Another FJ40 Buildup

[mr2m1]

I have been working on my cruiser off and on for a few years. I recently gathered all my pics together of my progress/projects. Since everyone likes to look at Landcruiser pics I thought I would share them here.

Newly purchased 1972 FJ40 for $3500. From a starving college student.

First thing to do was to take it out and play.

 

[RichiT]

Can't see any Pics?

 

[mr2m1]

Should work now. I had the wrong link.

 

[mr2m1]

The cruiser did fine as is, but I found a good deal on some lift springs. So I added a 4” lift.

Comparison shot.

It was easier to remove everything.

I had these bent up locally.

Had to extend my brake lines

Here it is back on the ground. Unfortunately I don’t have a "before" side shot.

 

[bikersmurf]

Looking good. Was it a FST?

 

[mr2m1]

Looking good. Was it a FST?

FST?.....I looked it up on Urban Dictionary...... Im assuming thats not what it means.

 

[mr2m1]

Ok. I’m in the middle of fabbing up a new front bumper. I decided to take a break and add some more pics to this thread.

So the next project was to fix my rusty fenders.

I cut all the nasty away on the outer skin.

Formed up some new pieces.

Tacked them in place and sanded them down. (welds are crappy, I know)

 

[mr2m1]

After fixing the fenders I went on to repaint the front end.

Here is the top of the hood sanded down.

I used a rust treatment spray on the bottom of the hood. After sanding down the hood and fender I decided that I never want to sand vehicles for a living. So I took the rest of my parts to be sand blasted.

 

[mr2m1]

Tailight Restoration.

Before

Before again

 

[mr2m1]

I did some searching on CL and found a good deal on a Warn 8274. Brought it home and cleaned it up. As with most things I need help with, no one was around to help unload so I had to use a winch. This thing was welded to a heavy duty Ford bumper.

It was pretty corroded, but cleaned up well and has been a great winch.

 

[JohnnyC]

FST = Factory Soft Top

He asked this because of the footman loops in the rear corners...however...all fj40 72-74 hardtop and soft top had them in the rears those years...

 

[mr2m1]

FST = Factory Soft Top

He asked this because of the footman loops in the rear corners...however...all fj40 72-74 hardtop and soft top had them in the rears those years...

Thanks, kinda hard to keep track of all these abbr.

 

[mr2m1]

I found some front seats out of an early 90’s Isuzu Trooper, then fabbed up some brackets to fit them in without removing the stock fuel tank and storage compartment. I am 6 foot tall and still have plenty of room above my head.

I just used some 1”x 1” and angle.

I did have to mod the drivers seat to get it to sit lower.

Test fit.

Drivers side was easier. I used the existing brackets and slides. Then made a simple frame for it to mount to. I am also able to get into the storage box.

 

[mr2m1]

It was time to address the rust issue on the back panels.

This was a Montana cruiser so the rust had eaten thru pretty good.

There was no turning back now.

I welded on a strip to reinforce the new patch.

I decide to fill in the spare tire holes and soft top loop holes while I was at it.

I didn’t take pics of the sanded and primed part of that project. I got lazy.

 

[mr2m1]

Walker Valley ORV.

My buddies 72.

 

[mr2m1]

Another FJ40 Build

So after a year of driving the 40 around I decided it was time to finish what I started. Since the weather was nice I decide to paint the rest of the body.

 

[mr2m1]

Another FJ40 Build

The top was next since I destroyed the rain gutter on a few trees. Fortunately the rain gutter had very little rust under the cap. So I hammered out the dents and reshaped the flanges.

This was folded over my door. I had to use pliers to bend back up so I can open the door.

This was the trees fault.

Another tree.

This thing was in bad shape.

After sandblasting the rain gutter and reshaping it I painted it with a 2 part rust preventive paint.

Rivets from CCOT.

Homemade tool to install the rivets.

First one…. 150 or so to go.

Here it is ready to put back on.

 

[mr2m1]

Another FJ40 Build

While the rig was apart, I added a full roll cage, painted the interior with bed liner type paint. Then put it all back together. I also finished up my swing out rear tire carrier.

New bumper coming soon.

Metaltech tube fenders.

Future plans include power steering, disc brake conversion, new bumper and whatever keeps me busy.

 

[mr2m1]

Another FJ40 Build

Here are some more pics of playing in the snow recently.

 

[Bodean]

Man, that thing turned out great!