Soon to be new owner of a '74 FJ40

[Korey]

Deposit done. Cashier's check is on its way and should arrive in the seller's mailbox tomorrow. I'm sure some of you have seen it on ebay (#200917678606), where there were just several bids in the last couple hours.

As you can tell, it is missing some parts, some of which the seller has, and it appears to be a solid driver. I plan on replacing the aftermarket wheels and tires with stock steelies and 32/33 x 9.5 tires (10.5 if I can't find a decent set of 9.5's). If anyone wants the wheels and tires that are on it now, or has a decent set with A/T's or less aggressive tread, please let me know. The spare tire and running boards are included but I plan on picking up some stock parts such as the tire carrier, jump seats, and proper front turn signals.

I am located just outside of Philadelphia and will be picking the truck up from the Indianapolis, Indiana area for the 600 mile drive home, which I am documenting. The seller told me that it should be able to make the trip without any problems even though there is a leak in the rear wheel cylinder. It was I think garage kept during his ownership and driven mostly on trips and weekends. Even though it has a clean title, he does not know how many miles are on it because the odometer stopped working before his ownership. I plan on bringing my tools along and going over the necessities before the drive home. Hopefully stopping at a friends' in Columbus, Ohio which is about halfway. I plan on hitching a ride via Craigslist unless one of you happens to be heading in that direction.

My first car was a '66 Mustang which I purchased when I was 17 and restored over a four year period. I'm 32 now and that car is still in the folks' garage. Had a BMW M Coupe (bimmerforums username RAW VEGAN) for about five years before I got tired of putting money into it and sold it to a very happy enthusiast. My DD is a mostly rust free '91 Toyota Pickup V6 4WD SR5 with 176k miles. I also have a '99 4runner SR5 and a '93 base 2WD pickup, both which are up for sale- the pickup once it gets a new clutch and windshield. This is my first FJ40 and it's been one of my dream vehicles for over 10 years. The only drawback is that I do not have a garage right now even though I have several Sketchit design in the works of which I would be happy to share for those of you into Modern and Contemporary designs. I am hoping to finalize a shed design and am toying with making it big enough to house the FJ40 for those rainy days.

I am open to recommendations and help that anyone has to offer. If someone lives in the area and wants to check it out, please do because this would greatly aid the planning process. The seller seems friendly and has offered his assistance in getting the truck ready for the trip home but he does not have the experience like some of us do. If anyone wants to learn more about myself, please check out www.KoreyConstable.com. I have not started the blog yet but the basics are up for the most part.

Looking forward to the Cruiser experience. There is a lot of great information on here and some great stories as well of which I am grateful for.

 

[thecrazygreek]

Welcome to the madness...

 

[SteveH]

Sounds like a nice find - very solid body. It clearly didn't spend its whole life in Indiana!

You might consider adjusting the valves before this trip home, since it's a fairly long drive. Nice to have a buddy's house halfway, in case more substantial repairs are needed. I might also consider running a lead additive in the gas, since you're going to be flogging it on the highway the whole time. Cheap insurance - can't hurt.

 

[jaxbchcruiser]

Welcome to the addiction that these rides are!

 

[Speeter]

I am in Columbus also if you have any trouble. Also the best cruiser mechanic in the country (JimC) is only 30 mins south of here. Might be worth a stop. Good luck with it.

 

[Korey]

When I rebuilt the engine in the Mustang, I asked around and no one had a problem running unleaded. It's been said that the idea of lead protecting the engine was created in order to ensure its continued use- similar to water companies using Florine in public water cuz it "keeps teeth and bones healthy" when we all know that it is a hazardous chemical. Haven't done research on leaded gasoline, but it would make sense that lead being beneficial to engines was simply made up by companies in order to maximize profits and save on costs associated with hazardous waste removal. I do use Star-Tron to keep the engines clean of ethanol, though.

Its good to know that Speeter and JimC would be nearby. Funny that JimC is famous on this forum cuz there's a famous guy on Caferacers.net called JoeC which some of you may know. Will keep you guys posted on the trip.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Hey Korey,

Welcome to MUD

I live about an hour south of you, in Delaware - currently working on fixing up a 75. Once I feel safe driving it more than 20 miles or so, I wanna get all the local Delaware/PA folks together for a beer somewhere.

My first car was also a 66 Mustang that I bought in high school. Never really restored it, just drove it. Sold it to help pay for college.

One word of advice - On the east coast, with rain and salt in the winter, these trucks will literally vanish before your eyes. I'd make getting a shed/garage/storage space a priority!

Anyway, I am NOT the best cruiser mechanic in the country, nor would I even consider myself a mechanic, but if you ever have a big project and need an extra set of hands, give me a holler!

 

[Korey]

Please do the same if you need a set of hands. I have cousins that live in Wilmington near Dupont. There's a cool park there right next to the old textile mill with some short rock climbing routes that I usually hit on the 4th of July. I usually frequent the Newark area for some mountain biking at White Clay and usually end rides at Homegrown on Main Street which is a great vegan friendly restaurant.

One thing I didn't get enough of when working on cars was interaction with others. I had a guy teach me about cars in the beginning but after that I did everything by myself for the most part. While it is nice to have some alone time with the cars, I think it is more fun to share the experience with another person who is really enjoying what they are doing at the moment.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Please do the same if you need a set of hands. I have cousins that live in Wilmington near Dupont. There's a cool park there right next to the old textile mill with some short rock climbing routes that I usually hit on the 4th of July. I usually frequent the Newark area for some mountain biking at White Clay and usually end rides at Homegrown on Main Street which is a great vegan friendly restaurant.

One thing I didn't get enough of when working on cars was interaction with others. I had a guy teach me about cars in the beginning but after that I did everything by myself for the most part. While it is nice to have some alone time with the cars, I think it is more fun to share the experience with another person who is really enjoying what they are doing at the moment.

Ah - So you definitely know the area, I see. I've climbed @Alapocas a few times, but there's not much there. Was at Birdsboro a couple weeks ago - might be heading down to the Red River Gorge in KY this fall. Ultimately I want the FJ40 to be my camping/hiking/climbing truck but I have a long way to go!

I went to school @ UD so I am very familiar with Home Grown! If your 40 can make it 600 miles from Columbus back here, you'll have to bring it down to Newark and we'll grab a beer. I could limp mine to Newark!

 

[Sno Dawg]

NEW FJ to SE PA!!!

Hey Corey,
I just saw this thread on your new FJ40. It is great to have another 40 in the area and yours looks like a solid one. Good luck on your drive home - take it slow and learn the nuances of the truck. Each cruiser has a different personality and different needs - you sound like you are up for an exciting road trip.

Give me a shout when you are home - I live in Manayunk/Germantown and have owned about 6 FJs since the early 80s. I presently have a 74 with a 4 inch lift and 33X10.50 pizza cutters.

Good luck and keep on cruisein"
Jeff - Sno Dawg

I sent you a PM with my contact info.

 

[Korey]

Yeah been to the Bird several times. Most of my climbing takes place at PRG Oaks, but hoping to frequent the new East Falls location more often. Bunch of us are going to the Red from June 9-16. The last time I was there, I must have had three whole pizzas from Miquels.

I think the FJ40 would make a good camping/expedition truck especially with a diesel. It is amazing what the diesels are going for these days, but good insurance if the system collapses or during an EMP. As a matter of fact, the BJ40 would probably be my first pick as a post apocalypse vehicle. lol.

 

[Korey]

Hey Jeff, thanx for getting in touch. I really appreciate it and look forward to meetin ya. Manayunk is a cool place and I'm no stranger to there since I bike through there and climb at the gym in East Falls.

 

[alberta mac]

The blue jar you drink and wake up tomorrow and think this was all a dream or drink the red bottle and see how far the rabbit hole goes... The Matrix

 

[Korey]

Just realizing that the tub is probably off of an older FJ40 judging by the style of the fuel door by the passenger door. What is confusing is that I am finding pics of crusiers with and without the side markers. Some round, some rectangular. The rectangular ones seem to appear in the later years than the round ones, but I am finding images of same year cruisers with and without the side markers.

Thought maybe he had the year wrong, but since it's a four speed and since the shift pattern diagram that is on the glove box is that of a four speed, I doubt it's an older vehicle because four speeds were not used until '74. Any ideas?

 

[Korey]

I meant fuel cap opening, not the fuel door since the fuel doors didn't come until 1973 I Think.

 

[GregRay]

Congratulations. I'm in the process of restoring a '74 that I pickup on two and a half years ago for about the same $$ you paid for your's and in similar condition.

As far as your questions about the tub, 4 speed on a '74, etc., here is some info:

1974 was a transition year, with the "1.5F" engine. Mine (12/73 build) came with the 3-speed. I believe the switch to the 4-speed was very late in the '74 production run.

As for the tub, it looks to have the remnants of a tool box under the driver's seat. A '74 does not have a tool box under the seat, so it is probably an earlier tub. There are holes where the rear side marker lights should be. Amazing to me that the owner had it for 11 years and didn't know what these holes were for (thought they were for a CB antenna!).

The hole in the left, rear panel (just above the Toyota emblem) is where the back-up light was on earlier years before it was moved to the single rear light unit in the rear frame where your's are. Another clue that the tub is not a '74.

As far as the fuel opening pictured, this was for an aux fuel tank installed in the rear, which is apparently no longer present. I don't see the stock fuel door pictured.

As far as missing parts, you will need running boards, a spare tire carrier for the back (if you want one) and actual turn signals for the front (it looks like he has either reflectors or side marker lights installed).

Good luck with the drive back. In additional to a lot of tools, bring some brake fluid if it has a leaking cylinder. This may be obvious, but check the brakes thoroughly before starting on that long drive back.

 

[Toyo_Judson]

SCORE!

Congrats on the purchase, looks pretty solid from here...

 

[Korey]

If those cutouts are for side markers, I wonder why there isn't one on the driver's side like there is on the passenger side. The pics that I've checked out of the cruisers with those rear side markers look lower than where the cutout on mine is. Did not realize that the older tubs had a backup light like that and that they had a tool box under the driver seat.

Thanks everybody for the warm welcomes and suggestions. Maybe I will trade that tub for the correct one. Any interest?

 

[cjgoode]

Those cutouts look more like they were for CB antennas, the side markers would have been rectangle, plus that 3 bolt pattern is typical of antenna mounts. I would patch those whole with some metal long before I would consider replacing that tub.

 

[GregRay]

If those cutouts are for side markers, I wonder why there isn't one on the driver's side like there is on the passenger side.

Bondo?