O906's FJ43 Introduction & Mod/follow along thread (1 Viewer)

[O906]

Hey MUD! Been lurking for a few weeks waiting for a deal on my new FJ43 to go through. I found this 43 via Craigslist and the seller just happened to be a MUD member here.

This is a 1978 FJ43 that was imported from Columbia last year by a MUD member here... I'm not sure of his scree-name here but if he decides to speak up I would HIGHLY recommend him for anyone wanting to bring a 43 into the U.S. or any that he is selling. Top notch guy.

Starting a thread so everyone can follow along with my adventure with this 43. Overall plan so far is a rolling resto-mod. I don't have any desire for the first few years of ownership to do a frame off as I want to enjoy this truck and drive it around... also did I mention it's my only truck at the moment?

In a month and a half I'll be driving it across the country to my new duty station in Oregon so before I move I'm just focusing on fixing a few small things and getting the engine all tuned up for the long drive.

After I get settled in Oregon I want to build up the 43, will be installing OME lift, 33 tires, classic wheels, installing a heater, probably switch over to a HEI dizzzy (might do this before the trip). Maybe in a few years I will tear it all down and restore the body/color change to a factory green.

Anyway I know everyone love pictures here are a few.

Interior shot

Engine bay

Exterior

And because I knew it was going to need new tires before I got it, I found some cheap rollers off craigslist just to get me out to OR.

Overall I'm very happy with the 43 and I will be using this thread to ask questions and to show the mods and progress I make on the 43 to make it my own.

Being 6'5" this afternoon I'm planning on modifying the seat rails to give me an extra 3 or 4 inches of leg room!

 

[Jdc1]

Hey MUD! Been lurking for a few weeks waiting for a deal on my new FJ43 to go through. I found this 43 via Craigslist and the seller just happened to be a MUD member here.

This is a 1978 FJ43 that was imported from Columbia last year by a MUD member here... I'm not sure of his scree-name here but if he decides to speak up I would HIGHLY recommend him for anyone wanting to bring a 43 into the U.S. or any that he is selling. Top notch guy.

Starting a thread so everyone can follow along with my adventure with this 43. Overall plan so far is a rolling resto-mod. I don't have any desire for the first few years of ownership to do a frame off as I want to enjoy this truck and drive it around... also did I mention it's my only truck at the moment?

In a month and a half I'll be driving it across the country to my new duty station in Oregon so before I move I'm just focusing on fixing a few small things and getting the engine all tuned up for the long drive.

After I get settled in Oregon I want to build up the 43, will be installing OME lift, 33 tires, classic wheels, installing a heater, probably switch over to a HEI dizzzy (might do this before the trip). Maybe in a few years I will tear it all down and restore the body/color change to a factory green.

Anyway I know everyone love pictures here are a few.

Interior shot

Engine bay

Exterior

And because I knew it was going to need new tires before I got it, I found some cheap rollers off craigslist just to get me out to OR.

Overall I'm very happy with the 43 and I will be using this thread to ask questions and to show the mods and progress I make on the 43 to make it my own.

Being 6'5" this afternoon I'm planning on modifying the seat rails to give me an extra 3 or 4 inches of leg room!

Welcome to mud. Looks like a great truck.

 

[Unoman]

Congrats on the purchase! Paging @aljollano

 

[aljollano]

Wow, it looks very nice with those wheels/tires.
Welcome to the addiction from your friend in Austin.


A.J

 

[O906]

Wow, it looks very nice with those wheels/tires.
Welcome to the addiction from your friend in Austin.


A.J

AJ! Glad you found my thread, once I get out to OR the real changes will happen. Can't wait to get this 43 project going!

 

[aljollano]

Awesome. Looking forward to it!!!
I subscribed to your thread. Let the fun begin!

A.J

 

[O906]

Not a lot going on with the 43 so far. With a move across the country in just a month and a half I've been focusing on that.

Some small things like new head lights! Had to replace the stock ones for sure. These were the most "classic" looking ones I could find.
I have also ordered LED bulbs for the entire cruiser. Giving that old wiring and alternator all the help I can

Alright now a tech question #1

When I start the truck up from cold, it starts easily and doesn't die but needs about 1/4 of choke until it warms up or else it will stumble when the gas peddle is pressed. I've already checked and or corrected vacuum leaks, timing, rich/lean screw setting. Checked everything according to the FSM. Once the truck is warm it runs awesome, just those first few minutes. Not a big deal as it only takes a few minutes to warm up but I'd still like to track down the issue if anyone has any ideas.

Tech question #2

What would cause the below problem? I don't have any vacuum at the port on the passenger side but have vacuum on the other port that someone before me had plugged? The port with no vacuum goes to my vacuum advance on the distributor and the truck seems to run fine without it. I thought maybe that port only opened with more throttle and have tried testing while revving the engine and still nothing.

Thanks for the help in advance guys, have really been enjoying taking my time and reading through all of your threads and learning as much as I can. Pretty cool community!

 

[FF LC FREAK]

Question 1. Keep the choke on until it warms up. I typically start about 1/2 choke and slowly feather it in as the engine warms up (3-4 minutes of driving). The whole idea is to richen the mixture until the intake manifold warms up sufficiently to atomize the fuel in the air.

Question 2. Since you have a vacuum advance dizzy, the vacuum opening in the carb is underneath the throttle plates (passenger side). At idle, there is no vacuum there since the throttle plates are closed. That's the way it is supposed to be. As you open the throttle, vacuum increases and advances the dizzy. The other picture you have is a port on the manifold. There will definitely be vacuum there while the engine is running. That is NOT where you want to hook up your vacuum advance dizzy. In other words, everything is working as it should.

Sweet truck. I was drooling over that one for awhile but staying married outweighed my desire for a sweet 43. Have fun with it!

 

[O906]

At idle, there is no vacuum there since the throttle plates are closed. That's the way it is supposed to be. As you open the throttle, vacuum increases and advances the dizzy.

Thanks for the reply! I figured this is how it worked however when I open the throttle by hand I still have zero vacuum from that port... hmmmm

 

[skidplate]

Beautiful truck! Tearing it apart for a restoration would be the furthest thing from my mind at this point. Fix the small stuff and DRIVE IT!

 

[tls3601]

Yes, nice rig you have there!!!

 

[handcannon]

Nice rig there! Which part of Oregon are you moving to?

The location will make a slight difference as to what items you need to check condition of first. If you are moving west of the Cascades a good windshield wiper system is essential. In about a month and a half the rain should be much less, but I have seen rain clear up close to the end of June, and of course the occasional thunderstorm through the summer. July, August and up into September is generally dry, but It is not unusual to have some rain over Memorial Day weekend (Oregon State Fair time, of course). Also, if west of the Cascades September is when good heat starts to become important. Daytime will usually be warm enough, but evenings and nights can get cooler, depending on what you are used to.

East of the Cascades doesn't get as much rain, so wipers are not as important, yet. The first weekend of October, sometimes sneaking into the last few days of September, is deer hunting season. This is a good time to figure that heating becomes important as nights, and sometimes days also, can get get chilly.

Welcome to the Pacific Northwet. Yes, I meant to leave out the "S". Actually, the Pacific Northwest is not really that bad. The rain is what brings about all the green that everybody likes this time of year, and green is easy on the eyes.

Don

 

[O906]

Nice rig there! Which part of Oregon are you moving to?

The location will make a slight difference as to what items you need to check condition of first. If you are moving west of the Cascades a good windshield wiper system is essential. In about a month and a half the rain should be much less, but I have seen rain clear up close to the end of June, and of course the occasional thunderstorm through the summer. July, August and up into September is generally dry, but It is not unusual to have some rain over Memorial Day weekend (Oregon State Fair time, of course). Also, if west of the Cascades September is when good heat starts to become important. Daytime will usually be warm enough, but evenings and nights can get cooler, depending on what you are used to.

East of the Cascades doesn't get as much rain, so wipers are not as important, yet. The first weekend of October, sometimes sneaking into the last few days of September, is deer hunting season. This is a good time to figure that heating becomes important as nights, and sometimes days also, can get get chilly.

Welcome to the Pacific Northwet. Yes, I meant to leave out the "S". Actually, the Pacific Northwest is not really that bad. The rain is what brings about all the green that everybody likes this time of year, and green is easy on the eyes.

Don

Hey Don, thanks for the reply and I'm moving to Coos Bay. Thanks for the heads up about the rain I will make sure I'm prepared for it. How is the cruiser scene in OR? Any big meet and greets coming up?

 

[handcannon]

I'm not sure about any other cruiser heads around the Coos Bay area. I don't think there are any, or very many, others around the mid-valley area (Albany/Salem/Eugene). Only once in a while do I see a cruiser around here, usually a 60 series. There are several around the Portland/Vancouver area though. I do read about a club in that area, though I am not associated with any club.

Check out the hardcore forum here on Mud as that is where I frequently see them. I know that there are several runs that happen every year, but someone from that area/club could give you better info.

Don

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

What part of Alabama are you in?
Looks like you got a nice cruiser

 

[devo]

If you are coming through Denver on your way west stop by.
I'll show you mine if you show me yours......FJ43 that is !




devo

 

[O906]

What part of Alabama are you in?
Looks like you got a nice cruiser

I'm down in Mobile and thanks! I think got a first time 40 series I picked a good one and had a good seller. Since it's my only vehicle I kind of needed it to be in the best shape I could have afforded!

If you are coming through Denver on your way west stop by.
I'll show you mine if you show me yours......FJ43 that is !



devo

I think that my trip is going to take me just north of Denver! I'm planning on taking small highways and 2 lane roads the whole way out to avoid the interstate high speed traffic. I will be posting a trip report in this thread my whole way out to OR! If it permits I'd love to check out another 43!

 

[O906]

Took some time today to clean up under dash wiring and remove the odd switches and replace them with my heater controls even though I'm still piecing together the heater ducting and haven't installed the heater box yet.

Does anyone have any idea what the hole to the left and under the parking brake indicator is for? After looking at dozens of pictures I don't think it's a stock hole but it's done so well and the flat edge makes me second guess that assumption.

Also discovered that even though it's a 78' is still has some of the "fresh air" parts. The hood portion has been covered and caulked shut. I think I want to try and add the feature, if anyone has a "fresh air" pull switch or other parts related to it shoot me a PM.

 

[CruiserShel]

I bought an imported Colombian FJ-43 in December (not from AJ). I would recommend going through and changing all fluids. Every single fluid on mine was past due for a flush/replace. The worst part was that the idiot I bought it from had straight water in the radiator instead of antifreeze/coolant, and being December, it froze three days after I bought it and cracked the block. I've been acquiring the parts to build a new 2F ever since. I'm partially responsible for not flushing the fluids immediately (I had it on the list of things to do, but not on the first day I got it), but what kind of moron puts water in a cast iron block, anyway?

Other than being behind on basic maintenance, it's a great Land Cruiser. They did great work on the interior, and I like the extra length of the 43 over the 40, but just be wary of any basic maintenance issues before your road trip.

I subscribed to this thread to follow your progress. Goodluck!

 

[O906]

I bought an imported Colombian FJ-43 in December (not from AJ). I would recommend going through and changing all fluids. Every single fluid on mine was past due for a flush/replace. The worst part was that the idiot I bought it from had straight water in the radiator instead of antifreeze/coolant, and being December, it froze three days after I bought it and cracked the block. I've been acquiring the parts to build a new 2F ever since. I'm partially responsible for not flushing the fluids immediately (I had it on the list of things to do, but not on the first day I got it), but what kind of moron puts water in a cast iron block, anyway?

Other than being behind on basic maintenance, it's a great Land Cruiser. They did great work on the interior, and I like the extra length of the 43 over the 40, but just be wary of any basic maintenance issues before your road trip.

I subscribed to this thread to follow your progress. Goodluck!

I have done so much work to my 43 in the last 2 months. Been really bad at updating this thread because all the stuff I've done really isn't all that exciting.

Replaced entire cooling system and added an aluminum radiator.
Changed all fluids
new parking brake kit
all new tie rod ends
rebuilt center link
rebuilt knuckles
spark plugs
clutch master & slave cylinders
valve adjustment
set correct timing
adjusted carb correctly
LED headlights

I feel like I'm as ready as I can be for the 3k miles trip across the country. I will try to post up some cruiser porn of the 43 in some really cool places along the way.