My infatuation – ok, lets be candid, sickness -- began in my teen years when I stood watching a boxy looking 4 wheel drive throwing plumes of snow out of all four tires as it strained against a chain attached to a stuck Jeep. In the ‘70s, Jeeps were common in Colorado, but there was a growing appreciation for this spunky foreign competitor. Strong, easy to work on, and the ability to out climb anything shy of a mountain goat, the FJ40 was appreciated by all who drove it, except AMC dealers.
Although my life took me far away from the snowy Rockies, it hasn’t taken away the synaptic overload I experienced every time I saw one of the increasing rare survivors. In 2002, I caught sight of a red FJ40 advertised in San Diego. Remembering how many Cruisers succumb to rust disease, I was amazed to see that this one has no apparent rust. The rear quarter panels were clear, the bottom of the ambulance doors were thin, but in acceptable shape and the area I later came to know as the “rear sill” was spotless. With more dollars than sense, I bought FLYR, a beautiful red FJ40.
What I didn’t realize was that with an aftermarket air filter, no injection rail, no smog pump and a Holly carburetor, there was no possible way of getting FLYR to pass a California smog check as all smog equipment has to be in place. What to do? California law allowed me to force the seller to fix it, but the seller just wanted to give my money back and take the Cruiser away. So I negotiated a price break and set out to find the necessary smog parts.
Of course, having the parts wouldn’t tell me where they went and what better way to complete the puzzle but to buy a California correct Cruiser as a donor vehicle. See how the sickness works? I found another 1977 Cruiser in Orange County for very little money. She’s bone stock, suffers from a terrible paint job, and unlike FLYR has some rust damage in her rear quarters. Also, in her teen years, she was apparently something of a metal head as she has multiple wires that lead into blackness and numerous holes in her dash, pillars and body apparently for various ornaments most of which were long gone by the time I got her.
I got the second Cruiser home and it was not well received nor was the time, energy and money I spent acquiring various necessary Cruiser parts. After the divorce, she sat in a storage shed patiently awaiting her awakening.
This winter the time has come to air up the tires, roll Patience out of storage and began the long road back to health. Unlike humans, Land Cruisers can be made young again. The wrinkles and rust will all be removed, the awful white paint job will be peeled away and Patience will be given back her original color, most all parts that can be replaced or rebuilt will be. I appreciate your comments, insight and
. .
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Although my life took me far away from the snowy Rockies, it hasn’t taken away the synaptic overload I experienced every time I saw one of the increasing rare survivors. In 2002, I caught sight of a red FJ40 advertised in San Diego. Remembering how many Cruisers succumb to rust disease, I was amazed to see that this one has no apparent rust. The rear quarter panels were clear, the bottom of the ambulance doors were thin, but in acceptable shape and the area I later came to know as the “rear sill” was spotless. With more dollars than sense, I bought FLYR, a beautiful red FJ40.
What I didn’t realize was that with an aftermarket air filter, no injection rail, no smog pump and a Holly carburetor, there was no possible way of getting FLYR to pass a California smog check as all smog equipment has to be in place. What to do? California law allowed me to force the seller to fix it, but the seller just wanted to give my money back and take the Cruiser away. So I negotiated a price break and set out to find the necessary smog parts.
Of course, having the parts wouldn’t tell me where they went and what better way to complete the puzzle but to buy a California correct Cruiser as a donor vehicle. See how the sickness works? I found another 1977 Cruiser in Orange County for very little money. She’s bone stock, suffers from a terrible paint job, and unlike FLYR has some rust damage in her rear quarters. Also, in her teen years, she was apparently something of a metal head as she has multiple wires that lead into blackness and numerous holes in her dash, pillars and body apparently for various ornaments most of which were long gone by the time I got her.
I got the second Cruiser home and it was not well received nor was the time, energy and money I spent acquiring various necessary Cruiser parts. After the divorce, she sat in a storage shed patiently awaiting her awakening.
This winter the time has come to air up the tires, roll Patience out of storage and began the long road back to health. Unlike humans, Land Cruisers can be made young again. The wrinkles and rust will all be removed, the awful white paint job will be peeled away and Patience will be given back her original color, most all parts that can be replaced or rebuilt will be. I appreciate your comments, insight and
. .
