Builds 1960 DOA FJ25 (1 Viewer)

[tahoe40/45]

What brand/size tire did you go with. Looks better already!

They are STA Super Traxion, 650/16.

 

[tahoe40/45]

IMO, you can just drive this as is while fixing your 59 and even after that. Any issues in getting a title?

That was my plan. I thought i could just fix the electrical issues, get new tires and fix the brakes, throw in the tranny and drive it.

I got the tail lights and headlights working, converted fuel pump back to mechanical, cleaned up some other wiring. The gas fill neck had been hacked up to fit a newer smaller type gas cap. So i fixed that and had the gas tank cleaned. I was close to starting it, when i tested the compression. I probably should have done that first, but i didn't. All cylinders had low compression. So i pulled the engine and had it rebuilt. At that same time i sent the carburetor down to Mark at Marks Off Road for a rebuild
.

A couple months later I reinstalled the engine and got it to start. After i had pulling the engine i realized that i had the wrong clutch set up. (Thanks Spangly for your work on figuring out the presser plate.) So engine in, tranny/clutch in. Got it started and was able to drive it around my shop parking area, all the way up to second gear. And yes a while later i was able to get a title, and got the cool yellow/black year correct California license plates.

 

[Tancruiser]

I don’t know why I’m in love with this ride just the way it is.

 

[tahoe40/45]

It came with the original bumper, but it has seen better days.

 

[HelloKitty65]

BFH in the hands of a master panel beater and she'll be right as rain. Someone on mud knows how.

 

[nuclearlemon]

annie's was no where near as bad, but a little heat, a vice and a bfh fixed hers. (and a couple layers of rust bullet)

 

[pardion]

You can do it!

 

[tahoe40/45]

I have been beating on it for a while ( with a BFH ). It definitely looks a lot better. Ill post a updated photo of it in the next few days.

 

[HelloKitty65]

Don't forget to anneal it every so often.

 

[whitey45]

Yes heat and I like to use a big crescent wrench to slowly work the wrinkles out! Love the patina on this rig!

 

[tahoe40/45]

Its almost there. Yes, a big crescent wrench for metal work is nice, i have a dedicated one just for that.

 

[tahoe40/45]

I had some metal bent up to make a rear license plate holder.

 

[tahoe40/45]

License plate bracket works. Used a FJ40 light, but trying to make the FJ25 style light. Need to get some dirt on the new running board pads, a little too bright.

 

[gifu]

Antony is this rig up and running? Haven't seen it around town. very cool find.

 

[tahoe40/45]

Antony is this rig up and running? Haven't seen it around town. very cool find.

Yes its running, it hasn't made the trip out your way yet, just driving it around the TC area.

 

[gifu]

I gotta come see your shop.
after the craziness.
if I ever come back (Baja).

 

[tahoe40/45]

If you still have the original FJ25 axles you probably still have stock steering between the knuckles. This tie rod is a different diameter and length than the FJ40. You can use FJ40 tie rod ends and tie rod but you'll have to shorten it. Everything else: drag link, center pivot, tie rod (center arm to knuckle) will accept 40 parts if you swap it all.

 

[tahoe40/45]

I need to address the steering on this FJ25. Ties rod ends are loose, has anyone found a replacement for both ends of the tie rod?

Also thinking of doing a FJ40 parts swap, trying to make since of @Cruiser_Nerd explanation. Seems like i can just replace the FJ25 tie rod and tie rod ends with FJ40 tie rod and tie rod ends but will have to shorten the FJ40 tie rod?? Has any one done this, or Cruiser_Nerd could you confirm?

I think i read somewhere that i would also need to put FJ40 knuckle arms on the FJ25 knuckles??

 

[pardion]

On mine I changed the knuckles, tie rod, relay rod, center link, and drag link to FJ40 parts.

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

On mine I changed the knuckles, tie rod, relay rod, center link, and drag link to FJ40 parts.

This is the best approach and then you can decide if you want to bolt on FJ 25 or FJ 40 or disc brakes from the knuckle out. But the steering and knuckle swap will be invisible to those not in the know.