My 78 FJ40 build (1 Viewer)

[alabamacruiser7]

This is the early portion of the build basically when I went to get it to what it is 3 months later. I have received so much help from you guys and read enough of these that I wanted to do one myself so enjoy.

First off I found this FJ40 on this site on a Wednesday morning. I had an FJ60 that I was daily driving at the time and always wanted a 40. When this one came up for sale I new I had to have it, and since I had been looking forever for one I could afford I jumped on it. A lot of you probably remember this one in the classified's a couple months ago.

So anyway I jumped in my week old Xterra (fiancee was ecstatic that I was buying two cars in a month period) stopped by U HAUL to get a trailer and headed for Birmingham (about 2 hours away). The guy I bought it from had the cruiser for the last 15 years and used it as a daily driver. Before that his father had driven it for about 6 years.

Here are some photos of the first fill up at a gas station on the way home. We went to Taco Bell across the street and the first attempt to buy happened. A guy walks in and says "Who's FJ40 is that outside?"

 

[alabamacruiser7]

Here is one after a mild cleaning.

 

[alabamacruiser7]

For some reason I cant upload any more pictures. Here is a link to my photobucket:

http://s468.photobucket.com/albums/rr46/BoSpragins/Landcruisers/LC FJ40/

There are a bunch there, feel free to check out my progress. By the way the video is for future reference and so I will know where I was at this point and time.

 

[romegadave]

Looks really nice and wish I had one just like it. Any immediate plans/changes? Looks like a swell stock rig

 

[alabamacruiser7]

Thanks, right now I am just trying to get it to where I can jump in and drive it to work then the mods will come but I am keeping it as stock as possible. I just ordered some 31x10.50 BFG AT KO's from Discount Tire because of the $70 off discount. I already want another FJ40 to build into a rock crawler.

 

[missipboy]

man, i remember when this popped up in the classifieds. i posted right after and sent him a pm and told him i would buy it. never heard from him and i was wondering what happened to it. glad it went to somebody that's gonna give it some love. does it have automatic locking hubs? or are they just flanges that aren't selectable? looks great-excellent buy.

 

[alabamacruiser7]

It has the non selectable drive flanges right now but will have locking hubs as soon as I recuperate from the tires.

 

[emr88]

Nice rig! That pic on the tow dolly reminds me of the day I brought my 73 FJ40 home.

 

[dwh84]

Man, that's a good looking cruiser you have there. If you ever need help or just somebody else to talk cruisers with I'm in Huntsville as well as my buddy. I don't know a lot but might be able to help with things that I've been through. We both have 40's and love everything land cruiser. You should also check out bamableach's build thread.

Cheers!

 

[FJ40zen]

Nice cruiser! The doors look perfect!

 

[Buzzard]

Congrats and have fun! I just bought a '78 and had it shipped to OH from CA. The carb had been rebuilt, it starts right up and I drive it often. Put new tires on it, cleaned it up, and am enjoying broadening my horizons while building confidence in the vehicle.

 

[alabamacruiser7]

dwh84 I am going to add you to my buddy list. All us local 40 guys should get together and plan a ride sometime. My buddy Mayfield has an awesome 79, he's got everything rebuild and every bell and whistle, it is rhino lined in case you have seen it around town.

And thanks for the complements on the doors, they are the only perfect part on the cruiser but I'll take it.

 

[79fj40]

I like it. I will stay tuned to your build

 

[Fast Eddy]

Looks strangely familiar...

 

[BamaBleach]

My buddy Mayfield has an awesome 79, he's got everything rebuild and every bell and whistle, it is rhino lined in case you have seen it around town.

Yep, we've been on a few rides with him.


Nice looking rig!

 

[subzali]

Those drive flanges are not worth anything - you should give them to me!

Also, to post more pictures you have to buy a silver star (see at top of forum page).

Looks like a nice truck, good luck! Keep your fiancee happy though, if she's anything like mine she's worth a heck of a lot more to me than a piece of rusting metal!

 

[alabamacruiser7]

Oh yeah, gotta keep momma happy.

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

Very nice! Any pics of the drive flanges? Just curious what they look like.

TK

 

[alabamacruiser7]

I don't know what they look like, they are behind the hubcaps. All I know about them is that they are locked all the time.

 

[Gusb]

Hey - I lived in Birmingham when I was just a little kid - but that was before Toyota made Landcruisers. Is the Vulcan still there?

... It has the non selectable drive flanges right now ... I'd like to see those too. I've always wondered why so many 78s seem to have Warn hubs... dealer installed?, etc.

Hows the rust inside - the rear sill looks like the usual toast. Poke around with something sharp under the roll bar mount brackets/rear wheel covers. Are you showing the "good side" - what's that yellow on the passenger side?

Looks pretty good to me - and you have the best color/year ;p