1964 fj40 newbie

[illi]

Hello all! I have just recently purchased my first vehicle that is older than i am. Since i wasn't around when this 40 was born im not to sure what it should look like. Meaning how frankenstein is this 40? As of now im convinced that the doors and windshield frame assembly are from a different year. As well as the hard top. It should have corrugated sides and a 2 piece lift rear door, right? And i think it may have been factory red. 10 spray-paint jobs ago. Also 3 piece bench seats are a bit confusing.... any help would be greatly appreciated. And yes i know the bezel is upside down.Thank you all.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Where do you want to start??? At this point, it might actually be easier to point out what is from 1964...actually, check out this thread, and you'll see a lot of what is different;
https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj25-owners-group/297786-destins-1964-fj40-fst-restore-thread.html

You already know about the corrugated top, and bifold rear door, and you noticed the windshield and doors (they are not original), the engine looks like an F145, and not the F135 it should have (but this could be due only to a different valve cover...you need to check the engine numbers to be sure) the bench seat is from a '71 or '72, roll bar is not an original (the '64 did not have a roll bar), rear tail lights, rims...

Does it have a 3speed floor shift? It should have a 3speed column shifter.

That said, the tub looks really clean (wish mine was that clean). What is the frame like?

Take your vin number, and the frame number, and check out when it was made.
...oh, and welcome to mud <-- official mud salute

 

[3_puppies]

correct on the doors and windshield frame for a 64 are wrong.
the engine has been swapped at some point, it's a late 60's early 70's
does it have floor shift, doesn't look like the vacumn is hooked up for the transfer shift.
tail lights aren't correct, same with the roll bar
the upper rad hose looks odd

 

[illi]

thank you for your quick responses. i figured it was a bit of a hodge-podge. i love it non the less. let the games begin!!!

 

[JohnnyC]

nice cruiser...looks like you have done your homework

so what it's a hodge-podge ...mine is as well...the good news is that we are the majority

welcome to Mud

 

[FishNinJay]

Hello all! I have just recently purchased my first vehicle that is older than i am. Since i wasn't around when this 40 was born im not to sure what it should look like. Meaning how frankenstein is this 40? As of now im convinced that the doors and windshield frame assembly are from a different year. As well as the hard top. It should have corrugated sides and a 2 piece lift rear door, right? And i think it may have been factory red. 10 spray-paint jobs ago. Also 3 piece bench seats are a bit confusing.... any help would be greatly appreciated. And yes i know the bezel is upside down.Thank you all.

How's it run? Those tail lights are kinda cool.. definitely not OEM, but not Jeep-y like mine. Where are you in SoCal?

Welcome and Good Luck!

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

lol...so true Johnny.

That said, being a purist is an affliction...most would take your rig, do a disk brake conversions, lift it, drop in a 2F...etc...but nooooo, not me...I see a really clean looking tub, and how it can slowly be turned back to stock...to be fair, most of the changes seem like bolt-ons, so it would be relatively easy to bring it back to stock. The hardest part would be slowly tracking down parts, but they are out there.

Nice rig

 

[Living in the Past]

Does it have a hand brake? Looks like a open hole where the cable should come thru the firewall. Brake and clutch master cylinders look to be replaced. The F145 looks like the 3/69 thru 9/71 with the spin on on oil filter. Bib lights should be clear not amber. It appears to have a aftermarket heater. Flip the bezel before the bezel police show up. But over all it looks like a solid cruiser for it's age.

 

[Rigger]

I'm a rookie at this spotting game, but I think your front fenders are supposed to have tuna can style lights on them. Is that a coolant recovery bottle? If so, prolly not original. And that radiator looks really thick. Is that a swap-in, also? Engine has a Weber carb on it. Rear hitch is aftermarket.

I'm sure someone will correct me if any of my calls are wrong.

Edit: Mirrors: My '70 has round side view mirrors. I thought all earlier models had roundies, too, so not sure if your driver side mirror is original. Would have had both sides; your passenger side missing.

And, the wheels of course, are not OEM.

But, nice truck!!

 

[oUZIo]

Nice 40!... welcome.

 

[mjrsfj40]

Looks like a great starting point. Drive and build it at the same time! A second on checking the VIN number. Until the late 60's, imported vehicles upon sale, were provided a title. In the case of my '65, it was built in early '64, but not titled until '65.

In the early FJ40's, it is not unusual to find parts from the FJ25, as there were many carry overs. My tie rod was from an FJ25. Also, heaters were an option on the early FJ40's and often an aftermarket unit was installed to provide needed heat during the winter.

I have loved the adventure of building mine and will be continuing the journey for a long time to come!

Welcome to MUD

 

[illi]

thank you all again for all the wonderful info. i dont know enough about what should be what yet but im working on it. my plan was to start at TLC in van nuys socal. besides a complete restoration, has anyone had any work done by them and what was your experience like? i need to take it somewhere for someone to tell me what needs the most attention first. but im not sure where to go. local machanic or experienced cruiser builders/restorers. thank you.

 

[illi]

by the way.... i love the fact of how simple everything is on this vehicle. the manual steering, 3 speeds, solid metal etc. i plan on keeping it as "original" as possible. no crazy lift, no disk brakes. i love the simplicity of the "it will get you from a to z and everywhere in between" mentality of this cruiser. even though i wont be going much faster than 50mph. if it even goes that fast. speedometer is not currently working.

 

[illi]

one more pic of the butchered dash and mystery "metal work" on the floor.

 

[illi]

hmmm... cant post more pics yet. my bad.

 

[FishNinJay]

thank you all again for all the wonderful info. i dont know enough about what should be what yet but im working on it. my plan was to start at TLC in van nuys socal. besides a complete restoration, has anyone had any work done by them and what was your experience like? i need to take it somewhere for someone to tell me what needs the most attention first. but im not sure where to go. local machanic or experienced cruiser builders/restorers. thank you.

If possible, my advice would be to hold off on TLC Van Nuys.. They do some nice work, if you want to buy a brand new FJ40 clone, called the "Icon" with the latest Vortec V8. They will also restore your rig, but it will cost a fortune. There are SO many resources here in So Cal, and on Mud, that you can get your rig safe, functional, fun, and eventually... pretty.. without signing over your bank account to TLC.

What is worth the $ is getting a Silver Star so you can post unlimited pics of your progress and get advice from other's here!

Get to know the people here on Mud, get to know Mark's Offroad (local), Coolerman, Pin_Head, Specter Off-Road also local, Man-A-Fre also local, and if you want, TLC is also local. Jim Dickey in Gardena does only FJ40 work, and can swap out or repair your engine. I have a local guy here in North OC who put in a brand new crate SBC350 into my rig. You have everything you need right outside your door.

I'd get it safe, and drive it and enjoy it for a bit.. before you give it away for a year to be restored.

Just my 2-cents.. Good Luck!
-Jay

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

I'll second passing on TLC for now...no disrespect indented...and I would also start with Mark. Mark knows and loves these old 40s as old 40s, and if you appreciate the old stock, and show signs of being a future purist, then Mark can help you make the changes to make your rig safe, and to bring it back closer to 1964 stock at the same time. His handle on mud is 65swb45, and you can see some of his work on another '64, also recently acquired by someone in your neck of the woods; https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/470325-help-1964-fj40-southern-cal-2.html

Like I mentioned before, most of the changes that were done on your '64, are bolt on of newer parts, and if you take your time, you can find a correct windshield, doors, top, seats, original F135 engine...etc, and make the quick switch...you are lucky to be in CA, as it is all at your finger tips, as you have some great guys local to you who can really help you with parts, and working on your rig (Rob and Pardi quickly come to mind)...I on the other hand, needs to get everything shipped, and that is not cheap

Edit: The biggest "work" will be filling the holes made for those tail lights...you can get new OEM tail lights and brackets, so I would make that change when you get the brakes and steering checked and done...and get new bumperettes for the back at the same time while you're at it.

You might also want to drop in, in the FJ25 section...it seems that a lot of early FJ40 purists (mainly 1965 and older) have started build threads there, and you might get really inspired...with lots of great reading and pics; FJ25 Owners Group

...OK, that is my 0.02 worth, and I'll get off my soap box as everyone has their own opinions, but once again, great looking rig