Introducing Myself & Rebuild Photos

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David70FJ40

David70FJ40

Older Than Most
10 Year
Joined
Oct 9, 2014
Threads
172
Messages
2,531
Location
High Point, NC
I joined MUD in Oct when I purchased my second FJ40. So I though it might be fitting if I introduced myself here in my home state.

I live in High Point and recently sold my business and have retired. I really miss working everyday!

I bought my first FJ40 in 1972, a used FJ40. I really got the 4WD bug then and experimented finding that FJ40 passed every test I threw at it. In the late 70's the 4WD clubs in NC, SC and VA joined to form the Mid-Atlantic 4WD Assoc and write a set of rules for racing that was the same from event to event. I ran that FJ40 for two years and had a ball. I eventually got out of racing and dropped a SBC and drove it for another year before I sold it. This is the only vehicle I ever regret selling.

So when I spotted another FJ40 on a used car lot I decided to inspect and then made a low-ball offer which the owner accepted. I bought it with my eyes wide open knowing it wasn't going to be a cheap ride.

Here is what I have done so far:
Replace blown head gasket, rebuild head, Weber carb, new alternator to replace the incorrect one, new water pump, hoses and radiator, 4 wheel disc brakes with new lines, Wilwood master cylinder, clutch disc, pressure plate, throw out bearing and pilot bearing, clutch master cylinder, replaced the 3 speed unsynchronized tranny with a 4 speed, headers from Man-A-Fre and new exhaust system, dual in and dual out FlowMaster muffler (a little more resonance than I would like), parts for the power steering conversion are on order as are body parts to fix the rust issues. I am currently working on removing 7 layers of paint before I take it to a shop to have the body panels replaced and the rusted areas removed. Once the rust areas are taken care of then a fresh coat of flat black paint. Then the interior will be worked on with the soft top repaired. A ton of work is yet to be done and I will have a dependable ride. Of course, all of you know this and what I am in the middle of.

Here is what I started with complete with cheap diamond plate covering the rusted areas. Rather than take care of the rust, the PO decided to cover over it.

70 TLC.webp


Here are the rusted areas.

DWS_1142.webp

DWS_1143.webp

DWS_1144.webp


Finally an overall view.
DWS_1141.webp



Suggestions welcomed.
 
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Hey. Welcome aboard! It's a great group of folks here with all kinda of interests and rides

I think we've spoken before by email. Was actually just wondering what happened to you and one other person that reached out to me and I didn't hear back from. Glad you popped in to say hello.

I'm in HP too and there are a few of us around from madison/stokesdale to asheboro to Winston. We need to get back on the monthly meetings and get together more.

I'm wondering if your not who a friend of mine spotted cruising down Johnson st a few weeks ago at lunch. He said topless stock and green .... Or we have another lurker to hunt down :)
 
You may know a member or two from your nc va race and riding days.

Sounds like your covering good ground so far. Keep us posted and keep your eyes in the classified section. One member is parting out a cleanish 72 right now if you need parts or panels.... His Mud name is RK
 
DWS_1145.webp
Forgot, engine bay
 
I was in the Triad 4WD Club that met in Greensboro. More jeeps than anything else so I was kind of an odd ball. I went by the CB handle Tojo and the announcers at the events called me a rolling beer can. Great fun and I lived my Walter Mitty dream.

Cruising down Johnson St, topless , green; yes that was most likely me. Even though the FJ isn't really ready for street driving, I just can't resist. It reminds me of the late 70's.

I am waiting on power steering parts now and hope I can get that completed before I take it to Tin Man in T'ville for the body work. RSCP should be shipping parts on Monday and I am waiting for Pacolonline to finish the floor so it can be installed at the same time. I am also looking for some good bucket seats and I saw a thread in MUD showing buckets out of a Sebring conv that looked promising.

I will post more photos as I get further along.
 
David70FJ40 said:
I was in the Triad 4WD Club that met in Greensboro. More jeeps than anything else so I was kind of an odd ball. I went by the CB handle Tojo and the announcers at the events called me a rolling beer can. Great fun and I lived my Walter Mitty dream.

Cruising down Johnson St, topless , green; yes that was most likely me. Even though the FJ isn't really ready for street driving, I just can't resist. It reminds me of the late 70's.

I am waiting on power steering parts now and hope I can get that completed before I take it to Tin Man in T'ville for the body work. RSCP should be shipping parts on Monday and I am waiting for Pacolonline to finish the floor so it can be installed at the same time. I am also looking for some good bucket seats and I saw a thread in MUD showing buckets out of a Sebring conv that looked promising.

I will post more photos as I get further along.
Click to expand...

From your Triad 4WD days .... Do you recall meeting at "The Grinder" on Battleground?
 
Forgive the foggy old brain, but I remember meeting at a day care on Wendover I believe then some meetings in High Point at a restaurant one of the members owned. I was across the street from the 4WD store I had. I believe I was about 15 years to early for a successful store.

I do remember a "Rice" who was from somewhere near Danville and drove a 4 banger Willys.
 
I remember the daycare.

Rice senior (handle Cheyanne Super) and Ann (Handle Firefly) are my dad (now passed) and my sister.

4 banger with Ann:

20150801_145109.webp




And with Rice senior:

20150801_145050.webp


I would not begin racing until 1982.
 
Wow! I remember the Willys and your Dad so well. I am sorry he isn't with us anymore. He was a genuine character!

He even took top eliminator a couple of times at the 100 yd drags. Those were FUN days! Nice to meet up again with some of him family.
 
Pleasure here as well. An official welcome to the club. Great folks here that are always eager to lend a hand.

Look forward to seeing the 40.

Rice

EDIT: The sebring buckets you mentioned are from my 40. Welcome to take a look at the install if it will help save time on your project.

PM inbound.
 
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Rice said:
Pleasure here as well. An official welcome to the club. Great folks here that are always eager to lend a hand.

Look forward to seeing the 40.

Rice

EDIT: The sebring buckets you mentioned are from my 40. Welcome to take a look at the install if it will help save time on your project.

PM inbound.
Click to expand...

Yes, in the near future I would like to see the Sebring bucket seats. I really like the idea of the seat belts being made with the seats. As for the meet and greet, please let me know so I can try to attend.
 
Forgot about car-part.com. Found two in Salisbury at LKQ, $80 each and I can imagine they aren't in very good shape but I expected to have them recovered anyway.
 
NCFJ - A big thanks! Just returned from Salisbury where I picked up the seats I was interested in. I had forgotten about car-parts.com and that was a big help.

Rice - Thanks for publishing your thread about installing the seats. That was a big help.

Both seats are now at the upholstery shop to be recovered in vinyl and get rid of the splotchy cloth. Remarkably both seats were in very good shape, just dirty, and will look terrific once recovered.

Seats.webp
 
That pic needed to be just a touch higher so we could enjoy the eye candy in the background.

The seat install thread is long on finished product and short on install details so will make a trip down to HP when you're ready.

You are really moving on this project! Can't wait to see it.

Rice
 
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