I bought a 02/1974 FJ40

[ginsudan]

I am already a proud owner of a 10/1985 FJ60. I have wanted a FJ40 for a while but thought I would never find one in good condition for a reasonable price. So, when a very good friend of mine told me he knew where there was a 40 for sale... I had to take a look. It was a real barn (garage) find. Just like the stories I've read many time here on Mud. It was not easy the owners were busy when I called the first time. The weather was bad(raining)and they did not want to go out in to the garage. Finally the weather broke but they were unavailable, could not get in touch with them. I was nervous, thought is was going to get away. Finally arrangements were made and my friend and I went to see the 40 he had not seen it before either.
How he found out about it was he was in the foothills east of Stockton, Ca. I think he said the town of Murphy's. He was driving his 74 40 and a car pulled up next to him and a little lady said, "I have one of those." and the conversation started it went on for over an hour. Ending with the exchange of a phone number and an interest in passing the little lady's 40 on to a good home.
When we slid the door open to reveal the 40. this is what we saw.

 

[ginsudan]

Well not exactly. It was covered with a blue tarp so that also had to be pulled off to reveal the find. Immediately my attention was drawn to the rear where every 40 I have seen has rust. To my delight there was none. it was full of boxes of Christmas decorations and kids toys. Ratty had been living in the thing for a while it was covered with rat $#!t. I hate rats. We cleared it out and rolled it out of the garage into the sunlight.

 

[ginsudan]

They had recently had the garage roof replaced and no disrespect to any roofers out there but they tend to leave a mess. Not that they could have cleaned up this garage. The owner had bought it new from Florin Road Toyota in Sacramento, Ca when he graduated from high school. It was his first vehicle and his only vehicle to this day. He was in the process of repairing it (valve job, two of the exhaust valves were stuck #4&5 cylinders) when he suffered and injury at work in 1997 that disabled him. So there it sat partially disassembled for 14 years.

 

[Mach Schnell]

Great find!!! Hopefully you are going to fix it up stockish.

 

[40zen]

Lots of potential there. Get that truck fixed up and back on the trail!

 

[TCSTARK]

What are your plans for this rig? Have you gone though it thoroughly to determine what it needs to get back on the road/trails? Keep the pics coming!

Oh, and welcome to the 40 section.

 

[ginsudan]

Great find!!! Hopefully you are going to fix it up stockish.

Yes, that is the plan. Stockish. Some upgrades like front disc brakes, electronic ignition from a 1987 60. Most likely GM power steering.

Lots of potential there. Get that truck fixed up and back on the trail!

Again that is the plan. I have been cleaning and acquiring the needed parts. I bought a donor vehicle and stripped everything usable from it That took a week the left overs were picked up today. Now that its gone from the driveway it's time to get the plan laid out and start work.

What are your plans for this rig? Have you gone though it thoroughly to determine what it needs to get back on the road/trails? Keep the pics coming!

Oh, and welcome to the 40 section.

Thanks for the warm welcome I have been lurking here for while now I have a reason to join in. I think the previous answers cover your questions I will keep the pics of the progress coming. I agree a thread with out pictures just isn't as much fun to look at.

How about those racing stripes!

The last pic is the original owner and his son at Salt Springs Res. CA taken some 25 years ago.

 

[ginsudan]

Here is a pic of one of the parts piles destined for the 40 project.

 

[ginsudan]

More Pictures

The build continues: I got the head back from the shop looks like brand new. I drilled and tapped it for 12mm studs, yes all eight. I also replaced the valve spring with Factory Toyota Progressive rate valve springs from a 1987 FJ60 2F.

 

[ginsudan]

Upgrades Galore

Some of the upgrades we are doing to this motor: Adding an oil cooler out of the donor vehicle to cool the oil and increase the horse power.

 

[ginsudan]

More Progress Today

plumbed most of the oil cooler lines. Located the 2F water pump and thermostat housing, attached the fuel pump, and upgraded alternator.

 

[BJ44V]

Wow man, Awesome find!! I dig the stripes on the hood. I can't say mine was a barn find but it was close (no barns in Okinawa...not really), so I know the feeling.

 

[bgray]

Just read your thread. Great find. I actually live in the same town as where you picked up this 40. Good luck on the restore.

Brian

 

[nspctr1]

Awesome, dig the stripes and the pic of the PO's is great!!! If you replace the fuel pump, make sure you get the correct one...


GL

 

[ginsudan]

Awesome, dig the stripes and the pic of the PO's is great!!! If you replace the fuel pump, make sure you get the correct one...

No worries the guy helping me is a Land Cruiser expert. Dude you are sooo right the racing stripe rule. Kowabunga Moon Doggie! It's like it just came back from a surf trip to Baja.


GL

Wow man, Awesome find!! I dig the stripes on the hood. I can't say mine was a barn find but it was close (no barns in Okinawa...not really), so I know the feeling.

Ditto on the stripes (above). Are you in Japan now? Condolences on your loss.

Just read your thread. Great find. I actually live in the same town as where you picked up this 40. Good luck on the restore.

Is that yours in the avatar? Mot likely you would have seen it around town, at least not lately is been out of commission for a decade or more. Are you going to the Coastal?

Brian

 

[ginsudan]

More Progress Today

Put this on this morning after I put the Ham in the oven. I got them from Mark at Mark's Off Road. Awesome Downey design 3-2-1. Heavy flange no grinding needed even with the 12mm studs. Bad A$$! And no not cheap but still a good value. Mark is a solid dude and a straight dealer.

 

[Bennett]

looks great,, subscribed

I love barn finds

 

[40zen]

the bling-bling header! Lookin good.

 

[bj40green]

Looking good, great find.

Don't forget to flip the bezel.

 

[ginsudan]

More Progress Today

This Cruiser belongs to the Land Cruiser Expert that is helping me with the build