Builds My attempt at bringing another FJ40 back to life

[ginmtb]

Here is the link to the instructions:

http://www.sor.com/sorPDF_inst/310-73d.pdf

I found these after I had already covered mine.

 

[ginmtb]

Looks like though for wrong year. But should give you an idea of what it's like.

 

[TractorDoc]

I would also second @Chungas Revenge 's recommendation to seek out a local upholstery shop if the option is there. . . I do not want to hijack your thread but I took what was left of my seats to a local fella and he turned this pile of mouse scented foam and vinyl:

Into a new version of what I would guess the OEM seats looked like. I was able to pick out the material I wanted and could have customized the stitching/piping had I wanted to. . .

He also did a set of jump seats for me.

I am usually a big fan of doing my own work but had no problem farming this job out considering the end result is as good as/better than I could have done myself. Cost for labor and materials was under what I think SOR's prices would be for their kits. Of course I had to wait in line a couple months to have my work done. . . but my 40 is still in pieces all over the shop so missing seats were not a big deal.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

I am usually a big fan of doing my own work but had no problem farming this job out considering the end result is as good as/better than I could have done myself. Cost for labor and materials was under what I think SOR's prices would be for their kits

^^^ Well done sir, very well done!!

 

[thebigredrocker]

Chungas & Tractor Doc
I've just started pondering the custom route. Doc, the material on those seats looks legit. Appears the stiching was done buy a craftsman. Very fitting for the build you are doing.

There is a shop on my radar, I may drop in for a "vet check". I'd rather pay a little more for high quality materials. I try to avoid Chinese and Hecho in Mexico products whenever possible. Sometimes, it ain't easy. Even though my 71 is still in the clunker category I've been sourcing the highest quality parts I can find.

Speaking of my preference for quality. I was very pleased the day a beautiful hand prime pump showed up from Mark's Offroad.

 

[thebigredrocker]

Very pleased with my late night tuning session last night.

My 1st goal was better throttle response, so I figured I'd stack some washers under the accelerator pump cotter pin and see what that would do. Definately appeared to give a more ferocious squirt. So I started the engine and my F gave me feeback. If an engine could talk, I think my old F said "Hell Yeah" last night. I honestly couldn't believe how snappy my motor behaved. Once the engine was good and warm I tested out barrel #2. It was absosule raw power when my foot gave #1 & #2 the go-ahead.

Goal 2 was to have the ability to release the clutch using no added throttle without my engine dying. So, on a deserted backroad at midnight, I spent about 20 minutes trying different Dizzy timing and carb adjustments. In my basketball days I always liked to end practice on a made shot. So when I let out the clutch for the 7th time and my rig obediantly did not die, I "ripped on home" and called it a night.

Low Tech
More squirt = more better

 

[thebigredrocker]

Thanks to encouraging me to dig into another black hole: clutch small parts. I dumped out the last box this morning looking for a brake hose spring. Turns out I have a pretty good stash of clutch return spring brackets after all.View attachment 1405739

If you have time, could you give me the scoop on the two silver colored springs? My old rusty spring looks like it could be related.

 

[thebigredrocker]

Finally finished wire wheeling/sanding all my seat frames. Going to use T145 Ash Gray Metallic.

Tested the color an a bracket. The OEM paint seems to be dappled but the paint I have is close enough.

 

[thebigredrocker]

I received a very nice used dash pad today. Thank you @joekatana. Quite pleased with how nicely it cleaned up.

@65swb45 @davework
The paint was purchased from apstowerpaint. It is supposedly mixed as T145 ash gray metallic. It's their 1K paint. To me it appears semi-glossish. At a close distance, metal-like flake is visible. A minimum of 2 coats were applied to bare metal in a less than perfect garage enviroment.

I did apply a 3rd coat to the outer seat back panels and frame tubing. The disappointing presence of stripeing is visible. It is my belief I may have failed to shake the 3rd coat cans a full 2 minutes as instructed. I flipped some of the panels to post a second photo of the inside panels that got 2 coats with well shaken cans. These areas have more even color dispersion. The inside panels did have more rust present and thus more surface imperfections from sanding/wire wheeling.

The paint took 4-5 days to harden and is not as durable as 2k epoxy or powder paint. The majority of the passenger seat bottom still has origional paint, you can see the T145 near the edges.

Dealing with the seat tracks was my least enjoyable task. Thank you Mark's offroad for advice on the tracks. They glide freely now and don't seem to wobble much. We shall see.

Hope to soon get my seats in queue at an upholstery shop. Guy say's he uses Arctic 50 vinyl. Swatches looked good to me. I'm leaning Charcoal grey, but admittedly have always been drawn to rich brown's. Not sure

 

[65swb45]

If you have time, could you give me the scoop on the two silver colored springs? My old rusty spring looks like it could be related.View attachment 1407448

Those came from a generic multi-spring pack sold by HF.

Your turn. Give ME the scoop on the spray paint.

 

[davework]

Is also like to know where you sourced that paint

 

[davework]

I'd also like to know where you sourced that paint

 

[mtquivr]

Spraymax: Automotive Not much on their site.
For orders:
Toll free North America 1-844-426-6330
order@kwasny.us

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

nice work on the resto

 

[gator25]

Nice work on the acc. pump I was thinking about maybe a stiffer spring, or adding another to it.

 

[thebigredrocker]

Still plugging away at random stuff.

Elephant Horns marked Maruko Keihōki are sanded, painted and ready to mount.

 

[tls3601]

Nice work!!! Amazing what a person can do with aerosal, I have used it a LOT for my small stuff with excellent results.

 

[gator25]

@thebigredrocker did those elephant horns come on 40s? I'm still learning all things cruisers. I've swapped horns on different make cars just because I liked the way they sounded. Btw I 2nd what @tls3601 says, looks good.

 

[Nader]

You are making great progress! Yours started out rougher than mine, so it gives me hope to read these "sympathetic" restoration threads. Are you still planning to keep it crusty, or will you be up the body, too?

 

[thebigredrocker]

Gator, I believe this style horn came on earlier 40's. Here's a pic of the guts:

Nader, great question. I've had moments where I've thought about yanking the tub. My plan is keep the body crusty for the time being. If I do ever decide to tackle the sill, rear quarters and rockers, it will be the last step. Hopefully my seats will be re-upohstered soon. I look forward to putzing around in it this summer.