1961 FJ40 Soft Top build

[Hunter61]

The original transmission is on the floor in my Dad's shop. I can get some pics in a week or two when I am back over there. I am using '77 axles, and a '77 four speed mated to the V8, that is what's in it now.
I'll get some body work pics posted soon.

 

[Hunter61]

Got to see the cruiser put together for the first time today. The body shop is test fitting all panels before taking them back apart and painting. They said it should be about another three weeks until the body work is complete. But, so far, I am very happy with the work they have done. I attached a couple of pics. The dash used to be a disaster with holes cut through the ribs on the early FJ dash to put 2" gauges. They filled the holes and rebuilt the ribs perfectly.

I had to take down the other build pics in order to post these. Hopefully I'll have more up soon when the paint is complete.

 

[Hunter61]

I forgot to say also, I haven't been back to my Dad's in a while. Next time I am there I'll get some pics of the old engine and t-case.

 

[cjgoode]

Nice, I am also doing a 61 FST tub. What are your plans for a top or doors. Doors seem to be impossible to find for these tubs. Can you post more pictures, maybe post them on a different site and link them in. Would love to see pics from this build process.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Are you referring to soft top doors?

 

[cjgoode]

I was referring to soft top doors, seen the post where they guy had hard door modified to fit the FST tub, I have some old doors I might look into that option as well, wondering what Hunter61's plan's were

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Ah yes...I do remember those custom doors. I would think that the windows would not roll down more than a couple inches...unless you really modified the door to include a much narrower window.

As for this '61, not sure what his plans are, but the tub work is looking really nice so far

Edit: pretty sure that if this is a '61 that the ashtray should have been closed as well.

 

[tucker74]

I had to take down the other build pics in order to post these. Hopefully I'll have more up soon when the paint is complete.

I *believe* when you get to 20 post your quota for attaching pictures goes up, or you can buy a silver star to have unlimited. You can also host them somewhere like photobucket and link them here with the IMG tags

Truck is looking great! You need to bring it up this way for a show and tell once you're done ...



Tucker

 

[davegonz]

Yeah, the body is coming out nice.

 

[Hunter61]

Thanks for the comments. I didnt' know about the ash tray, but it's too late now. I am going to refinish the one that came out of it and reinstall.

I don't have any plans for doors yet. In South Texas we only have a couple of months a year that we need them anyway, and that's more due to rain than cold. I would like to have some one day, but that's way down the road. I have am not reinstalling the heater either.
But, cjgoode, if you come across something that looks good for doors, please share.

I used to live in Austin, and still belong to the Corvette club up there, so hopefully I'll be driving the FJ up there before too long. If your FJ is ready to show, our club's annual open car show is this Saturday in Georgetown, on the square.

Thanks.

 

[Hunter61]

If you look back in the old picture of the dash when I started, Can any of you tell me if the two emblems on each side of the dash are original? And, if so, do they mean anything?

I have tried to see them on another early cruiser and have not. And, noone around here knows what they are. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Living in the Past]

Can't tell what those emblems were but they weren't stock. Some had stickers added saying lockout hubs installed. Maybe a couple of those or from 4X4 club a PO was a member of. The glove box door would have the shift pattern and how to operate 4WD.

 

[JohnnyC]

maybe i missed it...but...why the 5 holes next to the Pocket ?

 

[Living in the Past]

maybe i missed it...but...why the 5 holes next to the Pocket ?

I wonder about that myself. If I wasn't a smoker I would fill in the ashtray hole. If I was was I would locate a 63 thru 78 OEM one and make a hole to match it. My early 61 had one added in the same location that was all rusted. I wonder if Toyota saw this and added the OEM one there. That doesn't make sense because if they had the OEM heater would have been added over the passenger's feet. I have always wondered why they all seem to have been added there instead of in the center. The only thing in the way was the fuse block, which couldn't be that hard to relocate. The only thing that makes any sense would be to have close to the side cowl vent for defrost Has anybody ever seen a dealer's instruction on how to operate the add on heater?

 

[Hunter61]

Thanks for the input. Can one of you send me a picture of an original '61 dash. Mabey I can have some last minute changes made. The Body does excellent work, and a lot of restorations, but this is their first FJ so they are just doing what I tell them to.

 

[cjgoode]

This was just on the fj25 section. I think I am all stock now except the extra hole for the cigarette lighter. I think I can going to fill it in.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj25-owners-group/421193-61-fj40-dash-layout-help.html

 

[Hunter61]

I haven't completely forgotten about the build. The body work is taking longer than I thought, but that is nothing different than any body shop I have ever worked with. I got the dash cleaned up, except the ash tray, still there. I also had problems getting the engine and tranny to match up, so had to pull them back out.
All is fixed now, and it is supposed to be painted this week, and ready for pick up on Saturday. I'll post pictures when I get some.

 

[Hunter61]

Can anyone post pictures of how they have set up their throttle cable and pedal on a SBC V8 conversion. Thanks.

 

[fzr400guy]

Can anyone post pictures of how they have set up their throttle cable and pedal on a SBC V8 conversion. Thanks.

I'm all about simple solid solutions. The previous owner had used zip ties of all things. I wanted something less rigged, so one day I was shopping at Home Depot and I came across a small screw gated chain link and sure enough it was the perfect size.

Works like a charm.

 

[Hunter61]

Thanks FZR. Is that the original pedal and bar? How is the pivot point set up? I don't have the pedal, or any of the linkage from my 61, so I will have to buy or fabricate the whole thing. Thanks again for posting the pics.