Meet Leila

[Becca]

So last Sunday we went out to Tijeras and picked up Leila. She'd been sitting under a pine tree in the east mountains for at least 4 1/2 years, but she looked like she was in good shape. We got her on a flatbed and brought her home. this is what she looks like before I even cleaned off the pine needles...




Yes that is her new battery behind her front tire...

 

[Becca]

Today we drained out the old gas, changed the oil, checked the other fluids, and put in a new battery. And miracle of miracles, Leila started right up! She blew a mouse nest out of her tail pipe, then we went for a spin around the neighborhood. After we cleaned the dead mouse, and his former home, out of the glove box, vacuumed, and wiped off some dust, she's not lookin' half bad.
Now we just need to get the windshield in.

 

[Bad Mojo]

Looks good. Glad to here about another 40 being saved. What are the plans for this beast?

 

[BionicCruiser]

she looks great! and runs to boot! you have a ready to go vehicle basically. I see Ron's mini in the background and he hasn't even started a thread on it.
sorry Ron, the wins.

 

[Becca]

Sorry, Ron made me run out to look at some tires for the mini truck before I could get any more info down...
She is a 72 with disk brakes (front & rear) on 33x12.5x15 and an F engine. Don't know enough about cruiser engines yet to know what that really means, or if it's a "2F" or whatever... She also has (maybe?) 2" shackles. Anyway, from what little I know at this point, I would say she's pretty much just stock so far except the brakes and shackles.

The plans change depending upon the day from "huge money pit" to "little money pit"

Basically, I want to do some cosmetic stuff at this point - weather stripping, clean her up, get a roof rack, and maybe put an aussie locker in the rear - Ron thinks she should have a locker and I don't think we should spend more than a couple hundred on it. I also think her steering is way squirrely, but that may be just 40's in general? but I want to look into that. And then I want to take her out and she how she does. I guess at that point I'll figure out if I want to invest more in wheeling accessories (or necesseities depending on your point of view) or just have a fun cute 40 with big tires. (They're big to me, shut up Shawn.) Honestly, I don't think I'll ever be into the extreme wheeling stuff, but I like the trails and she would be fun to take camping and such.
I would eventually like to repaint for sure. Maybe get p/s. A winch would be nice. Otherwise, I'm not 100% sure yet. She kind of fell out of the sky for us. I was not seriously looking to buy my own wheeling vehicle yet, but when Lynn asked if we happened to know anyone that wanted to buy a 40.... Well, I couldn't pass up the opportunity. So we'll see where it goes I guess.

Any thoughts, recommendations, advice, help, whatever is welcome!

 

[BionicCruiser]

... an F engine. Don't know... if it's a "2F" ...

if it's the stock original engine, it's an F. the 2F came out in '74 IIRC.

... She also has (maybe?) 2" shackles... I also think her steering is way squirrely, but that may be just 40's in general? but I want to look into that.

it's those shackles most likely, combined with old sloppy rod ends and center arm. a chevy power steering will help a bunch, but you may end up with some suspension mods to get the castor back to stock (if that's greek, ask Ron, he'll explain it)

... a fun cute 40 with big tires. (They're big to me, shut up Shawn.) Honestly, I don't think I'll ever be into the extreme wheeling stuff, but I like the trails and she would be fun to take camping and such.

I didn't say anything... for your expected use at this time, it looks like a plug and play truck. keep it simple and don't plan too much until you use it a few years. then you'll know exactly what you will want. 4 wheel disc brakes is awesome! good score! Ron knows what he's doing, you are in good hands.

 

[SteveLCetc]

I'd definitely get those tie rod ends changed out, like Shawn said. Our 40 has good tight steering, then again it has heim joints:
Rod end bearing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Looks like you got a very good Cruiser there - I guess we'll see it tomorrow!

 

[2manycruisers]

That looks great! New tie rod ends and rebuilt center arm kit will make a big difference in steering. Power steering is better yet. Might as well do the rod ends at least, as you'll keep most of those even with a power steering setup. The long shackles probably contribute to the wander; shim packs under the axle will help the caster. If you plan to wheel it, you will want power steering--try deflating those tires to 15 psi and go parallel park it. Then imagine being among lots of rocks.

You are way ahead of the game with 4xdisks. F engine will suffice--none of them are powerhouses, but it will move your 40 well enough.

Congrats!!

 

[sirenmoses]

since nobody else will say it...



jealous, jealous, jealous.

n howmuchdidjapay?

since you 'stole it' out from under my 'not looking for 40's' nose n all.... :grin:

 

[Becca]

2many cruisers - thanks for that power steering visual - it really helped me think I may actually REALLY want p/s!

since nobody else will say it...

n howmuchdidjapay?

Let's just say, I have a feeling the original purchase cost may end up being more of a down payment - I hear 40's can clean out the bank account if you're not careful!

 

[gr8wrk]

Leila, you a Clapton fan? Really glad to hear to it started right up for you. When you first drove it, did it feel like the tires were flat on one side? Steering can be made tighter with new rod ends and center pivot, but IMHO you're better off with Saginaw in the long run. Paint was almost sparkly when I bought it, my bad.
Specter sells a windshield template for cutting new glass. If you can't make current glass fit, and you can't find a local piece of glass to measure, let me know and I'll get a template and we'll go from there. Again, conrgats on making Leila run.
Becca, ANY car project can clean out a bank account, just ask my wife.

 

[Bad Mojo]

You mentioned power steering on that list. I am going the 60 series power steering box with a saginaw pump. The part I like about using a 60 steering box is I don't have to cut out part of my frame and the box isn't sitting low in front of the vehicle. Also there should be an adjustment on the the steering box to tighten up some of the slop. That helps a lot and so do skinner tires. I went 10.5" wide to 9.5" and it is night and day difference. I nearly thought about not doing power steering, but I have most the parts in and I had the box rebuilt. Best of luck with this project.

 

[gr8wrk]

x2- Those tires don't really belong on that truck as it is now. It was a nightmare driving it from CA. Followed every seam in the pavement.

I just noticed that when you picked up the truck you stole some of my mud. You'll replace it of course.

 

[2manycruisers]

as badmojo says, 9.50s make a huge difference. I have 33x9.50 ats on my 40 and have wheeled it quite a bit without power steering. That was actually the sole factor in my decision to go skinny--my rig has 50k on it and I was trying to keep it pretty much stock (except for the rust and trail damage now)

If you do p/s, it will be more fun to drive. Saginaw or 60 series is good, both have pros and cons in setup and strength.

2many cruisers - thanks for that power steering visual - it really helped me think I may actually REALLY want p/s!

 

[Becca]

Leila, you a Clapton fan?

Haven't really listen to Clapton for a long time, but yeah. Really wanted to call her Stella, but for various reasons it just didn't work. Leila was the next choice - not Clapton related.

It didn't feel flat on one side, it felt jumpy, like it didn't track correctly - I was steering the front and the rear was trying to follow? and it was not smooth. Kind of like if you really weight down the very back end of a box truck and try and drive it - if that helps. Swervey for lack of a better term.

I think I'll stick with the tires for now, and try and correct the steering. Tires are frickin' expensive! Plus if Ron and I are running the same size they are interchangeable on the trail if needed, which can't be a bad thing.

Mojo - I may call you up when I get there and see if you want to help with my p/s project! Experience is always helpful....

edited to add:
oh, and don't worry about the paint gr8work- I actually like it better than bright shiny red. Red is not my fave on vehicles... she may end up blurple. I know, not stock - for anything.

 

[frobuster]

yes, she said "blurple"; the closest example we have found is 06 Harley Davidson cobalt blue.

 

[alia176]

Just for S&G, swap out the tires between vehicles and see if you still have the same ride. It could be as simple as needing new set of tires.

Congrats on the purchase!

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Your "bumpy" steering is your reunion bearings. They have ridges in the races from sitting in one spot too long (along with just age). I'd bet a set of tires on it. Time to rebuild your knuckles...

I will be home the 22-24, and 28 through the end of the month if you wanted to talk PS. I've just finished a 60 series swap on Dad's 40, so it's easy to see and stuff. I "might" even have the truck driveable at the end of the month, so you might even be able to try a 40 with 34x9.50 tires and 60 series PS. I can also show you those tires I forgot to send pictures of.

Dan

 

[alia176]

your reunion bearings.

Dan

He meant "trunion" bearings

 

[DanS HJ-45]

He meant "trunion" bearings

Yes I did. Silly iPhone correcting my misspelling caused by hurriedly typing while we were getting ready to push back in Milwaukee.

Either way: your trunion (knuckle) bearings need replacing.

Dan