Builds My Holley Sniper EFI kit install into my 1978 FJ40

[knuckle47]

Got an update on my FJ40 a few minutes ago… my vehicle is in Ohio and I’m in New Jersey yet, I just went for a ride in it.

Jesse @Jdc1 FaceTimed me, set the phone facing forward and drove around a few roads and highways at 65mph. The steering has been totally revamped, added caster shims, new bushings, complete steering knuckle bearings and rebuild, trunions, rear bearing, @orangefj45 double output shaft seal, FJ60 disc brakes, rear proportional valve, new brake master cylinder, installed the 3.70 gearing differentials, rear brakes, new pitman arm that actually fits. The old one did not even fit the shaft properly. This amount of work at my speed would be ready to drive around Christmas. Afew other tweaks and adjustments will have this wrapped up.

My timing was a bit high on startup and Jesse dropped the idle down to 650rpm…that ride was exciting…thr]e truck purred, rode better, and smoother, I could actually hear the lug wrench banging around the back. the 40 will be on its way home in a few days… I can’t wait


Stay tuned for more pictures and video

 

[knuckle47]

Tonight looks like the FJ40 project at Rubber City Land Cruisers will be wrapping up and packing up for the trip back to NJ. Today after all of the brake conversions, steering changes and suspension parts Jesse @Jdc1 took the 40 to the alignment shop.. after that was finished and the measurements taken here’s some nice news.

The steering on my 40 never had been a point of satisfaction, a few things bothered me and Jesse solved the problems. One was the pitman arm. The arm was not aligned to the tie rod and link and it also did not fit the splines on the shaft of the steering box. Also seemed to have a bit of over steer. Along with the parts I had wanted to install was a set of 4* caster shims… the new measurement on caster is +3.1 so prior to the new setup it must have been -1.

The alignment shop owner took it out to test drive it and is very pleased with the way the truck drives. Once she arrives back at my house I plan on a comparison review list and go over how these new mods stack up…. I am looking forward to use this for my summer daily driver.

 

[knuckle47]

Forgot to add: Jesse @Jdc1 had to explain to the shop owner why this seemingly bad “red zone” score is actually great and why the land crusier community is adding caster shims intentionally

 

[Chungas Revenge]

FJ40 project at Rubber City Land Cruisers will be wrapping up and packing up for the trip back to NJ.

Baazinga..!!! (Nod speak for H€££ Yes..) I starting taking stock of all the things I’ve been able to accomplish while the Mule is/was at the Vet. Not that my spirit wasn’t willing. It’s just the sand slipping through the hour glass has become a little more precious to me..

I’m sure we’re kindred in the sense, we’ve put on starters in the snow, lost kidney function on Hardtails, and probably sacrificed a little frontal cortex when it was necessary or expedient.

Every Good Boy Deserves a Favor.

Pics or it didn’t happen.

 

[knuckle47]

The countdown clock has started …. T- “ “ and counting

 

[Chungas Revenge]

The countdown clock has started …. T- “ “ and counting

Funny thing, it starts the day we’re born, we just don’t pay attention to it…Had a young girl, maybe 16 or so, open a door for me at the 7-11. That’s the moment I heard an audible click. That and a snicker from the other old guy who snuck in at the same time..

 

[knuckle47]

Ooooh! Thats a stinger. I had a similar event at Home Depot… a nice gentleman was walking into the store as I was loading a few sheets of plywood.
He said “ hey, let me help you with that”…. I declined politely but did ask him….” Did you stop to offer because I look too old to be handling this?”. He helped anyway and said… “ nope “

You’re right that it starts at birth…. I keep telling my wife to recognize this as it will help redirect some of her lack of urgencies. Mine have been very redirected. Clearly a source of conflict as Mr. Doom and Gloom as she says HOWEVER, my screen is flooded with newsflashes about Chef Ann Burrell age 55……gone

Better in my view to have a few more elements of control of life, in case…like disk brakes in an FJ40!

 

[knuckle47]

Well as mentioned…”no pics it didn’t happen”. Here’s the pic

Wrapped up with some long awaited upgrades. It will be here essentially overnight in the morning…..stay tuned for a complete review once I drive it to the dentist…
as they say…you’re not allowed too much fun in one day so the dentist will dial down some of that excitement

 

[knuckle47]

She’s back ! And has the certification stamp

 

[Chungas Revenge]

She’s back ! And has the certification stamp


View attachment 3931953View attachment 3931954

The good seal of approval..

 

[knuckle47]

One of the last few problems I know about on this 40 is the window regulator…. Goes down fair but up is another story. Stripped gears and you need to pull it up in place to fully close it. The new regulators have been here for 2 years and today I was able to put them in. Works like a dream now
Never did a window regulator before but it really only took about 45 minutes and that was stopping to take a few pictures. @Jdc1 told me a few days ago to google “ rag trick for window crank “. It worked!

You can see the worn pivot hole on the back

 

[knuckle47]

 

[knuckle47]

Update on the FJ40:

Went out land cruising

I’ve been using it more now than the last few years and those days of logging roads and river crossings are probably 99% done for me. But I’ll never say never. It steers SO MUCH BETTER… braking is in a straight line and quick when needed. The engine performance coupled with the 3.70 differentials is so sweet. my old springs have new bushings , same bounce but they’re not loose in the hangers.

@Jdc1, thanks for making it a greater truck than it already was.

Weather has been crappy…90-100 degrees, dew points near 70 and I no longer tolerate that humidity well… Yesterday and today was 66 in the morning and very low humidity …. Took her out for a nice ride…

Went to the supermarket…brought the groceries home
Went to the liquor store….brought the booze home
Went to Home Depot….. brought that stuff home
Went to McDonalds for a breakfast sandwich. All of these places are all within 2 miles of each other.. but the drive was great

Today: went to Walgreens to pick up meds…brought meds home
Went for gas….done… 35 miles all told

Every stop draws a conversation from someone, i get more dirt time on my driveway. I should just change the name to “nice truck”

 

[Jdc1]

Update on the FJ40:

Went out land cruising

View attachment 3942639


I’ve been using it more now than the last few years and those days of logging roads and river crossings are probably 99% done for me. But I’ll never say never. It steers SO MUCH BETTER… braking is in a straight line and quick when needed. The engine performance coupled with the 3.70 differentials is so sweet. my old springs have new bushings , same bounce but they’re not loose in the hangers.

@Jdc1, thanks for making it a greater truck than it already was.

Weather has been crappy…90-100 degrees, dew points near 70 and I no longer tolerate that humidity well… Yesterday and today was 66 in the morning and very low humidity …. Took her out for a nice ride…

Went to the supermarket…brought the groceries home
Went to the liquor store….brought the booze home
Went to Home Depot….. brought that stuff home
Went to McDonalds for a breakfast sandwich. All of these places are all within 2 miles of each other.. but the drive was great

Today: went to Walgreens to pick up meds…brought meds home
Went for gas….done… 35 miles all told

Every stop draws a conversation from someone, i get more dirt time on my driveway. I should just change the name to “nice truck”
View attachment 3942644View attachment 3942645

Thanks for trusting me with it, Al.

 

[knuckle47]

Thanks for trusting me with it, Al.

Thank you Jesse…. We all know trust is earned… your reputation precedes you. And…you’re a hell of a nice guy.

I’m seeing you this winter... If I’m driving it in this hot weather…air conditioning is a must.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Thank you Jesse…. We all know trust is earned… your reputation precedes you. And…you’re a hell of a nice guy.

I’m seeing you this winter... If I’m driving it in this hot weather…air conditioning is a must.

About to do a review on my Old Air/ Vintage Air combo meal. The Humidity in the Land of Nod (Ohio Valley) was the model for Hells Executive Model Sauna. Adding the AC is a game changer.

Talked with the “doc” from Akron yesterday. Vintage has a new model out that looks very familiar.

 

[pb4ugo]

The Indians had a name for the Ohio River Valley. Spay-lay-wi-theepi, The Valley of the Running Nose.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

The Indians had a name for the Ohio River Valley. Spay-lay-wi-theepi, The Valley of the Running Nose.

They nailed that one.