Need some quick help (1 Viewer)

[Tcea1]

As a title states, I need some help. I’m hoping to get into my first 40 series tomorrow that was imported from Columbia and restored. The only thing holding me back is it does not have heat from the factory. How difficult is it to install a vintage air heat system or something similar? Thanks for any input going first thing tomorrow morning to check it out.

 

[mrboatman]

Heaters are pretty easy to install. The defrost side may be a challenge

 

[Tcea1]

Heaters are pretty easy to install. The defrost side may be a challenge

Since it’s a Columbia spec dashboard, I’m not going to have the correct piping for windshield defrost, correct?

 

[mrboatman]

Possibly not. You would have to look under the dash and check.

 

[devo]

My Colombian spec 43 did not have a heater but did have the defroster vents. It also had all of the knock outs in the dash for the OEM heater controls and wiring in the harness. I salvaged a complete NA heater system from a junk 40 installed it and have been warm for many winters.

 

[Tcea1]

My Colombian spec 43 did not have a heater but did have the defroster vents. It also had all of the knock outs in the dash for the OEM heater controls and wiring in the harness. I salvaged a complete NA heater system from a junk 40 installed it and have been warm for many winters.

View attachment 3711029

Did you have to cut holes in the firewall to run coolant lines through or were they pre-existing?

 

[Skreddy]

My thoughts:

What are they asking?
Are there extensive pics of the restoration?
Have you looked locally and in the classifieds here?

South American rigs have a bad rep. There are surely craftsman down there that do good work but it seems a lot/most are not.

That looks like a later model (late 79+). Would need WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY more pics to give any kind of informed decision but; heater would be the least of my concerns.

 

[charliemeyer007]

What are they asking. Who did the work and what parts did they use? Yea heater is way low on the list of my concerns. Spray painted exterior engine, tranny and transfer is not the same as rebuilt/remanufactured units with quality parts, proper machine shop work and careful assembly.

It does look nice. Personally cosmetics on a real working 4 WD is a waste of money. Actual 4WD in mud, snow on goat trails plays hell with rigs no matter how careful you drive.

 

[Tcea1]

My thoughts:

What are they asking?
Are there extensive pics of the restoration?
Have you looked locally and in the classifieds here?

South American rigs have a bad rep. There are surely craftsman down there that do good work but it seems a lot/most are not.

That looks like a later model (late 79+). Would need WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY more pics to give any kind of informed decision but; heater would be the least of my concerns.

All very good points, here’s the link to the listing only 5 min from my house

https://www.hemmings.com/auction/1983-toyota-fj40-hampton-bays-ny-579269

 

[3_puppies]

proceed with caution on a south american rig purchase
lots of things are different on them versus US spec rigs
as stated above it could very well be a polished turd

 

[FJ404345]

@Tcea1
Just in case it's important for you, it's 11-1982 build and original 033 white colored truck

 

[Tcea1]

Well, just got back from looking at it. The truck was about 100 pounds heavier because of the Bondo, paint, bubbling, cracking, and runs all over it. Rear main seal transfer case and oil pan all leaking.

 

[steffan]

what a bummer - sorry to hear that. no substitute for seeing it in person. I witnessed this first hand at the last Barrett Jackson auction in Scottsdale. from 30 feet they looked pretty decent but then when you actually look at them, it was amazing they would list such a POS. body filler, painted over rust and grease etc

 

[rex in bama]

Well, it’s a VERY good thing to learn that lesson without having purchased it. I went through the same thing myself - was in love with a SA rig from a seemingly solid restoration shop - started to look it over and realized it was all lipstick. I ended up with an honest NA rig that needed quite a bit mechanically (and is by no means a sound investment), but it is what it is and hides no issues.

Well, just got back from looking at it. The truck was about 100 pounds heavier because of the Bondo, paint, bubbling, cracking, and runs all over it. Rear main seal transfer case and oil pan all leaking.

 

[devo]

@Tcea1
After reading a little sounds like your heat issue is no longer? But to answer your question there was a pre determined spot for the heater blower motor and electrical plugs. The cut outs for routing the heater lines were there too.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Well somebody bid $28,000. Be interesting to see if they get the $36,750. I would guess there are other taxes and fees involved to jack the actual price even higher. I guess I would pass at $2,800 - I could get new spring/shocks and maybe some tires for my tired old gal.

 

[Living in the Past]

Did anyone notice the speedometer was in miles and only went up the 99,999.999. That is a huge red flag. Should be in kilometers and have another digit.

 

[1911]

Well, just got back from looking at it. The truck was about 100 pounds heavier because of the Bondo, paint, bubbling, cracking, and runs all over it. Rear main seal transfer case and oil pan all leaking.

Run away, run away!

 

[rainingagain]

Did anyone notice the speedometer was in miles and only went up the 99,999.999. That is a huge red flag. Should be in kilometers and have another digit.

Man - good eye. The speedo is in MPH but the odometer is KMH. Was this a standard non-US spec cluster?

 

[Living in the Past]

View attachment 3711663

Man - good eye. The speedo is in MPH but the odometer is KMH. Was this a standard non-US spec cluster?

The odometer is correct. Face of the speedometer with the highlighted 55 looks like US market. Also with the speedometer that shows both kilometers and miles would probably be US market. Replacements are in kilometer only.
This is a 3/82 US market I have for close to fifteen years.

Not sure the years for the highlighted 55. 1980 model had it but not 1979.