My 1975 FJ40 to be expedition rig, lots of potential (1 Viewer)

[forestderp]

So Last weekend I flew out to Colorado purchased a brand spanking new 1975 landcruiser, and by brand new I actually mean new to me. I then departed and a several day adventure driving it back.

So the whole trip was problem free, and now that I got the rig home the clutch slave decided to act up, so I did the only thing I know how to do and replaced both the master and slave today as well as the rubber hose, also adjusted the free play to spec etc. works great now.

Anyway some pics of the trip.
In colorado at a fellow mudders place.

In Wyoming...

South Dakota

So then I got her home and added some shackles.

So my plans are for a 4" lift utilizing alcan springs and bilstein shocks, some 33" tires, winch, snorkel, hardtop and a safari rack and of course make all the necessary repairs along the way.

Oh also I intend to use this rig for some pretty sweet adventures, so far I think an alaska road trip is the correct direction for such a rig....
-Sean

 

[Cruiserless]

Awesome! Glad you made it back home with no major episodes. I brought mine home last week.... on a trailer.

 

[bikersmurf]

Nice looking rig, glad your trip went well.

Which tires are you thinking? I recently switched to 33x10.50 bfg ATs (from 33x12.50 Geolander ATs) and an very happy with them. They're quite on the road, handle well, are said to wear well, and weren't too expensive.

Hardtops 75-78 are a direct bolt on, 79-84 bolt on but the ambulance doors have rounded lower corners (may be a small gap), and 74 and earlier ones have a rear hatch and some differences in the header bar that goes across the top of the windshield. 77ish and newer have kick out vent windows in the sides of the hatch which help with humidity in the winter and heat in the summer. I've got a mixed year top... Keeping the hatch... And gaining the vent windows (very worthwhile IMO).

 

[MScruiser]

Well, after following your driving story, I figured I might as well follow your build now. Can't wait to see the progress.

 

[ccasteel]

Soft top mfg.

I've been looking for a soft top that's not black. Yours looks pretty good. Are there any tags on it? I would love to know who makes it.

 

[69LC]

It looks like a Kayline/STC top. I have the same top in faded black. If that's the make, you will have to find one used. Kayline became STC (kayline employees) and as far as I understand is no longer in business.

 

[forestderp]

I've been looking for a soft top that's not black. Yours looks pretty good. Are there any tags on it? I would love to know who makes it.

Yes it is a Kayline, but they haven't been made since 99, I would rather have a hardtop, I also have the soft doors for it.

It looks like a Kayline/STC top. I have the same top in faded black. If that's the make, you will have to find one used. Kayline became STC (kayline employees) and as far as I understand is no longer in business.

Yup.

I need to go take some pics in a little bit, today I swapped the rims and tires with a set I had just kinda chillin out on my resto project.
More so I have decided to remove the spectre offroad rear bumper, the round tube is not good at all with my hi lift jack. So next weekend I may be doing some metal fab work.

 

[Eshu Elegua]

there's a lot of pictures in search: roof rack, 33'' tires,35'' tires,etc...good choice to enjoy travel and camping, few pics for motivation

 

[forestderp]

there's a lot of pictures in search: roof rack, 33'' tires,35'' tires,etc...good choice to enjoy travel and camping, few pics for motivation

The middle one is very close to what I want this one to look like.

 

[kjohnson]

Congats on you purchase, looks in nice shape. Will be interested how your Alcans turn out, have been checking them out this weekend. Where are you in MN

 

[two10wagon]

Nice 40! Nice shop too!

 

[Assassin]

enjoyed your trip on MUD....and looking forward to your build---lets see the pic's of those wheels and tires you put on there 2day.

 

[uberFJ]

Great starting point Sean, and great story. I too am in MN...picked up a '75 a few years ago. Didn't quite make it home, though, before a rod decided to make its way out of the engine block

 

[forestderp]

Congats on you purchase, looks in nice shape. Will be interested how your Alcans turn out, have been checking them out this weekend. Where are you in MN

I shift between Swanville, St.cloud, and Sebeka all Depending on where I have to work on certain days.

Nice 40! Nice shop too!

Thanks!

enjoyed your trip on MUD....and looking forward to your build---lets see the pic's of those wheels and tires you put on there 2day.

The wheels and tires are pretty boring, just some 225/75R15 on new american racing rims. Had em sitting here and the tires are in better shape than what was on there.

Great starting point Sean, and great story. I too am in MN...picked up a '75 a few years ago. Didn't quite make it home, though, before a rod decided to make its way out of the engine block

Thanks, sorry to hear about your misfortune more details would be interesting.

 

[DSRTRDR]

Didn't quite make it home, though, before a rod decided to make its way out of the engine block

 

[DSRTRDR]

what exactly does "expedition" mean on a 40

they (40s) don't need a whole lot to be road capable for many days, except for clever packing - and not a whole lot more for the trail, either

 

[uberFJ]

Thanks, sorry to hear about your misfortune more details would be interesting.

Flew up to Grand Forks spring of 2010 to pick up my rig and start the slow drive home, grinning ear to ear until ... BANG! #6 cap let lose and the rod found its way through the block. Had her towed the rest of the way home and spent that summer doing a post-mortem and dropping in an '81 2F. Back on the road now and working through the punch list (minitruck disc brake upgrade, new seats & rebuilt carb completed so far). Still grinning ear to ear

 

[forestderp]

Flew up to Grand Forks spring of 2010 to pick up my rig and start the slow drive home, grinning ear to ear until ... BANG! #6 cap let lose and the rod found its way through the block. Had her towed the rest of the way home and spent that summer doing a post-mortem and dropping in an '81 2F. Back on the road now and working through the punch list (minitruck disc brake upgrade, new seats & rebuilt carb completed so far). Still grinning ear to ear

Where in MN do you live to want to fly to grand forks?

 

[uberFJ]

Just south of the Twin Cities, but I work for the airline...

 

[forestderp]

Very nice!
Also some pics from today, winter decided to join us here in MN finally lol. Tomorrow I am not working due to the weather and will be making a new trampoline for my catamaran.