Just bought my first 40 and looking for ideas on where to start...

[angerhater]

get a new battery, lube the cylinders (examine the plugs too.), add some drygas to the tank, say a few prayers and video it when you crank it up....
I live in weddington if you need any help

 

[GarnerFJ40]

mate i dont belive scraping it because of the body, my suggestion would be:

-Buy yourself a decent MIG welder (not gasless)
-practice stick welding on some sheet metal same thickness, read up on welding car bodys (main thing is to not overheat the metal which will cause it to warp.)
-start taking off 1 panel at a time and start replacing all the rusted areas.

its not that difficult with a little practice, its very rewarding also, but first things first, drain all oils, fuids, everything, bleed everything, fill her up and get the car running, if it dosnt run then its not much use to you.... with only 44k miles, the outside may look a little rough but the inside will be great and thats what counts....

Ditto, same thing I'll start here shortly.

Lots of experience inside Olde North State Cruisers. Come join us on the Club pages, and we'll get you hooked up. Lot's of people in the Charlotte area, and lots of people across the state willing to do some traveling..

Good Luck

 

[DSRTRDR]

what are the two switches by the driver door for

 

[KingsFJ40]

No idea on the switches inside the door. I didn't even notice them until I was looking through my pictures that I took. I believe it has to do with the winch. Anyone have any thoughts on if this winch was stock or an added option on the 40's?

 

[JohnnyC]

yes thats the warn winch in cab controls...looks like this:

pic from rockjock82

 

[KingsFJ40]

Thanks Johnny C....now to get it to work....

 

[alberta mac]

You either learn how to work on it yourself if you really want to drive it or just sell it ! As previously stated '' they are simple to work on'' A labour of love. As this site is is nearly 95% labourists of love, not on working on others but there own and sharing knowledge.
Enjoy your new journey !

 

[alberta mac]

Looks like a nice rig ! Congrats ! get it going and drive it for the next year, then fix later, don't worry about cosmetics the first year ! Weather they are rough or pretty everyone notices a Cruiser ! Just enjoy !

 

[KingsFJ40]

Well, I was finally able to pull out the pressure washer and blast off over 35 years of dingles, moss, etc. growing on the 40. I pulled out everything Mr. King had inside (.22 casings, milk jugs, old spark plugs, a shovel, Legos, and numerous other oddities (farmer). I vacuumed out everything for about an hour and pulled out the old Toyota floor mat. The rear tub is shot. Holes at the bases of the roll bar and the rear sill is shot. I'll be looking for a 1/2 tub when the spring rolls around. Cowl and floor pans are in really good shape. I also took off the wench to rebuild (I know this seems WAY out of order, but I need to get my hands greasy before spring).

I went by and spoke with Johnny at Toyota Techs in Fort Mill, SC. Seems like a super good guy- planning on taking to his shop late Winter/early Spring to get on the lift. They had a couple of 40's and 60's in their lot which I checked out for a while....anyways...here are some pics....

Next step is to buy some used tires and pull her down to Charlotte.

 

[Tim71FJ40]

In case you ever decide to jump in for the full restoration... drive it for a while first and note everything, what works, what doesn't, etc.

Take thousands of before and during pictures. I promise you'll start putting it back together, pick something up, and say, "where the heck did that go?" Good before pics help a ton.

Same goes when you wire something and it doesn't work, well did it work before? Test it all and make notes before tearing it apart.

Mark every wire before disconnecting and pulling the harness out. Even if you go back in with a new generic harness (Painless, EZ, etc) you can trace through your old one to see how things were wired originally. Labeling all wires is invaluable.

 

[jmdaniel]

Take thousands of before and during pictures. I promise you'll start putting it back together, pick something up, and say, "where the heck did that go?" Good before pics help a ton.

Great advice, and in the era of digital photography, and great smartphone cameras, easy peasy!

 

[dspan]

I also took off the wench to rebuild (I know this seems WAY out of order, but I need to get my hands greasy before spring).

It came with a greasy woman?!?!

Damn, mine just came with a dirty old bag.

Sorry, couldn't resist. I call my winch, "the wench".

Looks like a great project. I was exactly there a year ago and would be glad to help if I could. My knowledge level is no where near the experts on this forum, but all the pain, suffering and part hunting is still fresh in my mind.

 

[KingsFJ40]

Been a couple months now, but finally made it back to the mountains (with the approval....(learning)) and put some new (used) shoes on the 40. Took a couple hours (thanks for the help Pops) and finished her up so that we can begin the transfer down to Charlotte to begin the work...hope to have her up on the rack by first of June.

One note (and need some help on direction to go), when I got the rear passenger wheel off, checked out the frame and noticed the rear frame outrigger(?) (diagonal piece going from frame to rear sill) is completely rusted through and shackle mount is rusted through....any ideas on welding back? 3/4 tub is going to be a must...I can see ground when inside....

Another note....found a good size snake inside the dash when I opened up the glove box....that was exciting....

...yeah...it's time to get working.....

 

[KingsFJ40]

couple more shots...bezel in process of the turn (first piece of advice I learned ), rust at rear shackle, and my help for the day.

 

[zags]

And never consider a frame off restoration until you purchase a second 40 to drive around while the other one sits in pieces.

Great advice!

 

[Cleg]

I bought my 40 to pull the body off and swap it onto my Isuzu truck but instead, 3 years later, am in the middle of a full restoration. It'll suck you in man. Don't look it in those big round eyes.

 

[Seth Evans]

good luck my friend!!!

 

[Seth Evans]

cleg!" true true true" never look her in the eyes...lol

 

[KingsFJ40]

Officially beginning the journey to the garage. Battery, lube, oil, belts, degreaser, etc. bought and let the fun begin. Looking for an exhaust manifold...any suggestions on new or used? Used seem few and far between if you can find them.

 

[FJsnoozer]

As stated before, Get her running spot on before you do anything to the body.

My best advice:
1. address brakes so you can stop. and rebuild the hubs if you are in there.

2. get the motor running tip top.

3. fix the front seats

4. drive it and enjoy it and all of the looks and compliments that you will get until you decide that you really want to tear it down.