FJ40 I call Shipwreck

[SuperBuickGuy]

Much tube was kinked... but first
My current task.... replace the deck


I had a bobcat, but it was just way too heavy so I sold it and rented this.... I will buy one of these - what an amazingly handy tool

and yes, a quad track will happen before I return it.

so what I found was if I did the initial bend with my Eastwood bender, then finished the bend with this, I would eventually call it good enough. I wish I could do tight bends like Toyota did - but not going to happen and honestly, I'm the only one who would ever care


closeish


I split it in half, welded it back together, flattened the arch, rebent the arch, shortened the legs, kinked a bend (not going to fix).... and that was it for tonight


I think it will adequately hold up PVC canvas... next up is the leg clamps and the front windshield channel

[SuperBuickGuy]

this was fun
RTI is 1008

1st run


2nd run (avoiding the ramp with the rear tire)


I could have pushed it a bit further..... but 1008 is pretty decent for a vehicle that you can drive on the freeway

what was really cool was the look on the guy's face when I told him I built the suspension and the '40


and yes, to those who think this, I'm bragging.

[Deaf Bob]

Justifiabily so! You EARNED the right to BRAG!

Not sure if I said, but I'd drive this thing!

[silver_bullet]

.....

[SuperBuickGuy]

and I had trouble again today - it wouldn't start, a spark issue. I tried jump starting (in case the computer was shutting down because too low of voltage), no. a bit of fuel in the tbi, no. finally someone said something about timing and I realized that I could bypass the computer control of the spark by unplugging the wire you unplug for setting the timing. then it started. plugged it back in, it started and ran fine.

so I have another gremlin to chase.... the problem with buying used parts is sometimes someone took them off because they didn't work... there is a timing issue, I had one backfire when I really loaded and lugged the motor - so I dunno, for that wire-disconnect trick to work, there'd have to be something amiss with the computer (but it doesn't throw a fault code). So I dunno, probably the best thing would be to get another computer an reflash a chip for it.

Also the heater core is leaking - which actually may be a good thing since the FJ40 replacement is expensive and the heat output is nothing to write home about.... in short, build a better mousetrap

[Loren]

After all that amazing work and performance, you get dogged by dopey little normal-car issues...ain't that how it goes sometimes...

[STINEY]

You broke 1000 on the ramp?

Yeah, go ahead and brag a bit. That's great! (if you are into crawling ramps instead of trails, that is)



I lost track of which TBI/distributor and computer setup is in it currently?

Pulling that wire basically "locks-out" the timing if I remember correctly.....what is the timing when its locked out?

[SuperBuickGuy]

The wire removes computer control from the distributor

RTI is like a dyno, it's just a number but it gives a baseline to shut the trolls of Pirate off (as if anything would break into their world of unicorns and short buses).

[STINEY]

On the Ford EEC-IV computer of the same TBI era, removing the SPOUT plug does the same thing, removes the computer.

On the ford system, it also locks the timing to a fixed degree. In other words, no advance curve. That distributor has no advance capabilities built into it.

The method is pull the SPOUT, set the timing at a certain rpm, then replace the SPOUT and allow the computer to control the advance.


I was wondering if your system was similar.

[SuperBuickGuy]

nope, I talked to my guru friend - he suggested crystals and chants - but before we talked exorcism and dynamite he shot that very idea down. I confirmed that idea by trying to start it tonight and no bueno.

He thinks it's the spark module fortunately, he also has a tester so I'll take the old one and the new one to him to be tested.

[Beagle]

when you had it doing yoga, all the pixie dust must have spilled out. Did you get the electric trunk warmer off the GTO before it went? Winters coming...

[SuperBuickGuy]

The canvas top is coming - I've got winter covered

it's those Ford axles that's the problem.... they'd poisoning the entire build

[SuperBuickGuy]

and it works fine with a known, good ignition module... that's the 3rd this one has taken

and I must Kudo again NuMark Automotive - he's an amazing help (he's the friend I ask when I'm stumped)

[SuperBuickGuy]

it's remarkable how much time a house will steal from your projects... when we bought the house, the one 'issue' was the deck was about to collapse, I can proudly say that I got another 8 years of use before it almost collapsed
before

now


At the Offroad expo I bought 3 25' extensions for my winch line - that means I carry about 200' of line. Probably the next time I use it, I'll need 210' but that's really the way it goes.


hmmm, running a bit lean - I need to get a pressure gauge, I think the fix is going to be simply increase the fuel pressure.... but we'll see, I could get another chip burned that fits better what I'm doing.


I didn't have decent cables, I do now


with the no start issue came finding a boot was a bit burned


as I said before, it was the module, number 3, my friend says that's actually too common now with parts - I hope not - but I will go back to NAPA and see if I can't get them to give me another one (the last one lasted maybe a month).... which is funny since the Chinese one lasted for a year...

time to finalize the place for the fuel and water



And I may add another fuel tank, but my thought is now under the current tank - combine to single exhaust.... we'll see, I could also put it under the driver's side

[Deaf Bob]

The kid got his new MSD in, 2 new extra coils (didn't need but to have on hand) and found out the modules are not exactly replaceable!
Hope they last as long as the first one.. #2 is going back.. #3 is working flawless so far..
Your 3 worry me!