1973 FJ55 project (1 Viewer)

[Toyotacollector]

I don't know how this happened but over the last year my wife and I have purchased 3 old Toyotas; an 84 van, a 4wd tercel, and most recently an old FJ55. I wasn't really planning any of them but Craigslist is a dangerous thing...

About a month ago my neighbor Gary asked me if I was interesting in adding to my Toyota collection and told me about a friend of his who is in his 80s and ready to sell his old FJ. I told Gary that I was very interested and scheduled to see it that weekend. The night before I was going to look at the FJ Gary and the owner of the pig spent 5 hours getting it running and Gary even fixed the fuel line that was spilling out fuel (the man deserves a medal). The next morning my wife and I fell in love with the car. The owner told me that he was the second owner and bought it in 1986 from an old local farmer and in his possession the car had taken him as far as Mexico on one occasion. He asked my intent with the car and I told him that I was planning on restoring it, and the 80some year old man said to me "it's very important to me that the car be restored, do you promise?" I shook his hand and he sold it me on the spot for $750. I was floored.

So now I HAVE to restore this thing and hope to do it quickly so the former owner can get to drive his beloved car again. Over the last month I have been working a ton in order to start a Landcruiser fund and have been trying to gather all the resources that I can. But I really don't even know where to start.

My plan is to rebuild the motor and was thinking of getting the parts from SOR but am open to any recommendations. It's a 73 which means it has the 3 speed, and am seriously considering swapping it for a four speed in order to make it easier for my wife to drive and so I don't have to cringe every time I let someone else drive it and they try to initiate first. But that brings up the transfer case question; old with adaptor or swap it out for the 4 speed transfer case. Any suggestions on transmission/transfer case? Is the swap worth it? If so just the tranny and adapt it to the stock transfer case or swap them both out and what difficulties will I run into?

Next question is power steering, whats out there that I can use and how many modifications will it need?

Finally it has the typical fj55 rust, I have talked with Brandon from Classic Cruisers in Salida Colorado and will probably drive it down there for bodywork unless anyone knows of a better place (I live in Fort Collins Colorado).

Thanks in advance for any suggestions, and helping me keep a promise to an 80 year old man.

 

[Pighead]

Welcome to 'Mud. (traditional welcome). That is a heck of a find. First off, look at the very bottom of the Forums list for the 55 forum. There you will find some 55 specific help, like Bob M. and his replacement body panels, tailgate window info and much, much more.
What kind of winch is that under the cover? I also want a close-up pic of your locking front hubs...
Power steering is certainly doable (I use the Scout II box, just works well with a Pig) but probably not necessary, front discs could be done at the same time. A 4-speed is nice for drive-ability and can be done but is a big job.
Engine rebuild parts for the F engine are getting hard to find. Your machine shop can generally find the best price for parts. Perhaps consider a 2F block and use your early ancillary parts on it. Maybe even look for a complete drivetrain out of a '76ish LC to use in your Pig.
And stop calling it an FJ...

 

[Toyotacollector]

Please pardon my ignorance, a pig it is. Thanks for the rundown, I just reached out to Bob M. per your advice and voiced a need for some floor pans and body mounts so thanks a lot for that I am excited for the resource. The winch is a pto I took a picture of the lever as well. Thanks again for the insights.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Welcome, bad news on BobM, he's retired and out of stock. He'll more than likely tell you himself, just didn't want to get your hopes up.

Pighead is right, come on down to the sty, you've got some great neighbors where you live who know quite a bit about the 55. I would talk to your body guy first and get a rough estimate before planning anything else. Body work on the 55s can ramp up real quick.

 

[Pighead]

Ah, a factory PTO winch, I thought as much when I saw the bumper extensions. That has a coolness factor in the elevenses. You do have some difficult decisions to make now.
If restoring it for the saintly PO, keep the 3-speed and PTO. Or, it might be possible to put in a 4-speed and keep your 3-speed transfer case. I know that my 12/'74 Pig, with the "late F" or 1.5 F, known as the "Transition Year" had a special gear in the T/C (sometimes called the "Transition Gear") which allowed a 3-speed case to mate with the 4-speed tranny. But, IIRC, the 4-speed tranny is longer than the 3-speed and would require some finagling, perhaps driveshaft and shifter lengths.
Or, just sell that PTO, assuming it is complete and functional, to finance your build.
Now, about that engine. How many miles do you think are on it? A compression test would be worthwhile. Please use a known good tester for this, maybe even take it to a professional to use a top quality tester. Also, you need to know what oil pressure it is making. I always recommend an in-dash aftermarket mechanical oil pressure gauge.
If you're lucky, (we already know you're lucky) you may be able to just clean it up, tune it up (don't forget valve adjustment) and drive it.
Maybe add a Pertronix (what distributor is in it?)
The front locking hubs are pretty cool, but not the factory hubs I was hoping for.

 

[Toyotacollector]

Ah, a factory PTO winch, I thought as much when I saw the bumper extensions. That has a coolness factor in the elevenses. You do have some difficult decisions to make now.
If restoring it for the saintly PO, keep the 3-speed and PTO. Or, it might be possible to put in a 4-speed and keep your 3-speed transfer case. I know that my 12/'74 Pig, with the "late F" or 1.5 F, known as the "Transition Year" had a special gear in the T/C (sometimes called the "Transition Gear") which allowed a 3-speed case to mate with the 4-speed tranny. But, IIRC, the 4-speed tranny is longer than the 3-speed and would require some finagling, perhaps driveshaft and shifter lengths.
Or, just sell that PTO, assuming it is complete and functional, to finance your build.
Now, about that engine. How many miles do you think are on it? A compression test would be worthwhile. Please use a known good tester for this, maybe even take it to a professional to use a top quality tester. Also, you need to know what oil pressure it is making. I always recommend an in-dash aftermarket mechanical oil pressure gauge.
If you're lucky, (we already know you're lucky) you may be able to just clean it up, tune it up (don't forget valve adjustment) and drive it.
Maybe add a Pertronix (what distributor is in it?)
The front locking hubs are pretty cool, but not the factory hubs I was hoping for.

I didn't even think about how the swap would affect the PTO, good looking out. Ok you are right that is a big decision, keep it extra bitchin' and original or easier to drive and lose the winch, I'll mull that one over.
The previous owner reckons 180,000 miles, and I'll look into getting a compression test as soon as I can.

 

[Toyotacollector]

Welcome, bad news on BobM, he's retired and out of stock. He'll more than likely tell you himself, just didn't want to get your hopes up.

Pighead is right, come on down to the sty, you've got some great neighbors where you live who know quite a bit about the 55. I would talk to your body guy first and get a rough estimate before planning anything else. Body work on the 55s can ramp up real quick.

Bummer so likely no replacement floor pans and body mounts. I know quite a few welders and fabricators maybe I'll just see what I can do with a little help from my friends. And as far as the body goes; I know its going to be steep I already sold my diesel truck to start an Iron pig fund.