Builds Meet Ivy, 1976 FJ40 w/VW TDI (2 Viewers)

[FJBen]

Nice, zero chance I would EVER spend $1000 on mirrors.

I've got the smaller 70 series mirrors on mine and they are ok, but I would like the larger style 70 mirrors.

 

[fjdiesel]

Nice, zero chance I would EVER spend $1000 on mirrors.

Thanks, I just couldn't get myself to either... I took it for a drive this morning to test out the mirror (only have the drivers side mocked up) and I think it should work perfectly.

My wife, son and I are gonna cruise some backroads today and further test it out.

 

[fjdiesel]

We went on our first road test drive today. About 40 miles. I am really happy with my mirror and mount set up. It was nice and steady going down the road!!

We stopped on the side of the road for a poser pic..

And another angle.

Ofcourse I had to get one of the big smiles on my wife and sons faces.

We have a couple bugs to work out, but what a great day to take it down the road and put some miles on her!!

 

[deliverance]

How are you liking the engine/transmission combo?

 

[fjdiesel]

How are you liking the engine/transmission combo?

So far I am really impressed. It has plenty of power and pulls really nice. She spools up nice and pulls hard. It definately has a long power band. And I haven't really gotten after it yet. We took it pretty easy today cruising around some dirt and tar roads. We cruised along at 60 mph on the tar, testing out how it handled, etc. Getting used to the short throw shifter I put on. Not sure yet, if that was a good idea or not, I'm sure I will get used to it, then it should be fine. I have no worries about taking it on the freeway at some point. There was plenty more pedal to go.

It got a little chilly in the rig driving it today because I don't have a heater in it yet.. So, the next bug on the list will be to order a heater on Monday. I think that I have settled on using the Restomod Vapir III. And after her loving riding in it today I have her blessing to order that up.

 

[thecrazygreek]

When people have fun in old cruisers it's not because of the cruiser, it's because of the old memories the cruiser reminds them of....
Even.... if those memories are yet to be made...

 

[fjdiesel]

Drove it to work today for the first time!! Had to stop at the scale on the way in. I was really surprised to see it tip the scale right at 3800#'s. I didn't think it would be that heavy...

Figured this might be my last chance to drive it on pavement before the salt hits the road...

 

[fjdiesel]

Managed to get my mirror mounts welded up the last couple days. And got them ground down. A little body filler and they should be good to go.

 

[fjdiesel]

And look what the nice UPS guy brought me today!! Guess I know what I am mocking up this weekend.

Restomod Vapir III It is a lot smaller than I thought it would be. Hopefully I will let you know soon how it heats!

 

[thecrazygreek]

I have been considering the Vapir 3 as well. Please take some pics of it up under the dash, so I can get a good idea of fitment. I am wondering if I were to remove 8 or so inches from the back of the glove box, if it would tuck up into that area... Who needs a glove-box for anything other than paperwork anyways?

 

[fjdiesel]

I have been considering the Vapir 3 as well. Please take some pics of it up under the dash, so I can get a good idea of fitment. I am wondering if I were to remove 8 or so inches from the back of the glove box, if it would tuck up into that area... Who needs a glove-box for anything other than paperwork anyways?

Will do! Now that it is here. I think it would tuck under there just fine. I seems smaller in person than going from measurements. I am quite certain that opinion will change as I am trying to tuck it up as far as I can. lol. I will try to get some good pics for you tho.

 

[fjdiesel]

Well, I got a little work done on the heater this weekend. Not as much as I hoped. As I suspected it looked small in the box and was a lot larger when I stuffed it under the dash..

The pics aren't the best. But here is close to where it will reside.

This pic is a little better its up and back a little more now that I look at it. The way the box is made, the vents for your face come right out the front. Not gonna be able to run hose to other vents. My plan is to put a double vent in the middle and just cut 4 holes to fill the rear.

Here you can see how far forward it sits when it is on the firewall bump out.

And here I cut the factory bracket off to mount to the bracket I made.

That is where I am at. Didn't get as far as I wanted to this weekend, but its a good start. @thecrazygreek I do think this thing would tuck up nicely where the glovebox is. Then you would be able to move it forward enough to use the front facing vents to route to different locations. I had previously used my glovebox for my wiring and next to it, my VW computer. So that real estate was spoken for me...

Hope this helps. I will take more pics as I go. Looking forward to heat!!

 

[fjdiesel]

And this pic shows how it sits to the factory holes. Which I will use to mount it to. Sorry for being out of order...

And the future owner.. Cleaning tools. lol

 

[fjdiesel]

Slowly making progress on the heater install. I really didn't want to drill or grind on the dash. But to fit the fan, temp, and def knobs I had to put a little notch in the holes.

And I notched a stainless washer as well.

Here is a pic of the control.

And here they are in their new home.

I think it came out pretty good.

 

[fjdiesel]

After the controls, I was gonna put the decals on. Needless to say, I am not very impressed with their printing on the decals.. A bit off center...

The center one is the best. The other two are off quite a bit.

 

[fjdiesel]

I got a little time in the garage this morning. The duct hose that came with the unit is 2 in. It fits inside the 40's factory defrost tubes. I had to work it in there. It was a snug fit. Just to make sure it wouldn't come out I put some foil tape around it. It is sealed and tight in there now. Heater hoses and hook up the power wires and I will have heat!!

 

[HandForged]

Where do you think you're at Hp wise on the 1.9? Forgive me if you mentioned it, I read through but didn't see it.

 

[fjdiesel]

Right now I figure it is about 180hp. I still have room to turn it up. We will see after I get some more miles on it and get a few bugs worked out. I only have about 100 miles on it so far. And only about half that is on the pavement just driving it to work. The other half is cruising the dirt roads and field roads. Which, don't get me wrong, that is where I would rather spend my time. But I would like to get some more road time to check temps, etc... Right now with all the salt on the roads here I have been keeping it to the dirt roads. It does have plenty of power to move the 40 along. I am looking forward to seeing how fuel economy does and how all the temps do this summer. I am trying to use this winter to get all the bugs sorted out so that I can enjoy the rig this summer!!

 

[HandForged]

Right now I figure it is about 180hp. I still have room to turn it up. We will see after I get some more miles on it and get a few bugs worked out. I only have about 100 miles on it so far. And only about half that is on the pavement just driving it to work. The other half is cruising the dirt roads and field roads. Which, don't get me wrong, that is where I would rather spend my time. But I would like to get some more road time to check temps, etc... Right now with all the salt on the roads here I have been keeping it to the dirt roads. It does have plenty of power to move the 40 along. I am looking forward to seeing how fuel economy does and how all the temps do this summer. I am trying to use this winter to get all the bugs sorted out so that I can enjoy the rig this summer!!

NICE, I knew it would handle the truck well. I have seen and driven the VW in other trucks of similar weight. 180hp is fairly nominal for the engine you have in there. I would say a decent tune and injectors would get you over 200. For me looking towards 300 I am already planning things to keep her cool. Of course a larger intercooler but I am also planning a water/methanol injection kit to help build a little more HP but also to keep things cooler. Running high RPM's in the summer will surely warm your truck up. A larger aluminum radiator is going to help, electric fans a little more, stay cool in the radiator will add a little more. Other than that you'll just have to keep an eye on it. I'm shooting for 3500 pounds or under. I've shed a LOT of weight for sure but I have more to shed I think.

 

[fjdiesel]

I agree on the weight. I thought I would be closer to 3000 #'s when done and I posted a few weeks ago that I stopped at the scale and with me and a full tank of fuel and no gear(chains, jack, etc.) it came in at 3800#'s... I was surprised to say the least.

I kept the factory fan system. It was more work wiring, but that is what I did. The electric fans, controller, battery fuse box for fans, etc. I built my own shroud to house the VW fans. But same theory as you have stated in your build, now I have components that I can pick up at any junk yard if I need them.

I also went with the Mishimoto radiator, it was a bit more money, but I can tell you the quality is awesome!! And it seems that its cooling ability is amazing!!

I put in Race 520 nozzles already and a larger turbo. I still have room to turn it up.