Just Picked up a 72 FJ 40 - Need Advice

[Moto931]

Hi All, I am new to the site and can use some advice.

I just picked up a 72 FJ 40 for Dirt Cheap and would like to hear some advice from those out there with experience. I have had Jeeps and old Broncos in the past but always wanted an FJ.

the motor seems to run Tip-Top but the body seems to have some cancer. Not to worried about the rust just yet and am going to focus on the mechanical first.

here is what I have in mind to get it a little more road worthy, but don't know where to start for sure.

Springs/Lift/Bushings - HFS - How are they? Any other suggestions are welcome
Brakes/Axels - Do they need changed/where to start for Disk conversion and parts
Steering - Any help would be good - Poly Bushings Available? Other routes

In the future I would like to do the following:
Small Block Chevy with Auto Tranny - is the stock Transfercase/Drivelines/Axels strong enough for mild HP's (280)?
Power Steering
Disk Brakes
Fix Rust - New Fenders, Rear Gate and Seal - Who else knows what I will find.

Thanks for all of the help. I attached a picture.

Stu

 

[John Smith]

Welcome to Mud! Start your journey here. https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-seri...uestions-***-f-q-***-updated-28-jul-09-a.html And flip the bezel before the police show up.

 

[subzali]

here is what I have in mind to get it a little more road worthy, but don't know where to start for sure.

I would start with safety items first. Make sure your exterior lights work (including headlights, and interior lights), clean electrical connections (grounds and fuses), see if any gremlins pop up or go away after that. Then work with brakes (including hoses if they need replacing) and steering and get that up to snuff. If you're planning on doing discs and power steering you might consider just doing that up front and get it over with, but do your research so it's done right. Once your engine, brakes and steering are good then you can start playing

Definitely check out the FAQ section, there is an amazing amount of info there, and start planning your attack carefully. It looks like you have a great basis to work from, glad to see you're wanting to bring some life back into it!

Springs/Lift/Bushings - HFS - How are they? Any other suggestions are welcome

Many opinions, but HFS or OME would be my choice. In the mean time you can find used stock springs that may be in better shape than yours and go get you some bushings from a local spring shop and that will change the ride quite a bit.

Brakes/Axels - Do they need changed/where to start for Disk conversion and parts

Some people are ok with stock brakes, but they are non-adjusting drum brakes. Take the drums off and see if the cylinders are frozen so they can't adjust any more. If they're frozen it might be worth it to go to discs, based on costs. A common conversion is discs on the front, using the outer axle components from either an FJ60, later model 40, or minitruck. Rear disc conversions are available from TSM and others, are great but aren't quite as common. Well worth the money I understand.

Steering - Any help would be good - Poly Bushings Available? Other routes

If you're keeping the stock steering, check three things: play at steering box, play at center arm (just in front of grille on frame rail), play at rod ends. Whichever one is loose, either replace, rebuild, or tighten. TRE kits are available, center arms can be rebuilt, and steering boxes can be tightened to a certain point. Minitruck power steering is an easy conversion, replacing the steering box with a pressurized box, or Saginaw, FJ60, and Scout, etc. are other common options that require a little more work and fabrication.

In the future I would like to do the following:
Small Block Chevy with Auto Tranny - is the stock Transfercase/Drivelines/Axels strong enough for mild HP's (280)?

A lot of people run SBC engines in these trucks with stock components. They hold up well depending on the hp and the tire size.

Other things to do: check and make sure your pinion nuts are tight (especially the rear axle) - pull the rear driveshaft off and make sure it's cranked down and staked. Also if your steering knuckles are leaky then plan on a front axle rebuild in your near future (do a search on it, tons of info). Make sure your u-bolts are tight, steering arms are tight, and fluids are topped off and you should be good to go! You might consider flushing your fluids to start with - front and rear diffs, tranny, t-case, radiator, brakes and clutch. If the t-case is low/empty and the tranny is overfull, then the seal between them has probably gone bad, pumping t-case oil into the tranny. There are fixes for this to get you by until you pull them apart and replace the seal.

Do a tuneup, check the carburetor adjustments, get you a factory service manual (still available from Toyota), and start wrenching!

 

[centerlineseal]

I just finished my '72 (almost) after 2-1/2 years of rebuild-modifications. V-8, 5 speed, power steering, disk brakes, etc.

Hit the Faqs and read everything in them BEFORE you hit the trigger on anything.

Send me a PM and we'll get together here in Boise.

Welcome to MUD!

 

[Michael Hanson]

Welcome,change all fluids,belts,hoses.We like ome for suspension. Mike

 

[marks69cruiser]

If it is a driver, drive it. Fix the little most annoying stuff first. Enjoy what you have and dont start a project without buying everything including tools that you will need to finish the project. In my opinion the first and most important swap should be disc's up front. Good luck and post tons of pics!

 

[jkl72-40]

and flip your bezle... I know I still can't spell

 

[Silicon 70]

Bezel police is on duty