It’s like they don’t want money to finish….
What have you done to your Land Cruiser this week?
- Thread starter IH8MUD
- Start date
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looks like a 73 midget there
So I got my FJ40 out of storage last weekend and got it tagged today. The DMV said it was worth 30k and I told them I'd sell it to them on the spot for the low low price of 20k. I guess they like those title fees. Now to get it back in working order and fix a few things that have bugged me for nearly 3 decades.
Maryland is the king of this. I remember when I moved here and transferred my beat-to-hell 7 year old Mazda 3’s registration, I was assessed the “excellent condition” bluebook value for the car and taxed at 6% of it. I had to laugh, as it had no AC, paint was completely shot, a bent wheel, passenger side window wouldn’t go up and down, and was throwing a CEL that I was forced to address in order to complete the emission portion of the registration of my “excellent condition” Mazda 3. Fees totalled around $800 as I recall. Probably more than the car was worth. I still drive it to this day (7 years later) out of spite.
The 40 got a classic title which meant Maryland basically charged my $50 to look the other way.
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In Delaware you can only get a antique tag and with that you are not supposed to drive after dark and only take it to shows or parades. I had a historic tag when I was in DC and regular old tags when in Oregon. Back to normal tags again because I need to drive it more regularly to get it back to working order than an antique tag would allow.
I also have a 1985 BMW 635 with antique tags and a 1953 M37 that is waiting on parts before I can tag it. I have a 1996 M3 that I will sell so I can put the FJ40 in the garage. I can't do that car justice with the relatively flat roads and typical 50mph speed limits around here but it suits the FJ40 just fine.
You are correct.
I grew up in Delaware - I actually still lived there when I bought the 40. Getting my non-stock, emissionless V8 converted FJ40 through emissions and tagged was a nightmare. I think in almost any state, having a vehicle "antique" or "classic" tagged means they're "Parade Use Only." My truck has been "Parade Use Only" for about a decade now, driven about 2000 miles a year and nobody's ever pulled me over (knock on wood).
PS - my love of fixing vehicles started when I helped my friend V6/Turbo Swap a e30 BMW 318, and I'm super jealous of your M37. You're about 2 hours from me but if you ever need a hand, or find yourself up in Cecil County, give me a holler.
Unfortunately it's far too common. Long ago I decided to try to do as much of my own work as possible. I can purchase the tools, screw it up a couple times along the way, learn something, know it's done correctly, still be less expensive than paying someone else, and have the satisfaction of accomplishing something with the talents God has given me. The one downside is at 63 years old the to-do list will most likely take longer to complete than I have years remaining on this earth! PS- without exception, the few times I felt I had to pay a "professional" I've been disappointed in the result. I guess I need to try my hand at upholstery, automatic trans rebuilding, and carpet laying.
And I know some people's situations don't allow for much DIY experimenting but I'd encourage anyone who may be intimidated to give it a try!
The 2uz swap has taken an interesting turn. Now to figure out how to remove the missing piece that is stuck in the block without having to remove the engine again.
At least my son is having a good time helping
At least my son is having a good time helping
See if I can improve the road tractor’s ride some……..
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“Road tractor”, Very well put! I ran the same shocks on the ‘76, definate improvement!
pulled the carb today and got a bread twist tie and poked out the accelerator pump nozzle and all the small orifices on both jets. Runs much better now with an actual spay out of the various orifices versus a weak drip. The vacuum actuated flap on the second barrel was also frozen up so got that loose again and went for a drive.
No idea what shocks I have on mine but I do know they are well over 30yrs old. It might be time to replace them
I am looking hard at some pins I can pump grease into as well.
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Disc brake/large-pattern/fine-spline conversion on @Fj40surfer 72 this week. Along with that we did new stock-height Bilsteins, spring bushings, pins, shackles, all new OEM brake hoses, and rerouted the front circuit hardline away from the header (It came in with the front hose rubbing the header collector).
Picked up a beater ‘84 with FF rears, PS, AC (non functioning), had the seats upholstered, painted the bezel white, and threw on some old 255 KM2s laying around on a set of 70 steelies, to be used for beach driving and teaching the kids how to operate a manual box.
Looking forward to good times ahead.
Looking forward to good times ahead.
Many thanks to @4Cruisers for helping with my stuck breaker plate / broken advance / missing limit pin bushing. Got the dissy in the correct way on the first go and adjusted timing - even had oil pressure!
Before and afters
Before and afters
Made it to the World Beater cabin! First offroad outing since the rebuild.
