Builds Salt wagon My first fj40 (build) (3 Viewers)

[svsisu]

not to send you into the weeds, but it’s your cruiser absolutely do what you want. A diesel swap would be cool no doubt but definitely get the right engine as there are definitely ones that are more trouble than worth.

I fully understand originality and where that line is on an old modified vehicle. My BJ74 is technically “mostly original”. original drivetrain, axles, interior, snorkel, heck in Australia you could order them with the ARB from dealer. On the flip side it’s lifted, upgraded turbo, bigger tires, soft top kit, and a few other trinkets that only came on different models. Makes it more desirable for most people but fully original? No.

Find a diesel that someone is getting rid of for cheap. Look into the Mercedes OM617 or OM variations. It would be awesome with an OM617. There are some swaps here. As you also know @theglobb used a 4bd1t from an Isuzu, excellent engine with a crap ton of spare parts. You can find those old Isuzu cab overs all the time for cheap.


I’d love someday to get a rig like this. Right up your alley for a surf/beach rig. The only downside being your legs ARE the crumple zone

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I know where a nearby 1Hz is But certainly the right diesel would make all the difference. The Red Rocket with the 4bd1t isuzu is incredible to drive, heaps of power; makes me think a 15BFT would be fantastic too, but hard to find. And yeah, that Dyna would make a great beach rig, and I think there might be one in salt wagon's extended family! Every time I see a photo like that it makes me want one. Fortunately the island isn't big enough for your kidney's to get sore, even if riding in a chuck wagon.

On a recent trip to Japan I saw so many cool 4wd trucks- here's one that I particularly liked, especially it's name:

 

[CruiserTrash]

not to send you into the weeds, but it’s your cruiser absolutely do what you want. A diesel swap would be cool no doubt but definitely get the right engine as there are definitely ones that are more trouble than worth.

I fully understand originality and where that line is on an old modified vehicle. My BJ74 is technically “mostly original”. original drivetrain, axles, interior, snorkel, heck in Australia you could order them with the ARB from dealer. On the flip side it’s lifted, upgraded turbo, bigger tires, soft top kit, and a few other trinkets that only came on different models. Makes it more desirable for most people but fully original? No.

Find a diesel that someone is getting rid of for cheap. Look into the Mercedes OM617 or OM variations. It would be awesome with an OM617. There are some swaps here. As you also know @theglobb used a 4bd1t from an Isuzu, excellent engine with a crap ton of spare parts. You can find those old Isuzu cab overs all the time for cheap.


I’d love someday to get a rig like this. Right up your alley for a surf/beach rig. The only downside being your legs ARE the crumple zone

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At this rate buy a Pinzgauer or Volvo C303 and be done with it

Also, what in the sam hell is going on with the bondo job on that bed???

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

all of this was kinda what I figured. Just like the idea of a diesel 40. I dont think I will pick up the 2b. The owner is now saying it spun a bearing because of a bad oil pump anyway.... Not wanting to open that can of worms

If you need a 2H let me know

 

[Roastchestnuts]

At this rate buy a Pinzgauer or Volvo C303 and be done with it

Also, what in the sam hell is going on with the bondo job on that bed???

Unimog would be my choice at that point. pinzgauers are cool but I cant imgine trying to find parts for them. the C303 is cool too.

not to send you into the weeds, but it’s your cruiser absolutely do what you want. A diesel swap would be cool no doubt but definitely get the right engine as there are definitely ones that are more trouble than worth.

I fully understand originality and where that line is on an old modified vehicle. My BJ74 is technically “mostly original”. original drivetrain, axles, interior, snorkel, heck in Australia you could order them with the ARB from dealer. On the flip side it’s lifted, upgraded turbo, bigger tires, soft top kit, and a few other trinkets that only came on different models. Makes it more desirable for most people but fully original? No.

Find a diesel that someone is getting rid of for cheap. Look into the Mercedes OM617 or OM variations. It would be awesome with an OM617. There are some swaps here. As you also know @theglobb used a 4bd1t from an Isuzu, excellent engine with a crap ton of spare parts. You can find those old Isuzu cab overs all the time for cheap.


I’d love someday to get a rig like this. Right up your alley for a surf/beach rig. The only downside being your legs ARE the crumple zone

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View attachment 3876524

Those trucks are cool for sure! @Shyrock (who I bought the fj40 from has one) it would be perfect for more of a work/surfcamp truck for sure. I like the smaller lightace trucks and vans too. My father has a little JDM dihatsu fire truck that also has leg crumple zones haha.

with the diesel Id like to keep in toyota. I do like that I open the hood and its a toyota motor. I cant remember what @theglobb did for the transmission adapter. but I remember it being custom. THe isuzu Diesel is pretty cool too.

I know where a nearby 1Hz is But certainly the right diesel would make all the difference. The Red Rocket with the 4bd1t isuzu is incredible to drive, heaps of power; makes me think a 15BFT would be fantastic too, but hard to find. And yeah, that Dyna would make a great beach rig, and I think there might be one in salt wagon's extended family! Every time I see a photo like that it makes me want one. Fortunately the island isn't big enough for your kidney's to get sore, even if riding in a chuck wagon.

On a recent trip to Japan I saw so many cool 4wd trucks- here's one that I particularly liked, especially it's name:

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GUTS! throw on a early 90s late 80s skateboard magazine font and that would be epic! haha.1hz I know you know that I know but we also know where a 1hz is close by hehehe. But yeah the Dayna would be super cool to have. Not sure if its my cup of tea. I do really love the mitusbishi delicas. especially the 5 speed diesel truck 4x4 ones. I was very close to buying one a few years ago. had a deposit down and everything.

but yeah if my kidneys held up with the cheep lift that was on my fj40 originally I think I would be ok with most things.

If you need a 2H let me know

Ill keep that in my back pocket. Thanks! ITs a cool engine.


(to all) I guess I gotta start thinking about transmission stuff soon. I honestly would love to keep the column shift. but the 5 speed would be really nice. One of my favorite parts of the early fj40s is the column shift and dash vacuum actuation 4x4.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

So I did not get as much done on the saltwagon as I would have liked this past weekend because I caught a stomach bug. The life of a teacher.... but I did get some More done on the windshield frame. I finally got all the screws out of the hinge. I had to drill and tap 3 of them. I think 5 of them I used the air hammer to turn them. Those buggers were stuck stuck. I reinstalled the hinges to the cowl but this time I put anti seize grease on the threads. I also cleaned and painted the the hinges and cowl and windsheild frame. No pictures right now other than a picture I took of the tapping haha.

 

[120mm]

Those windshield screws are no joke. I'm convinced with mine, the physics of multiple layers binding the screws was the culprit, so I wobbled the hinge back and forth and eventually got them out

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Those windshield screws are no joke. I'm convinced with mine, the physics of multiple layers binding the screws was the culprit, so I wobbled the hinge back and forth and eventually got them out

Yeah it was probably the most stubborn fastener I have ever had to deal with. The side ones were the most stubborn for me. Luckly all of the cowl ones came out so I could get the windshield off to do my gasket stuff (witch I have still not done yet).
I think I might work some magic with some wetsand paper and pull some fake patina out on the hinges later and clean up some of it. I rust converted and painted the cowl too as eventually that would have been some big rust holes.

 

[charliemeyer007]

I just ordered some "impact" rated JIS bits from Amoron, I'll see how good they are.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I was kinda hoping this rubber boot would work that came off my fj80 before It was totalled. no luck there. I feel like these boots are hard to find though.

other Updates: I might buy a gear reduction starter. This one already has a dead spot (was a cheeper aftermarket one). I have had some electrical issues and starting issues. that I am thinking is just the brushes wearing out already. I also kinda want that gear reduction starter from the things I have read. The alternator is charging. Voltage regulator is good. The battery reads about 13.3v when running and about 12.3 when not running. My battery does kinda suck and I wish I had bought a bigger one with more CCA at the time too.

after driving everything more or less close to original for about a year I am thinking about a few things:

I kinda want to start thinking about swapping in a disc brake axle. I know this is an old ball and claw axle and I dont know what all you would have to swap in or is it easer to just get a newer axle.

I am planning on doing my shocks soon along with some 16 inch rims sooner than later. Not sure if I am going toyota splits or city racer 16s. I think city racer might be almost sold out of them. I do know where 5 16inch splits are close to me for a good price and that might be the ticket. Being on an island without a tire shop these rims might actually be better. I finally want to do my 750 r16 super traxion style tires.

I need to bust into my 4speed project. went on the back burner because of life. I have most of the parts to put it back together except the bearing and gasket kit. I think maybe once school lets out Ill start on this one. I still would love to do the 4speed on the column with the 3speed transfer case. The 3 speed is fine It just would be nice with a 4 speed and a syncro first + reverse gear. Or maybe a 5 speed on the floor? hummmmmmmmm I have everything here exept a cross member too.

Diesel is on the back burner till maybe mid to end of summer while I think about what parts I need.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I just ordered some "impact" rated JIS bits from Amoron, I'll see how good they are.

Let us know if they are any good!

 

[cruiseroutfit]

after driving everything more or less close to original for about a year I am thinking about a few things:

I kinda want to start thinking about swapping in a disc brake axle. I know this is an old ball and claw axle and I dont know what all you would have to swap in or is it easer to just get a newer axle.

Everything you need to know on the disc brake swap:

Tech Talk: Ultimate 40/55 Series Disc Brake Conversion Parts Thread (Work in Progress)

Skip anything that has you reusing course spline birfield outer axle and uses adapters to fit GM calipers and rotors. Like hard pass skip. These require you to re-use your course spline (low strength) outer birf joint and free-wheel hubs, both of which have no options for upgrades. If you have a...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Everything you need to know on the disc brake swap:

Tech Talk: Ultimate 40/55 Series Disc Brake Conversion Parts Thread (Work in Progress)

Skip anything that has you reusing course spline birfield outer axle and uses adapters to fit GM calipers and rotors. Like hard pass skip. These require you to re-use your course spline (low strength) outer birf joint and free-wheel hubs, both of which have no options for upgrades. If you have a...

forum.ih8mud.com

Thanks Kurt! Kinda what I remember... find a whole new front axle because of the corse spline axle I have. No big deal I feel like they pop up.

 

[69LC]

My mini truck disc converted 69 axle is available... The ride from Michigan might suck.

 

[RevISK]

you will love a GR starter.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

you will love a GR starter.

Yeah I think I will too. I remember my fj80 starter doing a good job on the 3fe. From what I was reading it takes less voltage to turn over the gear reduction starter too.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

My mini truck disc converted 69 axle is available... The ride from Michigan might suck.

Haha. That is pretty far from me but I appreciate the heads up! I kinda wanted to build my own just for the project aspect of it. I have found a few 60 series axles near me for cheep that I could use the brake/hub stuff from. I just gotta find a 40 series axle housing. I am in no rush though. Kinda waiting to start buying parts when I am off work for the summer and I can get off the island to get them.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I finally figured out what the heck was wrong with my charging system. the 2 wire plug going into the Alternator crumbled when I tried to take it out. because of this I figured out the (e) connector was not was not getting full contact on the alternator. It was not making contact well. I pushed the connectors further on the alternator terminal and all my starting woes seem to be better and the alternator went from 13volts when running to 14 when running after finding my issue. Right now I just have some generic spade connectors on there temporarily. @Coolerman do you have a plug kit for the 3 wire alternator set up? the plastic plug and the female spade connectors that go in the plug? Like for the alternator below?

 

[svsisu]

I

I finally figured out what the heck was wrong with my charging system. the 2 wire plug going into the Alternator crumbled when I tried to take it out. because of this I figured out the (e) connector was not was not getting full contact on the alternator. It was not making contact well. I pushed the connectors further on the alternator terminal and all my starting woes seem to be better and the alternator went from 13volts when running to 14 when running after finding my issue. Right now I just have some generic spade connectors on there temporarily. @Coolerman do you have a plug kit for the 3 wire alternator set up? the plastic plug and the female spade connectors that go in the plug? Like for the alternator below?
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If coolerman doesn't have what you need, and the pins are 6.3mm, these from vintage connections would probably work:

6.3mm Connectors

6.3mm latching connectors and terminals similar to those found on most Japanese motorcycles from the first half of the 1970s. Commonly used for regulator/rectifiers, ignition switches, alternator connectors, and electronic ignition units. Because these connectors are non-latching, they will...

www.vintageconnections.com

I used one in my engine bay and it mated to my "old" harness. If you need the "black" male piece (with female brass connectors) that is in your photo, I have one here in Avon. If it would work, you can have it.

Vintage Connections is agreat resource for some of these old connections. I've also had good success with Spark Moto, but there website is not longer showing connectors.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Trying out an infared filter on the beach with this leica M10m monochrom camera. Pretty cool stuff. I did notice a few dust spots I gotta clean off my sensor though. Yeah rocking the fj40 without a windshield right now... going to wait to take to get new glass put in it I think.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I

If coolerman doesn't have what you need, and the pins are 6.3mm, these from vintage connections would probably work:

6.3mm Connectors

6.3mm latching connectors and terminals similar to those found on most Japanese motorcycles from the first half of the 1970s. Commonly used for regulator/rectifiers, ignition switches, alternator connectors, and electronic ignition units. Because these connectors are non-latching, they will...

www.vintageconnections.com

I used one in my engine bay and it mated to my "old" harness. If you need the "black" male piece (with female brass connectors) that is in your photo, I have one here in Avon. If it would work, you can have it.

Vintage Connections is agreat resource for some of these old connections. I've also had good success with Spark Moto, but there website is not longer showing connectors.

Thanks! I purchased one of these. we will see when It gets in!