Sturobertson40's FJ55 Resto Thread

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sturobertson40

sturobertson40

Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Threads
22
Messages
215
Location
Charleston, SC
Hey everyone,

I bought my '71 FJ55 a couple of months ago. I have had a variety of Landcruisers before this one including an FJ60, and two FJ40's. However, I haven't had one in several years. I graduated from school and needed money so I sold them all! :frown:
But, I recently found this old 55 on ebay and had to have it. It was just repainted but there is definitely some rust. Mostly the usual areas.

Anyway, it runs and stops fine and I have had a blast riding around town and am looking forward to some trail rides.

I decided to take it apart and get the frame protected, body cleaned up and two-toned, do a small lift, and front discs, and replace the exhaust header. I love the project. I'm going to keep the F AND 3SPD for now, just so I can be out on the trail in the near future (this is definitely a budgeted toy).

So I'm going to post my first pics and see what happens. I will keep everyone updated as I go. I look forward to "reconnecting" with the LC community. Let me know your thoughts and suggestions as this is my first complete frame off.

Thanks,

Stu
d5_0.JPG.webp
IMGP2516.webp
 
:cheers:

Welcome to the sickness!
 
good deal man...way to get back in, ha ha

you should get hooked up with upstate cruisers...check out the club forum.

i know it's a bit of a drive up to the upstate, but those guys are worth it. great to hang out with...

welcome back, and by the way, you're just increasing my pig envy...

malphrus
 
Looks like my old piggy that went to pennsylvania...and that's a pig lovin grin fer sure!
 
Stu,

Welcome! Looks like a great rig.

:pig:

Brian
 
The beginning!

Well I started tearing down the cruiser this weekend! I want to get the body off the frame to stabilize any horrible rust on the undersides.

I began with the carpet, which was some mid-80's aftermarket kit from Man-A-Fre and was in decent condition.

I also got both seats out, most of the headliner (which was shot), and the heaters. I am now working on the left over peices of the headliner around the moldings. These things make me nervous because they are in surprisingly good condition and I don't want to screw them up by disassembling them. But...I want to paint the whole inside eventually so they need to come down to do it right anyway...No guts no glory!

Does anyone know how the headliner edges are supposed to come out of the side and front window moldings? I don't want to tear that rubber pealing it back, but I think they are just glued on.

Anyway, I have been pleasantly surprised with the good condition of the metal on the inside, on the roof, and around panels. For the most part, the interior will only need some good sanding and painting. I'm not trying to make a show car, but I do want to stop all major rust issues.

Soon I will tackle the dash components removal.:frown:

Now I know the underside is in worse shape. I'll take some pics for sympathy soon! The rear quarters look good now, but they are rotten and filled with some bondo down low. I'm hoping I can chop them off and create some wrap around bumper and rocker sliders to remedy the problem.

Of course one issue. I will need to learn how to weld. Any suggestions on what welder and tools could get me started for a reasonable amount of money?

Also, I am thinking about leaving the drivetrain in place unless I find any nasty surprises. This will help keep the cost down and cut some time. I know it needs a new exhaust header (has the leak) and I plan on doing that. I've had several early cruisers with the old F/3SPD and I actually don't mind the combo that much.
Again, I'd love to say, I'm going to throw in a 2F and 4spd, but realistically it's not going to happen just yet. I figure I can do the engine as some other project down the road.

So I'm going to get her frame looking good, do a 4" Suspension and add some 33's with front discs, tune up the engine, get her body cleaned up and hopefully paint it Smurf Blue and White. Then I'm hitting the trails with Upstate Cruisers (after I sign up of course). I'm aiming for GSMTR next May or sooner!

I am pretty experienced in fixing and accessorizing these trucks but I've never done a tear down this extensive, let me know if you have any suggestions!

Now to the pics.
FJ55 - hoodless cruiser.webp
FJ55 - interior 1.webp
FJ55 - interior 2.webp
 
Good luck with your build Stu

You might try your local vo tech school for a night time welding class or do some reading, get some steel and experiment. I started with a 120 volt welder and sold it to buy a 220 volt so i could weld thicker steel easier.
 
Thanks, guys. I hit a wall tonight. You know when you spend an hour drilling out one bolt? Yeah, one of those nights. Hopefully I'll have an easier time tomorrow. I'm scared of that dash!
 
sturobertson40 said:
Of course one issue. I will need to learn how to weld. Any suggestions on what welder and tools could get me started for a reasonable amount of money?
Click to expand...

Stu,

Check out the Outfitting section (https://forum.ih8mud.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20) - there is lots of discussions about good welders to purchase.

I took a class at the local CC to learn. It was VERY helpful.

Glad that you purchased a silver star - please continue to post up lots of pics.

Finally, If you haven't done so - go to the 45 section as well and check out Buckrouseau's threads on his 45LV and 45LPB restorations. He does an excellent job of documenting and explaining the work he does.

HTH,
Brian
 
I have been learning to weld for about a year now and have gotten much better. Some thing I wish people had mentioned when I was getting started:

- don't buy a small flux core welder. Buy at least a 230V/175, I have a miller 175 and love it, much easier and user friendly than my old lincoln 90 flux core. The larger welder will also be more universal to use.

- Get Gas! I found this helped the learning curve greatly, you are able to really watch the bead better than with the smokey flux core.

- get an auto darkening helmet, again helps with teh learning curve.

- College classes. In my opinion not entirely necessary as mig is not really that hard and once you "get it" you will get better by just doing it. Best bet is to have a local friend show you some tips, this helped me greatly. I found that the college classes in my area covered many other types of welding which I did not really want to learn, just mig.

- Take on a few projects, small ones, that are not critical, maybe a rack or something for the garage to hang tools. These projects helped me get much better in the begginning.

HTH,

Noah
 
Hey everyone, Thanks for the advice.

After reading the headliner thread, I'm rethinking my tear down. Oh well, I'll figure it out. My Dad and I had a 55 a few years back and had the liner installed. The pros managed to save all of the window stripping and did an excellent job. Although I think it cost $300.00 for the labor.
 
What do ya'll think abot my frame off idea? I really want to do it, but I feel like I'm taking apart a decent cruiser and I'm worried about what I may have to "rebuy" later. I'm considering doing some heavy duty cleaning, sanding and painting the inside, as well as anywhere I can get to on the underside, and putting her back together from there. Then I will set to work welding up the bad spots and working on the exterior.

Here's the condition body wise (I'll get pics up soon):
Body still fairly solid except in parts of the rockers by the wells, and the bottom of the rear quarters.
Floor pans pretty good.
Body mounts mostly intact except where the supports bend down to connect to the inside of the rockers. Those are rusted away and will need some new metal brackets welded in.

I guess my biggest reservation about further tear down is taking out the wire harness. EVERYTHING WORKS DOWN TO THE REAR RUNNING LIGHTS! I've never had a cruiser that had every connection unbutchered and working.

Please advise. I know my way around these things but I am just being cautious in recognition of the fact that this is the biggest project I have eve attempted and I don't have an endless bank account.
 
Headliner Down, Heater Out

Here are some more interior shots as she sits today.
No Headliner 55.webp
Heater Out 55.webp
 
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