That looks similar to my carb from the air cleaner on top. Mines a weber its a fairly common one people replace the stock ones with. It's debated often on which carb is best. If yours is working I wouldn't mess with it unless you know carbs.
New member here, and a new owner of my first Cruiser. (I had an FJ cruiser, but that does not count) I recently purchased a 71 FJ 40, mostly original except the 4 speed transmission added prior to me owning her. I am deciding what to do with her, creating a plan and would appreciate the input of more experienced Cruiser owners. Given a blank canvas, would you restore to original, or modify for drivability? I added a couple photos, and I have the correct windshield in my garage waiting for matching paint.
My opinion? That one looks pretty original and clean. Id try to keep it that way. Its already got the 4 speed in it, what more creature comforts could you want? Disc brakes are over-rated. If you don't like the way it drives, either buy a jeep or buy one that isn't so nice and close to original and build it the way you want it. That one should be preserved.
After reading your first post, "........new owner of my first Cruiser. (I had an FJ cruiser, but that does not count)......" its obvious you "get it", and I have faith you will do the right thing.
The carb is a Weber. It was replaced last year, per the previous owner. Also the radiator was replaced at that time. It had a horrible vacuum leak at the base of the carb, has the two stacking plates over the manifold, bad gasket. Cheap fix. Also had rusty/loose exhaust. Got a new complete exhaust ran, cheap also. (unfortunately the tech ran into a large jack and dented the rear body on the way off the rack. They are paying for it when I get the time to take it to a body shop) The latest issue was the electric system shorted out while driving Friday night. No lights at all, blinkers, etc. so I have not driven it since. I priced out a new harness today, considering running an entirely new kit.
The latest issue was the electric system shorted out while driving Friday night. No lights at all, blinkers, etc. so I have not driven it since. I priced out a new harness today, considering running an entirely new kit.
Unless your harness is in horrible shape, which I doubt it is, I would advise against this. Running a new kit is much more time consuming than people anticipate. I don't think it will be difficult to figure out what is wrong with yours. There are plenty of people on here that can help if you post up more of your symptoms.
Welcome to the madness, money pit and addiction. Very nice early 40 you have there.
Mud member @Coolerman is selling all the parts you need to repair your harness. He also has all the wiring diagrams you need for your Cruiser.
I would tighten up what you have, fix the electrical gremlins and then do a few things to make it a little better driver, keeping the original parts in a box just incase. x2 on the disk brakes. Then I'd do an electronic ignition (DUI, or Mark's) which will wake the engine up a little bit and dial the Weber in. If you don't need a stereo, then drive it! Get it fixed as is then decide what you want to address. My $.02.
Depends on your personality. If you like more extreme outings then a modified one will be the route to go. As regards to the one you have, its too nice to modify. The one you have should be kept as original as possible. So drive it for a bit and fix little things back to original. After a bit, if you decide you want a modified one, buy one that is modified a bit and then you won't feel bad(and neither will we) that you chopped up a beauty.
Of course you can bring it back to it's original state etc etc, pump lots of money in it and then tuck it away as a classic car ready for it's weekly sunday morning ride.
Before you do that try to bounch your kidney's and lungs out together and get that special grim on your face as much as you possible can.
these are great machines as the are ,and will do stuff that you wont believe and keep on doing it for years .unless your a diehard rock crawler they dont need modded,my last offroad.tow rig,plowtruck fj40 lasted 35 years
