n0rth's 1972 FJ40 build/rebuild thread

So I've been replacing lots of little things on the cruiser-new starter, OEM alternator (took a couple of months to track one down) also turned out that I needed a new regulator and was able to find a OEM regulator that was even stamped TEQ. Parts that I need to finish putting on are a steering stabilizer and drag link as the current stuff is mangled from bashing rocks.

 

hurry up, find some time off and bring that sweet ride to moab to break it in

 

This spring my buddy Josh was contacted by Petrolicious to do a story on his 1976 FJ40, I helped out with hauling the equipment and crew around (they had a little Nissan sportscar). He just sent me the link of the video, turned out pretty good with some great shots of our local area and a cool story to go with it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn7l3UDPV0M

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Good video. Your friend should proud

 

That's a great story and such a beautiful rig.

 

Been picking away at the Cruiser, did new brakes and brake booster this fall. Realized I need to address the steering had a bent relay rod (drag link) thought I had a spare to replace it with but turned out to be the wrong length and thread for a GM end that goes to the pitman arm. So plan B was too straighten the old rod but ended up with a second bend.




So on to plan C.... ordered a new relay rod and 555 TRE's from BTB products in NV, great company and fast shipping. While I was waiting on parts I cut off some booger welded tabs for a tow bar, it was one off the first things I wanted gone when I got the 40 in 1998 so I finally got it done.







So I figured some things out, the old TRE's were wrong which in turn made the new ones wrong as well...we used the outers from a FJ60 which have a different steering knuckle arm (same as mini truck stuff) than the 40's and 55's. I thought I was going to have to order FJ60 TRE's instead I was able to find bushings (part #094-23H-SPR) http://www.sor.com/cat094.sor?tabpage=TAB4 to fix the issue.

So once again waiting on parts...

 

Nothing's ever easy.

 

Problem solved, finished it up last night best the steering has ever been. Feel like I got close on the alignment but will still take it to Les Schwab and have it checked.



Its been good figuring this stuff out, I'll get back to the Tacoma after tax returns (hopefully get my front axle housing and shafts ordered) but going to hang out in this thread for the time being.

 

Took the FJ out for a longer drive this evening in the snow seems to drive really good. I fixed all the heater and defroster ducts thing is toasty now with great visibility and very little fogging.







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I haven't updated this thread in a while but have been doing some work on the 40, I discovered some issues with the front suspension from 1999 when we did the shackle reversal.

Link to ih8mud thread- http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/shackle-reversal-w-anti-inversion-shackle-question.937403/







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Nice build

 

@n0rth

Man I really appreciate and enjoy all the info and the time you have spent working on sharing you experience with the FJ. I sound like you know truck more than anything. I need you help on this one

I have the opportunity to get a great deal on one and will go check it out tomorrow.

I wanted one for over 10 years now and looked a lot of different sites to lear more about them but I feel there is a lot that I'm missing. I will really appreciate any tips, suggestions trick and anything that could help me determine if this is a good buy

 

This may be redundant from reading what you wrote but here is the link to the Ih8Mud 40 series tech section.

 

That should work. I will spend some time here. I'm basically looking for rusty frame. Non matching numbers anything that will raise a red flag so im not stock with a bad FJ. Thanks for the link I will work on it

 

I got her. She is all mine. I checked all the details and thinks I could think about and everything looks good. All matching numbers. Some rust but nothing tha cannot be fixed. My dad and I took a road trip to get her.The people at u-haul gave me a hard time to rent the dolly but I got it. We were able to start it and drove it to the dolly. Here are some pics. We should be home tonight. I still don't believe I got me one.

 

Sorry just saw these posts, ih8mud is your best resource for anything land cruiser. Good luck with it.

 

Some pics from wheeling this summer.