Smog Questions (1 Viewer)

[Dizzy]

Thank you. So are you saying mine is missing a heat shield? Is it supposed to have a hot air intake? Nippon Denso coil? Wht's that all about. Thanks for your help

The heat shield fits over the exhaust manifold, and it also provides a source of heat for the air intake when cold to help vaporize the fuel mix faster and burn completely. The igniter for the coil is part of the ignition system; it is a more modern way of using points in the distributor. Nippon Denso was an OEM company for Toyota.

My truck came with an alternator like the spray painted one in the for-sale truck above. Notice how the bracket is maxed out, and the bracket is leaning on the alternator itself. A previous owner of my rig took the bracket to the grinder instead of finding the proper alternator or belt, just to get barely enough tension to make it work.

 

[Spike Strip]

As a life-long Los Angeles resident and frequent battler of f'ing CA smog laws due to my unhealthy affinity for old vehicles, I will second and 3rd most of what was said above, though it's not as cut 'n dry as stated. But it is getting increasingly difficult to pass these early vehicles due to many factors, including the reluctance of Smog Shops to test non-OBD vehicles as C.A.R.B monitors passage rates, and takes a close look at shops that seem to pass too many, 1st try... The shop will lie to you when you drive in and say their machine is not working, so go elsewhere...

All that being said, it will depend on how persistent you are and how mechanically inclined you are. If you know your way around an engine like this, you will have much better luck than someone who has to rely on a mechanic to make it happen. There are loopholes in CA smog laws, but it always involves this glorious State taking obscene amounts of money out of your wallet - EVERY OTHER YEAR.

EVERYTHING needs to be there, emissions related, that was there from the factory, including something as inconsequential to smog as a pre-heater tube. Generally, the smog techs do not know Cruisers, but they are trained to look for systems and missing components.

If the engine is missing emissions components, they can be found used, but there's no guarantee they will work, and that will only get you over the 1st hurdle, anyway.

Time to time, there are bills introduced to move the cut-off date for smog testing exemption up to early 80s, but I doubt that will only pass about the same time the State elects a Republican Gov. --- In other words, prolly not in our life-time.

 

[bhsdriller]

Don't do it hold out for a 75 or older

 

[laxman]

Yours looks like it’s missing the most vital and hard to get part the EGR system. A closer pic of the exhaust pipe connection will tell the story..
Circled in red are the major parts of the system
View attachment 2165794

thanks, and what year engine is this? '76?

 

[3_puppies]

Isn't that a vacuum transfer case module on the firewall?

that is the 2 piece speedo cable thingy

 

[surfpig]

You need to move out of that state you are living in..

Very helpful.

 

[surfpig]

As a life-long Los Angeles resident and frequent battler of f'ing CA smog laws due to my unhealthy affinity for old vehicles, I will second and 3rd most of what was said above, though it's not as cut 'n dry as stated. But it is getting increasingly difficult to pass these early vehicles due to many factors, including the reluctance of Smog Shops to test non-OBD vehicles as C.A.R.B monitors passage rates, and takes a close look at shops that seem to pass too many, 1st try... The shop will lie to you when you drive in and say their machine is not working, so go elsewhere...

All that being said, it will depend on how persistent you are and how mechanically inclined you are. If you know your way around an engine like this, you will have much better luck than someone who has to rely on a mechanic to make it happen. There are loopholes in CA smog laws, but it always involves this glorious State taking obscene amounts of money out of your wallet - EVERY OTHER YEAR.

EVERYTHING needs to be there, emissions related, that was there from the factory, including something as inconsequential to smog as a pre-heater tube. Generally, the smog techs do not know Cruisers, but they are trained to look for systems and missing components.

If the engine is missing emissions components, they can be found used, but there's no guarantee they will work, and that will only get you over the 1st hurdle, anyway.

Time to time, there are bills introduced to move the cut-off date for smog testing exemption up to early 80s, but I doubt that will only pass about the same time the State elects a Republican Gov. --- In other words, prolly not in our life-time.

I agree with a lot of this. I don't know what /if there are requirements for an out-of-state vehicle. I suppose you need to have what was on the vehicle for the state it was originally registered. An emissions test would be a great indicator for what you're dealing with.

I have to say here, I have a huge problem with someone selling a vehicle and a buyer being duped by the line, "it was a total frame off restoration.", when there was a lot of cover-up paint involved, and possibly not all the functional OEM crap installed....

 

[1969FJ]

In Arizona you can register a 25 year old vehicle as a classic and avoid the emissions test. I am not sure if California does the same.

 

[bhsdriller]

In Arizona you can register a 25 year old vehicle as a classic and avoid the emissions test. I am not sure if California does the same.

Kind of. They have "collector car" registration but then it can't be driven regularly only in like parades and charity things.
They're still subject to inspection but it's a lot more lenient.

 

[Spike Strip]

If you insure your vehicle, in Calf, as a collector car, you're very limited with annual mileage and can never take it off-road, or at least they won't cover any loss that occurs off-highway. It's not practical for people who want to actually use their 4WD.

Advice to the OP: For their $38K asking price, I'd be very very sure everything the seller tells you is accurate and true. You may want to get an independent vehicle inspection by someone who knows 40s ...

Good luck.

 

[777Gage]

I also agree with everyone on the 1975 and earlier comments, having owned a 76 and a 75 previously.

However.......I recently purchased a 78 (which I may regret someday ) but it had all the original smog equipment present. I also had the owners smog it twice, before I paid for it.
The main reasons I purchased it, against a pre-75, was the condition, and same owner for the last 25 years. And I couldn't find a decent 75 that was even close in condition for the price I paid. No abuse or cutting, just neglect but overall 95% original.

And for some added conversation, I also was interested in a 76 here on Mud in SoCal. The owner had registered in South Dakota, here's his advice:
Vehicle is registered in South Dakota, you can easily do the same. I did this because it has a non original F1 motor and zero smog equipment. The process is quick and 100 percent legal, basically you set up a second address and in the eyes of the law you have a second home. $250 SD could care less if you set foot in their state, renewal was around $50. Most exotic cars are registered in Montana or SD for the same reason. I use a company called yourbestaddress.com who explain the entire process.

I'm seeing Mark at Marks Offroad sometime in late January to go through it properly, but if for some reason it won't smog in the future I may go the South Dakota registration route.......

 

[pjohnson]

This should answer a few questions...

FJ40, FJ45, FJ55, FJ60/62, FJ80 and FZJ80 Land Cruiser EGR Components - Specter Off-Road

Toyota Land Cruiser parts since 1983. From the oldest FJ25 and to the newest Land Cruiser, Non USA or domestic 40 Series, 60 Series 80 Series or 100 Series, SOR has the largest selection of top quality new and used OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts in stock in the world. Specializing in...

www.sor.com

 

[1969FJ]

I also agree with everyone on the 1975 and earlier comments, having owned a 76 and a 75 previously.

However.......I recently purchased a 78 (which I may regret someday ) but it had all the original smog equipment present. I also had the owners smog it twice, before I paid for it.
The main reasons I purchased it, against a pre-75, was the condition, and same owner for the last 25 years. And I couldn't find a decent 75 that was even close in condition for the price I paid. No abuse or cutting, just neglect but overall 95% original.

And for some added conversation, I also was interested in a 76 here on Mud in SoCal. The owner had registered in South Dakota, here's his advice:
Vehicle is registered in South Dakota, you can easily do the same. I did this because it has a non original F1 motor and zero smog equipment. The process is quick and 100 percent legal, basically you set up a second address and in the eyes of the law you have a second home. $250 SD could care less if you set foot in their state, renewal was around $50. Most exotic cars are registered in Montana or SD for the same reason. I use a company called yourbestaddress.com who explain the entire process.

I'm seeing Mark at Marks Offroad sometime in late January to go through it properly, but if for some reason it won't smog in the future I may go the South Dakota registration route.......

If I lived in California I would do this. Thanks for the info.

 

[laxman]

The fj in question here is currently in Denver. I'm getting mixed reviews...the owner of the consignment shop says he's never seen one like this another mechanic looked at it and said he thinks all the original smog equipment is there. It seems to be missing a few pieces (I.e. erg). Is it hard to go the south dakota or montana route after I purchase it and have it moved to CA if i'm unable to get it registered here?

 

[bhsdriller]

No clue

 

[777Gage]

The fj in question here is currently in Denver. I'm getting mixed reviews...the owner of the consignment shop says he's never seen one like this another mechanic looked at it and said he thinks all the original smog equipment is there. It seems to be missing a few pieces (I.e. erg). Is it hard to go the south dakota or montana route after I purchase it and have it moved to CA if i'm unable to get it registered here?

I don't know for sure, I only lightly researched it after getting the 2 smog certs for my 78. Although I didn't feel it was going to be to difficult should I need to go the SD route, you don't even have to take it there, the company does it all for you.
Here's the web address: yourbestaddress.com - Click the Vehicle Registration tab - and their # 800.419.1690

 

[3_puppies]

Is it hard to go the south dakota or montana route after I purchase it and have it moved to CA if i'm unable to get it registered here?

I have no idea about that registering in another state thing.
if it is a personal vehicle and your main residence is in 1 state, live there more than 1/2 year, I thought it needs to be registered in that state. You may get away with it for a time but it may catch up to you at some point.
business vehicles are different

 

[ToyotaMatt]

a little shy of a year ago , the state of Maryland simply made all NON - OBDII

vehicals only preform a simple tail pipe sniff test , and simple gas cap o-ring seal test .

gone are the big Rolling Thunder treadmills that would force resistance on your vehical during the test and require More throttle acceleration and fuel consumption through the power range

- Here are The Rules and regulations regarding Exemptions , both short

and long term , Extensions , and waiver's etc ........



I always Got away with my various 2F and F equipped Land Cruisers growing

up in the Age of Al Gore and OZONE Man ( circa 1990 age 16 )

, By in no uncertain terms , taking FULL advantage of and indeed abusing

and overusing , a little known Nitch Loophole that i was taught by another

Jeep CJ7 Laredo Dude , that was also a JR. Volunteer Fire Fighter ,

as i also had become , a full fledged REd-Striper at age 14 ......


him and i hooked afternoon T-TEN Shop / LAB one day and made the hour

long trip Via my 12/78 FJ40LV-KCJA Federal spec. emissions , all my

original Smog Components were in place and in good working order as far

as i knew ?



one odd fact is my Under Hood Emissions Decal , Stated " non-catylist "

i still don't really know at what exact production date the 49 Federal

Emissions states started having Converters on FJ40 Land Cruisers , and

i suppose the few early - 12/78 FJ55's were in the same category ?

unless some how a Wagon Classified differently then the fj40 , witch

at the time was Termed a " Multi Purpose Vehical " on my state TITLE


so .........

how the game worked was your vehicals emissions requirements and

subsequent testing standards were NOT based on the Model year of the said

Maryland state registered Vehical , Rather the Production Date of the

Engine itself ........


My Fire department Buddy " Darren Wright "

knew this game well and told me to chill and watch and learn ?

so i did , as i feverishly started biting my finger nails in MVA Room

420 , Darren approached the Counter and asked for Form V-73 ,

Prior to this unique moment in time , i was having the Time of my life

it was my First Full Semester at the T-TEN Program , and i was being

introduced to Radical New ideas and concepts By both my fellow class

mates and the Obie-Wan Kenobe like passing down and sharing of

Knowledge that only Full Fledged and Accredited T-TEN Lab Professor

could possibly ever know .


its important to keep in mind , this was the age just prior to the Internet

and SOR's 2F Engine Serial # to Production Date charts were nothing i recall

ever seeing at that time

keep in mind in 1994 SOR's paper parts catalogue was a small Owner's

Manual size print Media publication . as i think i recall .?





So i needed a 1976 or Older 2F Engine Serial # to put on Form V-73

and it needed to be Legit , in case somehow the MVA could confirm or deny

it's authenticity somehow ?



so as a Very Loyal " Specter Off -Road " Club Member #13150 ,

i used my parents PEE - GREEN Rotary dial phone attached mid way up the

wall in the kitchen , i feverishly Dialed 1-818-882-1786 @ 4PM sharp

PST / 7pm sharp EST , Curt answered , and asked me how he can help

this evening , 1994 was smack dab in the middle of the Golden Age

or SOR , when the Free Daily Tech Line was Still Manned from 4-7pm M-F



i proceeded to give Curt way too much information in my small then allotted

time window


he said something to the affect of " Stop right there " and the phone dropped to a table top or what ever .

a minute or so later he returned to the hand held analogue phone Receiver

and told me to grab a pencil , he quickly rambled off " 2F 324877 "


i had scribbled it down on my SOR parts cataloger , and had that with me at the MVA that day .


Darren Filled out the form with a Bold straight face , and simply put 1976

in the Year of Engine location u see in my Photos below , also stated

it was a NO Catalyst and NO Fuel Restrictor Vehical ?


as i type this post right now , i have no idea what a fuel restrictor on a 12/78

FJ40 land Cruiser actually is ?



maybe the little flapper door down inside the filler neck port ?


i clearly recall this being a FREE form or service the MVA offered ,



so , i learned on the Fly , while playing Hooky for a day from my First short

weeks as T-TEN Tech in training . how to Forge Documents

and Scam my Local MVA into giving me a LIFETIME " Vehical Exempt "

Certificate ., for my first car as a teenager & also first ever Land Cruiser .



i indeed Never received a Testing Notice for Frame # FJ40293886 ever again .

did i apply and Successfully use this same technique on the several

other various 2F equipped Land Cruisers i owned growing up into the late

1990's and 2000's .........


H#ll Yea ! , and it worked like charm every single time ........




the icing on the cake to this whole experience is Curt @SOR

Actually gave me my own 12/78 FJ40LV-KCJA 2F engine serial #


i wondered years later how that possibly happened ?



but . its simple , SOR or Spector Off Road at the time as it was called ,

had you fill out a complex vehical ID form with all the spec's and numbers you

could possibly imagine , including the 2F engine serial # .......


Thanks Curt ! it worked .........


matt

 

[ToyotaMatt]

ToyotaMatt's Beloved " Big Green Machine "

sadly sold to take a next Land cruiser step in life

 

[ToyotaMatt]