1970 FJ55 - AKA "Buckshot" - Father & Son Build Project #2

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onemanarmy said:
so what is the plan for the windshield and all the weather-strip and all the interior trim and the seats and all that?
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I going to put a windshield in it, paint the top, get it running, and start going through all the mechanicals (new brakes, clutch, rebuild knuckles and hubs, new fuel lines, rebuild the carb, new brake lines, etc.). The plan is to get it running good and make it reliable (as reliable as I can for a 50 year old vehicle HAHA), then have some fun with it.

The only rust in this 55 is the second row floor pans (that is the worst part), hood nose, and a couple tiny spots in the roof corners and fender bottoms. It is actually a very solid and complete FJ55. I have already ordered some headlight bezels and a couple other parts to make it 100% complete.

Once I get it running I will do a super scrub and seal of the frame and under carriage. I'll spend a couple days under it with a wire brush, scrub pads, scrapers, etc. Then I will treat it with some sort of rust converter like Corroseal or Rust Mort rust converter and seal it with something like POR15 or KBS systems. I'll get the under side looking basically brand new and protected from the elements.

After all that... I will start working on the cosmetics (door panels, seats, widow seals, etc.) I'll paint the top right away since the surface rust has removed most of the paint and I don't what it to rust any more. I'll save the rest of the body work and rust for last. The plan is to leave the paint mostly original and patina. I think I will be able to match the faded colors when I patch the rust spots. I'll bang out the dents clean it up real good and maybe shoot the whole thing with a coat of clear and then just enjoy the heck out of it!

:)
 
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onemanarmy said:
sounds like a plan. did it come with a windshield?
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No windshield, but it did come with a brad new seal. You got a windshield? Or a lead on one for me?
 
DirtDauberGarage said:
Question???

Should I repaint it, or should I try to save the mostly original paint?

Thoughts????
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Paint takes time and $$$ - fix up the mechanical and body and learn about Pigs.

I would put off paint until you have done all the mods you can think of, and identified everything you need to do when the body is apart.

Anytime I paint something, that vehicle is offline for several years. Learn it, enjoy it, wheel it - and dream about all the cool colors you can paint it...
 
DirtDauberGarage said:
No windshield, but it did come with a brad new seal. You got a windshield? Or a lead on one for me?
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I have a 1969 pig with a cracked windshield. I looked for two sources but have not pulled the trigger yet. A local custom auto glass shop said they could source one for me and Safelite gave me a quote for $454.29 for both the glass and seal...plus they said it would be an all day drop off at one of their stores, ie not come to you.
 
PabloCruise said:
Paint takes time and $$$ - fix up the mechanical and body and learn about Pigs.

I would put off paint until you have done all the mods you can think of, and identified everything you need to do when the body is apart.

Anytime I paint something, that vehicle is offline for several years. Learn it, enjoy it, wheel it - and dream about all the cool colors you can paint it...
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Trust me... I know... I've been sanding, mudding, and painting my FJ40 for a couple months. I plan to get in done this week :)

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I was asking about the windshield because it cost so much, when you can even find it. I've been thinking about getting a spare just because....but hard to have $500 sitting in the corner.
And the weather strip is $texas, when you can find it.

but we've all been there.....you got it!
 
I am going to keep the patina on the rest of the 55, but the roof is all surface rust and I want to protect it, so I am going to paint it. Here is what it looks like now, so I think it would be best to paint it

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I got the tub on the 40 painted yesterday. I am going to use the same paint (Toyota 854 Sky Blue) to paint the roof on the 55. I will sand it down, treat it with a rust converter (probably Corroseal), then I will epoxy prime it, and paint it blue. Once it dries, I try sanding it some to make it look not so new and expose the grey epoxy primer and then clear coat it. I know it is a 'Fake Patina" but I think it is what is best for the top that is already pretty weathered and will get the brunt of all the elements from here on out.

What do you guys think? Should I just clear coat the top?

Here is the FJ40 :)

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OK... I couldn't wait so I told myself I was just going to throw a battery in it to see if the lights came on... Of course I accidently :) turned the ignition too far and this thing turned right over. So I poured a little gas in the carb and tried to start it.... wait for it.... no go. There is no spark. I would bet the coil or distributor needs to be replaced. None of the lights came on but I am excited that it turned over very easy :)

The wires, plugs, rotor and cap look pretty new, so I am guessing that someone tried to get this thing running recently.

Any suggestions on a replacement distributor? I would love to go electronic ignition!!

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I also ordered some parts that were missing from Tucker's Parts and Consulting LLC in Tennessee.

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Tucker's Parts and Consulting LLC

Tucker's Parts and Consulting LLC. 1,025 likes. Welcome to Tucker's Parts Wench/Tuckers Parts and Consulting! I specialize in hard to find Land Crui
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They were a little slow to respond to my questions sometimes, but their prices were very fair and once I paid them the parts came in two days! They sent pic of the parts before shipping and payment, packaged them nicely and I am happy with their parts and service. I would recommend them if you are looking for 40 or 55 parts.
 
Here are the parts I ordered and the way they were packaged in bubble wrap.

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More pics

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Question...

The key I have turns the ignition, unlocks the door, but only turns about 1/8 of an inch in the tailgate. On a clock face it would only go from 12 o'clock to 1 o'clock or back to 11 o'clock.

The window motor did nothing when I tried to turn the key, so my question is...

Do FJ55's have a different key for the tailgate? Does the key turn more that 1/8th of an inch? Is the key cylinder locked up? Or does this sound correct?
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I watched a video online and it looks like it only turns a little bit.

Thoughts???

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