Waiting for my FIRST FJ 40! (1 Viewer)

[drlsgt1]

Hey everybody- long time listener, first time caller...

I just bought a 76 FJ 40 with a 350 conversion already done on Craigslist. I saw three pictures of it, and I decided that after MONTHS of searching for a suitable Jeep CJ (gasp!) to restore, I had to have this old pig!

Its about 2 hours away on the trailer, and I can't wait to see it in person.

I am a Mobilized Army Reservist here at Ft Jackson, so I plan on spending the next couple months turning this thing into my daily driver! I am a complete neophyte, and I am not particularly "good with tools", so I will be asking tons of annoying questions on a fairly regular basis!!!

As soon as it gets here, I plan on posting some pics... wish me luck!

 

[Varty Yo]

Nice!!!

Look forward to pics!!!

Whats the plans for teh rig?

 

[snaggletto]

Congrats. For sure 40's have more character and unique looks, good choice. Skip the 'restoration,' get it to be a decent driver and then work on it as you go. Nothing is better than top and doors off driving in the warm weather just around the corner.

 

[tstepp920]

pics pics pics...and more pics. Congratulations!

 

[blossett]

My first it getting shipped to me in 10 days! Can't wait to get started! I'll be watching for your updates! Good luck with your build

 

[drlsgt1]

Its here!!!

I am both excited and a little apprehensive...

First, the pics!

 

[drlsgt1]

More

 

[drlsgt1]

...a couple more

 

[drlsgt1]

last ones!

 

[drlsgt1]

So...

I am SUPER excited that I will get to learn how to use a bead blaster and a cutter and welder...

Those hard doors look FANTASTIC, with all the new gaskets and such, but I have no need for them.

I have all those extra pieces that I am going to have to go through, and I don't want those wheels either.

Gonna be a long, tough road...

 

[drlsgt1]

I plan on making it a daily driver/road vehicle.

 

[drlsgt1]

Congrats. For sure 40's have more character and unique looks, good choice. Skip the 'restoration,' get it to be a decent driver and then work on it as you go. Nothing is better than top and doors off driving in the warm weather just around the corner.

That is EXACTLY my plan. The issue is where to start...

It has no battery (easy I think)
It needs a clutch master cylinder/slave cylinder/braided line (I have seen kits for like $150, but how do I know if I am getting the right one?)
I think that the clutch parts (plate?) aren't even in it... they are, but I think they are on the passenger seat.
I want to remove the fuel tank, clean it, repaint it, and get new hoses (where?)
Want to do a tune up- drain oil and radiator (probably replace it and hoses), new plugs, new wires.
I would pull the wheels and check the brakes, probably put new pads and such on.

 

[Varty Yo]

Let see more tub pics. She definetly will need some serious body work. Might be worthwhile to look at a new 3/4 tub. Depending on how ,uch you have invested into it so far.

 

[JohnnyC]

Congrats ... 11 years on mud with no cruiser ... that's a long time lol


Welcome

 

[tstepp920]

...triage...think about it.....plan....get a second opinion and maybe a third.....find an example of what you want.......think about it......plan.......have LOTS of $$$$$$$$ ...........build a building to hold all the "Stuff" you will buy.....

 

[blossett]

Those doors are pristine!

 

[thebigredrocker]

Congrats!

When was the last time the engine ran?

Your brake master, clutch master, clutch slave are rebuildable. If you buy new stuff, keep your old stuff. Mud classified's is a good spot to sell/buy parts.

If you want to save some coin on parts but put in some serious hours, Cruiser Outfitter's has all the good Japanese rebuild kits. They ship same day. Here's a link: Cruiser Outfitters

CO also has kits to refresh your rear drum brake cylinder seals. They'll have the soft brake lines as well. Warning: if/when your break free your hard brake line fittings. Have a good strong shouldered 10mm "line wrench" *do not round off your nuts" My experience is a small butane torch is nearly essential break them free. Hopefully your brake power booster does't have a vacuum leak. My 76 is still good.

Rust hadn't eaten my fuel tank. So I cleaned it out good with degreaser, then boiled water in it, and finally used POR-15 tank sealer. Check that your fuel tank sending unit still tells your fuel gauge how much fuel you have. You'll want a new seal if you remove it.

As far as fuel lines, yours are most likely regular rubber with pipe clamps. You could take what you have into your local Auto Parts store and they should have a replacement. I went a little overboard on my SBC and plumbed mine with Fragola nylon braided race hose from Summit Racing and Fragola 2000 pro-Flo A.N. fittings. Very simple to plumb. No special tools needed.

What type of distributor do you have? One possible upgrade would be an H.E.I distributor. They have the coil built right in. If you did that, you would no longer need your external coil. That would give you room to mount your battery back on the passenger side. Since your V8 is wider you'll need to fab one or buy an aftermarket tray. I bought a tray from 4plus and like it. Here's some pics. V8 coversion battery relocation

Hopefully you have a quadrajet. I've read there is a guru who rebuids q-jet's to run better than when new.

 

[drlsgt1]

Let see more tub pics. She definetly will need some serious body work. Might be worthwhile to look at a new 3/4 tub. Depending on how ,uch you have invested into it so far.

$6500

 

[drlsgt1]

...triage...think about it.....plan....get a second opinion and maybe a third.....find an example of what you want.......think about it......plan.......have LOTS of $$$$$$$$ ...........build a building to hold all the "Stuff" you will buy.....

I like it!

 

[drlsgt1]

Those doors are pristine!

Yeah... the PO redid them. I want the little "half" doors for the tailgate... there was one in the pile of parts, but not the other... there was one and a half jump seats too...

The tail gate is a solid piece that is screwed/bolted in place, and it will have to go.

I have no use for the tall ambulance(?) doors, so I am looking to sell them... tragically, I have no idea on their value. Any advice?
I am probably keeping the other doors... but if I repaint them, won't I have to get new seals/gaskets again?