1967 Project “Lazarus” (1 Viewer)

[Timmytorq]

I have wanted in FJ40 every since I was a kid. Finally picked one up in October and should have been posting from day one. After watching a buddy of mine acquire his 13th FJA I figured enough was enough. Time to jump into the deep end. As luck would have it, I stumbled upon hey 67 that had been dormant since 2002. I got it from a kid who purchased it four months prior to him selling. What he thought was a simple project made him realize he was way over his head and his wife was having none of it. If you’re looking it over and taking it for a drive, and agreement was made and I headed to U-Haul to pick up a trailer to take the beast home. I had originally wanted a late-model cruiser but told myself if I could not find one that I would try to acquire a 1966 as that was the year I was born. As luck would have it, I have one of the cruisers that was actually a 66 but was re-VINed As a 67 with the cool little aluminum round stamp tag. The rig appears to of been ridden hard. After doing some research on the VIN, as luck would have it my cruiser came off the production line within a few days of me being born in 1966. I guess you could say it was meant to be. Sitting looking at it in the shop my wife is referring to it as “The Heap” and said she would not be caught dead riding in that thing. How many of us have heard such things and have caused people to change their minds? I’m going to try to catch up over the next few weeks progress on the project. I have not been on the forum very long but I have noticed that other owners are not shy of suggestions or recommendations and I am open to all. I knew that I would be in for a massive undertaking due to my being OCD. I can just scratch the surface I have to go to the bottom. So this is going to be a full-blown frame off redo. Thanks and advance to members that I’ve already provided me with greatly appreciated advice and suggestions. This is Arizona cruiser with only one really bad rust spot about the size of a quarter on the rear sill.

 

[Timmytorq]

The PTO wench was damaged beyond repair. My I initial thought was to return this back to original condition. After talking to several others I have changed my thought process. Although original would be cool, some updated creature comfort‘s would add to the experience of driving this beast as well as increasing the value. So future modifications to this will be for wheel power disc brakes power steering, air conditioning since I live in Arizona, New wiring harness, weber carburetor with electric choke, changing over to floor shift, adding a Toyota rollbar just for starters. As you can tell from one of the photos there was approximately 3/4 of an inch of dust in the glove box alone. As a joke, I have been keeping all the dirt and debris that has come out of the body and the frame of this project just to see how much has been acquired over the years. At this point in time I have almost a half of five gallon bucket Full of just dirt, sand and rock. The previous owners had done a pretty looking job on the wiring but it was such a mishmash. It is not worth trying to chase down all the electrical gremlins through all the mechanical connections.

 

[Timmytorq]

Taking care of some bodywork prior to total tear down. Let the games begin!

 

[Timmytorq]

Bumps and bruises

 

[Timmytorq]

More

 

[Rock40]

Nice! You're in for the long haul now The floor conversion bit looks great!

For future parts reference and perhaps you know already but the F145 motor is not original to the truck. You can use the engine VIN to determine the exact year but it's probably late 60's era

 

[Timmytorq]

Nice! You're in for the long haul now The floor conversion bit looks great!

For future parts reference and perhaps you know already but the F145 motor is not original to the truck. You can use the engine VIN to determine the exact year but it's probably late 60's era

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

I didn't think it looked too bad to begin with, no need to get crazy.

 

[kevos37]

Welcome ! Nice work. Looks like it has good bones.

 

[Timmytorq]

I didn't think it looked too bad to begin with, no need to get crazy.

That horse has left the barn, I am over the edge

 

[Timmytorq]

I learned that tracking down valves. The original was replaced with an early 69 motor. This is becoming a very interesting project.

 

[Timmytorq]

Welcome ! Nice work. Looks like it has good bones.

I would skip the cheesy Toyota roll bar, if you are after "the look" get a Metal tech roll bar, much stouter. Metal Tech FJ40 Land Cruiser OEM Replacement Roll Bar Kit.
Going with disc brakes sounds good, may be challenging if you have the ball and claw axles.

I have a buddy that had an extra roll bar sitting around that he gave to me. I will have to modify the rear seating arrangement a little bit to accommodate. I was able to locate a disc brake kit it was pretty straightforward with the ball and claw. Just got the axles reassembled over the weekend.

 

[Timmytorq]

After removing the engine, finding all kinds of cool little tidbits. I determine exactly where the frame damage was due to one of the previous owners running into a rock. Nothing that a railroad tie, a couple towing chains, hydraulic ram an Oxy acetylene torch couldn’t take care of. Broken oil strainer support brackets were totally mangled in the bottom of the oil pan, one of the pushrods wore a spot through the oil filler to the top end of the motor. New exhaust seats all the way across the head replacement of two valves.

 

[Timmytorq]

Took the frame out to be sandblasted. got it back and cleaned up with wire wheel . Epoxy primer and polyurethane paint

 

[Timmytorq]

More photos of the painted frame. Picked up a powder coating kit from Eastwood company that I will use for all the small parts and pieces.

 

[Timmytorq]

This is approximately 70% of the nuts and bolts and washers off this thing. Cleaning up and sending out to be yellow zinc plated

 

[Timmytorq]

Thermostat housing was shot definitely replacing that one. Steering box and emergency brake set up before and after restoration.

 

[Timmytorq]

I had a little hitch in the steering prior to disassembling vehicle. Bad roller on the sector shaft. The powder coating oven has come in very handy.

 

[Timmytorq]

Removed axles and drum brakes from rear and installed new disc brake set up. Also new bearings and seals.

 

[Timmytorq]

Now the focus is on the front axle. Powder coated all the knuckle components.