Build Lucy the LC: 1970 FJ40 Rebuild

[Sparkman86]

I offer a more compact, all steel version of the master cylinder adapter that actually fits inside the firewall rib. No logos to grind off either. I just don’t seem to be doing a good job of marketing myself.

Damn. And I actually ordered some brake lines and carburator parts from you a few months ago too. Must have missed it on your website. More compact would be good. This one barely clears the choke breaker vacuum line.

 

[Sparkman86]

Decided to tackle the cluster to get it off the shelf so I didn't accidentally knock it off and break it.

One of the lamp holders was missing and apparently very difficult to source by itself. I decided to fix this with a non-intrusive upgrade and added some EL Wire like I'd seen in some other posts. I soldered it directly into the empty bulb wire and grounded to the housing.

I took all the gauges out, cleaned up and bench tested them. The odometer was really sticky with old grease so that was taken apart, cleaned up and reassembled with new synthetic grease. Since the motor rebuilt, I wanted to track miles on it since startup and reset the clock to 0's.

I polished up the housing, stripped the blue spray paint, repainted the speedo needle and used some double-sided tape to affix the inverter for the lights. The white-blue light really makes the gauges pop in the dark.

 

[Sparkman86]

I cleaned up the running boards and added some skateboard grip tape. Just couldn't justify the cost of the white pyramid grip, but still wanted something functional. New stainless screws to hold it down.

Installed the windshield I got from the rusty donor truck. The seal is in good condition, but I think I may have it upside down. Is the seam supposed to be at the bottom or does it matter?
Just for fun, I installed the Bestop bikini top. I didn't like the way their rail fit so I trimmed off a section in the middle to shorten it and bring the curves in to match the windshield frame. I drilled new holes in the rail to match the factory hard top threaded holes and it fits like a glove now.

Installed a $35 Kubota radiator bottle after drilling a new hole in its bracket to fit the radiator frame. Made a custom nerf bar out of a pool noodle to keep my wife's car door from banging into the side steps.

 

[Sparkman86]

Time to get some juice flowing through this thing. Fuse box is in good condition but needs some work.

I ran a soft brass wire wheel over the contacts and they cleaned up to nice shiny brass again. The cover was pretty rough but the CityRacer cover fit like a glove. Every fuse in the panel when I got it was 20A so those will be replaced with the right sizes.

 

[Sparkman86]

My front harness is 95% original, unmolested condition. So that's cool. Some of the plastic connectors are pretty roached and brittle and some of the bullet connectors are missing or cut off. I ordered a box of goodies from @Coolerman to fix it up. I also ordered a fusible link setup to add in since my year model didn't have one.

The original ignition switch had been replaced with a generic parts store switch. I replaced with a new Toyota switch and added a 4-pin connector to make it plug and play.

 

[Sparkman86]

I scored a box of OEM wire and gadgets that look to have come from a 71-72 truck. I have some sections of wire that are missing or cut/ripped too short at the connector and will use this to fix that up.

I lengthened the water and oil sensor, reverse switch and coil wires back to original spec. These had been cut or mangled by PO. Proper terminals and boots were installed for the wires that were missing or damaged. I added some new heat shielding for the engine sensor wires since the old stuff was hard and brittle. Also added a couple of enhancements like a fusible link and a bullet disconnect for the carb fuel cutoff to coil wire.

 

[Sparkman86]

I polished up all the brass connections and used an acetone soaked rag to scrub off any oil or grease caked on the wires. A couple of crusty connectors were replaced with new ones or from donors in the wire stash box I got. Front harness is complete and installed! Not connecting peripherals yet and will just hook up ignition and sensors while I get ready to start it up for the first time in 10+ years.

 

[RevISK]

I scored a box of OEM wire and gadgets that look to have come from a 71-72 truck. I have some sections of wire that are missing or cut/ripped too short at the connector and will use this to fix that up. View attachment 3990105
I lengthened the water and oil sensor, reverse switch and coil wires. Proper terminals and boots were installed for the sections that were missing. I added some new heat shielding for the engine sensor wires since the old stuff was hard a brittle. Also added a couple of enhancements like a fusible link and a bullet disconnect for the carb fuel cutoff to coil wire.
View attachment 3990165
View attachment 3990166
View attachment 3990167

Man, that is a score.

 

[Sparkman86]

With the new dual brake master and a PO hole already drilled above the ignition switch, I decided to add a little functionality upgrade. The box of gadgets I got had a two-wire red indicator light with it. I slightly enlarged the hole in the dash with a stepped drill bit and ordered this etched decal from redline cruisers. I'll still need to figure out the wiring and change the two-wire brake pedal switch to the 4-wire, but I remember seeing a write-up somewhere that explains how that wiring works.

Also cleaned up all the switches with contact cleaner and painted the dash knobs. It's the little things in life...