Builds Meet "Rusty" - 1978 USA - FJ40 (4 Viewers)

[DirtDauberGarage]

More pics

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

More pics...

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

I need to order the inside latch handle bezels and can check this off the "to do" list.

 

[fjc-man]

I think new ones go for 10 bucks each.

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

I think new ones go for 10 bucks each.

Yeah, I use some Christmas money for those

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

I got the rims back from powder coating, installed the new Kenda tires 33x9.5/15. It rides nice… much smoother. The speedometer is off about 5 mph's at 40 mph. If the speedo says 40 mph, I am actually going 45 mph (according to WAZE). I like the improved RPM advantage. I don't have a tach installed but I can definitely tell that it is not revving as hard when I am up around 45-55 mph. I know there is a math formula I can do to figure it out exactly, but I am not worried about it. It rides smoother, looks better, and cruises at a lower RPM… that’s win, win, win to me.

The driver side wheel rubs against the steering box pitman arm if I turn all the way to the left, but other then that they fit good.

 

[pb4ugo]

Looks good. You can adjust the wheel stops so the tire doesn't turn as much and rub the pitman arm.

 

[76lcmike]

I got Belle out and drove her around the neighborhood for a few mins today. I thought I would let Rusty and Belle pose for some pics together. Their build dates are about 7 months apart, so it is pretty cool to think about how many of their parts were probably in the building in Japan together back in late 77 early 78. They were probably assembled by the same people on the assembly line, they have traveled around the world, and are reunited in my driveway 45 years later.

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those cruiser's are always multiplying.....

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

Looks good. You can adjust the wheel stops so the tire doesn't turn as much and rub the pitman arm.

Yes, good call. I forgot about that!

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

those cruiser's are always multiplying.....

Yes, that is a good thing!

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

Took Rusty out for some trail ridding today! Earl's Ford and Sarah's Creek in North GA

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

one more pic

Rusty did great... two hour drive to the trail, wheeled about 6 hours and drove 2 hours home.

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

A few more

 

[airon23]

Looks really good @DirtDauberGarage! Couple questions, are you still filming these things you're working on for your youtube channel? I did enjoy watching your guys' work on the blue Belle. Has your son lost complete interest in the FJ40s or is this like a father and son now you both have an FJ40 or is this just your second one? lol Has the FJ55 taken a back back seat now to both 40s?

Keep up the good work whatever you end up doing on whatever cruiser you do it to. I'm a fan.

I haven't done too much to mine of late, but I'm hoping that'll change real soon.

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

Looks really good @DirtDauberGarage! Couple questions, are you still filming these things you're working on for your youtube channel? I did enjoy watching your guys' work on the blue Belle. Has your son lost complete interest in the FJ40s or is this like a father and son now you both have an FJ40 or is this just your second one? lol Has the FJ55 taken a back back seat now to both 40s?

Keep up the good work whatever you end up doing on whatever cruiser you do it to. I'm a fan.

I haven't done too much to mine of late, but I'm hoping that'll change real soon.

Thank for checking in. Here is a update:

1. I haven't made any videos lately. I need to get back on the wagon and film some

2. My son is 17 now, has a girlfriend, and plays three sports at school, and just finished his Eagle Scout project so he has been pretty busy, but still wrenching with me some.

3. I sold the 55 and regret it, but I am enjoying Rusty.

I will try to make a video soon! Thanks again for asking!!!

 

[airon23]

Wow that's awesome your son got his Eagle. Congratulations that is no small feat!

Sorry to hear about the 55 but new projects are always fun.

Well like I said keep up the good work and if you feel like it or have the time, it's good to see the progress and helps motivate some of us to fight the good fight.

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

Some people call this a shift lever… I call it a “theft deterrent”!

 

[rfitzpatrick]

Some people call this a shift lever… I call it a “theft deterrent”!

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That’s a millennial theft device. I had a 1951 Chevy 3100 with a floor starter. That was the ultimate security!

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

I spent most of today learning about external voltage regulators. I know I can just put on a newer alternator with a built-in regulator, but there is something satisfying about keeping these things as original as possible. I read a ton of MUD threads and ultimately had to take the new regulator apart and calibrate it. I will detail everything and post it here as well as on a couple treads dedicated to voltage regulators so if someone has the same issues, they can see what worked for me.

 

[DirtDauberGarage]

Here's my personal experience delving into the world of voltage regulators. I will share this on my two build threads and a few voltage regulator threads, with the hope that it may prove useful to others in the future.



Issue one: My 1978 FJ40 ran great until one day it wouldn’t stay running without the choke on. I was familiar with this symptom and thought it might be the throttle idle solenoid in the carb.

Step one: I checked the fuses under the dash. Sure enough the engine fuse what blown. I replaced it with the correct 15-amp fuse started the car and the fuse blew immediately again and the rough idle continued.

Step two: I unplugged the voltage regulator, replaced the fuse and the 40 ran great so I felt confident that the voltage regulator was bad.

Mistake number one: I made the rookie mistake of ordering a 1978 voltage regulator from the Toyota dealership without confirming the image with the one I had and checking on the month that the 1978 FJ40 was made. Therefore… I ordered the wrong one. I needed the three-prong plug of the earlier models not the five prong one for late 1978 and newer FJ40s.

Mistake number two (sort of): Toyota no longer makes the older three-prong voltage regulator. I probably should have upgraded to a solid-state regulator or even an newer alternator that is internally regulated, but there is something super satisfying about keeping these things as original as possible.

Step three: NAPA has an aftermarket three prong so I ordered it (actually ordered two of them since they were only $25). When I received the new ones, the plug was not 100% correct. Although it was a three-prong the plug did not fit. I probably could have forced it or altered it and make it work but didn’t want to do that.

Step four: I swapped the old plug onto the newer regulator. This is easy. Simply watch a YouTube video if you need help. It takes about 5 mins to do. Just make sure you put the correct wires in the correct spots.