StormRider's 71FJ40 Refresh

[StormRider]

I have been so busy with work since I bought it a month ago and haven't had much time to mess with it but that will change. This is what it looked like when I got it, dirty and muddy.

So yesterday I went over to my buddy's house to pressure wash it and blasted most of the latex paint the previous owner brushed on. Yeah! The green came of very easy and I got it down to the primer. I like it much better this way. I also took off the doors and and the soft top frame. I don't plan on driving it in the winter so it will stay topless most of the year. My buddy even took his leaf blower and blew all the leaves and pine straws out for me. Guess he was glad to be getting his parking space back . My FJ's 1 month stay there made him go out and buy himself a 2011 Land Cruiser though .

Tomorrow I will get towed back to my apartment and I will work on it every chance I get.

 

[upperblack]

Welcome to mud!!!

latex paint?... That's a first.

I agree the primer looks better.

 

[StormRider]

Welcome to mud!!!

latex paint?... That's a first.

I agree the primer looks better.

Thanks upper black!

 

[DSRTRDR]

good that you got the green off, looks much better

enjoy driving the truck for a while and get to know it - endless fun

 

[mrboatman]

Looks a lot better than the green also Welcome lots of great info here

 

[emac]

That looks pretty solid. Nice find. Lots of great information on MUD. Post up some more detailed pictures and we will help you spend all your money!

 

[StormRider]

good that you got the green off, looks much better

enjoy driving the truck for a while and get to know it - endless fun

Thanks I plan on trying to get it started first. Will be calling the board for help here once I start to tackle it.

 

[StormRider]

Looks a lot better than the green also Welcome lots of great info here

I agree mrboatman! Nothing against green of course...just not my first choice. I plan on getting it painted blue down the line.

 

[StormRider]

That looks pretty solid. Nice find. Lots of great information on MUD. Post up some more detailed pictures and we will help you spend all your money!

Thanks emac! It's solid for the most part...just needs some TLC. I plan on asking the board for help on spending whatever money I have for it

 

[StormRider]

So I finally got it towed back to my apartment today and my kids are all over it already! I will treat it as if it has been sitting for 10 years because it seems like it has. When I went to pick it up last month, the motor would barely turn over and the PO told me that he thinks that power wire to the ignition coil might be loose but that seems unlikely to me. It seemed like the battery was bad or it didn't have a good connection with the power or ground wire from the battery. When I took it home, I fixed the wire from the coil that was frayed and put a good battery in but the engine still struggled to turn over so I just stopped. I will try to take out the plugs and see if I can turn the motor over by hand and hope that nothing is seized internally. I took the battery to O'Reilly today to get it tested and of course it's shot and they said that it 7 years old so I bought a new Optima red top battery for it. I have also ordered some spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor, a Pertronix upgraded coil to replace the points, fuel filter, oil filter, thermostat and gasket, and the ignition cylinder and key to replace the old worn out one. Basically do a complete tune up. I might even pull the valve cover just to see if there are any sludge or any rockers that are stuck and what not. I may replace the ground and power cables from the battery if they are old. I bought some Marvel Mystery Oil today and read that I should add some to my engine oil before I try and start it up. Any tips or advice?

 

[65swb45]

Might want to investigate why the front reservoir on the brakes is low. Kind of important.

Better yet you Should just plan on rebuilding the wheel cylinders. New is not an option for your early '71.

Also go through the steering system.

IMO, both are more important than the engine. Safety first.

Best

Mark

www.marksoffroad.net

 

[StormRider]

Might want to investigate why the front reservoir on the brakes is low. Kind of important.

Better yet you Should just plan on rebuilding the wheel cylinders. New is not an option for your early '71.

Also go through the steering system.

IMO, both are more important than the engine. Safety first.

Best

Mark

www.marksoffroad.net

Thanks Mark. I was planning on trying get it started so at least I can move it around and up and down a trailer. I haven't opened up and checked the brakes yet but from what I can see, the wheel cylinders seems to be leaking on the backing plate. The steering is in need of help as well. All on the list before I take it on the road.

 

[StormRider]

So I went ahead and took out the battery tray, cleaned it and painted it flat black since I was going to put in a new battery for it. Also shot the inner fender and blower motor before I mount it back. I plan on taking out the starter and getting it tested too. If good, clean it up and add a ground cable from the starter to the frame. So I wanted to pull off the valve cover just to see how the internals look and it seems like there's some water in it. I haven't changed my oil yet but I plan to drain it out and see how it looks. Should I just spray some brake cleaner to clean the head and wipe it when I drain the oil? I plan on removing the spark plugs and trying to turn the motor over by hand to see if anything is seized up. Input?