Builds Pete the Old Prospector (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter majdomo
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #2
On the Magic Purple car transporter, loaded up at 1:30am local time, driver said he'd be there at 10pm. Seller is a stand-up dude for dealing with that nonsense. And no, it's not loaded up with parts or anything...nothing to see here... Should be here on Monday-ish.
- Thread starter
- #3
Truck arrived this afternoon. A bit of an adventure having the driver back it down the ramp and off the truck, but got it figured out. As it sat on the rig:
A little about the truck. Found this on FB Marketplace, the seller was in Colorado and had done quite a bit of work to bring it back to life, but with a new kiddo and family obligations, found himself needing to move along. The truck was originally from Arizona, and was used by an old school miner / prospector to get out into the desert and mine. The previous owner was a family friend to the miner, and the seller bought this after the miner had passed. He included EVERYTHING he had in the truck, including the old topo maps that were stashed up above the dashboard.
Ever since I sold Luigi, the CA-spec '77, I've been looking for a good patina project to get my hands on and just enjoy. This fits the bill exactly - not much rust on the body, what looks like good original paint, and a solid mechanical starting point. Oh, and no frame rust. The seller bought and installed a running 1968 bottom end, and reused the original 1972 top end to get the truck running. He included the original block / camshaft / etc and the 1968 head in the truck, along with a bunch of spares and other stuff. Seller told me that he got the 1968 engine from a guy who'd rebuilt it and was waiting to put it in some other project. Apparently this other guy stored his cars and other project stuff in an old missile silo, not sure where. Can't make this up.
Some fun photos:
A little about the truck. Found this on FB Marketplace, the seller was in Colorado and had done quite a bit of work to bring it back to life, but with a new kiddo and family obligations, found himself needing to move along. The truck was originally from Arizona, and was used by an old school miner / prospector to get out into the desert and mine. The previous owner was a family friend to the miner, and the seller bought this after the miner had passed. He included EVERYTHING he had in the truck, including the old topo maps that were stashed up above the dashboard.
Ever since I sold Luigi, the CA-spec '77, I've been looking for a good patina project to get my hands on and just enjoy. This fits the bill exactly - not much rust on the body, what looks like good original paint, and a solid mechanical starting point. Oh, and no frame rust. The seller bought and installed a running 1968 bottom end, and reused the original 1972 top end to get the truck running. He included the original block / camshaft / etc and the 1968 head in the truck, along with a bunch of spares and other stuff. Seller told me that he got the 1968 engine from a guy who'd rebuilt it and was waiting to put it in some other project. Apparently this other guy stored his cars and other project stuff in an old missile silo, not sure where. Can't make this up.
Some fun photos:
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #4
More photos:
The plan is to just take my time and do a bit of a cooling system baseline, check the brakes, and figure out what to do with all these spares. But overall, pretty excited and feeling really lucky to find one in good original condition like this.
EDIT - where I just happened to unroll the topo map corresponds to the border between Mohave and Yavapai County on US 93, which Google Maps says is a place called Nothing, AZ. So awesome!
The plan is to just take my time and do a bit of a cooling system baseline, check the brakes, and figure out what to do with all these spares. But overall, pretty excited and feeling really lucky to find one in good original condition like this.
EDIT - where I just happened to unroll the topo map corresponds to the border between Mohave and Yavapai County on US 93, which Google Maps says is a place called Nothing, AZ. So awesome!
Last edited:
Check those maps for the "X" Lost Dutchman.
- Thread starter
- #7
Heh! Some of the new old stock parts have the guy's name and address, will have to look up where he was. The map is pretty rad. I have no idea what to do with it other than roll it up and protect it.
Yep, would guess the same. I have no interest in taking the top off, either. The miner put some industrial pile carpet between the straps and the body. I'm undecided if they stay on or come off, so I think that means they stay for now.
EWheeler
GOLD Star
Very cool!
Pre-smog! Congrats.
Pre-smog! Congrats.
- Thread starter
- #9
This was a requirement. Turns out I can get things to pass smog, but it's kind of a pain and would rather just not deal with it.
- Thread starter
- #10
Alright - everything is out of the rig, with the extra bell housing and trans / transfer case are up on the classifieds. I was able to drive it up and down the street, and have already noticed that there's a vacuum leak from the brake booster, pressing the brake pedal results in lots of engine stumbling and a very loud hiss from the firewall. Also, the clutch master / slave seem to lose pressure when holding it down, so will have to investigate those. However, first things first, will want to get the brakes working and the carb rebuilt before getting it on the road, runs piggy rich right now.
- Thread starter
- #11
A little bit of stuff tonight - flipped the plug on the windshield wiper switch so that it is actually off when the switch is in the "off" position, and then was able to get it on the road for about 3 minutes to get a sense of how bad the brakes are. It seems like the booster is pretty shot, lots of hissy noise and engine stumbling unless it's floored, in which case it's fine. It has drums at all 4 corners, and pulls hard to the left when braking, locking up the driver's front when the rest of the wheels are still turning. However, the good news is that the master seems to work fine and what I thought was a clutch issue is really just me learning to double-clutch when trying to get into first. I'm seeing Mark @65swb45 next week, will likely pick up a good rebuilt booster and install that, but will try to get the brakes adjusted and maybe attempt to clean up the rich running over the weekend.
In other news, the alternator is charging the battery, getting 14.6v at idle. It does idle nicely when warmed up, so I'm sort of reluctant to mess with it, but given the unknowns it's probably just best to get it rebuilt.
In other news, the alternator is charging the battery, getting 14.6v at idle. It does idle nicely when warmed up, so I'm sort of reluctant to mess with it, but given the unknowns it's probably just best to get it rebuilt.
- Thread starter
- #12
Well hmm. Closer inspection of the passenger front wheel shows a lot of brake fluid on the tire. It spins freely, and turning the front adjuster a bunch didn't do anything to tighten things up. Plus the front looks like this, a yummy (but of course very much expected) mess of brake fluid, moly grease, diff oil, and plenty of dirt.
May be looking for new brake everything at all 4 corners...
Also, Pete's legal and registered in CA, so that's awesome. I have blue YOM plates ready to roll but may need to get the lame-o modern plates first just to finish out the registration and deal with blue plates later.
Forgot to mention that I may have found one of my vacuum leaks, which was a missing vacuum hose between the base of the carb and the VSV. Had some OEM lines left over from the FJ62, replaced and seems to enjoy that a bit more.
May be looking for new brake everything at all 4 corners...
Also, Pete's legal and registered in CA, so that's awesome. I have blue YOM plates ready to roll but may need to get the lame-o modern plates first just to finish out the registration and deal with blue plates later.
Forgot to mention that I may have found one of my vacuum leaks, which was a missing vacuum hose between the base of the carb and the VSV. Had some OEM lines left over from the FJ62, replaced and seems to enjoy that a bit more.
Last edited:
DeskJock
SILVER Star
purchased my '75 FJ40 in March 2024; didn't have the option for blue .. yet .. white is coming; I think then I can put in a request .. thought the blue plate were still in the NEED ENOUGH request stage? no?
- Thread starter
- #14
You need to find a pair that are not registered with the DMV, I found mine on eBay. Needs a year of manufacture sticker (reproduction - mine is a '72 sticker on what are probably 1977 plates) and then take that pair to the DMV to transfer them to your rig. You need to surrender the modern white ones back to the DMV. It's a process, here's some light reading on it.
They expanded the program up to 1980 and earlier, so your '75 should be gtg.
DeskJock
SILVER Star
I have a vanity white plate coming that I’d like to get in blue. So - I’m waiting to get my vanity plate and then put in my request here:
a15.asmdc.org
Apparently he need 7500 interested folks.
California Legacy License Plates would return under Assemblymember Grayson Bill | Official Website - Assemblymember Timothy S. Grayson Representing the 15th California Assembly District
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, Assemblymember Timothy Grayson (D-Concord) introduced legislation to bring two of California’s most iconic license plates back to the roads. Under AB 378, motorists will have the opportunity to apply for California’s 1950s and 1970s Legacy License Plates.
Apparently he need 7500 interested folks.
firemanj92
SILVER Star
I got my blue/yellow plates from Dave'sCLP or you can find plates at any car show vendor. He guarantees his plates to be good. Then you can register them under CA DMV's YOM-Year Of Manufacture program. Pretty easy to do. Just have to have a correct year (for your LC) sticker attached to plate which he also sells.I have a vanity white plate coming that I’d like to get in blue. So - I’m waiting to get my vanity plate and then put in my request here:
California Legacy License Plates would return under Assemblymember Grayson Bill | Official Website - Assemblymember Timothy S. Grayson Representing the 15th California Assembly District
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, Assemblymember Timothy Grayson (D-Concord) introduced legislation to bring two of California’s most iconic license plates back to the roads. Under AB 378, motorists will have the opportunity to apply for California’s 1950s and 1970s Legacy License Plates.
Apparently he need 7500 interested folks.
- Thread starter
- #17
I hadn't thought of a car show vendor, that's a good idea. Dave's CLP is a good source too. I was able to save a few bucks just finding some on the 'bay and calling the DMV to confirm they were good before buying. Took a little time but it worked out. Poor lady at the DMV was annoyed but oh well.
firemanj92
SILVER Star
I know what you mean. I went to 2 DMV's to get it straight. 1st office told me they were fake so I played dumb and agreed walking away knowing the plates weren't. I did so the plates and 6/70 LC wouldn't be flagged or refereed in the system.I hadn't thought of a car show vendor, that's a good idea. Dave's CLP is a good source too. I was able to save a few bucks just finding some on the 'bay and calling the DMV to confirm they were good before buying. Took a little time but it worked out. Poor lady at the DMV was annoyed but oh well.
DeskJock
SILVER Star
Awesome! Checking it out!
- Thread starter
- #20
Sometimes I just go out to poke around in the garage and find stuff that I don't expect to find. This time it was looking deeper in the glovebox and finding this gem just sitting there, waiting to go to the locksmith for a key. I have a new lock and key kit on order from Amayama, guess I don't need it now:
What else. Some interior photos. Realizing that I didn't share these earlier. The bulbs in both the cabin and the Vader lights were fine, but the contacts had corroded a bit, a little sandpaper and both are back in business, though the cabin light lens is all busted. Red Elmer's mug is a PNW import from a visit up to Salem.
Seats and gun rack. Gun rack may or may not be removed, however I know the prospector used it for tools, may have used them for guns, but who knows. Maybe someone knows if the brown leatherette was stock in '72? Seat belts are ok, need a deep clean. The driver's side buckle is extremely rusted, however, and needs replacement.
I'm still not over that this is here. I was able to work the fresh air vent lever a bit and got it to move, but should probably get in there and lube it up a bit, later.
Have plans for today but will get into more checking on the brakes sometime tomorrow.
What else. Some interior photos. Realizing that I didn't share these earlier. The bulbs in both the cabin and the Vader lights were fine, but the contacts had corroded a bit, a little sandpaper and both are back in business, though the cabin light lens is all busted. Red Elmer's mug is a PNW import from a visit up to Salem.
Seats and gun rack. Gun rack may or may not be removed, however I know the prospector used it for tools, may have used them for guns, but who knows. Maybe someone knows if the brown leatherette was stock in '72? Seat belts are ok, need a deep clean. The driver's side buckle is extremely rusted, however, and needs replacement.
I'm still not over that this is here. I was able to work the fresh air vent lever a bit and got it to move, but should probably get in there and lube it up a bit, later.
Have plans for today but will get into more checking on the brakes sometime tomorrow.
