Build MM40-The Adventure Continues

[65swb45]

One of the most unique FJ40s on the road is now at the shop for some overdue maintenance. Bought by a close friend of mine, a gentle soul who has spent twice as much time in the desert as I have, she hopes to fulfill a lifelong dream and return the MM40 [for Mini-Motorhome, or Mighty Mouse, cause she AND the rig are on the short side!] to its origins in Alaska one day.

More pics on this old thread:
IH8MUD Forum

It was a wild 250 mile drive at 45mph from Dave's place in Atascadero down to the shop. Had to tighten a wheel bearing before we left, as well as break free a frozen parking brake. Then it was dealing with a very sloppy steering system and a whacked distributor the rest of the way. It was really touch and go for the first 30 miles as lots of dusty old parts worked their way back into varying degrees of service. And of course, quite the rubbernecking sight for the rest of the people on the highway!

A cool day tho. Water temp on the small block never got over 180. I think the 45mph helped with that.

Current plans include rebuilding EVERYTHING in the steering system, front axle overhaul, replacing missing leaf spring bushings and sorting thru multiple electrical issues.

Congratulations Sam, and welcome to the whacky and wonderful world of Landcruisers!

And thanks again Dave, for all your hospitality. Having met Sam, you know your old cruiser will have a new good home with her.

Best

Mark A.

 

[secretsquirrel]

Do you have anymore pictures of this?

 

[Poser]

Do you have anymore pictures of this?

Try the link in the thread....

 

[secretsquirrel]

nevermind just seen link

 

[bsmith123]

nice

Now that would be a trip to post! Up to alaska

Be looking out for it on the iditarod

 

[pavieSD]

It's a shame they didn't use the rear corner hard top glass as the corners in the front. Then it would really look like a ufo, short for unidentified FJ40 object!

 

[65swb45]

Round 1. Off with the 44 year old steering rods and ends:

 

[65swb45]

Off with the bent center arm:

 

[65swb45]

Off with the garbage center arm shaft:

 

[65swb45]

Update. Built a new 40 axle from scratch with 60 outers, built a complete 60 rear axle (for the extra width) hung both axles from Ironman springs with Mark's Off Road Double-Duty shackles, and plumbed the brakes with all new lines and a 60 series master and booster. The truck is now ready for its maiden voyage out to the desert. Merry xmas Sam.

 

[Downey]

Mark, lemme know when/where you go to the desert with the camper, I want to behold the whole thing.

 

[Flipper1938]

The link to the old pics doesn't work for me, it sends me to the forum index. Does it work for anybody else?

 

[Downey]

2x Flipper, can't get to link?????

 

[Ambrew]

x3

 

[Ol'40]

x4

 

[65swb45]

Sometimes, just sometimes, when you ask a moderator real nice, they'll bring stuff like that back. At least that's how it worked last time I asked.

 

[65swb45]

Here's a couple from the layover:

 

[Downey]

Here's an idea, Mark takes the camper to Barstow desert (Outlet Road, use to be Sidewinder Road) and gads of us join him for dutch treat BBQ. This is such a killer get together opp, all Mark has to do is pick the date- - - who's in?????

 

[lostmarbles]

I can't see enough of this "now-world-famous" Mighty Mouse too...

Someone over there with a decent camera needs to following this lady around in the desert to get some pics of this campervan with some decent desert back-drops..


................. from a peeping Tom over here in NZ

 

[65swb45]

Sam is now safely back at her home in the desert with her new toy. I am looking forward to going up there in a couple of weeks to take a pic of the MM40 next to her other adventure rig: a 50 year old purple schoolbus!

Round one was limited to getting the truck roadworthy. Off-road worthy is a whole other ball of wax. The coach 'builders' in their infinite wisdom ( more like infinite thrift) deemed it appropriate tomount a stock 40 fuel tank UNDER the back of the motorhome with two marginal straps that have a piece of bailing wire to keep them from slipping off either side of the tank!
The front driveshaft has got about 10 miles of life left on it until it explodes, but I told her I wouldn't render 4wd operable until the fuel tank situation was resolved. Now she has the truck back, i think her motivation level will go up a little. Only time will tell.