Builds Just had to treat myself for Halloween... 65 SWB

[DomSmith]

Times like that make everything else seem pretty unimportant.

My South African buddies I met in Mammoth went to school with his brother and they were shocked to hear the news.

 

[dmaddox]

Dom,

If it wasn't 300 below zero outside, I'd be in the shop. Anyway.....this is regarding the SD-40.

First, as you know they are pretty rare, but still out there. I was able to find a blue plate from Land Cruiser Specialties.

Anyway I bought two rebuild kits (glad I did). I screwed something up (may not have been my fault).

Here is mine (currently off the vehicle awaiting a fix)

Now, they are very simplistic and easy to build. Might I point out one thing here.

I rebuilt mine, it was super fun and easy. I plopped it on and when gas pumped through it, the rig fired right up.

I drove it for a couple of days and an issue developed. When I would step on the gas, it would stumble.

I checked everything, I pulled the top off, inside and out everything looked ok.

I have a D-40 carb that I rebuilt as well (from late 60's cruisers) and plopped that on there and took the SD-40 off.

After close inspection......here is what happened. You know the new accelerator plunger?

This thing:

Well, there is a groove that you will see that goes between the plunger hole and the carb bowl.

Keep in mind, I followed all the rules, soaked the plunger in oil, etc... (DON'T forget to do that).

If you don't adjust that plunger properly, the seal (leather part, or rubber depending on your rebuild kits contents) will catch on that groove.

What is the result? One of two things. Either 1, it will bend the "C" clip that clips onto the bottom of the carb and operates (pulls down) on the plunger. When bent, it will not (if at all) pull down the plunger to give you that squirt of gas as you first push the pedal. Or 2, the clip will come off all together.

On the SD-40's the upper part of the clip just sits in the hole, the bottom has a little clip on it.

I used a TINY drill bit and a cotter pin to secure it to the top as well, but in my case, the plunger caught on that groove and bent my clip:

You can see on the bottom how that "C" had been spread out, giving me the stumbling on acceleration issue. You can also kinda see how I secured it on the top. I guess in this case, better bent than missing.

Anyhow, check this out when you go to build your carb, and ensure you have the plunger setup correctly.

-Dallas

 

[DomSmith]

Made a more detailed HOW-TO on the dash knobs here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/267328-dash-knob-refurbish-how.html

 

[a.greenspan]

Made a more detailed HOW-TO on the dash knobs here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/267328-dash-knob-refurbish-how.html

Hi Dom,
thanks for this detailed description,
my knobs need some white paint
Cheers
Peter

 

[DomSmith]

So I have a few more tasks completed and a few in progress. The most notable is my new temporary seat...

I'm afraid it's going to lose a little of it's personality with the removal of the dirt infested, spring broken front seat but so it goes. This plastic bucket gets me in and out of the garage and even to the street on special occasions while the seats are at the upholstery shop. The new seats will be a replication of the OEM with the addition of seat heaters. I may keep the old crusty mat on the new drivers seat for posterity.


Cleaned out the ant/wasp/bee? nest that had been in one of the horns for... ever.

I also had the alternator rebuilt and picked it up today.

I had swapped in an old alternator (just to get me around) I had stashed in a milk crate for a few years while the other was being rebuilt. I made up a couple connectors that were attached to the original wiring harness and then slid onto the spades of the newer style alternator...

http://www.dominicsmith.com/1965_FJ45_Pics_6_files/Media/IMG_3391/IMG_3391.jpg

[IMG]http://www.dominicsmith.com/1965_FJ45_Pics_6_files/Media/IMG_3386/IMG_3386.jpg


Back to the original rebuilt without any wiring modifications...

I was having some overcharging issues with the original voltage regulator (spiked at 17v at high RPM) so I swapped in one from my 73 temporarily (using the temporary wiring method again) until I got a new one . It worked much better and then I installed the "new" one from Napa...

Turned out to be a crappy Taiwanese version as the type I need is no longer available from Toyota. 16.5+ volts out of this one too.

So I pulled the original apart as I had read that they never really go bad and I had read up in the FSM on how to adjust it. OUCH...

All the metal was white and oxidized but the points looked OK. I decided to clean up the points with some very fine sandpaper and see what happened. It couldn't get any worse... 14.5 volts at high RPM.

 

[DomSmith]

Also decided I REALLY needed to get my parking brake in order. It was adjusted all the way and would not hold the rig at all. I couldn't park on a reasonable hill even in gear without the rig rolling.

The final straw happened at work. The rig was idling behind another guys nice Acura TL (on flat ground I might add) and I walked inside for a minute or two while it warmed up. When I returned outside it had rolled up against his rear bumper and vibrated a nice silver mark on his white bumper...

Fortunately it rubbed out with a little effort.

So I got to replacing the shoes that I knew were worn. I drained the transfer case and pulled the rear drive shaft and brake drum...

There was a lot of what seemed like welded on goo that was a real treat to get off. Otherwise all the components were there and in decent shape aside from the shoes. So I pulled the seal as it had a very minor leak....

The drum shaft had a very minute groove worn in (couldn't even catch my nail on it) but I decided to give it a light rub with emery cloth anyway to be sure it was smooth. Then installed the new seal and went to work on the other components. After cleanup, the re-assembly did not go so smooth. I was lucky to have a spare complete assembly to look at while putting things back exactly as they should be.

The first thing I noticed was that the slots in the adjuster as well as the top pivot were narrower than the thickness of the new shoes. You can see here how thin the old shoe brackets are...

The new brackets were WAY too thick. No biggie I thought, I'd just grind them down where they meet the top pivot and lower adjustment piece...

I did this on each end of the shoe and I thought I had it dialed but realized they were not seating deeply enough, so back to the grinder. Once they fit in the slots I was home free... so I thought.

After trying to piece the levers to the shoes I realized the thickness was also affecting how they attached. I had to discard the small thin washers where the cotter pins are because the shoes were too thick. I eventually got it together and it seems to be much better and once I can drive it again I'll get it adjusted appropriately.

I'm not sure what brands are available for the shoes but I would say that FOR MY APPLICATION the KTC Brand was thicker than you would want and are not ideal.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Which seat heater kit are you going with?

 

[DomSmith]

24-

When I was having my 40 seats re-done I looked for a long time at seat heaters on ebay and just had a hard time pulling the trigger. There seemed to be a few different choices and everyone's was "the best" (go figure). After picking up my seats I mentioned it to my upholstery guy (small local shop) and he said he understood what I was talking about. He told me which type to consider and what NOT to get. Turns out he does all the local dealerships repair work and installs seat heaters on all the BM's and Merc's from the dealer.

He agreed to cut me a deal on the heaters (they're not $100 cheapies) since he was doing the seats and ordered 'em up. Knowing my mechanical skill level he assured me I could do the install no problem. Gave me some pointers and I was on my way. They have a small 3 position (off/seat/seat and back) switch that wires to ground and fused power. I've been meaning to post up a thread so maybe this is motivation enough.

He's putting these in the 45 as well... "Seat Comfort Systems" P#58864

 

[crusherboy]

Nice going Dom. You are taking care of all those little details I didn't like knobs, worn parking brake ... Sounds like I might be more likely to be the one breaking down at the FJ45 run this summer as compared to your detailed rig. I can't get over the fact that you are driving that all over the map, regularly. Wow.

Mike

 

[rockcod]

Seat Heaters!!!!!

What are you doing? What next, power windows and door locks

Looking good, Dom. Keep showing her the love!

 

[Bear]

I say go for the Power Hubcaps option, with the retro-inspired Hannah Montana sliding curtains.

Kidding aside, nice subtle upgrade for dem old bones.

 

[landcrusher909]

let me know when your going to do the rear main seal I have something special to install it I need an excuse to go to Dago

 

[DomSmith]

Sounds like I might be more likely to be the one breaking down at the FJ45 run this summer as compared to your detailed rig. I can't get over the fact that you are driving that all over the map, regularly. Wow.

Riiiiiiiiight. I don't think you'll be the one breaking down but thanks for trying to make me feel better... Glad to see you out of "lurk" mode.

Seat Heaters!!!!!

What are you doing? What next, power windows and door locks

I have to say that after putting them in the 40 it's hard to go back. My regular (nice) car doesn't even have them! I originally didn't think the heater worked so I decided on them. Now the heater works well but is quite noisy and the switch is a bit bastardized. So the heated seats stay.

I say go for the Power Hubcaps option, with the retro-inspired Hannah Montana sliding curtains.

Kidding aside, nice subtle upgrade for dem old bones.

Can't decide between a Spongebob or Hannah Montana steering wheel cover so I'll hold off for now... hmmmmmmm... sliding curtains...

let me know when your going to do the rear main seal I have something special to install it I need an excuse to go to Dago

Thanks Rob. Picking up all new OEM clutch parts Wednesday but it may wait until I return in late March. Damn, I thought I got a seal from Mark but now I don't remember. I still have a ton of parts that I haven't even touched yet.

 

[Grease Cruiser]

So I have a few more tasks completed and a few in progress. The most notable is my new temporary seat...

Gun rack on the dash..... gotta love it!!!! I didn't think that California was that bad these days? Maybe that's left over from the 80's?

Good work Dom. I really need to get going on my 45 SWB. I actually pulled mine out of the garage and drove it to the shop the other day. I hadn't started it in 2 months and it just fired right up like it had been driven yesterday. Nice work. Keep the progress report coming.

 

[merbesfield]

Is it just me, or are other people seeing this thread wider than most? It runs over my screen?

 

[1979fj40]

Im glad to see someone else actually using their cruiser while working on it rather than letting it sit for a couple of years while they tear it down the frame. What I wouldnt give for a 45 pu, they all seem to be on the other coast though. Nice work Dom.

 

[Hallmark]

The Sickness

Ok Dom after watching your thread and see the results, I pretty much need to get me an old white 45. Yes this is all your fault.. Your pretty much a mud crack dealer...

 

[legion]

mud crack

There has got to be a better way of wording this.

I agree though... very nice, Dom, and I like your "fix as you go" approach.

 

[miker]

Dom,

Nice find! Following your thread and getting some great ideas! Keep it up!

I noticed the picture from your post #1 and it looks like the firewall might be dented or pushed in in this area. Especially in the area of the lower right ID tag screw. Can you tell me if it is?

I'm curious because my 64 LWB firewall had a dent in this exact area and I couldn't see what might have caused it. I saw yours and it appears the same so now I'm wondering if its not a factory thing or perhaps a weak spot that wrinkles if the body was stressed in some way.

Thanks!

 

[calixto]

Let's see those seats.