Builds Won a '74 40 on a coin toss... (6 Viewers)

[ginmtb]

Looking good. I enjoy reading your updates after a busy week. I wish I was closer to great resources like Georg and racer like you are.

Looks like you are outsourcing the fun stuff like the knuckle rebuild and doing the difficult work yourself with the welding. Your ome looks good. Once I get mine painted Im going after the same wheel and tire package and lift you have there. It makes your cruiser have that timeless classic look.
Looking forward to your updates.

Thanks! I'm going disc brakes on the front - will include disc "outers" with OEM Aisin hubs, new rotors, re-manufactured calipers, new pads, new brake hoses, new brake hard lines, all hardware, spindle lock kits, knuckle rebuild, etc. Will use @Racer65's adjustable proportioning valve (Adjustable Brake Proportioning Valve for Toyota Brake Lines - Fits FJ40) for the setup as well. I've got new aftermarket Japanese brake calipers for the rear so those will get swapped out as well. And hoping to get some pesky leaks fixed too. Wife wasn't too thrilled about it but as my friend says, "safety shouldn't count towards the refurb budget!"

It's funny, I'm not as comfortable doing mechanical work. I was going to try and source an FJ40 front axle with disc brakes but figured it is in good hands with @orangefj45 - excited to have really nice performing brakes vs. ones that are okay but make you nervous whenever traffic comes to a quick stop or that light turns yellow...

 

[Flatlanderfj40]

I'm going to start using your friends "safety" line.

 

[ginmtb]

I think it moved...

 

[Honger]

I freakin' love pics of freshly installed discs, hubs, and calipers... kinda weird I know...

 

[ginmtb]

Got the cruiser back from @orangefj45 at the Valley Hybrids land cruiser spa and lounge. Super happy with the work done there! Brakes are great and two leaks were fixed. Hopefully that is the last of them (for now lol). Only one remaining old rubber hose left - the clutch hose. Will replace that soon. Thanks again Georg for fitting me in that crazy busy shop of yours!

Hit 70mph on the pass coming home wow that is a bit sketchy and the heavy winds didn't help. But the brakes got me back under control nicely.

Shiny!

New gasket on side cover and who know how many years of caked on leaking oil cleaned off:

More brake shots including SS hoses:

Sweet adjustable proportioning valve from @Racer65 with a custom bracket from Georg and new hard lines:

 

[Jdc1]

Got the cruiser back from @orangefj45 at the Valley Hybrids land cruiser spa and lounge. Super happy with the work done there! Brakes are great and two leaks were fixed. Hopefully that is the last of them (for now lol). Only one remaining old rubber hose left - the clutch hose. Will replace that soon. Thanks again Georg for fitting me in that crazy busy shop of yours!

Hit 70mph on the pass coming home wow that is a bit sketchy and the heavy winds didn't help. But the brakes got me back under control nicely.

Shiny!
View attachment 1436385

New gasket on side cover and who know how many years of caked on leaking oil cleaned off:
View attachment 1436386

More brake shots including SS hoses:
View attachment 1436387 View attachment 1436388

Sweet adjustable proportioning valve from @Racer65 with a custom bracket from Georg and new hard lines:
View attachment 1436389

Looks awesome, how would you describe the difference in drum and disc brake?

 

[ginmtb]

Looks awesome, how would you describe the difference in drum and disc brake?

Well I drove mostly freeway home but for sure the pedal was firmer and it tracked straight under slightly harder braking. Biggest thing people have said is no constant adjusting of the drum cylinders and better performance when wet. I have new aftermarket Japanese cylinders for the rear which I will eventually install. New pads too. Seems to brake nicely though with the old OEM ones. But I don't know if they've ever been rebuilt. Makes me a bit nervous those seals are almost 40 years old.

 

[ginmtb]

I feel fortunate I could get my cruiser into the shop - place was packed!

 

[ginmtb]

Having just spent a bunch of money on the cruiser the OEM style soft top will have to wait for a while. But I did get my samples and the darker color (sandlewood) looks really good. Dang it! Was hoping neither was going to work. Maybe I can start a gofundme page for this poor ol' land cruiser addict... yes life is challenging when you can't spend $2,400 on a new soft top and bows...

 

[Racer65]

I think for less than $2400 you can put that hardtop together, and then you're all set.

 

[ginmtb]

I think for less than $2400 you can put that hardtop together, and then you're all set.

Oh for sure. I just love the look of the OEM style soft top. Some day... But yes, I'm focused on the hard top - would like to have that done for the Cross Country expedition trip.

 

[Flatlanderfj40]

Is that a reflection or a dent in the drivers door?

 

[ginmtb]

Is that a reflection or a dent in the drivers door?

Unfortunately it is a dent... at some point the swing stopper or whatever it's called broke off and allowed the door to swing wide open. The dent it right where the door swung into the fender. I'm sure it happened multiple times (at least once when I owned it before I fixed it). There also is a dent in the panel below it too. Not sure how that happened. Has always been there.

I've debated on trying to fix it. I'm thinking of drilling a hole into the door and inserting a screw to try and pull it out as much as I can to limit the amount of bondo used.

 

[Flatlanderfj40]

My door limiters are missing too

 

[Flatlanderfj40]

Your 40 is looking awesome BTW. Fun to watch the transformation. Keep it coming.

 

[ginmtb]

My door limiters are missing too

I did this to fix mine:

Door stop hinge repair. FYI

Not as clean as his but it works!

 

[orangefj45]

Thanks again for coming all the way out to the valley to have more work done on your 40!!!!!

Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Cruiser Brothers

 

[wardharris]

Unfortunately it is a dent... at some point the swing stopper or whatever it's called broke off and allowed the door to swing wide open. The dent it right where the door swung into the fender. I'm sure it happened multiple times (at least once when I owned it before I fixed it). There also is a dent in the panel below it too. Not sure how that happened. Has always been there.

I've debated on trying to fix it. I'm thinking of drilling a hole into the door and inserting a screw to try and pull it out as much as I can to limit the amount of bondo used.

I have had very good results with paintless dent removal guys - both Bay Area and Seattle.

 

[ginmtb]

Decided to continue on the third birthday work on the cruiser - hard to tell but I was able to straighten the panel out a little bit. Far from perfect but definitely an improvement. Had to adjust the door as the latch wouldn't clear the striker after the "cold forging".

And did the annual oil change too. Odometer reads 38,544. Re-torqued the oil pan gasket to 7 ft. lbs. per bolt. Found a hide a key underneath too! One is a Toyota key and it works in the ignition. Never know what you'll find in these things! Speaking of finding things, that little nut was at the bottom of the oil pan. I stuck my finger in the drain hole just to see how much residual oil was left and I felt it. Hopefully that isn't anything critical...

 

[mrboatman]

The other key looks like my locking gas cap key.