Springtail MPAC 1977 FJ40 Build (1 Viewer)

[nickolai]

Thanks guys...the build is slow but sure.

The wheels are steelies from an FJ Cruiser....the jury is still out on whether they or the tires will stay.

Doc

Cheers.

They look choice.

 

[hindsight]

Ok here is the set up, I am hoping someone can help.

I have an complete PACOL tub/firewall. The rest of the vehicle is a 1977 FJ40

The hood seems to fit OK on the vehicle until the hinges are bolted on. Then the hood is moved forward about 5/8 of an inch (see pictures)

Pictures of the old Firewall hinge mounts

Is there some variation in the hinges between the years that I am unaware of????

If not, I don't think it will be a big deal to modify the hinges...I am just hoping there is an easier answer.

Thanks in advance!!

Doc

 

[hindsight]

Pics of the exhaust...let me know what you think.

Doc

 

[Dudleyfj40]

Here is a picture of my 68, looks like you loose that 5/8" in your cowl.

 

[hindsight]

Looks like a different hinge to me....what do you think.

Doc

 

[Texican]

well don't know fer sure, however the 71 I just finished had the same problem I assumed it was the difference in the one piece hood hinge and the later, when I first put it together my hood did that, I had just grabbed a pair of hinges sent them to paint and had to get the 2 that came with the truck so the hood would fit......although you "should " have all later stuff here, right?

 

[hindsight]

well don't know fer sure, however the 71 I just finished had the same problem I assumed it was the difference in the one piece hood hinge and the later, when I first put it together my hood did that, I had just grabbed a pair of hinges sent them to paint and had to get the 2 that came with the truck so the hood would fit......although you "should " have all later stuff here, right?

I have a feeling that the PACOL body is based on the older style FJ40 and there must be some discrete differences. More than likely, I will have to do some modifying of the mounts to make some sort of hybrid.

Does anyone have a set of the older style hinges that they would be willing to part with???

Doc

 

[antFJ]

I had the same problem with my truck - i was using all different parts from different trucks.. the only way I could get everything to fit was to heat up the hinges and bend them backwards a little bit to shorten the gap.

my hood before... and the hinge as it sits now

 

[Dudleyfj40]

The guy to get a hold of is Matt Tarnow, at MidAmerican Land Cruiser. He will have the hood hinge you are looking for.
Plus you get the Tall Corn Cruiser discount.
563-349-7376 is his cell

 

[hindsight]

Thanks
Is that the guy over by moline?

 

[Dudleyfj40]

Yes, that is him, bet he knows both dimensions of the hinges also.

 

[SteveH]

Really old hinges (such as those on my '65 FJ45) were cast, and said 'FJ25' cast into the hinge body. I don't know if they are dimensionally different than the later stamped hinges you'd find a mid-70s FJ.

The heat-and-bend mod is very clever - never would have thought of that. Also, consider egging out holes here and there until things line up.

 

[hindsight]

OK...beginning to work on the fix for the hood "overbite"

I cut some 1/4 inch rubber spacers....

Disassembled the front end yet again...I will spare you the details.

Reassembled with the new spacers...

This should give me a bit of lee way but I will still need to work on the hinges...I am trying to source some of those right now.

Doc

 

[Dudleyfj40]

You going to get it out here?

 

[hindsight]

You going to get it out here?

Which part???

Doc

 

[hindsight]

OK....back to the grindstone

Fixing the issue with the hood pretty much required using a bit of advice from everyone on MUD. It was not just one thing but instead a lot of little things that added up.

Before I start with the rundown....for the record.

Old hinges vs new hinges....exactly the same.

First step was to make sure that the hood was aligned with the cowl. This required some dremelling of the rear portion of the hinge (really not much though). Once bolted in place we had a decent reference point from which to align the front "clip". The hood did need to be cut on the side as pictured to clear the bumper pad.

I had already put the rubber spacers in the gap for the apron which allowed me 1/4 inch.

Next, I loosened up all of the bolts at the base of the bib and where it attaches to the front fenders. This allowed me to "twist the front end to a position where the front clip lined up pretty well with the hood.

There was still some overhang on the drivers side...this was corrected with some dremel work to the forward portion of the hood hinge.

It is not exactly perfect....but I think that it is as close as I will be able to get.

Doc

 

[SteveH]

Any progress on this?

 

[hindsight]

Not really much progress....hood is painted but not installed. The FJ40 is back at the mechanic but has pretty much sat in lieu of him getting back to the project.

The plan is to get him to wire everything and get her running so that I can get all of the rest done. I foresee the vintage air installation being the biggest hurdle....everything else should go fairly smoothly.

The good news is that he does not charge me storage fees ;p

Doc

 

[nick1860]

All of this going on in our little town and now I find it on the net. That is amazing

 

[broth9640]

The hinges looked like they could have been flipped around. Were the holes equal distance to the hinge on both sides?