[shermantank55]

In March we found a 1970 FJ40 for my daughter. We figured Sherman, our FJ-55, could use a sibling around the house. Plus, with my daughter turning 15, we needed something bulletproof. Believe it or not, it was her idea. The sickness is hereditary.

Anyway, we found Cadet (as Shelby named it) about 60 miles south at a mechanic's shop in Morgan Hill, CA. He had trailered it from Nevada where the previous owner couldn't get it started. In Morgan Hill it got some engine care but sat for awhile. The owner apparently sold his property in Nevada and wanted to get rid of the FJ40. All the glass except the windshield was broken out and there was a dead rat wrapped around the front shock. That being said, Cadet looked to be in pretty good shape.

Once we dug in, we found a lot of rust lurking in the rear. Apparently the FJ40 was used to put a boat in and out of the water and to drive to and from a lake and cabin. This was later verified by the sand, pine needles and boat themed trash hiding in nooks and crannies. We have verified at least three previous owners in Northern and Southern California and Nevada.

The motor ran great, the transmission sounded good and the brakes seemed to slow the little beast down. It was relatively unmolested and still had the three speed column shifter and vacuum transfer. It did have some unfortunate seats in front and only one jump seat in back.

$3600 later, we were proud owners. As part of the package, the mechanic trailered it up to us the same day. Here are some shots from when Cadet came home:

[shermantank55]

We decided we couldn't afford to tear Cadet to the ground, so we did what we could. We cut out some rust in the rear and sides, gutted the interior and stopped the rust.

We removed what we could from the engine compartment and cleaned it out, rebuilding the heater and replacing most rubber items.

[shermantank55]

We removed what we could from the engine bay and painted. We decided to go with a dark olive rusoleum and Shelby decided all the trim would be black.

I discovered a leaking hub and contaminated brakes which led to replacing a lot of wheel cylinder parts.

We found some newer jump seats and I fabricated brackets so they would fit with the existing roll bar.

We Herculined the interior - we learned that xylene eats your brain cells.
We rebuilt the dash and painted it green.

I used steel angle and my neighbor build up a patch panel for the rear rust.

[shermantank55]

I fabricated seat brackets so we could use some 74 seats instead of the large marge blue buckets. A set of SOR seat covers and roll bar pads finished it off inside.

We found some original steel wheels and after some drastic sandblasting they were fitted with TSL radials in LT215/85R15 that approximated the stock 7.00-15 tire I still had lying around

We enlisted willing friends and neighbors to help sand down the rough spots.
We tested the colors on the bib to see if they were a go. Shelby approved so we moved on...

[shermantank55]

Along the way, I picked up a roller fairlead. We shaped the 3/16 channel steel into a capped bumper and installed the fairlead.

We replaced the exhaust system. We replaced shocks. We repaired the gas tank and removed the home made reserve tank.

We sanded some more. We installed the wheels and drove around with reckless abandon.

[shermantank55]

We were sidelined for awhile with some family medical issues, but came back strong in August. We tried out different hood ornaments and test drove the Cadet. (Un)fortunately, Shelby cannot drive yet, so I have to do all the test driving.

We added a interior heater valve and rebuilt the heater.

[shermantank55]

This past couple of weeks we finished sanding and built a spray booth. I used rustoleum satin dark olive with a Grizzly HVLP spray gun.

Not perfect, but way better than she was. Cadet is nearly roadworthy again. Still waiting on a windshield (I dropped the frame onto the steering wheel and shattered the old one).

The old running lights were shot. We used some LED sets instead and Shelby painted all the trim black.

[FJ40_68_Nick]

Love the hood ornament, I have one of those mixed w/a chihuahua. Looks like you're on your way to a sweet 40. More pics!!!

[shermantank55]

We continue to reinstall trim and accessories.

[okie]

wow nice..i like to see that there are some people still left out there who don't have to lift their fjs. I like it. love the color

[crushr]

Nice looking rig there, neighbor!

[Mtrunner]

Thanks for the write up, it was motivating.
Good luck and those tires look great.

x2 on more pics....

[american psycho]

you got my vote for dad of the year!

[1phrogguy]

Outstanding job with the resto! That turned out great

[hogula]

Wow, I went from thinking that thing was a piece of junk to wishing it was in my garage. Nice job!

[nspctr1]

Nicely done, and the bezel is on right!!!!!

[rockcod]

Nice work!!! My son and I have been doing the same thing to our "Sully". It has been a lot of fun and a great learning experience.

[fj40_73]

Props!

Great color too.

[ocdbeetle]

Love the blackout trim....That'll be the baddest ride in the school parking lot....

[Copenhagen1]

You better get a BIG STICK dad ...... if Shelby is cute AND drives a 40 .... she will be very popular with the boys.

The resto looks great. I may use rustoleum on mine too.

Copenhagen1

[ManBearPig]

Nice job! That color looks much better than that faded blue.

[fireflyr]

Great story. You can't beat that vintage look. You must have a pretty cool kid that would pick a FJ40 over a rice rocket honda. Must have to do with some pretty good parenting along the way.

[Bodean]

Are we talking rattle can dark olive rustoleum? That thing looks great! I love the color! If that is Shelby in the passenger seat you need to get that stick that was mentioned in a previous post. Great story. I hope she appreciates her Dad!

Later,

[antFJ]

Originally Posted by Bodean

Are we talking rattle can dark olive rustoleum? That thing looks great! I love the color! If that is Shelby in the passenger seat you need to get that stick that was mentioned in a previous post. Great story. I hope she appreciates her Dad!

Later,

i was wondering on how to say that exact thing.. well said.

[shermantank55]

Thanks for all the positive feedback. When we started, my only hope was that Shelby would want to hang out with me and do a project together. If you have a daughter, you realize how fast she becomes her own person and you wish there was something you could do together before she's gone.

While she was not much for the greasy mechanical stuff, she has stuck with it to get Cadet together. I think she now appreciates what hard work and a little talent can do. I am pretty sure nobody else but Shelby will be driving Cadet. It's not every day you get into a car with a column 3 speed. Once she learns the three on the tree and no power anything, she will be set.

As to the big stick, I've got that covered. And the date night surveillance van ready to roll. That and my family room gun cleaning meet the boyfriend home by ten thanks for caring routine down.

More photos to follow. We're trying to get the soft top installed--maybe tonight.
As to the paint, yes it is Rustoleum Dark Olive. We used rattle cans inside the engine compartment and interior. We used quarts with a spray gun (thinned with 10% acetone)on the exterior. The finish is a finely textured satin. I have a case of cans and a quart left over for the predicted dings and scratches.

[shermantank55]

Hey guys, this is Shelby speaking

obviously this car took a lot of hard work, and although i admit i skipped on some of it, whenever i was out in the garage, it was really fun

i now can brag to all my guy-friends about my car AND the fact that I helped put it together It's fun to know more about cars than them, they get all flustered and embarrassed haha

I do believe my dad DOES get the best dad award, I really appreciate all he has done for me (although he did have fun while doing it)

well I'm off to do my homework and beg my dad to teach me to drive

P.S.
i just wanted to say thanks to all the people advising my dad to carry a big stick....like i don't have enough to worry about =P

[BladeRunner80]

Wow...beautiful truck, love the color! Wish my parents would have let driven an FJ40 for a first ride! I got stuck with on old Saab! Good job!

[samwise]

That inspiring! Very cool to see, it gives me hope for mine.
Shelby props to you for not wanting to be like everyone else, what a cool first vehicle! Whatever you do, dont sell it!

[fj40forlife]

awesome. Like the color

edit just read!

Originally Posted by shermantank55

As to the big stick, I've got that covered. And the date night surveillance van ready to roll. That and my family room gun cleaning meet the boyfriend home by ten thanks for caring routine down.

hahah that would be interesting

[Bodean]

Shelby,

You are really lucky to have a Dad that will do that and want to include you in the build. My 9 yr old little girl would love to have a Cruiser. My Father in Law has a 77 that might just have her name on it as we speak. I guess this thread has got me thinking. He will give it to her if she ask. Funny how you girls get things by just batting your eyes! Daddys and Grandfathers are such suckers! This just might work. I'll send her over tomorrow to "bat her eyes!" Have fun with your new ride and don't let anyone tell you it's ugly! That is one cool ride!

Later,