Build Shakira - The Colombian 1974 FJ43

[kunzma]

Wasn't a fan of the double sets of mudflaps and the rubber bumpers on the bumperettes. Some new rear OEM taillights cleaned up the rear. Found the wiring isn't as new as claimed.

 

[kunzma]

The battery had been lashed to a battery tray with some wires. Ordered up some new battery cables and tray.

If anyone knows the answer to this question, please post up. Is the VIN tag normally located on the passenger fender just above the battery tray?

 

[kunzma]

Wanted to post up some pictures of Tim patching the holes in Shakira. I do not have near the ability he has. I had him move a bracket from the original passenger fender to the new one.

 

[whitey45]

Nice work Matt, its so satisfying undoing all the bad and making things right! Surprised you pulled the trigger on a SA rig!! As you seem to be a perfectionist! Glad to see this 43 getting some much needed love!!

 

[kunzma]

September and October were filled with small, simple changes. Replacing the cowl vent tubes. Purchased from City Racer, LLC.

 

[kunzma]

Relocated the overflow tank from the fender to the rad frame.

 

[kunzma]

Opened up and cleaned out the doors. Shot some Fluid Film down inside the doors for rust control. Found lots of loose parts and crude door stoppers. I had Tim patch up some of the holes in the doors. Stripped the red off the handles and access panels. Ditched the old window cranks for new with fresh paint to match. I have new gaskets for the wing windows but haven't got to them yet. The original interior door pulls appear to be replacements. These seem to be solid, so they may remain for a while. Put new hinge pins in from @SMG .

 

[kunzma]

Nice work Matt, its so satisfying undoing all the bad and making things right! Surprised you pulled the trigger on a SA rig!! As you seem to be a perfectionist! Glad to see this 43 getting some much needed love!!

Thanks. I agree. Something therapeutic for sure.

 

[kunzma]

Thought that the drive shafts looked suspect with sketchy welds on the tubes, numerous dents, and miss matched hardware at the pinion flanges. Easily dropped the front drive shaft. The rear however was wedged in place. I think this truck originally had a 3 speed. When they switched to a 4 speed and the 5 inch lift they changed the length of the shaft. Now with the 2.5" lift it needs shortening. Dropped them both off at AA Driveline for new tubes and balancing. They gave the u-joints a clean bill of health, so that saves me some dough.

 

[65swb45]

Yeah, there should be more variation in length of your driveshafts with a four speed.

You have several indicators that this is a’74. The interior door pulls are one year only

 

[kunzma]

Went with Mark's recommendation to replace the 1F valve cover with the 2F aluminum valve cover. The newer cover has a better gasket to prevent oil leaks. My 1F cover gasket had so much glue holding it on I was afraid I was going to bend or break something trying to get it off.
The choke cable had been cut off just behind the dash. The bracket at the carb for the choke cable was missing. @65swb45 had the correct bracket. @ToyotaMatt is reproducing the knob and cable. With the carb issues I was having this fix didn't facilitate starting the engine. My hope is that this repair pays off after the new year when I get my carb back.

 

[kunzma]

Wanted to show carb and intake/exhaust work. Came apart surprisingly easy. 3 different size studs holding the carb to the insulator and intake manifold. Missing several washers on the manifold studs. But, all the nuts seem to be there. The temp sensitive flapper seems to be working fine. I am having the intake decked and the studs redone by Headquarters Machine and Restoration. An engine shop run by a nice group of guys near me. They said that they would have to drill out the four holes and put in some inserts.

Looking for recommendations on a new manifold gasket.

 

[kunzma]

Body was sitting a little off kilter on the homemade rubber pads. Noticed that the bib and hood lines were off also. Decided that a new body mounting kit from Cruiser Outfitters was in order. Fairly straightforward process. Definite improvement in the body lines up front and in the back.

 

[kunzma]

The list shrinks and grows as the weeks go along. Little things like replacing the piece of tie wire with the correct pin for the driver's side kick vent. I luckily had this pin left over from another LC. City Racer had a new door latch for 1974 40s. I wish I had taken a picture of the latch that was on the door pillar. It had a half inch of weld on it to take up some slack in the door. Defies description.

 

[kunzma]

Replaced the generic vinyl floor mat with a Toyota floor mat I picked up off Craigslist a few years ago.

 

[middlecalf]

Yes on the VIN tag above the battery for this vintage of rig. Believe there should also be a tag on the drivers door jam. Very nice rig and good job addressing the issues.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Looking for recommendations on a new manifold gasket.

Remflex Exhaust Header / Manifold Gaskets

PN 7009A -- Toyota Land Cruiser - L6 3.9L "F" ('68-'74), 4.2L "2F" ('75-'87) Combination Intake and Exhaust Manifold Gasket, 1(ea)

 

[kunzma]

Picked up a Toyota PU front end for parts for the disc brake upgrade. I need to read up how this is all done.

 

[kunzma]

Removed a PO's hood latch that had been heavily modified and installed a replacement from @Wadesters. They had attached a cable and ran it to the dash, then removed the handle by the grill. This modification and the battery disconnect switch in the cab makes me think that theft must have been a real problem in Bogota.

 

[kunzma]

Ordered a couple replacement rear drums from Mark's Off Road. These are thicker and heavier and are supposed to help with consistent braking.