Milestone today

[Cruiserdrew]

So I've been rebuilding my FJ40 from the frame up for 5 months now. Most recently I have installed a new side cover, FJ60 distributor, FJ60 coil/igniter, FJ60 starter, Jim C rebuilt carb, and adapted my rear harness (from a 76) to run 71 tail lights.

Even though I did not actually start it up, I did hook up the wiring and stuck in the battery. It cranked on the first try! Then I pulled #1 spark plug and grounded the electrode. I have spark! To make a long story short, months of fiddling with it and it actually should work when I get around to getting some gas in it. It also cranked long enough to make oil pressure read on the gauge so the distributor is seated correctly. BTW-the FJ60 distributor has a far superior manner to bolt it down and adjust timing-no stupid clamp.

The only problem I could find with the wiring, is that the rear turn signals are reversed. That should be a 5 minute fix. I highly reccommend the trailer harness adapter if you plan to retrofit old style tail lights. A bit of soldering and fitting and it works like the factory intended.

 

[greenfox]

Sound's good Drew keep up the good work. Because you only have 65 days left tell Rubithon

 

[Cruiserdrew]

More like 60 for me. Luke is going to help me out with a traction/anti-wrap bar, and I need a new exhaust and muffler, but other than that, it's all just details at this point. It should be ready.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Update!!! It's alive!

I got the wiring finished yesterday, so this morning I went and bought a new battery charger and 10 gallons of gas. While doing some detail stuff, I let it charge so the battery was good and full. Then I disconnected the ignition and cranked the motor until I had gas in the carb.

Just then my wife arrived from taking the dog to the vet. I said that it should start on the next crank. I reconnected the ignition, cranked it, and the 2F roared back to life on the first revolution of the starter. No one was more surprised than me. Funny I had not even set the timing, just lined up the marks in the distributor with the dot on the flywheel. My wife thought I was a genius which she signified by rolling her eyes and going inside.

Let me tell you a 2F with just a header and no exhaust or muffler is one loud SOB.


For those of you who are running FJ60 ignition on your old 2F, how do you run the vent lines to the distributor?

edit-Here is the first pic of the 40 after SOA and a desmog. Those 35s are looking small!

 

[Deimos]

Congrats Looks good.... So whats next?

 

[CaliCruiser]

Looks awesome man!!

 

[Cruiserdrew]

So whats next?

Next is the install of the airlocker compressor and running the air locker lines.

Then I need to sort out the skid plate, and front bump stops.

Then I need to get the exhaust installed.

At that point, it's ready for the Rubicon! Shake down cruise planned in mid May.

 

[Deimos]

Sounds good... Your close..

 

[crazylandcruiser]

those 35s looks so small! looks great though... i hope my 35s look bigger after i get my SOA all done. congrats and have fun at Rubicon

 

[Snook]

Are you staying with 35"?

It will look funny on high defintion & widescreen video screen during SnT 2007.

Cheers,

 

[DaveWest5150]

It sure looks different than the last time I saw it! Good work! I'm sure you'll like the way it works.
One other Question, If We are leaving Ice house at 7:00 and you guys are leaving Loon lake at 8:00??? you guys are gonna be on our butts for a while...
I thought you were gonna leave at 9:00 from Ice house.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

It sure looks different than the last time I saw it! Good work! I'm sure you'll like the way it works.
One other Question, If We are leaving Ice house at 7:00 and you guys are leaving Loon lake at 8:00??? you guys are gonna be on our butts for a while...
I thought you were gonna leave at 9:00 from Ice house.

Dave-Don't worry. Ross and I are working out a plan to avoid conflicts. I'm planning a 9am depart from Loon. If we are ahead of you, we'll pull over at the first sighting of your group. If you are behind, I'm sure we'll be slower.

 

[Mace]

Dave-Don't worry. Ross and I are working out a plan to avoid conflicts. I'm planning a 9am depart from Loon. If we are ahead of you, we'll pull over at the first sighting of your group. If you are behind, I'm sure we'll be slower.

Oh ye of little faith....

 

[Mace]

BTW, vent the dizzy to the cab through a hole in the firewall..

I have a spare vent thingie I can send ya if you want..

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Actually, the stock FJ60 distributor seems to gently pull some airflow through the distributor to keep it dry. I was trying to replicate that. For now, I blocked one of the vent tubes,and put some hose and a fuel filter at the end of it. So it's vented, but there really isn't any flow. I may try and source a spare FJ60 air cleaner housing and use one of the nipples in that for a place to connect the distributor vent-sort of emulating the stock set up.

What is a vent thingie? Bring it to Rubithon.

 

[mustardfj40]

It's looking good, Andrew! What are you running for drivelines?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

It's looking good, Andrew! What are you running for drivelines?

Front driveline is an old/new 40 hybrid. I had it made longer by my local guys. The rear is a lengthened FJ60 CV shaft. I had it on hand. THe drive line shop thought it had plenty of angular flex, and was actually impressed with the overall build from TOyota.

The only thing I am worried about is if I have a long enough front slip joint.

 

[Mace]

vent thingie is the stock fent that is attatched to the inside of the firewall

On 60's too

You got it..