Rebuild Thread ~ 1983 FJ40 LX - Ex Aus

[dancar]

Dan
I / we havent finished installing the new rain gutter on mine yet either - its a mammoth task and a lot more complex than it appears at first sight.

but the new rain gutter will be finished soon

Ok - good to hear then, I hope to part some wisdom on you then. Once it is all welded and riveted/sikaflexed back together, make sure you align the roof from the rear first. I didn't and it sort of sits to the rear a bit. It doesnt look odd, but I can tell the difference.

I am hoping to pick up a visor this weekend (mine was beyond repair) so then I can finally arrange some time to take the roof off again, do the headlining and attach the visor before bolting it back together.

Good Luck.
Dan

 

[tlc_4play]

Went to the body shop today (eventually) to see progress on bodywork.

Sorry for the watermarks on camera lens - my nephew was fiddling with my camera.

The color is actually much darker than the camera flash makes it appear - it is almost (95%) identical to the ICON color

I will take some better pics when I get it into the workshop next week.

 

[tmarx]

Awesome Keith !

 

[tlc_4play]

Help me decide

Heeeellllp

I have been offered a very low mileage Lexus V8 with Auto Box for $750

Should I take it and drop it into the LX

One concern is that the autobox looks very long and might not fit - if so I will have to get an adaptor plate for the 5spd cogbox, but if possible Id like to use the autobox.

What's the thoughts on this mod.

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

Tough Choice! How long is the V8? Could you move it forward in the engine bay to make room for the stock 'cogbox' and transfer (I like that name)?

Also, how can I get in touch with South Boston? How do you like the gutters?

 

[tlc_4play]

The V8 could probably moved forward slightly maybe 4" - however the Lexus cogbox is significantly longer than the 40's 5spd then I still have to fit the transfer case. I think its definitely much too long

I contacted SouthBoston via a PM on this forum

His rain gutters are well made - but be warned it is not an easy job, lots of clamping, checking, re-clamping, rechecking, tack weld, re-check, weld.
Then the real PITA - all the drilling for the rivets, then BIGGER PITA peening the rivets - But all this said and done - at least he has used his initiative and made a rain gutter and its 200% better than what I had.

 

[tmarx]

Heeeellllp


Should I take it and drop it into the LX

.

Ok, yes please do. Can I then have first option on the 2F + 5sp combo please ?

 

[tlc_4play]

If I do, do the Lexus V8 swop - I'll drop the 5spd cogbox into Kermit

 

[tlc_4play]

Been doing a bit a chassis stripping this week.

Only problem is the spring shackle pins are siezed in the bushes - it's time to break out the gas axe.

So work is plodding along steadily
Its nearly time to start sandblasting

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Been doing a bit a chassis stripping this week.

Only problem is the spring shackle pins are siezed in the bushes - it's time to break out the gas axe.
[

I love it--gas axe. I've always called it a sparkle wrench myself. Excellent build so far.

 

[dancar]

Looking very nice Keith, that colour should look great, especially with the complete hardtop.

If you can do the EFI V8 - that would be great, I'll keep watching to see which way you go.

Dan

 

[tlc_4play]

All leaf springs removed from chassis, chassis now bare - ready for sandblasting.
Nearly ALL of the shackle pins were siezed in the PU bushings - makes a valid argument for greasable shackle pins.
Took a gas-axe and a 4lb hammer to remove, and on most of them the pressed spline seperated before the pin moved.

These are the last of the "before" pics as it will never look like this again

The coast cancer is BAD ! ! !

Sooooo much gunk ! ! !

 

[toyman317]

Pics no worky for me.

 

[tlc_4play]

Anyone else having difficulties viewing the pics ??

 

[herbs]

Pics work ok for me, it's shaping up nicely.

 

[toyman317]

For some reason they are working now. Nice work. Makes me think I need to kick my ass into gear on mine.

 

[Arctic Cruiser]

Do you have any specs for the Icon paint? I really like how it looks with the camera flash, awesome work.

 

[tlc_4play]

I will get the paint specs that the painter used from the body shop for you.

When I first wanted to use the ICON color - I contacted ICON to see if they would divulge this information, naturally they would not - but they did tell me that their trucks bodies are not painted - they are powder coated.

So what I did was, I printed a large pic from their webiste gave it to the body shop and told them to match it.
Their 1st attempt was too light so I had them darken it and add some very fine metalflake.
The 2nd attempt was 95% to my satisfaction - I would have actually preferred it a little bit darker, but, , , , time, , , , ,

However the color is very deceptive - in normal light it appears very dark, almost black, but in sunlight the metalflake bursts through and it shines

 

[Teebag]

A bit like ford ST orange

 

[tlc_4play]

Long overdue update

UPDATE

This has been a long time coming, work has been progressing very slowly on the LX rebuild - but I'm not in any particular hurry.

I sent all the nuts, bolts, brackets, pipes and other miscellaneous items for yellow passivating. All nuts and bolts are being sorted into linbins for their respective size and strength rating

Axles - diffs steering knuckles and wheel bearings have all been completely replaced with new bearings and seals. ARB air lockers are being set up for both front and rear.

The chassis was sandblasted, some strengthening and rust repair welding was done, then rust bulleted and painted.

all the other under chassis bits and pieces have all been sand blasted, rust bulleted and painted

The front disk calipers in the process of being rebuilt