Builds Roma's 78 fj40 gets a refurb

[lcwizard]

I've had 12 Air lockers since the mid 90's without a single failure. I still have six. I've seen more issues with electric lockers than air lockers mostly from lack of use. Moisture and sludge build up in them and they stop working and have to be disassembled and cleaned up. The key to keeping them operating well
is to cycle them often even if you aren't wheeling. They are also slow to engage (maybe three to four seconds ) so trying to engage them when you are already in a bad spot doesn't always work. The air lockers are instant and are right there when you need them. Having them disengage if you lose lose air is better than having them engaged all the way home on the pavement. I carry a spare air line and a a couple airline quick splices all the time although I've never had to use one. I would imagine the cable locker would work quite well but insurance would never allow them imported to the USA. Liability requires the manufacturers to have lockers that disengage at very low speeds

 

[Chamba]

Just made it home! That was a long test drive with a 12% odometer discrepancy for the 33" tires 6115 miles 11 days. That's 9841 kilometers

Kilometres? Who care about the French miles? I'm just impressed you did 6115 miles in 11 days!

 

[Mid TN]

Great pics, Sequoia and Yosemite were beautiful, 40 looked at home! Glad you made it home safely! Noticed the GPS on the dash with no road in sight, can only imagine what the lady was saying. "Make a U-turn, put the chains on, Thank God I'm in a Landcruiser!"

 

[roma042987]

The 40 was at home on all the terrain and loved every mile of it. There were some scary moments for my copilot mostly on Lipincott and then in the snow storm with no roads in sight. At one point the wind was so fierce on Lee flat that the snow made it a complete white out. Wish I had a picture. All the places were amazing. I may invest in a roof top tent for the next trip. Looks like glacier in July.

 

[roma042987]

I'm going to go through both axles before then and a locker in at least one. Proper air cleaner and a second battery. Can't decide on a turbo I got impatient in new Mexico, the elevation plus the hills and cars passing me while I was going 40 got the best of me.

 

[Chamba]

Not to sound negative but with an RTT up there I bet you'll want a turbo even more.

You'll love Glacier. Be sure to head up I-25 through the Tetons and do a bit of camping there too: pure heaven. I asked my wife to marry me there beside the Snake; camping in a troopy.

 

[roma042987]

I would certainly agree.

 

[Dianna]

Thanks for taking us on your road trip! Great pics! You have a great co-pilot there, willing to camp out and road trip in a 30+ year old vehicle.

 

[bikersmurf]

Thanks for taking us on your road trip! Great pics! You have a great co-pilot there, willing to camp out and road trip in a 30+ year old vehicle.

X2

Age has nothing to do with it. My 74 Fj40 has been more reliable in the last 22 years than the Toyota I bought new 5 years ago.

 

[Chamba]

X2

Age has nothing to do with it. My 74 Fj40 has been more reliable in the last 22 years than the Toyota I bought new 5 years ago.

Could not agree more. I trust my cruiser more than I trust my 2006 Ram.

 

[roma042987]

Have to share. Look what came in the mail.

Sure is teeny tiny out of the box. Can't wait to see it on my 13bt manifold I have been stashing.

 

[Chamba]

Too cool! You're going to love your new power! When I turboed my 2h I was grinning for months.

 

[roma042987]

I'm excited to hear it I'm going to redo the exhaust out of 3" mandrel. No muffler and side exit as it is now. Should sound like a tractor. I got the rest of the plumbing and lines etc this afternoon it is a d42 kit. Still need to get a pyro and a couple of other small things but it will certainly be on before the next road trip.

 

[gopbobby]

Very cool! I need to come check it out.

 

[roma042987]

Been super busy lately working on two projects at once. I'm planning on heading up to Montana on the 19th in this thing so a front axle rebuild was in order.

Out with the old.

 

[DSRTRDR]

WOW, quite the trip you have planned

 

[roma042987]

sand blasted all the parts including the housing. powder coated the backing plates, painted the housing, knuckles, steering arms and third with two coats of por15. 4plus ubolt flip kit, zinc plated the ubolts, steering stops and grease plugs on the knuckles. New rotors, new knuckle bearings and wheel bearings from georg @ valley hybrids, marlin inner axle seals, 3.70 third member from a fj60 which i set up with a solid pinion spacer i got from just differentials (worst service ever would never recommend to anyone). and a fine spline pinion flange from cruiser outfitters to bolt to the fj40 drive shaft, of course new pinion and third seals and pinion nuts from toyota. Also replaced the knuckle seal retainers with new units from toyota. Calipers are toyota remans with new pins, new toyota pads and hoses i put on earlier this year.

 

[roma042987]

Unfortunately i didnt have time to go through the rear axle as thoroughly as i want before my trip so this past weekend i put in the 3.70 third which i also set up with a solid pinion spacer and a marlin hd pinion seal. I replaced the axle seals as well. I gotta admit with the 33's and 3.70s it is a DOG! Turbo is going on this week im hoping it will provide the much needed power.

 

[Chamba]

With the turbo in there you will LOVE your 3:70s- especially going on the highway for long road trips.

Beautiful axle work - leave it to you do do the sexiest front axle rebuild on Mud....

 

[lizardking74]

Excellent thread. Thanks for sharing.