1967 FJ40 Back to Basics (1 Viewer)

[drock2]

I wanted to start a write up on my 1967 FJ40. It is my first Land Cruiser, as well as my first classic auto. In the first 5 months I’ve cared for it, I’ve spent many hours in the garage tinkering (far too many if you ask my girlfriend).

When it comes to the history, unfortunately I know very little. It was brought to Michigan from Oregon earlier this year and changed hands once for a short period of time before I purchased it in June. It came with the Oregon title which was processed July 1992. The plates were last tagged in 2001.

My vision is to have a reliable weekend cruiser that is near original. It’s great to have a project to wrench on, I have really enjoyed it…even though it has been stressful at times (drum brakes, more on that later). I have already learned so much and I’m eager to learn more.

Work Completed:
Replaced oil in engine/trans/transfer case
New brakes on all corners
New park brake
New wheels and tires

When I bought it

[URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC02641.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC02641.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC02641.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC02641.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC02641.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC02641.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC02641.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC02641.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC02641.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC02641.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC02641.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC02641.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC02641.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC02641.jpg"] [/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]

As she looks today



[URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC_1046.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC_1046.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC_1046.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/DSC_1046.jpg"] [/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]

More to come…

 

[cruiserjunkie]

Beautiful

 

[indianporfavor]

looks really good, congrats

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Why the engine change? What size tires are those?

Looks good

 

[Hogan]

Nice 40

What brand of tires do you have?

 

[drock2]

Why the engine change? What size tires are those?

Looks good

Wasn't very clear what I typed, changed it...I only replaced the fluids.

Nice 40

What brand of tires do you have?

The tires are Deestone 7.00 - 15. I really like the look...the ride is not the best, guess that's to be expected with bias plys.[STRIKE][/STRIKE]

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Wasn't very clear what I typed, changed it...I only replaced the fluids.

The tires are Deestone 7.00 - 15. I really like the look...the ride is not the best, guess that's to be expected with bias plys.

Looks good...and as a purists, appreciate what you are doing

 

[fj404life]

Looks like you got a good one! Keep it off the salty midwest roads!

 

[Lashcat]

Great find! I only wish mine looked that good.

 

[coinoperated40]

Looks good from this angle...
Hope my contribution works out for you.
Considerate it a welcoming present.
If it doesn't work out, pass it on to someone else.
Shane

 

[drock2]

Looks good from this angle...
Hope my contribution works out for you.
Considerate it a welcoming present.
If it doesn't work out, pass it on to someone else.
Shane

Shane, that was a nice suprise to find in the mail after work. Thanks!

 

[drock2]

Picture of the engine bay, needs some TLC…As you can see the original color was blue. I believe the repaint was a factory color but it’s hard to tell. The odometer is working and reads 99820.

 

[drock2]

A few months ago I was lucky enough to meet Vic @ Hadley Industries (landcruiserparts on eBay). He had called me about a parts-wanted add I had on Craigslist. I was shocked to discover such a hardcore Land Cruiser enthusiast and expert was nearly right down the road from me. He is a wealth of Cruiser knowledge and an all-around great guy.

I drove the 40 up to his place a few Saturdays ago for him to look over. He was outside in the cold with me for hours. Checking the compression was on the top of the to-do list. It was something I had neglected to ask about when I bought the 40. It was a huge relief when the number came in: #1 – 135, #2 – 135, #3 – 127, #4 – 122, #5 – 125 and #6 – 145.

Something I had noticed earlier, that we were unable to figure out, was why the tire carrier latch is out of position. Vic confirmed that the sill had been replaced but it is a mystery why the carrier latch sits about a ½” low. The carrier appears to be in the correct location. Any ideas what the issue is?

Sill replacement

 

[066wally]

First off, nice mostly original 40.
Secondly I like the fabricated mount for the remote oil filter that uses the windshield washer bottle mount. It must have a header?
Thirdly, It looks like when they did the rear sill they didn't make 2 (well 4) holes for the hook to attach. Is there any up/down play in the carrier when it is unhooked, like the bushings are shot? Is there any adjustment in the hinge bolts to the carrier? If it can be adjusted I'd look at drilling the 4 holes in the right places and make a backing plate for bolting and fix the sag in the carrier. You might get enough adjustment by just loosening all of the mounting bolts. I'd suggest welding up the other 2 holes too.

 

[78fj40mg]

Really nice rig!

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Is this an early, or late '67? What does your vin number say?

The reason I ask, is because the valve cover (which might have been changed) points to the engine being an F145 which I think started in '68, and I believe '67 would have had an F135, and also '67 had grey rims with T-moon, or acorn hubcaps...earlier cruisers had black rims.

I wasn't going to say anything, but if you are going back to stock, I thought I would mention these. Picture below should be a then new, stock '67 in B/W.

 

[drock2]

Is this an early, or late '67? What does your vin number say?

The reason I ask, is because the valve cover (which might have been changed) points to the engine being an F145 which I think started in '68, and I believe '67 would have had an F135, and also '67 had grey rims with T-moon, or acorn hubcaps...earlier cruisers had black rims.

I wasn't going to say anything, but if you are going back to stock, I thought I would mention these. Picture below should be a then new, stock '67 in B/W.

Thanks for the info, keep it coming. The VIN is FJ40-51450, which I believe is a September-October 1967 build.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Thanks for the info, keep it coming. The VIN is FJ40-51450, which I believe is a September-October 1967 build.

Charts say that this vin would be Sept '67 build. I know '67s had the F135, so my question about your engine is if other Sept '67 and after built '67s, also had F145s...

 

[sloanstavern]

Sa'weet find. Love the look you are going for. Enjoy and take you time.
Those tires are great - I assume that is stock ride height?
Scott

 

[drock2]

Sa'weet find. Love the look you are going for. Enjoy and take you time.
Those tires are great - I assume that is stock ride height?
Scott

Front shackles are stock, rears are not...

[URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/IMG_0339.jpg"][URL="http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x283/drock301/IMG_0339.jpg"] [/URL][/URL]

The angle is near vertical. It seems the rear would sit alot lower if I went back to stock though. Would the ride improve much?