Look what followed me home!

[Toyo_Judson]

It followed me home ma, can I keep it? '68 FJ55

So this may never be a show pig like scorcher1967's fantastic rigs, but a fun weekend type of piggy. So where to start? This piggy has a '74 1F engine and 4 speed tranny.
Issues:
1. Runs but only with the choke
2. Brakes will pump up but will go almost to the floor the next use.
3. Rust here and there and there and there, not as bad as I have seen
4. Rear window will not budge

The good:
It's a '68 ! How cool is that?

I am limited on cash, not time. Would like to just have fun with it. Don't get me wrong, a show would be killer, but can not cough the coin to make it one. So what would you tackle first?

Oh ya.... Pics:

 

[4WD Toyota Owner Magazine]

I have a 73 that looks a LOT like that one. Tons of potential. In terms of what to do first...get her running smooth, then the brakes!

More pics!

 

[scorcher1967]

Thanks for the props amigo. Time is more valuable than money with these things, time and a whole lot of do-it-yourself can get a lot done.

I gotta disagree about what to do first though. Brakes first, purely for safety. Get it running sweet, but dont fix those brakes, you might wreck it, someone else, or yourself (or all of the above) Resist the temptation! And buy a rebuild kit for the master cyl. The remanufactured ones are sometimes available, but the core charge could choke a goat.

Welcome to the madness of Pig ownership.

 

[Toyo_Judson]

I have a 73 that looks a LOT like that one. Tons of potential. In terms of what to do first...get her running smooth, then the brakes!

More pics!

I knew I wasn't the only one to see the diamond in the rough! Thanks amigo for the validation.... you need to e'splain that to my .

I am going to opt to rebuild the carb first, as this would seem logical to me. (with it needing choke to run/idle)

I only have some pics of the rust and such, those were the only two side shots I have.... but here are some more:

 

[Toyo_Judson]

Thanks for the props amigo. Time is more valuable than money with these things, time and a whole lot of do-it-yourself can get a lot done.

I gotta disagree about what to do first though. Brakes first, purely for safety. Get it running sweet, but dont fix those brakes, you might wreck it, someone else, or yourself (or all of the above) Resist the temptation! And buy a rebuild kit for the master cyl. The remanufactured ones are sometimes available, but the core charge could choke a goat.

Welcome to the madness of Pig ownership.

Your stuff is pure inspiration! Seeing yours has lead me into the delusion that any piggy can be saved.

Ya I guess starting would be optional, stopping would be mandatory... Not being much of a brake guy, I'll take the advise of the master cyl rebuild kit. I'm not much of a body guy or a mechanic either.... I am good with wiring and electricity. So if nothing else the lights will work .

Now for a name..... hmmm..... might have to enlist my 2 boys to come up with something....

 

[hks3sgte]

I saw this on eBay. didn't sell on there though?

 

[Southeast Overland]

Congrads on the Pig!

Go ahead and get those brakes fixed first - before the carb.

Check your shoes/pads, rotors/drums, lines, master and slave. Bleed it.

Carb rebuild kits are cheap. Try Cruiser Outfitters or JimC.

Rear window might = broken plastic gear. Check your connections before you tear into the tailgate and make sure its not just jammed up. I tore into mine and ends up it was just jammed a bit.

Oh, and the rust will be there when you get to it.

 

[CandyPants]

Awesome piggy! So it's a 68 with a 74 F? Is it the transition engine? If it's a 74, then there's a good possibility. I have a 73 F.5 and it's a great runner.

Good luck!

 

[Toyo_Judson]

I saw this on eBay. didn't sell on there though?

No it didn't, but I found it on Craigslist. It wasn't until I had talked to the PO that I found out it was on there.

 

[Toyo_Judson]

Congrads on the Pig!

Go ahead and get those brakes fixed first - before the carb.

Check your shoes/pads, rotors/drums, lines, master and slave. Bleed it.

Carb rebuild kits are cheap. Try Cruiser Outfitters or JimC.

Rear window might = broken plastic gear. Check your connections before you tear into the tailgate and make sure its not just jammed up. I tore into mine and ends up it was just jammed a bit.

Oh, and the rust will be there when you get to it.

eventhough,

Thanks for the tips. I hope to get started on the brakes this wekend, but I have a garden to finish too.... gotta keep the happy....

 

[Toyo_Judson]

Awesome piggy! So it's a 68 with a 74 F? Is it the transition engine? If it's a 74, then there's a good possibility. I have a 73 F.5 and it's a great runner.

Good luck!

Yes, '68 with a '74 F engine. The PO wanted the 4 on the floor and got a deal on it. No idea... No idea how to check...
I do know that the speedo cable and ebrake cable need to be of a different variety. PO said the originals are not long enough. I also need a front drive shaft, but may be able to get locally, since the donor pig is still in town. I know I have a steep learning curve in front of me and I will have to rely on the knowledge pool here.

 

[Bossman]

You might want to consider a four wheel disc conversion. Info is available on this board and the parts cost will be just about the same as fixing the old drum brake system. I'll never screw with another drum brake system on a cruiser unless it is trult show quality. Just my $.02

 

[CruiserStuff]

the F.5 has the oil filter on the passenger side of the block (like the 2F's).....the F engine has the oil filter on the driver's side of the engine.....

 

[Toyo_Judson]

the F.5 has the oil filter on the passenger side of the block (like the 2F's).....the F engine has the oil filter on the driver's side of the engine.....

Based on the above criteria, it is a .5F... is this a bad thing? a good thing? or just a thing?

 

[fireflyr]

Based on the above criteria, it is a .5F... is this a bad thing? a good thing? or just a thing?

It's a good thing. You'll actually have oil pressure!

 

[Toyo_Judson]

It's a good thing. You'll actually have oil pressure!

There is a sticker on the valve cover that reads "F155"

 

[calico kid]

You might want to consider a four wheel disc conversion. Info is available on this board and the parts cost will be just about the same as fixing the old drum brake system. I'll never screw with another drum brake system on a cruiser unless it is trult show quality. Just my $.02

That is very good 2 cents

Drums can be frustrating to say the least

 

[J Mack]

. So where to start?

Get an inexpensive welder and get back to work on this very cool 55, none of us want to see another unfinished project go up for sale.
Nothing here that needs to be done to meet your original criteria that this group can't walk you through.