My First Pig - Where to Start?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

rcj1

rcj1

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
May 25, 2010
Threads
20
Messages
79
Location
Roseville, CA
Hi Everyone -

I'm in Roseville, CA. I just bought my first pig and I'm trying to figure out where to start!

My first goal is drivability - I didn't buy it to sit in my garage. I'd like to get to the point where it's a good driver (not daily, but not sparingly), and then make it a really solid vehicle. The idea is not necessarily to bring her back to cherry, but I want a good vehicle (mechanically and visually) that I can drive on the road as well as a little 4x4!

It's a '72 FJ55 with an '85 2F motor dropped in. It's had some good work done but needs some more so I can take it on the road.

It starts and runs now, but I'm pretty sure the linkage for the throttle is not attached properly and the brakes need to be bled. Definitely not safe for the road yet.

Any comments or suggestions are appreciated. Here are a few photos; more are available at this link:

FJ55 - a set on Flickr

Thanks!!

Caio
DSCN1857.webp
DSCN1862.webp
DSCN1848.webp
 
Welcome Caio, (:flipoff2:).
That is certainly an interesting Pig you have there.
Certainly, first I would address the brakes. Has the leaky brake master cylinder been fixed?
When your brakes are solid, we can discuss the front driveshaft in the front seat, the wiring and were your transfer case lever is.
Do you own 4 jackstands?
 
Pighead said:
Welcome Caio, (:flipoff2:).
That is certainly an interesting Pig you have there.
Certainly, first I would address the brakes. Has the leaky brake master cylinder been fixed?
When your brakes are solid, we can discuss the front driveshaft in the front seat, the wiring and were your transfer case lever is.
Do you own 4 jackstands?
Click to expand...

I don't have jackstands yet -- planning to get some one night this week... Any suggestions?

I took those photos just before I posted them, so I haven't touched anything. The seller indicated that the brakes were replaced 10k miles ago along with the Master Cylinder.

Here is a list of things that the previous owner has done to the vehicle, for what it's worth... can't speak to the quality of work though...

  • Installed a rebuilt 1985 2F approximately 35,000 miles ago
  • Installed a high performance cam when he rebuilt it.
  • 800 miles ago, installed a new Weber 38 carb (electric choke), a new set of headers, and a Davis Unified Electronic Distributor.
  • Replaced the three speed transmission with a rebuilt 4-speed tranny and adapted it to the original rebuilt 3-speed transfer case.
  • Rear differential rebuilt 15,000 miles ago.
  • Replaced the brake master cylinder, brake slave cylinder, clutch master cylinder and rear brake cylinders and all corresponding hoses about 800 miles ago.
  • Replaced the front brake drums with a new disc brake kit from PT Cruisers about 10,000 miles ago.
  • Tie rod ends have been replaced and the steering center arm has been rebuilt with new parts.
 
Sorry, Caio, I was being a bit facetious about the 4 jackstands...2 will do for now. Thinking you should put it up on stands until the brakes get sorted out. Forgive me.
I saw the pic of the where the brake fluid had leaked on the inside driver firewall and figured what it was. Could be all it needs is a good adjustment and bleed and it'll be fine. PT cruiser front discs? I don't know them...
Actually, it sounds like a lot of work has been done on it, we would be happy to assist you in getting it road-worthy and reliable.
I am not a fan of the weber carb, prefer the stock Aisin myself.
How 'bout I come by and take a look at it, we'll talk more?
 
I agree with pighead on the weber vs aisin carb. I just changed over myself and it is much better than the weber in performance and reliability.
 
I have more questions...why, with an 85 2F, would you be running an F alternator?
And mating a 3speed T/C to a 4 speed tranny can take some weird shimming...unless it's a transition year T/C?
PT cruiser brakes? Around these parts, we do minitruck/60/4runner discs ...I take it the PO was not a 'Mudmember?
Fear not, Caio, we can get any Pig running and driveable.
 
All great questions...

After reading these forums a ton over the last few months I'd say that I'm suspect of the Weber carb as well.. Especially when it appears that it needed to be bent slightly to allow the hood to close properly. I'm all for swapping it out for an Aisan.

It would seem like common sense that you'd want a 2F alternator with a 2F engine. Then again, I'm also not the person that is holding the battery in place with a bungie cord.

Re: the transfer case... the PO mentioned a "super low crawler gear ratio." I don't know the technical side well, but that just seemed odd to me.

The PO is in Santa Fe, NM. I wouldn't put anything from a PT Cruiser on a pig.. I mean have you actually seen a PT Cruiser? :) Maybe he got confused and thought it was a type of Land Cruiser? :)

I appreciate all of the help, and can't wait to get started.
 
Unlike the OTHERS :), I am not a Weber hater. There is an excellent thread in the 40 tech FAQ about Weber setup. Before you dismiss it completely make sure your web is set up properly. Your engine performance problems Might not have anything to do with the carb. I see what you mean though, looks like the hood is smashing the filter down, not good.

Your brake problems.....Very tough to diagnose just because there are so many issues related. I suggest having a gander at the rear drums first. Get a hold of a FSM for your rig and look up the proceedure for diagnosing the brake booster. If it is bad then your engine valves could be in danger.

She looks like a beauty though.

Low crawl ratio? Most likely a reference to the 4 speed which has a lower 1st gear than the 3 speed mated to the 3 speed transfer which had a lower low gear than the 4 speed case.

:cheers: and welcome to the sty.
 
Thanks John!

I've got *some* metric tools but probably not enough... My ratchet set is decent but small, but I probably need some more... Any suggestions on tools?

Hopefully Pighead and I will hook up next week to do a good evaluation and figure some things out!

I appreciate everyone for their input and thank you!
 
Y'know, Caio, you might want to see if you can get to the Petaluma swap meet this weekend...absolutely everyone will be there. You can see a lot of LandCruisers and learn a lot.
And you're going to need 10, 12, 13, 14, 17 and 19mm wrenches to get you started. Sometimes 2 of each.
 
I wish I could... but I've got a commitment in the morning on Saturday that I can't get out of... The soonest I'd be able to get there would be around 3pm, which I think would be too late!

or would it?

C
 
rcj1 said:
I wish I could... but I've got a commitment in the morning on Saturday that I can't get out of... The soonest I'd be able to get there would be around 3pm, which I think would be too late!

or would it?

C
Click to expand...

The swap meet will be over by then. I'll take lots of pictures.........
 
What color are they?
 
Certain manufacturers use certain colors...Harbor freight is orange, Napa uses blue...Where does red come from?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom