My black 1979 FJ40

[davegonz]

Rear Drum Brakes

After struggling to get my parking brake to work, I decided to bite the bullet and do a complete rebuild of the rear drums.

Upon opening up the drums, I found the reason why the parking brake didn't work. The two adjusters were rusted and wouldn't budge. I also found one of the inner parking brake wires cut.

I was going to order the parts from SOR, but was able to source the adjuster kit and spring kit from RockAuto. The price total was half of what it would cost from SOR. The only negative was that the spring retainer pins were too short and I had to reuse the original ones.

Raybestos part numbers (bought from RockAuto.com):
H12549 Right Side Adjuster kit (search under 1991 FJ80) $12.28
H12548 Left Side Adjuster kit (search under 1991 FJ80) $12.28
H17253 Spring kit $11.27

The broken cable, I'm getting from my local Toyota dealer ($25).

 

[davegonz]

GPS

I also installed a RAM mount on the dash. I mounted it over a hole the PO used to mount a tach with. The GPS is a Garmin GPSmap 60CX. It can do turn-by-turn navigation and also accepts topo maps. I like this unit due to it's portable design and ruggedness.

 

[davegonz]

Control arms

After suffering a super harsh and bumpy ride in the 40, I decided to remove the funky red control arms that the PO had installed. These arms were over constraining the rear axle and didn't let it articulate freely. Now without the arms, the ride is much improved. I'm going to remove one of the front shock absorbers (on each side) to see if that softens up the front end up some.

I also took the truck to the muffler shop and was quoted $220 for a new muffler/pipe/labor. Seems a bit high for a simple exhaust, so I'm going to take it to another shop for a second quote/opinion.

 

[mmw68]

I don' t think $220 is so off base, it all depends on how much work they are doing. That bid is from one of the best shops in town.

Your going to spend more on gas driving around getting bids.

 

[davegonz]

Yeah, but Muffin Muffler is far from me. Driving the 40 in 100+ degree temps across town sucks ass. Can you drop it off for me on Monday?

 

[Lake Rat]

Dave, good to see that you changed shackles again, truck sits much better and I bet it does ride better with out the trailing arms on it, doesn't look as it sets as high as it used too either. I always wondered about those. I would take a shock off each side, it's not like you'll be doing full speed passes down Baja with the thing and the front may be more compliant on the road. Lookin' good dude...

 

[Lake Rat]

Exhaust

Dude $200.00 I think would be a good price for the exhaust work, hell, it cost me that much for the exhaust kit for mine..but I still have parts left over in case I crunch something...

 

[tucker74]

I'm digging the bull bar Dave, truck is looking good! Better get it inspected before those plates expire

Tucker

 

[davegonz]

I really wanted to get it inspected with the new muffler, but I'm running out of time. I'll probably swing by Sticker Stop this week and get it inspected.

 

[meatloaf]

Looking good Dave...

 

[davegonz]

Thanks. How's your new 40 project going, Louis?

 

[nspctr1]

Looking good Dave,
Your going to have to bring it to SA for a visit.

 

[davegonz]

I'll try, but I don't know if my back (and ears) can handle a trip like that just now.

 

[mmw68]

Can you get it inspected with out the muffler work done?

 

[meatloaf]

Thanks. How's your new 40 project going, Louis?

Should be starting on in in th next few weeks... it will be slow cause the fund$ are not all there.

 

[davegonz]

Can you get it inspected with out the muffler work done?

Yes, it's just loud.

 

[davegonz]

Should be starting on in in th next few weeks... it will be slow cause the fund$ are not all there.

Well, don't hurry. It took me a year to get this one on the road.

 

[davegonz]

I took the 40 to my local Sticker Stop to get inspected. I did not pass, but it won't be difficult to correct the issues since I'm getting a new muffler installed.
Issues:

• Driver's side turn signal does not flash. It flashed before, but I guess the 30 year old flasher decided to not work.
• Exhaust system has leak at flange.
• Cracked mounting tab and missing muffler
• Parking brake almost meets 1000 rpm spec. I didn't know there was a spec like this. It holds, but under light throttle in 1st gear, it fails.

 

[kling-on]

Antique plates ... NO inspection

 

[davegonz]

Got a new muffler installed over the weekend and also fixed the blinkers. I took it to get reinspected and it passed!