Build 1978 US Market FJ40 Factory Restoration
- Thread starter dmaddox
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Ackcruisers
SILVER Star
I wonder if there are any color videos of the assembly line for mid 70's FJ40's. It would be awesome to see these come together at the factory. What you're doing is incredibly time consuming; a methodical system by system, bolt by bolt, research/ parts sourcing restoration. This community appreciates your work and will use your photo's as the benchmark for years to come.
Having gone through my 1976 Colombian FJ40 to bring this as "stock" as possible has been a challenge. In part, because of the lack of restoration images of factory general markets 40's. What I ended up with is a part US/General Markets truck. My goal was to go through each system using factory Toyota OEM parts to have a reliable and well running 40. After 3 years since acquiring and working on it, I've reached the end. It is as good as I have the ability to make it. It is a very different truck than what I bought on BAT 3 years ago but it will never be a 1976 US Spec Fj40.
Having learned so much about what is required to do a factory reset, in hindsight, I would never have pulled the trigger on mine and spent much more for a US Spec restoration. Most FJ40 fans will not have the knowledge to know why an imported FJ40 that looks great is worth $40-$50K vs. those that are US Specs that command $100k+.
- Thread starter
- #743
@Ackcruisers You have a beautiful cruiser. I've been following and looking through your posts for the last while. I didn't mean to offend, if I did. Where I was going:
1. I really dislike the idea of lowballing Colombians/SA's and then commanding a premium on BaT or eBay or whatever.
2. New people to the Cruiser scene...either always wanted one....or their dad/family member had one growing up...are (in my opinion) not privy to the differences.
3. They buy the cruiser and then when they order stuff, it doesn't match up - and as you know, there are multiple little differences.
4. The work when they are restored down south (and even here, really) is a giant array of quality.
In short, I just feel bad. I met a guy at a cars and coffee that had a 1978 FJ40, Freeborn Red. It reminded me of that Johnny Cash song where he snatches parts over the years he works at a factory. And ended up with a 49,50,51,52,53,54,55 automobile! Did he know? Nope. Did he even care? Probably not, until he orders a 78 air filter or front brake pads. At least now, BaT clearly indicates the origin in the first sentence, as enough people likely complained.
Anyway - don't be hard on yourself, think of what you have as an anomaly, not owned by an uninformed buyer with wads of cash, but an informed cruiserhead that has gone above and beyond to build something special.
At the end of the day, that's what we are all doing, building "OUR" cruisers. I even read through @airon23 work this morning. Great stuff. This community is just awesome. I've loved it and used it for nearly 20 years. With this build I am doing now....its a love hate to be honest. It will never be "true" original, as I've replaced quarters on it, rear sill and a few other smaller pieces. I regret buying this cruiser nearly every day. Case-in-point, that smurf blue FJ40 for sale in the classifieds as we speak - THAT is a deal. A solid buy. I was filled with more crap than a broken toilet at a truck stop, when I was buying this mustard 40. Go back to the first 10 pages of this thread, you'll see what I mean. If I could have started with that blue one in the classifieds - I'd be done and enjoying a beautiful rig by now.
19k, plus travel, 20k for my cruiser and I haven't added it all up but I guarantee I am close to 50k if not more in parts, supplies, and whatever else by now. Its like a second 401k.
Two things I'll say on that. 1. I am having fun learning, documenting and working with all of you. 2. I love buying parts from this community (which by the way @ToyotaMatt send goods please) and helping in some small way keep FJ40's alive.
Thank you again @Ackcruisers for the kind words. Have a great weekend.
1. I really dislike the idea of lowballing Colombians/SA's and then commanding a premium on BaT or eBay or whatever.
2. New people to the Cruiser scene...either always wanted one....or their dad/family member had one growing up...are (in my opinion) not privy to the differences.
3. They buy the cruiser and then when they order stuff, it doesn't match up - and as you know, there are multiple little differences.
4. The work when they are restored down south (and even here, really) is a giant array of quality.
In short, I just feel bad. I met a guy at a cars and coffee that had a 1978 FJ40, Freeborn Red. It reminded me of that Johnny Cash song where he snatches parts over the years he works at a factory. And ended up with a 49,50,51,52,53,54,55 automobile! Did he know? Nope. Did he even care? Probably not, until he orders a 78 air filter or front brake pads. At least now, BaT clearly indicates the origin in the first sentence, as enough people likely complained.
Anyway - don't be hard on yourself, think of what you have as an anomaly, not owned by an uninformed buyer with wads of cash, but an informed cruiserhead that has gone above and beyond to build something special.
At the end of the day, that's what we are all doing, building "OUR" cruisers. I even read through @airon23 work this morning. Great stuff. This community is just awesome. I've loved it and used it for nearly 20 years. With this build I am doing now....its a love hate to be honest. It will never be "true" original, as I've replaced quarters on it, rear sill and a few other smaller pieces. I regret buying this cruiser nearly every day. Case-in-point, that smurf blue FJ40 for sale in the classifieds as we speak - THAT is a deal. A solid buy. I was filled with more crap than a broken toilet at a truck stop, when I was buying this mustard 40. Go back to the first 10 pages of this thread, you'll see what I mean. If I could have started with that blue one in the classifieds - I'd be done and enjoying a beautiful rig by now.
19k, plus travel, 20k for my cruiser and I haven't added it all up but I guarantee I am close to 50k if not more in parts, supplies, and whatever else by now. Its like a second 401k.
Two things I'll say on that. 1. I am having fun learning, documenting and working with all of you. 2. I love buying parts from this community (which by the way @ToyotaMatt send goods please) and helping in some small way keep FJ40's alive.
Thank you again @Ackcruisers for the kind words. Have a great weekend.
- Thread starter
- #746
So in investigating why the rear axle studs are so short....I went back to my earlier post. I did not replace the wheel studs on the rear axles. Also, on page 2, I snapped this just after receiving the cruiser. So a question to the "crew" here is, are these the OEM rear studs?
After working on my 1993 911, and the various wheel combinations and stud lengths, I would sure prefer a 1/2" or so of threads exposed. If nothing else, a little peace of mind. I also don't want to have to yank the rear axles out again, after having sealed it all up.
After working on my 1993 911, and the various wheel combinations and stud lengths, I would sure prefer a 1/2" or so of threads exposed. If nothing else, a little peace of mind. I also don't want to have to yank the rear axles out again, after having sealed it all up.
The rear studs can be remove without tearing anything apart. Just remove the drum. I screwed a lug nut on to protect the threads and knocked them out. I just measured a stk stud and its 1 1/2" from under the head to the end. I installed longer studs on mine, because of rear disc brake rotor.
- Thread starter
- #748
Thank you @pb4ugo
Where did you order? Is there perhaps a Toyota stud that is 1/2” over oem? I’m just surprised that this is happening when I’m using all Toyota parts.
Where did you order? Is there perhaps a Toyota stud that is 1/2” over oem? I’m just surprised that this is happening when I’m using all Toyota parts.
Hard to tell from pics but it doesn’t look like the rear wheel hole is clearing the rear axle hub. If so, however, I don’t know why based on your parts descriptions.
When I was researching I didn't find anything from Toyota. There are other studs folks have used. If you use the search and enter the # from the pic you will find threads on this subject. I think they're about a 1/4" longer. I purchased from summit. Iir, Dormans site has good search and dimensional info on there studs.
- Thread starter
- #751
I thought that, too @middlecalf but the hub (maybe aftermarket?) is seating on the gasket that prevents the hub from binding to the axle.
I used a rubber mallet and really seated it on there just now. Same results. Maybe Toyota just intended the lug nut to be flush…ish with the wheels stud.
Don’t mean to kick a dead horse, just making sure I have this right.
I used a rubber mallet and really seated it on there just now. Same results. Maybe Toyota just intended the lug nut to be flush…ish with the wheels stud.
Don’t mean to kick a dead horse, just making sure I have this right.
- Thread starter
- #753
I’ll research the studs and see what I can come up with. Thank you. When I get the new ones in I’ll measure.
Clutch slave soft line. I apologize for bouncing around, I’m waiting on parts to finish the fuel system and paint the cover.
Clutch slave soft line. I apologize for bouncing around, I’m waiting on parts to finish the fuel system and paint the cover.
Oh mate, what an awesome resto work you are doing, congrats!
You motivate me to go ahead with my J45 pickup resto project!
You motivate me to go ahead with my J45 pickup resto project!
- Thread starter
- #755
Thank you for the PM on the reference to 90942-02079. 12 are coming from Japan. That solves the wheel stud issue on the rear axles. Fronts are perfect, and purchased for the specific year, 1978. Should you be working on your FJ40.
Thank you, @Greek Cruiserhead go get 'em!
Thank you, @Greek Cruiserhead go get 'em!
As long as it doesn't leak!
