The Long Slow Build - 1980 FJ40

[Honger]

Ratio adapter from Commercial Speedometer came in today. Now I’ll know for sure when I’m really hauling ass.
View attachment 1558478

So how does this work? It plugs in at the back of the speedometer? Did you give them final ratio information and they geared it accordingly?

 

[77HesterSue]

Great build!

 

[69LC]

Nice truck and I like your hinges!

 

[gcrump01]

So how does this work? It plugs in at the back of the speedometer? Did you give them final ratio information and they geared it accordingly?

Plugs into the transmission & the speedometer cable plugs into it. You can give them your specific ratio info. Drive 10 miles & see how many miles your odometer registers. Do it 3 or 4 times & average the results. I was getting about 8.7 miles showing for every 10 traveled.

 

[gcrump01]

Great build!

Thanks. Long road but I’m thrilled with the results.

 

[gcrump01]

Nice truck and I like your hinges!

Reminds me that I need to get the half doors ready to go.

 

[gcrump01]

Carpet installed. Had to punch 2 holes for the rear heater screws but easy install.

 

[gcrump01]

Hopefully the last piece of the puzzle.....I started mocking up the AC install. All of the under hood things are already there & I've had this unit in the garage. Loosely mounted. I need to run the wiring, have some hoses made.

I had to drill the two holes in the door jam (right of first pic) but it uses existing holes in the front heater.

 

[tstepp920]

Who's AC unit is that? How is leg room on the PS now? Something looks different at the heater. I enjoy reading your posts. Hopefully my 1980 will turn out as well. Thanks for sharing.

 

[gcrump01]

The unit is a Clardy unit. There is some info about them on this board & I seem to remember as post where someone had 3 or 4 for sale. Former Texas based company I think. Dealer installed units. I like the fact that I can keep the stock air duct for the heater. This unit replaces the diffuser piece at the top of the original heater. I like that also, because you get an extra duct on the A/C that is closer to the driver than the passenger side only small units. The leg room is really not bad. Plenty of room underneath the unit.

 

[tstepp920]

The unit is a Clardy unit. There is some info about them on this board & I seem to remember as post where someone had 3 or 4 for sale. Former Texas based company I think. Dealer installed units. I like the fact that I can keep the stock air duct for the heater. This unit replaces the diffuser piece at the top of the original heater. I like that also, because you get an extra duct on the A/C that is closer to the driver than the passenger side only small units. The leg room is really not bad. Plenty of room underneath the unit.

Did you restore the unit? Looks nice

 

[gcrump01]

Yes I did. Had it pressure tested, motor works on all 3 speeds, etc. I painted it w SEM satin black. I had to repair a few cracks.

 

[gcrump01]

@tstepp920 here is the thread I remembered with several of those units. It was your thread. Did you buy one of those?

AC Unit Identification

 

[tstepp920]

No I did not. He thought VERY highly of those units and at the time I was primarily focused on finding an OEM PS gearbox and a h55f. Now that I am looking I can't seem to find one of any description

 

[gcrump01]

Got a little crazy & cut hole in a perfectly good firewall.

I “trimmed” an FJ60 grommet.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Hi, Great work. I removed the Clardy unit from our 1982 while working on the cruiser. It blew very well. The weak spots were the poorly designed connections for the ac lines, they alway leaked . Using new modern lines will make the unit not leak freon. I always thought the plastic case mounts could have been made stronger. My friend actually installed these new for Toyota of Dallas . The compressor mount is a beast , as strong as the frame itself. Mike

 

[gcrump01]

@Michael Hanson - thanks for your thoughts. I debated for months about using the Clardy unit or going with an Old Air unit in place of the heater to accomplish heat & air. Finally just decided to try it. I'll have the lines made in the next few weeks. Glad to hear your opinion on the unit. I installed an FJ60 front right motor mount to mount the compressor & I'm using a 3 groove pulley that I'm sure you're familiar with. Interior unit is the only Clardy part to it.

 

[gcrump01]

Finally had time to get the AC hoses made. Really hasn't been a priority since it's so damn cold here in GA. Local old school auto parts store/machine shop. Hand crank crimp tool with various size metal dies.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

@gcrump01
Nice work on your restoration!
Love the attention to detail.
Where did you wind up finding the floorpan bracket for the cat heat shield (circled)?

 

[gcrump01]

View attachment 1669063 @gcrump01
Nice work on your restoration!
Love the attention to detail.
Where did you wind up finding the floorpan bracket for the cat heat shield (circled)?

I used the old one. Drilled out the spot welds from old floor pan.