Lucy the LC: 1970 FJ40 Rebuild (4 Viewers)

[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.