The Rock? approx 1999 or 2000 some small person left this WWE wrestling figure in Alan's FJ-40 when it was parked at the grocery store. It has been a part of this truck since.
We shall start the journey of a rebirth of a 1976 FJ-40. Like a Phoenix from the ashes..
Not because I wanted another FJ-40.
I was pretty content with my FJ-45.
I was asked to finish this vehicle by my best friend, someone I learned about Land Cruisers and wrenching from. Someone I looked up to and traveled across the country with more times than I can remember. This vehicle was owned by Alan Loshbaugh aka @Chef. One of the last things he ever asked me to do is finish up his two beloved Land Cruisers. I chose the difficult one while he was still with us, his FJ-45. For those that have heard a little of that story, he was able to drive his dream truck FJ-45 once and sadly left us approx 5 days later.
This one was lingering in his garage in pieces waiting for it's turn. It had been wheeled all over the country and it was tired. The parts to put her together were mostly there but that never happened while it was under Chef's watch and the task was passed onto me.
Stick with me on the journey..
This is not a "resto-mod"
this is not a "restoration"
Purist look away, I will be tearing up a perfectly good truck and making it what I want so I can enjoy it and drive it.
The black truck in the picture is the one we will be taking on this journey. Chef originally had wanted it to be more of a restoration, factory style, mild lift, decent paint, factory soft top and soft doors. That all changed when I inherited it. I currently own two "resto-mods" that are too nice to wheel. And let's be honest, nobody ever said "wow that 2f is awesome". Yeah, i could have put a pretty paint job on it, made it really nice and had yet another pretty truck. NOPE.. I want to be able to drive and wheel this one.
Some basic stats to see if I qualify for the Hard Core section.. (my first time poster, long time listener/viewer in the Hard Core section)
basic parts list
LM7 5.3 2006 LS
4L60E
Split-case w 3-1 gears
80 full float rear trussed and linked
Extended wheelbase
possible front link setup (rear first)
Front axle (most likely 60 series widened with 80 knuckle balls and FROR keyed knuckles)
PRP suspension seats
Bud Built sides
Dakota Digital Gauges
Lokar Shifter
Metaltech Tube Fenders
Metaltech cage
4plus front bumper
8274
Goal is a driver/wheeler with Toyota DNA that can keep up with traffic and decent parts availability.
Nothing in the truck yet, just a big ol pile of parts.
I will provide links and references to parts as they go on. Many vendors have and will be a part of this build.
We shall start the journey of a rebirth of a 1976 FJ-40. Like a Phoenix from the ashes..
Not because I wanted another FJ-40.
I was pretty content with my FJ-45.
I was asked to finish this vehicle by my best friend, someone I learned about Land Cruisers and wrenching from. Someone I looked up to and traveled across the country with more times than I can remember. This vehicle was owned by Alan Loshbaugh aka @Chef. One of the last things he ever asked me to do is finish up his two beloved Land Cruisers. I chose the difficult one while he was still with us, his FJ-45. For those that have heard a little of that story, he was able to drive his dream truck FJ-45 once and sadly left us approx 5 days later.
This one was lingering in his garage in pieces waiting for it's turn. It had been wheeled all over the country and it was tired. The parts to put her together were mostly there but that never happened while it was under Chef's watch and the task was passed onto me.
Stick with me on the journey..
This is not a "resto-mod"
this is not a "restoration"
Purist look away, I will be tearing up a perfectly good truck and making it what I want so I can enjoy it and drive it.
The black truck in the picture is the one we will be taking on this journey. Chef originally had wanted it to be more of a restoration, factory style, mild lift, decent paint, factory soft top and soft doors. That all changed when I inherited it. I currently own two "resto-mods" that are too nice to wheel. And let's be honest, nobody ever said "wow that 2f is awesome". Yeah, i could have put a pretty paint job on it, made it really nice and had yet another pretty truck. NOPE.. I want to be able to drive and wheel this one.
Some basic stats to see if I qualify for the Hard Core section.. (my first time poster, long time listener/viewer in the Hard Core section)
basic parts list
LM7 5.3 2006 LS
4L60E
Split-case w 3-1 gears
80 full float rear trussed and linked
Extended wheelbase
possible front link setup (rear first)
Front axle (most likely 60 series widened with 80 knuckle balls and FROR keyed knuckles)
PRP suspension seats
Bud Built sides
Dakota Digital Gauges
Lokar Shifter
Metaltech Tube Fenders
Metaltech cage
4plus front bumper
8274
Goal is a driver/wheeler with Toyota DNA that can keep up with traffic and decent parts availability.
Nothing in the truck yet, just a big ol pile of parts.
I will provide links and references to parts as they go on. Many vendors have and will be a part of this build.
Last edited:
… when our hair was darker and we had more of it! Love where you’re taking this, Erik!
