My First FJ40

[Hallout]

Well, it finally happened, I found an FJ40 in decent overall condition that I could actually afford! It's a 1970 in Capri Blue, and she needs a decent amount of work. It hasn't even been registered since April of 1995, so that gives you a decent idea of what we're working with here. The hard top has some serious rust issues, which are (for the time being) outside of my ability to fix. What I'm thinking I'll do for now is get a soft top, apply rust treatment and inhibitor to the hard top (so it doesn't get worse), and then repair it as I get my metal work skills improved appropriately. The rest of the Land Cruiser has some surface rust, with a few holes, but over all it's in good shape. The frame has some rust as well, but it's potentially repairable. My first order of business, however, will be to get the stock drivetrain running and driving. Honestly, if I could get it all working, stock, it'd be a cool set up, at least for a while. It's a 3 on the tree with the dash mounted transfer case controls, neither of which are very common in vehicles nowadays. I also have a bit of a soft spot for 3 on the tree. Any tips or tricks on what I should do to try starting it in as kind a manner (to the engine) as possible? Basically what preparation should I do so I don't damage the engine before I try starting it for real?

 

[RoarinRow]

Nice find, but like you said it's gonna be a lot of work.

 

[BensonSTW]

I’d try turning it over by hand. If it won’t spin that will eliminate spending money on trying to get that engine to run. If it turns over check to make sure you have spark. After that a little gas poured in the carb and see if it will fire

 

[Hallout]

Yeah, that's the plan for tomorrow, hopefully.

 

[64Trvlr]

If it was mine I'd pull the spark plugs and squirt a couple of ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil in then let it sit a day or so. Next I'd put a socket on the crank bolt and see if it moves a little bit in either direction. Add a couple more ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil and let it sit another day or so. Then try turning it with the socket and breaker little each way again.

Once you get it to turn over by hand, check the oil before you try to crank it over with the starter. Leave the plugs out when you try to crank it over.

If it turns over smoothly there are a few more things to do before you start it.

 

[GLOCKer]

What @64Trvlr said! Get some Marvel Mystery Oil in her to help loosen her up a touch before you try anything else! It can make a world of difference!

 

[David C Gibbs]

Buy lots of penetrating oil. Be aware, that it's very easy to break the 12mm bolts holding the hard-top to the tub. You'll get very good at reverse drill bits, and re-tapping the bolt holes.
To get the engine to turn-over, see if the engine will turn by hand cranking it. Drain and replace the gas, oil, filters, re-lube all joints. Buy a can of ether. That 2F is an improved oiler, verses the early 2F's (60' to 73). Buy a copy of the HAYNES "Toyota LandCruiser" 1968-1982 Automotive Repair Manual. Reach out to Specter Off-Road (818) 882-2365...
Brings back lots of memories of hours spent breaking bolts... Buy a really good set of Metric Socket's, wrench, Torque and breaker-bar.
DcG

 

[Hallout]

Buy lots of penetrating oil. Be aware, that it's very easy to break the 12mm bolts holding the hard-top to the tub. You'll get very good at reverse drill bits, and re-tapping the bolt holes.
To get the engine to turn-over, see if the engine will turn by hand cranking it. Drain and replace the gas, oil, filters, re-lube all joints. Buy a can of ether. That 2F is an improved oiler, verses the early 2F's (60' to 73). Buy a copy of the HAYNES "Toyota LandCruiser" 1968-1982 Automotive Repair Manual. Reach out to Specter Off-Road (818) 882-2365...
Brings back lots of memories of hours spent breaking bolts... Buy a really good set of Metric Socket's, wrench, Torque and breaker-bar.
DcG

Funnily enough, for the manual point, the seller actually had one of the original Haynes manuals from the time period that he gave me. Also, I've got the factory service manuals, too, which is a big help. Hopefully I'm set on tools, but we'll find out soon enough on that.

 

[Hallout]

All right, so I've made some progress on the FJ40. I pulled the spark plugs and put some ATF down the cylinders to soak for a few days. Miraculously, after putting her in 3rd (and making sure the t-case was in gear), the engine turned over with no fuss. So there's actually hope of the 1F being resurrected. While a 2F swap is likely going to happen at some point due to overall lack of rebuild parts for the 1F being NLA, I'm hoping to be able to get the 1F working for at least a little while.

 

[Ob1]

There is hope. I started in worst shape 7 years ago. Bought my BJ40 for $1K. Now it is called DIJON. Album photos... All you need is a vision (and time). :-)

Cheers mate.