Hello all, I accidentally acquired a 71 FJ55 this weekend, in an effort to save it from being scrapped. Happened on it locally, had just been dragged out of someone’s back yard during a large clean up. I made an offer and the owner agreed, so now it’s sitting in my yard instead....
originally I grabbed it just for the PTO winch to use on my 40 series I’m rebuilding. But now looking at it , the 55 is very complete and worth saving. Frame is clean and solid. The truck is 100% complete, and had an old box of oem parts that we’re to be used for its restoration at one time. The guy I got it from bought it from its original owner who purchased it new in 1970 and kept it on the road up in Maine until 1990 (based on the plates that are still on it). He started to restore it him self and rebuild the front axle and all the brakes before putting it out in the woods...
It will need some extensive rust repair to the lower sections of the body, but the majority of the structure is solid. Rear quarters, rockers, fenders, front floor pans all need help. It came with 4 new white wagon wheels still in their boxes too.
Not sure what I will do with it at this point, or when I’ll get to it but initially thinking of a mild resto-mod build. I’m repowering my 80 series with a 6.0LS this winter and will have a good running 1FZ-E and auto trans that needs a new home. The wheel base of the FJ55 would accommodate this package well I think. Will be a shame to say bye to the column shifted 3spd but I never really enjoyed driving that combination anyway.
Anyway, pipe dreams aside, here are a few pics from this weekend.
originally I grabbed it just for the PTO winch to use on my 40 series I’m rebuilding. But now looking at it , the 55 is very complete and worth saving. Frame is clean and solid. The truck is 100% complete, and had an old box of oem parts that we’re to be used for its restoration at one time. The guy I got it from bought it from its original owner who purchased it new in 1970 and kept it on the road up in Maine until 1990 (based on the plates that are still on it). He started to restore it him self and rebuild the front axle and all the brakes before putting it out in the woods...
It will need some extensive rust repair to the lower sections of the body, but the majority of the structure is solid. Rear quarters, rockers, fenders, front floor pans all need help. It came with 4 new white wagon wheels still in their boxes too.
Not sure what I will do with it at this point, or when I’ll get to it but initially thinking of a mild resto-mod build. I’m repowering my 80 series with a 6.0LS this winter and will have a good running 1FZ-E and auto trans that needs a new home. The wheel base of the FJ55 would accommodate this package well I think. Will be a shame to say bye to the column shifted 3spd but I never really enjoyed driving that combination anyway.
Anyway, pipe dreams aside, here are a few pics from this weekend.