1977 fj40 lost and then found.

[Hack]

The first thing you need to buy is a Tub! Not sure I've ever seen a pre 79 that was that bad. Good luck with this!

I apologize for photobombing the Jaybird1's thread....

How my CJ5 looked in 1996:



The automakers back then, installed rust at the factory. Corrosion resistant steel was years away from being used. Way too much work to repair.

New tub:

 

[FJ404345]

You have been chasing your dream and twisting your neck into backyards etc for 20 years to get it back so badly

Were you thinking to get a bargain over the last 20 years? I wish my dad had a 40 and I could have found it back. Great story !

To tell your story to him was a risk, but now after his reaction i wouldn't give him even the honor to show him that picture if he didn't want to try to fit in the next picture to complete your picture of your 40's family history book.

Make the deal so that the story of that greedy last PO will not spoil it for you for the next twenty years!

Glad you listened me (before I saw the foto's !!!!)

Congrats, up to the next episode of your family 40.

Above all first get it running and drive it again

 

[Jaybird1]

To add to what Hack said. It can spiral out of control very quickly. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel after 3 years. 40 parts are expensive. Plan what you want and research as much as possible. Buying parts twice because of change of direction or in "kits" will blow your budget fairly quickly. Put cruiser outfitters number into your phone and use them for quality aftermarket parts.

Thank you. Thought I knew every cruiser company out there. I'll definitely look them up.

 

[Jaybird1]

Glad you listened me (before I saw the foto's !!!!)

Congrats, up to the next episode of your family 40.

Above all first get it running and drive it again

It runs like a sewing machine. Check me out on Facebook. Jason lane. Video is too big to post here.

 

[Jdc1]

Thank you. Thought I knew every cruiser company out there. I'll definitely look them up.

Cruiser Outfitters

 

[Jaybird1]

Cruiser Outfitters

Thanks again!!!

 

[Jaybird1]

Log into Facebook | Facebook

 

[cbmontgo]

Really special story; glad you ended up with the rig. Subscribed.

 

[Jaybird1]

Thanks.

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

Great read
Glad you took the time to post your story

This may sound crazy but if I knew what I knew now I would go about rebuilding my 40 differently.
If I were in your shoes, if I could weld and had the space I would find a parts donor 40 and buy the whole truck. You could cut the tub at the cowl and Use the good body. That way you would have a second truck for parts. Costs can add up on little parts as well. You could also cut the good panels out of the donor 40 if you have the ability and patch areas that need it most. Another advantage if done right is selling parts you don't need off the parts truck to recoup money spent on it.

If you value your garage floor you may want to get a drip tray or two from Walmart to leave under it before it marks its territory with oil.

 

[Jaybird1]

That's good advice. Actually I got it running fairly easy and only changed the oil and filter. Brakes and clutch have full pedal and no leaks. I let it idle for a while on Saturday and if the rear main is leaking it hasn't came out of the bell housing yet. I thought about putting some 2x4's across the rockers and a milk crate and take it for a spin. I've got a ton of photos and video that I'll get to posting soon.

 

[mrboatman]

Looks like you are having a fun time with your newly reacquired truck. It`s been very interesting following your thread. Keep it up and enjoy your truck. Your a lucky man to have a wife that supports your dreams like that.
Good Luck
JP

 

[Jaybird1]

Fj40

 

[Jaybird1]

 

[Jdc1]

Got any welding experience?

 

[Katsarata]

Keep the windscreen sticker just to remind yourself when your in deep!

 

[erics]

Keep the windscreen sticker just to remind yourself when your in deep!

from the looks of the pics and the discussion of acquisition I'd say he's pretty much there

I mean that without any negative tone whatsoever...

 

[Jaybird1]

Got any welding experience?

Yes. And I have a good resource with my next door neighbor who is really excited about helping. I just got Miller Millermatic 130 with a big bottle of gas.

 

[Jdc1]

Yes. And I have a good resource with my next door neighbor who is really excited about helping. I just got Miller Millermatic 130 with a big bottle of gas.

It looks like it's salvageable if you do the work yourself. Fun project.

 

[Jaybird1]

Seriously thinking about getting the floor pieces from real steel. The patch for the fuel tank piece is pricey tho. Any alternatives on that piece? Also any other recommendations besides real steel??