Builds Marion Rising: 1974 FJ40 FST (1 Viewer)

[thebigredrocker]

I had the same exact question in 2016. @JohnnyC posted this 1966 3sp

My 71 3sp has a factory PTO and a P in the code

@Jdc1’s early 4sp he posted

Very cool to read about another 40 being saved and watching someone else get hooked. I have a decent inventory of shop liquids(2 storage racks jammed full). Not sure where I will put the deoxit but thanks for the tip

Heads up on the now exposed dash pad support frame. If it gets inadvertanly leaned on or grabbed too often, the spot welds will give out.

 

[MadMace]

I have been able to get some work done on Marion despite a devil of a work week. I have to say, working on Marion helps melt away some of the frustrations of the 7:30-5 job.

Been working to get the the gas tank back in, so then I can get the seats back in and start driving her again. When we pulled the gas tank out, saw quite a bit of surface rust.

Started with this

Got it to this with some CLR, elbow grease, and Ospho

Taped off, ready to paint. Yes, I have OCD and I like clean lines, hence the pinstripe tape.

Have this awesome helper. I swear he has the most contagious smile and laugh. He makes this project super fun.

As I watched him paint, he was so meticulous, painting in each raised area before going to the next.

 

[MadMace]

Ended up with this. I have a few areas that I am going to have to sand down after it dries. Did 3 total coats. Not too bad for a couple of rookies.

 

[MadMace]

We have also been working on the switches. Had good success with the E-Brake switch so figured we'd get after the other switches as well. Of particular interest was the "lights" switch. It was functioning pretty well but sometimes the side marker lights would go off when the headlights were switched on. A little "shimmy" would get them to come back on. The light bulb that illuminates the "lights" knob was not functioning.

Pretty dirty--fresh out from under the dash.

Quite a bit of dirt and corrosion.

There dirt was so built up that the knob could not be "twisted" to adjust the illumination.

After DeOxit D5--man I love that stuff. Knob now free turning, smooth as when new.

Clean off the plastic with the steam cleaner.

 

[MadMace]

Switch back together.

Bulb that illuminates the "Lights" knob working! This was the bulb that was in there when we got Marion, not a new one so quite possibly the original. I used DeOxit D5 on the bulb base and the bayonet socket--got rid of a lot of oxidation.

Success. I now know how Ralphie felt when he saw his dad light up the leg lamp in "A Christmas Story".

 

[Jtk72]

I didn't even know that was supposed to light up!

You guys are doing great! Priceless memories with Mace. I will continue to live through you.

 

[Geezer Cruzzer]

I'm all in on this story. It's not just the truck and the photographs but the lessons you are teaching and bond you are building with your son. My dad had two left hands with five thumbs on each one. When something broke around the house mom and dad came to me as a teenager. Wish dad and I could have rebuilt an old car together.

That is one sweet time capsule you are working on, and I think you are approaching the project correctly. Stabilize the damage from the aging process and do nothing that can't be reversed later. Photographically document everything and keep every receipt. The former will be you and your son's memories. The later might be a little less worth remembering!

 

[MadMace]

A quick thank you post:

ginmtb for the lead on the MasterSeries MasterCoat Rust Sealer. It has worked great. Unlike anything I have every worked with before. Super stuff.

thebigredrocker for the 66autocolor lead and other tidbits of information. Your support and help is invaluable. I have learned a lot from reading your posts.

My you have as many enjoyable years in your Land Cruiser as I have had in mine.

Thank you for sharing the story about your son and thank you for this well wish. It is amazing the impact that these trucks have on our memories and lives--that is what makes them so special. I absolutely loved those early mornings with my Dad out in the Davis Mountains hunting in these trucks.

I'm all in on this story. It's not just the truck and the photographs but the lessons you are teaching and bond you are building with your son. My dad had two left hands with five thumbs on each one. When something broke around the house mom and dad came to me as a teenager. Wish dad and I could have rebuilt an old car together.

Thanks for sharing your story as well. My son is an incredible young man--he's got a heart of gold. Old souled boy, thats for sure. He's like his Mom. Interestingly, my Dad was like was like yours in terms of not being a handyman. My Mom, on the other hand, is a different story. Man, she loves power tools and getting her hands dirty. Where I have early memories of hunting with my Dad, I have memories of working with my Mom in the garage. I know my son and I are making memories we will both cherish.

Thanks to all that are following along, it is fun to share this story and adventure with others.

And, of course, to Jtk72 and his lovely wife for the awesome truck we know as Marion.

Have a great week. I've got a lot of pictures to share in the coming week.

 

[MadMace]

Can somebody please point in the right direction for replacement pieces for these. I am not even sure what they are called.

Thanks in advance.

 

[thebigredrocker]

I think that is 56214. Front windshield weather strip. Believe the thick rubber piece is called a spacer. Now you’ve got me wondering if I installed those on my old girl, don’t think I did I do remember them being crusty when removed.

 

[ginmtb]

Interesting - with the spacer/seal do you need that?

Windshield Base Weatherstrip Spacer / Seal for Land Cruiser FJ40

I know I didn’t have those on my 74 when I replaced the spacer/seal.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachments/img_7766-jpg.1414753/

 

[MadMace]

I have been researching different rubbing compounds/polishes, etc to freshen up Marion's paint. I ultimately decided to use a pre-wax with a fine/mild abrasive made by Collinite followed by a wax by the same company. My gosh, there are a ton of different options from rubbing compounds to polishes to waxes to different pads to apply them.

I have included a picture of the products below. I am very happy with the results on the sample piece I did. Super simple to use and I don't know how it could look much better. I cannot wait to get the whole truck done--unfortunately that's still several weeks away.

Before and afters:

 

[MadMace]

One last before and after:

 

[Geezer Cruzzer]

Beautiful patina!

 

[troy scott]

I didn't even know that was supposed to light up!

You guys are doing great! Priceless memories with Mace. I will continue to live through you.

me either!

 

[thebigredrocker]

FYI @Jtk72 @troy scott superbrightleds has a bulb that fits. Bright and uses less juice.

 

[MadMace]

Marion is about to be fit with her gas tank again. Starting to get a little exciting. My son and I have missed driving her.

After searching, reading, and looking at many different rusted gas tank pan pictures to find the ideal placement for the pads, the picture below seems to be a common placement for them. We made our own pads out of Buna-N gasket material, 1/8" thick.

Please correct me if this placement is not right.

Sheet of the gasket material. Cut each strip the width of the wider of the two sides of the carpenters square.

 

[MadMace]

Quick question that I hope somebody with a 1974 40, or similar year, can help me with. I took out my instrument cluster to give it a good cleaning. In looking at where the speedometer cable passes through the firewall, there is a badly deteriorated grommet. Also, the antenna cable is passing through the same hole. In my research, I do not see any instances where the antenna cable and speedometer cable are passing through the same hole. Is this correct for 1974? If not, where does the antenna cable go through? Also, where can I find a grommet for the speedometer cable opening? When I search for speedometer cable grommets none are for a 1974.

I have included a picture of said opening.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[troy scott]

ive recently looked at a thread here somewhere that suggested that the antennas were either dealer installed or added after purchase i dont know if this is truth or not if it is the cable would probably be brought through the easiest spot thats why you see them in so many different locations just a thought

 

[thebigredrocker]

Almost certain the antenna cable had a different route.

The Teq cables came with a grommet installed. I haven’t hooked it up yet.

When I first got started I bought an aftermarket cable that didn’t come with a grommet. I found a big grommet that slipped over, then a small but stretchy grommet that fit inside the big grommet. If I didn’t have the Teq cable waiting install, I would used some black liquid tape to seal my current setup. Recently saw a post where a putty was used to seal firewall holes. Amazing how engine smell get sucked through unused bolt holes and grommet gaps. Sealing all that up is on my list