Something are almost freebies. Another one is the headlight kit
Build 1977 FJ40 - USA Spec Restoration - Father & Son Project - AKA "Blue"
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DirtDauberGarage
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- #642
Just got the headlight kit. A friend picked it up for me for $20... what a deal!
DirtDauberGarage
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- #643
I was curious to see how the 80 Series would drive with a less aggressive tire setup, so I decided to swap Rusty’s (red FJ40) rims and tires onto Pearl (FZJ80) for a comparison. Rusty’s 40 steel wheels are fitted with 33x9.50R15 Kenda Klever ATs, while Pearl has FJ Cruiser 17-inch steelies with 285/75R17 Yokohama Geolandar MTs. Belle (blue FJ40) has a set of classic 15-inch white spoke wheels with 31x10.50R15 tires.
Once I got started, I experimented with several different wheel and tire setups across the trucks. By the end of the day, Pearl was running on 15-inch Kendas and drove much smoother and significantly quieter. Rusty had the classic white spoke 31-inch tires, and I tried the 17-inch Geolandars on Belle as well. It was interesting to see how each combination changed the look and feel of the vehicles.
Here are my thoughts...
The 17-inch FJ Cruiser steel wheels appear oversized on the 40 Series, throwing off the proportions. I think a set of Tacoma 16-inch steelies paired with 33-inch tires would create a much more balanced look. On the other hand, the 15-inch 40 Series steelies look undersized on the 80, making the vehicle seem out of scale. A set of 16-inch old-style steel wheels would likely be a better fit for the 80, visually and functionally.
I’ll most likely put the 17-inch Geolandars back on the 80 Series for now, but I plan to eventually swap out the mud-terrain tires for a set of all-terrains. The current Geolandars are just too aggressive, loud, and bumpy for daily driving comfort. I’ve also grown fond of the white spoke wheels on Rusty and am considering moving the grey steelies and Kenda tires over to Belle. Once I finalize these changes, I’ll be sure to snap more photos and share the updates.
Feel free to give your opinion and comments. I would love to know what you guys think.
Once I got started, I experimented with several different wheel and tire setups across the trucks. By the end of the day, Pearl was running on 15-inch Kendas and drove much smoother and significantly quieter. Rusty had the classic white spoke 31-inch tires, and I tried the 17-inch Geolandars on Belle as well. It was interesting to see how each combination changed the look and feel of the vehicles.
Here are my thoughts...
The 17-inch FJ Cruiser steel wheels appear oversized on the 40 Series, throwing off the proportions. I think a set of Tacoma 16-inch steelies paired with 33-inch tires would create a much more balanced look. On the other hand, the 15-inch 40 Series steelies look undersized on the 80, making the vehicle seem out of scale. A set of 16-inch old-style steel wheels would likely be a better fit for the 80, visually and functionally.
I’ll most likely put the 17-inch Geolandars back on the 80 Series for now, but I plan to eventually swap out the mud-terrain tires for a set of all-terrains. The current Geolandars are just too aggressive, loud, and bumpy for daily driving comfort. I’ve also grown fond of the white spoke wheels on Rusty and am considering moving the grey steelies and Kenda tires over to Belle. Once I finalize these changes, I’ll be sure to snap more photos and share the updates.
Feel free to give your opinion and comments. I would love to know what you guys think.
White spokes on Rusty look really good. Classic, old school, rugged look.
DirtDauberGarage
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- #645
I agree. Some 33's would look even better!
DirtDauberGarage
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- #648
nope!
My 1978 40 wears 15" steels with skinny 31's (9.25" wide) looks perfect! If i'm not mistaken, OEM outer rim edge bead is 16".
btw - That soft top on that 40 looks tight! I'm debating going that route -- what mfg makes and thoughts vs. hard top?
btw - That soft top on that 40 looks tight! I'm debating going that route -- what mfg makes and thoughts vs. hard top?
DirtDauberGarage
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- #650
Hit a major milestone this week — I finally got this FJ40 on the road. Honestly, it would have happened a lot sooner if Rusty hadn’t come along and stolen my heart. Once I started driving him regularly, it was hard to justify the extra cost of tags and insurance for a second rig. For a while, I convinced myself I just couldn’t swing it financially. But this week I finally pulled the trigger — and I couldn’t be happier that I did.
Wednesday was all about getting it street-legal and shaking it down — picked up the tag, had a new windshield installed, and then spent the rest of the day putting about 100 miles on it, cruising around town. Thursday was more of a tuning day: dialed in the timing, sorted out the carburetor, changed the oil, and tracked down and plugged an oil leak. After all that, I took it out for another 50 miles just to make sure everything was happy. With Atlanta sitting at 75 degrees and sunny, running topless was a no-brainer. Now I’m itching to get out on the trails and earn some proper “pinstripes”!
Wednesday was all about getting it street-legal and shaking it down — picked up the tag, had a new windshield installed, and then spent the rest of the day putting about 100 miles on it, cruising around town. Thursday was more of a tuning day: dialed in the timing, sorted out the carburetor, changed the oil, and tracked down and plugged an oil leak. After all that, I took it out for another 50 miles just to make sure everything was happy. With Atlanta sitting at 75 degrees and sunny, running topless was a no-brainer. Now I’m itching to get out on the trails and earn some proper “pinstripes”!
DirtDauberGarage
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- #651
There’s still a long list of things to knock out — install the heater, get the backup lights working, paint the bumperettes, and plenty more — but having her on the road makes it all worth it. Next week I’m stepping up the look with a new wheel and tire setup: OME grey steelies with hubcaps wrapped in BFG 33x10.50s. Beyond that, I’ve got a plastic tailgate waiting to be painted and installed, and further down the road I’ll tackle the rust on the doors and top, then repaint them. Plenty still to do, but she’s rolling — and that’s what matters.
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DirtDauberGarage
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- #652
Here are some pics with new rims and tires. I'm officially on my second tank of gas.
DirtDauberGarage
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- #653
My daughter got married last weekend and wanted some pics with the 40 
That alone was worth the restoration work you've done! Congratulations!My daughter got married last weekend and wanted some pics with the 40
View attachment 4131853
View attachment 4131854
DirtDauberGarage
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- #655
I agree!! Thank you!
DirtDauberGarage
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- #656
When I originally bought this 40 several years ago, it came with one and a half jump seats. One of them had a backrest and was technically complete, but the hinges were broken, and it was so rusty that it was barely usable. Over the years, I collected a few more seats that others were throwing out, hoping I could eventually piece them together into two good ones. Today, I finally took on this project and made two decent seats out of the three or four I had.
DirtDauberGarage
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- #657
Ideally, I would grind all the welds smooth, sandblast the frames, and have them powder-coated for a factory-fresh look. I know I should probably buy new seat covers, too. But my main goal for now was just to get two functional jump seats installed, so my kids would have a spot to sit whenever we take a short trip to QuikTrip for a drink. Eventually, I plan to recover the front seats as well, and when that time comes, I’ll sandblast and paint everything together for a proper restoration.
DirtDauberGarage
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- #658
My plan is to refresh the seat covers by painting them black with Dupli-Color vinyl dye, then repaint the seat frames black as well. Once everything is dry, I’ll install the seats back into the vehicle, giving them a much cleaner and more cohesive look.