Mike's 1978 FJ40 Build
- Thread starter 78fj40mg
- Start date
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78fj40mg
TLCA #23510
- Thread starter
- #662
We had some sun yesterday so my 
helped finish the shop chimney, here's a pic all buttoned up.
Finally...Fire - n - Heat!... I cranked up the old wood stove today thru some old 2x4 in there to test for any smoke leaks and passed the test! Now comes the hard work of splitting logs.
helped finish the shop chimney, here's a pic all buttoned up.
Finally...Fire - n - Heat!... I cranked up the old wood stove today thru some old 2x4 in there to test for any smoke leaks and passed the test! Now comes the hard work of splitting logs.
Last edited:
DSB345
SILVER Star
Very cool! I mean warm Mike
Nice one Mike. Is that kettle cast iron?
78fj40mg
TLCA #23510
- Thread starter
- #667
Thanks Bud!
Yeah its a cast iron kettle. My wife wanted to fill it with water so we could humidify the shop, so I showed her the hygrometer and it read 80% ++ relative humidity, it's been raining everyday, if we had any more humidity it would start raining indoors as well.
Sorry for the intrusion but didn't know where else to go. I am a day away from a risky 69 FJ40 purchase. Its very rough but rust is minimal. Hoe the hell do you get the wheels to roll freely. No laughing please but the guy said they had to drag it from the field onto a trailer because he does not know how to disengage whatever is engaged (like myself) thank you for any input.
78fj40mg
TLCA #23510
- Thread starter
- #669
Welcome to MUD! Absolutely no intrusion.
How long was this 40 sitting out in the field?
In any case if the truck has been sitting for a long time there could be a number of issues i.e.
1) The brakes could be rusted in place and won't allow the wheels to roll freely
2) The gearbox could be stuck in gear, either rusted clutch or something else going on
3) The hand brake could also be rusted and locked up
Post some pics of the brakes and gearbox, etc. I'd love to help you figure all this out.
Okay thank you. The guy said he got it from a family friends grampa who only used it for hunting etc bla bla bla. Supposedly been parked for years on end but what does not make sense is that someone installed an electronic ignition at some point. Anyways, the seller is a very honest guy-no scam-he doesnt need the money-has several classics and just can't stop collecting stuff when he gets the chance.
78fj40mg
TLCA #23510
- Thread starter
- #673
So this 40 was out in the Louisiana fields for many years so it's probably as I suspected above. I'm not familiar with a POV brake, sorry, perhaps one of our brothers will chime in with some info. If you are tinkering with the cruiser tomorrow please take lots of pics so we can help you diagnose all the issues.
DSB345
SILVER Star
I will do that thanks. It has no seats-just rusty unusable frames-no doors, no top and a tree fell on the windshield -so that is bent. I should walk away and will decide tomorrow after some tinkering.
Okay I will- great- thanks.
Okay will do- thanks.
DSB345
SILVER Star
Bolted onto the transfer case that the rear drive shaft is mounted to is a round emergency brake unit. He may be speaking to that. A cable comes from that to inside the cab. Make sure it's disengaged. remember if all else fails, remove the 4 bolts on the drive shaft that are bolted to the rear end. I think they are 14mm. it's easier than you think.
