I think you should replace the oil in the engine, tranny, transfer case and both axles. I would also flush the radiator and put fresh coolant in. If you look at my ROTW you can see where you can put a flush kit in that Prestone makes.

Good call...and we did it in the first 48...the 'huz' wouldnt let me drive it until we did!

Pick up a 4.5 inch angle grinder and a knotted cup brush. It will save a ton of one with rust removal . You should also check out clubs in your area. ONSC is a good group.

For some girly reason, I call them 'ankle grinders'...cant stop doing it...so thats the word now..

scott she already joined onsc. now shes stuck with us goobers!

ONSC rocks

Sounds like you've found your hobby - Enjoy!

Cheers!
~CLK

Backatcha

 

[sarca]

I wish I had done all fluids when I got mine 18 months ago, but they had all just been done by a reputable shop here in town and I had the receipt to show it (along with a ton of other work). New seals, too, so nothing leaked and still doesn't. BUT, now that I'm trying to track down a problem I really wish I had done it myself for a good baseline reading. I'd never done t-case and tranny fluids before but it's so easy. I wish I knew if the magnets on the drain plugs were clean or not when I got it. I'm gonna try to do the diff's next week for my first time. Oh, my dog hates the smell of gear oil and wouldn't come near me for a few days. My wife, either. Take pictures of everything as you dismantle, clean and reassemble - I think you're the type that will do it anyway - and you'll have a good record for the next time you have to do it...I always wonder what a part looked like last time.

--john

Differentials? SIGH. Guess Ill be looking that one up too

Wait till you see the 57 pics Ill in the next hour on the clubhouse..57 pics of random parts and pieces..most of which I cant even identify.. Maybe Ill make it "guess-this-piece-and-Ill-buy-you-a-beer-next-time-I-see-you-game"

I dont think these golden retrievers would let the smell of gear oil detract them from insisting on being loved!

 

[krzyabncanuck]

Only 57, post em up over there or here.

 

[krzyabncanuck]

Recheck your link that you just put up in ONSC.