1974 FJ40 Restoration

[arnak]

I use to own a 1974 fj40 10 years ago, my dad did a full frame off restoration and now I’ve got my hands on one, time to see if the apple fell far from the tree or not .... I’ll try and post here some progress I need lots of help from you guys.

Also what are some awesome color options you guys think will be great?
Instagram @arnaksgarage

 

[1969FJ]

Nice FJ40. Why not keep the Freeborn Red ? Of course the trim as stock as well.

 

[Downey]

Your restore/refurbish is absolutely going to need ebay #264304405245 for sure.

 

[SteveH]

Please keep it red!

 

[arnak]

Please keep it red!

Redzilla it is

 

[65swb45]

Is your dad going to help again? I’ve never met anyone else who made wooden musical instruments.

 

[uncleluke]

Nice. I like original colors on restores. My numnuts brother had a red 65 one time, until he painted it a dark blue color. Total botch in my opinion. Yours will be sweet.

 

[arnak]

I haven’t posted in a while on the 1974 FJ40 but I’ve recently found the time and energy to put it back together again after sitting in my garage, I’m putting a bit of time everyday wanted to give you guys some update shots on the build

 

[arnak]

 

[arnak]

putting together all the newly zinc plated stuff #fj40

 

[arnak]

Some more progress

 

[arnak]

Some more progress today on the #fj40 I found out the original color was nebula green, should I stick to that? Btw should I weld the original body together and do original 1974 engine which is the f 1.5 engine? Or go 2f? V8? Cummins diesel? Budget $unlimited

 

[Pighead]

do original 1974 engine which is the f 1.5 engine? Or go 2f? V8? Cummins diesel? Budget $unlimited

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How are you going to use the rig when finished?
I like the 1.5F engine but a 1.5 head on a 2F block is nice too.

 

[arnak]

How are you going to use the rig when finished?
I like the 1.5F engine but a 1.5 head on a 2F block is nice too.

Honestly mostly around town light off road like camping / mostly dry climates. I would like to take it proper off road but maybe in the future after suspension upgrades / diff locks etc? These are stock leafs and height

 

[charliemeyer007]

Looks nice so far - I trust your judgement. I have lots of experience with gas engines. I loved the multi-fueler in my deuce and half - very Thunder Dome.

 

[igotta40]

My 2/74 had the F1.5 replaced with a 10/75 2F. Also has the original 4 speed. Are you aware that the frame cross member on your truck is incorrect for a 74/4speed? It should have a curve in it to clear the parking brake drum.

 

[arnak]

My 2/74 had the F1.5 replaced with a 10/75 2F. Also has the original 4 speed. Are you aware that the frame cross member on your truck is incorrect for a 74/4speed? It should have a curve in it to clear the parking brake drum.

I did not know that, basically what happened was then I bought the truck everything was wrong with it if I scroll back enough in my album I’ll find the photos but basically my frame was bent on the 74 and the owner who sold it to me never told me that it was bent or in an accident before, and I had to find a donor frame, I welded off the vin from my frame into this frame, I think it’s a early 70s or late 60s frame I picked up … that’s good to know tho I’ll find out what to do next to fix this haha

 

[arnak]

Looks nice so far - I trust your judgement. I have lots of experience with gas engines. I loved the multi-fueler in my deuce and half - very Thunder Dome.

I’ll keep the original engine then so far, is there anyway to get more juice out of the f1.5? Maybe upgrade to fuel injection, upgrade exhaust?

 

[Pighead]

is there anyway to get more juice out of the f1.5? Maybe upgrade to fuel injection, upgrade exhaust?

Oh sure, you can get a little more oomph out of the 1.5F engine. Bored, balanced, after-market cam, valve job with chevy valves and port-matching and polishing, headers are available and good. Dizzy re-curve, carb rebuild help. But it's still an F engine.
V-8s have been done to death. I've seen 454s and Mercruisers, heard of a Jaguar V-12 in a 40. I still like the F because it's what I know.

 

[arnak]

Oh sure, you can get a little more oomph out of the 1.5F engine. Bored, balanced, after-market cam, valve job with chevy valves and port-matching and polishing, headers are available and good. Dizzy re-curve, carb rebuild help. But it's still an F engine.
V-8s have been done to death. I've seen 454s and Mercruisers, heard of a Jaguar V-12 in a 40. I still like the F because it's what I know.

Do you know any shops that could do that job well? Sounds like it’ll have a bit of beef