Build Project Pikachu: 1977 FJ40

[reddog90]

Be safe and have fun.

 

[wngrog]

Rocking the Swampers. You are a glutton for punishment

 

[cbmontgo]

Our trip through Central Colorado last week was another great FJ40 adventure. I believe that Stan may use some of our story and photos for the January 2020 Toyota Trails publication, so I need to honor their request not to post up pictures so that it keeps things fresh for our broader Cruiser community.

We covered about 450 miles of some really beautiful parts of Colorado, many of which I had never seen. I'll look forward to reporting more on this later.

On a tech note, I am changing oil this week in Pikachu. Just broke the 4,000-mile mark since the last change. Gonna try 15W 40 this time I think.

 

[cbmontgo]

And if you want to share a bit about your (?) plane and such that’d be ok also.

@middlecalf, my plane is a Piper Archer. I bought this one in 2015 from a farmer in Nebraska (although I’ve been flying since 2007). It has served me well.

 

[cbmontgo]

Picked up some candy at Toyota yesterday. I love these new OEM parts!

 

[cbmontgo]

I am also going back to OEM tail lamps.

Since the left side is discontinued, I am going to get creative and install two right side lamps, except a left side lens and gasket on the driver’s side housing. I believe that this will work. I’ve got the second one on order now that I’ve test fit it today.

More candy:

 

[KingAir Driver]

Are you sure Kurt doesn’t have anymore left ones? I got mine last year when he found a stash.

 

[cbmontgo]

Are you sure Kurt doesn’t have anymore left ones? I got mine last year when he found a stash.

Hmmm. Good question for @cruiseroutfit.

 

[reddog90]

I need a pair. Didn't know the left was discontinued...

 

[cbmontgo]

Oil changes this morning in the ‘76 and the ‘77. Went with 15W-40 Rotella this time. I am running this same oil in the HJ47 now as well.

 

[cbmontgo]

Not a whole lot to report on the 40 other than new OEM tail lights. I can confirm that the left side tail light, which is NLA, can be replaced simply by buying a right side lamp, flipping it upside down, and installing a new OEM left side lens so that the weep holes are on the bottom. Everything else is plug and play.

We got some snow last night and I dipped the Super Swampers in some virgin snow on my property. Was a chilly, but nice ride.

 

[wngrog]

Gotta get you on the Sniper bandwagon

 

[cbmontgo]

I forgot to mention that I picked up this beauty from Toyota to throw on the shelf for a little while. My aluminum radiator has been super solid, but I may go back to OEM one day. These are starting to become less available OEM, so I wanted to lock one down.

It’s purty.

 

[wngrog]

Yes. Nothing like em

 

[middlecalf]

And it’s not beat up, survived whatever shipping it endured. Unlike....

 

[reddog90]

@cbmontgo Did you get it through city racer?

 

[cbmontgo]

@cbmontgo Did you get it through city racer?

Bought it from my parts guy here at Groove Toyota. I’ve been using him for all of my OEM stuff for 10+ years.

 

[cbmontgo]

So my neighbor needed some help removing his gas tank (sediment is getting into his fuel strainer) from his 1953 Ford Jubilee tractor.

Naturally, I drove my tractor over there too.

We pulled it all apart in about an hour. Love old engines.

 

[wngrog]

@RustyNailJustin

 

[Honger]

So my neighbor needed some help removing his gas tank (sediment is getting into his fuel strainer) from his 1953 Ford Jubilee tractor.

Naturally, I drove my tractor over there too.
View attachment 2127001
We pulled it all apart in about an hour. Love old engines.
View attachment 2127002

Beautiful! Man he’s kept that old Ford in great shape.