1978 FJ40 ready for assembly (CHANGE MY MIND?)

[wileycoyote]

I bought this project in January. I really don't have the time for it but I just couldn't say no. I saw the ad for a couple of months and didn't think much about it. Finally one night I called and Robert answered. After talking to him for an hour I decided I needed to head over and take a look. Three hours later I'm in his garage and smiling. I knew I was going to buy it and he did too... Let me tell you, he didn't knock a penny off his asking price. Not to mention all of the extras I had to buy once I saw them. A lot less cash later, I am back in Glasgow with a building full of stuff. Now I have to decide what to do: I am open for suggestions at this point on which way to turn..... Diesel swap? paint? Gray or original forest green? put in the auxiliary tank or patch the hole? I have not even gotten to unboxing all of the goodies. I will keep you posted with pics.

Here is the ad: https://sites.google.com/site/tlcfj401978/
Well the actual ad was on craigslist.

 

[wileycoyote]

FOR SALE 1978 FJ40
more pix at ImageShack® - bobsmith1299's Profile Page
Project truck all the work has been done just put it back together again. It was taken down to the frame,
frame was cleaned and a coat of hammerlite put on with a top coat of black.
OME 2 1/2 " springs and shocks 0 miles
Front axle rebuilt new seals bearings &wipers
Rear axle rebuilt new seals & bearings
Four wheel disk brakes rebuilt calipers and new pads at all four corners
Engine rebuilt 30 over bore new cam, mains & rods bearings
New 260 RV cam
Flywheel resurfaced new clutch,pressure plate & throw out bearing
3 into2 into 1 ceramic coated header
Scout IH power steer box (should get a reman to replace it)
5 BFG 33x1050 tires 0 miles
five new steel wheels
Tub was bead blasted and in primer ZERO rust
All other body parts are ex shape no rust in primer
New Toyota gas tank never filled
New Toyota radiator never installed
Has aux gas tank filler door installed
Warn 22 gal aux gas tank never installed (bought used should be boiled out and liquid liner installed)
New body mounts
Dash pod cleaned and pointers repainted reset to 0 miles
Heater cleaned and repainted
Has aux rear heater
New Toyota windshield glass and seal
Seats are bad
Jump seats are in excellent shape
$7500.00 Firm
Sorry i will not part it out
Located in western Ky


I also have 2 complete Toyota soft top frames in ex condition with the doors
$1000.00 ea
Somewhat rare offenhouser 4 barrel intake manifold and carb new never installed
$500.00
8000 lb warn winch $375.00

 

[wileycoyote]

 

[wileycoyote]

Before you guys start ragging me about all of the mirrors in my "FJ40 Dance Studio" keep in mind I had no where to store all of this so I went and rented this building. It use to be a kung-fu training center. And yes everything fit through the double doors on the building. I know, don't fully put it back together in there or I won't get it out.

 

[MicahMan]

Holy sweet ride WHy are you so far away!!!!
Are you parting things out at all or selling the whole kit?

 

[wileycoyote]

Im going to rebuild it! Just trying to figure out what direction to go........ Yeah, it was a score I do believe...
Just looking for inputs on auxiliary tank, paint color, change out ps (scout) just little stuff before I get going.

 

[subzali]

What do you want it to be when it's finished?

-Auxiliary tank is cool if you're doing long-distance trips with it, otherwise
-Is that brown/red primer? Go with an original color - green would be good.
-Keep the engine, the guy already put a lot of work into it.
-I'd keep the Scout box since it's already on and the factory one is already gone, though I would take a look at CDaniel's thread to compare notes on how the box is mounted. It looks a little tilted to me.
-Why is 1/2 of the engine black and the other 1/2 orange?

Or I don't know, if it has all the parts there then take it back to as close as you can to 100% restoration, minus the lift and tires and scrap the Scout box for minitruck power steering, and drive it around! But it looks like you already have a 1980 to put around in, so...

 

[merlinridesagain]

Looks like a great project, hope there are lots of pics coming so we can see inside those boxes!

I doubt anyone has the time for this, myself included, but the way I think of it is - it's always there when you do get some time.

Good luck...

 

[AlexJet]

One thing for sure you scored a DEAL when I look at your parts pile and the Cruiser.

What to do?... I'd say restore and drive around if you like it this way. Build a good shape to be your vacation/exploration vehicle if you like to go in places where others can't and still be able legally drive on the highway. Or make a mighty trail rig if you like to have ultimate machine and not mind trailing it behind your other truck.

It's your truck, your hobby, your decision. We can help navigate you through the obstacles here, but it's you at the "wheel".

 

[MicahMan]

I'm just jealous of the parts hoard. All I can say is stick with it!!! Work to get it driving as soon as possible and you'll fall in love with it!

 

[two10wagon]

Great find! I wish mine was that clean.

 

[wileycoyote]

Two things:
keep the auxiliary tank? YES OR NO?
paint it factory color forest green or ICON GRAY?

This is first step before assembly can begin.......

 

[Fast Eddy]

Keep the aux tank and don't even think of painting it a non-original color.

It looks like your dance card is full.

 

[wileycoyote]

So forest green?

 

[UZJ40]

So forest green?

Lol, what do YOU like?

 

[wileycoyote]

Love the icon gray and everything blacked out.

 

[KY Longhunter]

Why not Candy Apple Red with White interior?

 

[wileycoyote]

Yeah definitely not going that route.

 

[TCSTARK]

Go Icon gray because it's what you like.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[MicahMan]

Grey

I went grey and have never looked back!

But if I could have afforded it at the time I would have gone green.

Do what you want, but keep the aux tank.
I have a crappy poly tank that only fills up to 10 gallons maybe 11 if I squeeze it.