Hey all... I have been lurking and learning for the past several months and thought It’s probably time to jump in with an introduction. I bought this 1978 fj40 a while back and it’s in mostly decent shape but certainly needs some fixing. I’ve already changed oil and fluids, adjusted timing, new tires, fuel pump, fuel filter, fixed horn relay, replaced taillights, new muffler and tailpipe, new speedometer cable installed, removed aftermarket CD player (didn’t work anyway), and some other minor things I’m sure I’m forgetting. I am probably a skill level 3 out of 10 but I figure it’s better to learn by doing right?
I’ve already bought some pieces and parts from Spector, Cruiser Corps, and City Racer.
I’m still trying to figure out where or how far I want to go with this thing. Right now I got it running fairly well, at first I couldn’t get it over 32 mph and had to drive with choke partially open. Now with all the previous mentioned tinkering we max out around 50 mph And then it starts to cough a little bit. Not expecting to go much faster but would like to get it cruising comfortably in the 50s. or Am I asking too much of a 43 year old tractor?
My next project has to address the gas tank. When I originally drained the gas tank it was pretty orange and lots of sediment. I replaced the mostly clogged fuel filter with a clear one and wow it’s bad. This past weekend I removed the passenger seat and opened up the gas tank and confirmed it’s more than just a little rust in there. That’s a project that seems pretty straight forward but is a little out of my comfort zone. It’s more about possibly replacing the lines than the tank that makes me nervous. I’m currently looking for and studying all the threads on that subject.
As far as I can tell the PO took decent care of it but it seems it just sat a lot over the past decade or so. Has some rust here and there that needs addressed (besides the aforementioned gas tank). Original color was mustard and was repainted this cream color about 20 years ago. it will need a repaint at some point but not right now. plus no idea if I want to go back to mustard or something else.
Well anyway, just wanted to say hello and thank everyone for all the incredible info on this forum.
I’ve already bought some pieces and parts from Spector, Cruiser Corps, and City Racer.
I’m still trying to figure out where or how far I want to go with this thing. Right now I got it running fairly well, at first I couldn’t get it over 32 mph and had to drive with choke partially open. Now with all the previous mentioned tinkering we max out around 50 mph And then it starts to cough a little bit. Not expecting to go much faster but would like to get it cruising comfortably in the 50s. or Am I asking too much of a 43 year old tractor?
My next project has to address the gas tank. When I originally drained the gas tank it was pretty orange and lots of sediment. I replaced the mostly clogged fuel filter with a clear one and wow it’s bad. This past weekend I removed the passenger seat and opened up the gas tank and confirmed it’s more than just a little rust in there. That’s a project that seems pretty straight forward but is a little out of my comfort zone. It’s more about possibly replacing the lines than the tank that makes me nervous. I’m currently looking for and studying all the threads on that subject.
As far as I can tell the PO took decent care of it but it seems it just sat a lot over the past decade or so. Has some rust here and there that needs addressed (besides the aforementioned gas tank). Original color was mustard and was repainted this cream color about 20 years ago. it will need a repaint at some point but not right now. plus no idea if I want to go back to mustard or something else.
Well anyway, just wanted to say hello and thank everyone for all the incredible info on this forum.