What have you done to your Land Cruiser this week? (93 Viewers)

[65swb45]

Took the passenger door of the Karma Cruiser apart to change the window runs and did the vent window weatherstrip while I was at it. Interestingly, I can't remember ever changing a vent window weatherstrip before. And after today, im not likely to ever forget!

I used a mat knife to carve the 56 yo rubber out of the frame, and it fought me every step of the way. Used two blades, at least three passes on each side of the trapezoid, and over an hour of pretty steady swearing! It was obvious from looking at the new weatherstrip that the original design was very different. The original rubber completely filled the channels.

After contemplating the differences in the design with the new weatherstrip, I elected to take the mat knife to the standing center ribs on the two sides of the replacement that had one, realizing that there's no real way for the weatherstrip to release from any of the channels, and that it wasn't going to be easy getting it in anyways. That done, one more relief cut was necessary IMO, where the tab of the forward vertical track drops down inside the vent side of the frame. It still took a very tedious half hour to get it in. I chose to start at the bottom forward corner and push the forward edge in first. In hindsight, I think that was a good choice. Then the bottom, then the backside, and lastly the top.

Lastly, I did something that I had been curious to try for a while . I cut two pieces of 1/8" thick shim stock, drilled a hole in each, and slipped them through the access hole to go between the two main channels and the inner door skin. This had the intended effect of tipping the upper door frame in slightly, closing the gap with the hardtop nicely.

I hit the upper frame and vent window with some polishing compound. They cleaned up pretty nicely for 56yo paint.

 

[ranchdawg]

Progress. New gussets on frame.

 

[fireflyr]

I’ve been chasing a speed induced wobble for a while. It started in the back so naturally I figured it was the pinion angle from that nice new Tom Woods driveshaft (I never start with the easy things). Messed with that for a bit; wedges and angle calculators. It has had the wobble between 38 and 43 mph ever since I built it so naturally I assumed I f’d something up. A couple weeks ago I rotated the tires and that wobble moved to the front. Today I took it back to the independent tire shop in town and had them rebalance all four tires. They were all way off and now it drives like a dream. Just another example of me way overthinking an issue. Such a simple solution, such a hard head.

Yes, that balancing act on 3 floor jacks was pretty sketchy.

 

[brian]

They really just jacked up your ride with three jacks, in the street? And couldn't be bothered to use stands?
No wonder they couldn't get the balance right.

 

[BigHighBlue]

I’ve been chasing a speed induced wobble for a while. It started in the back so naturally I figured it was the pinion angle from that nice new Tom Woods driveshaft (I never start with the easy things). Messed with that for a bit; wedges and angle calculators. It has had the wobble between 38 and 43 mph ever since I built it so naturally I assumed I f’d something up. A couple weeks ago I rotated the tires and that wobble moved to the front. Today I took it back to the independent tire shop in town and had them rebalance all four tires. They were all way off and now it drives like a dream. Just another example of me way overthinking an issue. Such a simple solution, such a hard head.
View attachment 3947077

Yes, that balancing act on 3 floor jacks was pretty sketchy.

I'm just like you. One little tick in the engine bay and I'm ready for a full rebuild. Also...that floor jack situation stresses me out!

 

[Cherrick]

WHYD to your Cruiser this week?

Red Caliper painted rear drums

 

[DylanH239]

All so I thought about deflating the tires but it was getting late and was out in the sun for a few hrs prior and didn’t feel like messing with it at the time.
My wife and kids are catching a movie on Tuesday so I might attempt it then. Haven’t decided if I’m going to start it in the garage while they are gone or just deflate the tires and start it outside.

Did you get to start it this week?

All so I thought about deflating the tires but it was getting late and was out in the sun for a few hrs prior and didn’t feel like messing with it at the time.
My wife and kids are catching a movie on Tuesday so I might attempt it then. Haven’t decided if I’m going to start it in the garage while they are gone or just deflate the tires and start it outside.

did you get an opportunity to start it this week? Just curious.

 

[cims1970fj40]

Did you get to start it this week?

did you get an opportunity to start it this week? Just curious.

I have not but hopefully I can tomorrow. Thanks for asking. I also ordered 1 1/2 shackles and should arrive on Monday.

 

[Cherrick]

Red Caliper painted rear drums

View attachment 3947280

Also chrome paint on the rear hun covers

 

[cims1970fj40]

I have not but hopefully I can tomorrow. Thanks for asking. I also ordered 1 1/2 shackles and should arrive on Monday.

So I deflected the rear tires just enough to get the cruiser out. Ended up having to charge the battery for a few.

After charging the battery I pump the gas pedal several times and possibly more than I should have. The motor was turning but wouldn’t start. However in between doing so my daughter came out and jumped in the drivers seat asking about how the knobs worked as far if you pull them out or something similar. Upon her doing that I realized I didn’t pull the choke. It’s been so long since I was in a cruiser I completely forgot about it.


However I never got it to start and I believe I flooded the hell out of it. Once I check to make sure it’s running smoothly I’m putting a sniper on it.

 

[knuckle47]

I’m sure you don’t need any Sniper motivational speeches and it’s not that a great carburetor does not perform BUT one of the greatest pleasures I get from my Sniper is the amazing instant starts. In my decades of owning land cruisers or older cars that are not regular drivers, if I don’t start it within a week or 10 days ..that start process takes a quite a few cranks.

With the Sniper..I turn the key, pressurize the fuel and it always just starts instantly. Good luck with that decision. But you’ve probably already decided

 

[cims1970fj40]

I’m sure you don’t need any Sniper motivational speeches and it’s not that a great carburetor does not perform BUT one of the greatest pleasures I get from my Sniper is the amazing instant starts. In my decades of owning land cruisers or older cars that are not regular drivers, if I don’t start it within a week or 10 days ..that start process takes a quite a few cranks.

With the Sniper..I turn the key, pressurize the fuel and it always just starts instantly. Good luck with that decision. But you’ve probably already decided

Yeah I already bought most of the accessories for the conversion. I haven’t bought the unit itself yet. I’m waiting to make sure my engine preforms like it should first.

 

[21NDone]

I’ve been chasing a speed induced wobble for a while. It started in the back so naturally I figured it was the pinion angle from that nice new Tom Woods driveshaft (I never start with the easy things). Messed with that for a bit; wedges and angle calculators. It has had the wobble between 38 and 43 mph ever since I built it so naturally I assumed I f’d something up. A couple weeks ago I rotated the tires and that wobble moved to the front. Today I took it back to the independent tire shop in town and had them rebalance all four tires. They were all way off and now it drives like a dream. Just another example of me way overthinking an issue. Such a simple solution, such a hard head.
View attachment 3947077

Yes, that balancing act on 3 floor jacks was pretty sketchy.

I recognize that shop - Good people. Imagine seeing 3 floor jacks under a one-ton…just say’n.

 

[65swb45]

Yeah I already bought most of the accessories for the conversion. I haven’t bought the unit itself yet. I’m waiting to make sure my engine preforms like it should first.

I would be interested in your carb core.

 

[knuckle47]

@cims1970fj40 before you start….check to see if you’re going to need this: 2F/F Reducing Bushing SNIPER EFI COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR - https://redlinelandcruisers.com/shop/60series/fj60-2f-sniper-kit/2f-f-reducing-bushing-for-sniper-efi-coolant-temperature-sensor/

I did

 

[Chungas Revenge]

So I deflected the rear tires just enough to get the cruiser out. Ended up having to charge the battery for a few.

After charging the battery I pump the gas pedal several times and possibly more than I should have. The motor was turning but wouldn’t start. However in between doing so my daughter came out and jumped in the drivers seat asking about how the knobs worked as far if you pull them out or something similar. Upon her doing that I realized I didn’t pull the choke. It’s been so long since I was in a cruiser I completely forgot about it.


However I never got it to start and I believe I flooded the hell out of it. Once I check to make sure it’s running smoothly I’m putting a sniper on it.

View attachment 3947924

Coming along nicely!!!

 

[msapers]

Lastly, I did something that I had been curious to try for a while . I cut two pieces of 1/8" thick shim stock, drilled a hole in each, and slipped them through the access hole to go between the two main channels and the inner door skin. This had the intended effect of tipping the upper door frame in slightly, closing the gap with the hardtop nicely.
View attachment 3946612
That's a really cool idea! I need to try that when we put the doors back together.

 

[fireflyr]

I recognize that shop - Good people. Imagine seeing 3 floor jacks under a one-ton…just say’n.

Drove it 450 miles today up to the Navarro River so they must have done something right. Funny thing was as I came out of the office and saw it sitting like that it started to roll backwards. Went about an inch and a pebble caught one of the steel wheels on the floorjack. That’s when I walked up front and took a picture. I figured the insurance company would appreciate it.

 

[neilhernandez92]

Wrapping another 60 disc conversion into a <76

View attachment 3945486

View attachment 3945487

What thickness are those spacers? I have 1/2" spacers on mine and the nuts are on there half depth. Yours seems to fully engage the studs.

 

[Jdc1]

What thickness are those spacers? I have 1/2" spacers on mine and the nuts are on there half depth. Yours seems to fully engage the studs.

Budget doesn’t allow for new wheels which are really thick. These spacers are 1”.

Have you tried the open “tuner” lug nuts which pass through the wheel to pick up more threads on the stud?

Edit to include link-

Open Shouldered Lug Nuts