Builds Mississippi Delta Beast - 1974 FJ-40 Rescue and Rehabilitation (1 Viewer)

[oldschool4wheeling]

What are you building?!

I have a 1979 40, I got tired of looking at all the rust and decided I would cut out and replace sheet metal.

Im at the point now that I need a temporary "paint booth". Got it on the cheap from Harbor Freight, because it was missing some of the steel frame. So I was having Delta Exhaust bend me some pieces.

Here is my thread: 1979 FJ40 Old School Overhaul

BTW, really like your work.

 

[wngrog]

@oldschool4wheeling come see me next time.

So the Bart's radiator repair was a fail.



I tried to burp the system but when I realized the radiator is toast I lost interest.

That said, it's still running hot even after it took almost a gallon of distilled water with the Cruiser at the desired rakish angle to burb air.

The radiator is crap. I'm going to do a by-the-book flush and then install an OEM radiator @beno is sending me tomorrow.

I'll wire until it gets here. The list is getting short. @ducksntrout is coming to get it in a week.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Cliff hanger. Keep your spirits up. I might get into withdrawal. Nice work.

 

[wngrog]

Don't worry. I'll have exciting wiring updates!

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Closed the pill box...

 

[wngrog]

I'm reading up on flushing the block and I may end up buying some Muriatic acid so s*** could get real.......

I REALLY hope I can flush it without that though but my symptoms sound like a clogged coolant gallery in the rear of the motor. I will pop the drain plug back there and hope and pray water flows out and not pond water sludge.

This thing is fighting me at the end.

 

[JackA]

I saw a new product made by the Evapo Rust people. It a rust remover for cooling systems. Might be worth looking into. Cause using miriatic acid is no fun.

 

[wngrog]

I'm going to crack open the block drain and see its full. Likely it's a radiator issue.

I'll do all that at one messy time when I flush it and add the new radiator.

Today I wire.

 

[onemanarmy]

that twitchy steering can be all but eliminated with some cheap 3-4 degree shims in the front.

I added a 2" longer shackle with my stock springs and the steering was a bit scary. Shims solved it.

 

[wngrog]

that twitchy steering can be all but eliminated with some cheap 3-4 degree shims in the front.

I added a 2" longer shackle with my stock springs and the steering was a bit scary. Shims solved it.

It's not bad. I'm going to see if he wants a lift at some point before I do that.

 

[wngrog]

I finally got off my ass and started tackling the wiring.

I bought a new (used) switch for the lights.

It turns out the 74 is the bridge year from the old and the new style lights so it took me a bit to crossreference 75 and up with my 74 diagram to get it. Also the relay for the lights on the diagram is in the column. When I pulled the cover off a dirt dobber had built a nest in the switch.

I got it cleaned out and cleaned the contacts and hunted down the grounds and boom. I have lights!!

Well. Not exactly boom. It was more a slow rumble. I muddled through it in about 2 hours.

The blinker relay is still under the dash and clicks once when I pull the hazards. This aftermarket was in there with scotch locks and I removed it. I'm still trying to sort this out.

After that I started in on the tail lights. I am pretty sure I need to know they are functioning to ever get the blinkers right so I looked into why they are not right.

Sure enough, it's a mess under the guards. Scotch lock for days and broken wires. Dammit. More parts to order.

It's amazing how these things fight in the end when you have a date you are shooting for to complete them.

 

[wngrog]

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

What kind of hieroglyphic is that?

I think I need my readers...

 

[cbmontgo]

The condition of those tail light housings looks familiar.

 

[wngrog]

What kind of hieroglyphic is that?

I think I need my readers...

I'm a salesman. Wiring diagrams kill me. Instructions kill me.

The fact that I'm Red/green colorblind is the biggest bitch

 

[wngrog]

Could not sleep so I spent a couple hours this am an the Delta Beast.

First I took it for a spin and tested the lights.

@Racer65

I really like them. They have a nice low and high pattern. Way better than generic H4 bulb housings with Stark LED bulbs like I run in my Cruisers.

 

[Varty Yo]

Ok you sold me on some city racer lights now! haha

 

[wngrog]

I needed something simple to start so I added an auto zone choke cable. These OEM are long gone and people that restore or hoard them are generally insane with their prices so if got the $16 job. Works fine.

Next I moved to the heater blower.

I could not get the fan to work so I cracked open the blower and sure enough. Dirt Daubers.

There was even a brown recluse in there.

Lovely.

I cleaned it all up and sprayed the contacts down and hot wired it and it fired up.

I buttoned it up and moved to the switch.

No power.

I found a hacked purple/Red near the fuse box and un taped it and found the problem.

Whammo. I have Air flow !

 

[Varty Yo]

Quick question on the headlights. Did you have to aim them much? I know my H4's throw an awful light pattern i got tired of trying to aim them so gave up

 

[wngrog]

I did not aim these at all. Not saying you won't after you have messed with them but that's them.