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[Ctenosaurian]

I just wanted to introduce myself to the forum. My name is Ian and I am a graduate student at UNM in Biology. I recently bought a 76 FJ40 with the original 2F that I plan to restore (and modify). I am new to FJ's so I am still learning the tricks of the trade. I wanted to ask for some advice on a few things. I will eventually need to replace the rear quarterpanels and patch some rust and as I am not a welder, I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for a good welder in ABQ? If not, I am sure there is someone on here who wouldn't mind making some $$ helping me out with that (although not for a little while as $$ is limited on a TA salary). I am looking forward to learning more and meeting some of you guys in the future. I will post pics of the FJ when I get around to it if anyone is interested in seeing the "before" shots.

Thanks!

Ian

 

[marcfj60]

Welcome Ian. You've found the right place for local resources for advice and help building your project. I'd recommend you come to one of our monthly club meetings to meet some of the folks in the club and introduce yourself. They're very informal and mostly just an excuse to get together with other Toyota 4X4 fanatics, eat food and drink beer. And now for the official MUD welcome sign:

 

[alia176]

Just go hang out at Paul's house. You two have LOTS to talk about!!

Paul, you listening?

 

[Ctenosaurian]

Sounds good, I will do my best to make it to the next meeting. I can always make time for food and beer. Also, I had a question about passing emissions in ABQ. I haven't taken the cruiser in to get tested yet, but I am trying to be a bit proactive in case it doesn't pass. It is not my daily driver, so I can wait to get it up to standards if it doesn't pass, although I think it would kill me to see it sitting in the driveway and not be able to take it out for a while.

Ian

 

[OGBeno]

Sounds good, I will do my best to make it to the next meeting. I can always make time for food and beer. Also, I had a question about passing emissions in ABQ. I haven't taken the cruiser in to get tested yet, but I am trying to be a bit proactive in case it doesn't pass. It is not my daily driver, so I can wait to get it up to standards if it doesn't pass, although I think it would kill me to see it sitting in the driveway and not be able to take it out for a while.

Ian

The killer on these 2F's is vacuum leaks and bad switching valves.

Most of the emission stuff is discontinued from Toyota including all of the big hoses as well as the 2F smog pump. Only a couple of switching valves remain. Everything else is gone at least from an OEM source.

Vacuum tubing is easy to procure.

Intake and exhaust manifold leaks are common as well and should be addressed.

If you need help, let us know.

-o-

 

[Bad Mojo]

Just go hang out at Paul's house. You two have LOTS to talk about!!

Paul, you listening?

Yes, I am.

Ian I am at UNM as well and working on my 77 FJ40, which is getting a slow drivetrain swap done on it right now. If you want to meet up sometime let me know. Just drop me a message. By chance is yours the yellow one that has the grey primer on the back quarters?

Paul

 

[marcfj60]

The killer on these 2F's is vacuum leaks and bad switching valves.


-o-

These problems were part of my motivation to ditch the '87 FJ60 with a 2F for something fuel infected. That and the mall-cruiser image I so desired.

I dreaded every time I had to get an emissions test because I failed more often than not.

 

[Ctenosaurian]

Paul-
Yeah, the yellow one with the custom primer is mine. Did you see it on campus? If so, that's funny as I have only driven it there once. I will shoot you a message tomorrow when I have a bit more time.

Ian

 

[Daisy 53]

Welcome!!

Daisy

 

[BionicCruiser]

welcome!
lots of help to be had around here. my experience with rusty a FJ40 is- it's good ventilation in the summer and you can gauge the depth of water by looking through the floor boards.

 

[Beowulf]

That and the mall-cruiser image I so desired.

At least you show up for the annual Christmas tree runs. Many don't.

Pray for snow.

-Mike-

 

[pappy]

Ian, welcome to the group. Installing sheet metal is not that big a deal, it just takes time to cut out the offending rust and patch with new metal. You can get panels at Cool Cruisers. My suggestion is purchase a welder and do it yourself. The cost of the welder will be significantly less than paying somebody to do the work. Plus, you will end up with a welder in the end, and a skill you will wonder how you lived without.

 

[Devil Frog]

Sounds good, I will do my best to make it to the next meeting. I can always make time for food and beer. Also, I had a question about passing emissions in ABQ. I haven't taken the cruiser in to get tested yet, but I am trying to be a bit proactive in case it doesn't pass. It is not my daily driver, so I can wait to get it up to standards if it doesn't pass, although I think it would kill me to see it sitting in the driveway and not be able to take it out for a while.

Ian

If you plan on doing a frame-off, it might be worth it to pick up a 74 or earlier ladder frame, and swap everything to it. This would allow you to desmog. These frames come up occasionly on craig's for a few $100, just make sure it has a good title.

 

[Ctenosaurian]

Pappy- Ideally that is what I would do, although I would have to talk someone into teaching me how to weld or I could take a class. With trying to finish my dissertation up, that might be tough to fit in, although I definitely have plans to learn to weld eventually. A colleague of mine mentioned that he had met you at some point, you work at the Botanical Gardens, right? His name is Tom Giermakowski and he works at the MSB here on campus. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Beowulf]

With trying to finish my dissertation up,

Why bother?

"Dissertations are overrated" -Beno (ABD PhD)


Sorry Dude, but we have a little on-going insider joking around with Beno who is the world's only Cruiser mechanic with 18 years of college, 3 undergraduate degrees, a Masters in Roman pottery (or poetry... I can never remember) and a PhD in something equally as relevant. Plus he's an authentic deadhead.

-Mike-

 

[gr8wrk]

Welcome to our little crazed portion of MUD. Post up some pics so we can see the extent of rust you're talking about.

 

[alia176]

Paul-
Yeah, the yellow one with the custom primer is mine. Did you see it on campus? If so, that's funny as I have only driven it there once. I will shoot you a message tomorrow when I have a bit more time.

Ian

SNIFF, I see the beginning of a beautiful (but expensive) relationship

Welcome to the mayhem.

 

[Ctenosaurian]

Yeah, I figure it will take me 5 years to get it to where I want it, but as one of my goals is to learn more about repair and restoration it will be worth it. As of right now, my mechanic IQ is incredibly low.

 

[pappy]

Yeah, I figure it will take me 5 years to get it to where I want it, but as one of my goals is to learn more about repair and restoration it will be worth it. As of right now, my mechanic IQ is incredibly low.

Five years? You are ambitious. Good luck with the project. Don't worry about your knowledge or experience. That will come with time and you will learn more with this project than you will ever learn in school. Just try do to as much as you can yourself. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and I would visit the "tech link" tab at the top of each MUD page and read through what others have done.

And don't worry about Mikie.

 

[alia176]

Yeah, I figure it will take me 5 years to get it to where I want it, but as one of my goals is to learn more about repair and restoration it will be worth it. As of right now, my mechanic IQ is incredibly low.

Or just get an 80 series and drive/wheel/camp/see places far away from the beaten path/have fun/etc during those five years