New Owner

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7

70eb

Joined
Nov 24, 2005
Threads
31
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243
Location
Gig Harbor, WA
New Owner - 61 FJ40

Well just became the new owner of a 1961 FJ40 FST a few days ago. Rolled it into the garage and began the teardown to assess what is missing and needs work.

The body is not really in bad shape, small hole on the lower cowl near where the running boards would connect, rear tailight panels (I know, there should not be any tail lights in the panels - will fix it), a few small holes in the floor pan under the jack/tool compartment, and of course the rear sill.

One of the previous owners decided the fiberglass the entire floor and so I spent an entire day ripping up fiberglass. Seems to have protected the floor pans as there is little damage other than what was mentioned above.

Rear axle is the centered dif yet I believe the T/C was swapped out at some point since the output is offset to the pass side.

Engine runs but am missing a fuel tank, radiator, radiator mount (the "U" shaped bracket). All the gauges work, 3 spd on the column. etc.

Not too bad, but needs a bunch of work. Frame seems in really good shape with only minor surface rust, I'll find more out as I tear it down. Not sure which direction to go with this project just yet as alot of the really early pieces are missing and the soft tops/doors are no longer available.

I'll post some pics later today.

Rebuilt a 1970 Early Bronco (still in garage) - reason for 70EB.
 
Last edited:
Sounds like you have an early 40 in great shape! If you have enough patience to search for the old parts, then restore it back stock. What can't be gotten can sometimes be made. If it were me I would fix all the PO crap then drive it. :D
 
Welcome :flipoff2:

The Factory top IS still available. If you have the bows and hardware, even better. Search the forum for "Ehsan" and you will find some threads about the great replacement tops he sells. Good luck with your project and -

POST PICS!!
 
Well I wouldn't call it great shape but not too bad. I definately have some metalwork to do. Found that other than the rear sill, the floor board under the driver's seat box is the worst. Can't find replacement floorboard for this early FJ. Wonder if a later year floorboard would still work and I could keep the box....

Fenders are definately gone and one of the aprons should be replaced. Missing alot of the little parts so I am still undecided which way to go with this. Want to make it a mild offroad and part time DD (nice weather).

I'll have a better idea on the body once I remove it from the frame and get the old cheap paint job off it. Rather not go with a replacement tub as I like the unique door opening of the FST.
 
PICS Newbie!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
x3 on the pics and welcome newbie
 
Geeezzzz this post has been up for amost 12 hours with no pics......

Welcome to Mud.
 
OK OK. Pics.:o
Rear Sill.webp
Tool Box.webp
 
Guess I have to upgrade my membership to attach more.
 
Lets see if this works
dash floorboard.webp
DR Cowl.webp
DR Rear Quarter.webp
 
And the last for today.
Pass Cowl.webp
Pass Quarter.webp
 
70eb said:
Rear axle is the centered dif yet I believe the T/C was swapped out at some point since the output is offset to the pass side.

I think you will find that this was common on the early models. Your rear shaft runs at a bit of an angle but it will be fine. That's the way my 63 was also.
Click to expand...
 
The grey primer is where I sanded down to bare metal to see how bad the damage was. The entire floor was covered in fiberglass (some can still be seen in the tool box area). I probably have to replace the floorboard under the toolbox and where the gastank sits (this is still solid metal but very pitted).

The engine photo shows all that was there when i got it. Missing radiator/mount, air cleaner assembly.

I should have a centered TC but it appears that a newer one was swapped in since the driveshaft is at an angle towards the centered rear diff.

I still have a bunch of research to do on this and I hope to save the body. Not sure if I will keep it completely stock (due to all the missing parts) or just make it a really nice driver. I will tear it all the way down to the frame, POR15, new suspension, and attempt to repair the body. Engine/trans/TC is still an option I am considering.
Engine.webp
 
wanabecruisen said:
70eb said:
Rear axle is the centered dif yet I believe the T/C was swapped out at some point since the output is offset to the pass side.

I think you will find that this was common on the early models. Your rear shaft runs at a bit of an angle but it will be fine. That's the way my 63 was also.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Beat me to my last post. I had thought that the early TC was a centered output also...
Click to expand...
 
Anyone know what colors where available on the early FJs? All the links in the FAQ sections only go back to 1969 or so. Looking for a cool tan color. Any other suggestions (anything other than red)?
 
Wow , you got your work cut out for you! Good luck. Remember to check the Technical links and use the search function to try to answer your own questions before asking them in the open forums. People here (including me) get kinda tired of newbies trying to get spoon-fed information.
Congratulations on becoming a cruiser head. Welcome to the addiction
 
Best of luck with the resto... you have a lot of work to do, but that is the fun part. WELCOME :flipoff2: . And ask questions if you have them -- sometime they are hard to find in FAQs or Searching -- If someone blasts you, roll with it, someone else will be willing to help. A LOT of great people here. :beer:
 
I remember seeing this one on ebay, it has the same tub as the early soft top 25s. Nice rig, Have fun and good luck!!!!
 
Got time to put in a little more work on the teardown/assessment. Took the rest of the front end apart. Only broke off one bolt removing the pass side fenders. Fenders look like doo doo but the bib seems to be in great shape minus the rattlecan paintjob and some surface rust. Taking a bunch of photos as I go (some to post but most as reference for when it all goes back together.
DR side engine.webp
DR side frame.webp
Fenders off.webp
 
More
Hood aprons.webp
Bib front.webp
Bib back.webp
 
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