Where I have been and where I am at.....
Folks,
Been awfully busy on non cruiser stuff, so apologize for the infrequent updates. I also had a setback that frustrated me and required that I step away from the cruiser for a bit....
That said, I wanted to give some updates. I have made some progress....
I apologize for the crappy cell phone photos btw...
Firstly, I put the body together and hit a snag.... I could not get the front clip lined up properly. You can see it to some degree in one of my photo's, but the front of the hood does not line up with the bib/fender. Especially on the passenger side. Before tear down I recall it lining up...
This was the cause for MANY an "EFF-BOMB" in my garage and way too many hours trying to sort this out. I removed all of the bolts holding the tub on and loosened everything. I used "come-alongs" to tug the tub every which way but loose but could never get this perfect. I will take some better pics... but the only way I could get myself to work on ANYTHING FJ related was to "get over it". The more I thought about how I couldn't solve this problem, the angrier I got. Sooooo, I moved on...
I then got hit with the ol' sucker punch. I decided to pull the distributor because the vacuum advance fitting was hitting the dip-stick and I couldn't adjust the timing without using up all of my octane dial..... Well, firstly, let me say that whover posted the "Be sure to check the oil pump is engaged thread" was a lifesaver! I rotated the distributor one tooth so the housing would clear the dipstick and fired up the truck. No oil pressure, and I shut her down. Whew, close one! Between rotating the distributor tho and installing the Pertronix I was now in a situation that firstly, the truck took FOREVER to start and secondly, missed and ran like crap! I verified valve adjustments, the timing 57 times, firing order and then it hit me.... Perhaps my coild and pertronix aren't on the same page. On a whim ordered a pertronix flame thrower and YAY. Starts instantaneously and runs WAAAAAY better.
OK, I need a kick in the pants. Decided to take the kids for a spin on the fireroad in my neighborhood. The motivation is returning....
Got my TOYOTA sticker installed -> Thanks Dean
Got my heater sticker -> Thanks Tom
Installed my spare tire rack.
Started working on my FST Doors. Man, the weatherstip channel has some rust, but was able to get them apart and resto'd. MIG welder is my friend. They are now in epoxy primer and I am doing a little bit of bondo to perfect where I had to weld up some holes the PO put in them. Got ahold of Alex and hopefully some canvas is on the way.
Had a windshield installer come out to put mine back in. Using a new SOR weatherstrip with key. the dolt broke the windshield perfectly in the middle.... To fix it I need to order a template as I can't find a new glass. No hurry tho, the break is soooo clean you honestly barely notice it now. ugh tho.
Got the vehicle insured and am now ready to take it off of PNO status and register it.
Things that I need to do...
1. I need seatbelts, what do folks recommend? want 2-point belts for up front.
2. I need my rear jump seat covers, waiting for Shane to run another batch.
3. Get my door frames painted and fab some new "glass". Will also pick up some new vent rubber from fellow MUDder in this thread. Need weatherstrip, hope the SOR door weatherstrip is good.
4. I bought an old Ford heater valve and found a NOS old school "HEAT" cable. I know, not stock, but my rig did not come equipped with the valve on the cylinder head, so heat is always on in the cab. The valve installs inline on the heater hose. I will build a bracket and mount cable next to fan switch.
5. I need to fit and paint my Soft Top frame. It is in primer.
6. I need to paint my bezel and install, no biggie...
7. Need to align the front end, she wanders like crazy.
8. I need to determine the exact location of the FST twistlocks. They weren't on my rig when I bought it, and I had too many holes from PO's. Thusly, I glued them all shut
See some progress pics below.
see the front end doesn't line up well here:
spray booth for door frames
and my heater sticker installed.
Thoughts?
Chris
