Well, where to begin. Let's get some history out of the way.
I joined Mud about 12 years ago, a few months before I acquired my first 40, a spring green 71. I'd just come off the loss of a cherry 2003 Tacoma (supercharged, the works) and had loved the classic lines of the 40 series since college. A fellow in my same major had a built 40 with quite the street presence, and it just stuck with me. I'd go through 40 series phases from time to time, but after moving on from the Tacoma, I restarted my search. By August or September 2013 I'd found a great rig: one and a half owners, totally stock, 1971 (late 70 build), from down in the Lancaster area (SoCal high desert, Rosamond specifically). 'Runs and drives!', or so the craigslist ad read. Owner was a dentist, drove the 40 only in the winters, died in the early 2000's, vehicle sat, widow finally relented and sold to her neighbor (jeep guy) who had clear intent to flip it. He got it running, which spared it of a 350 swap, and he posted it to craigslist before even getting the new title. After 45 minutes on the phone, I struck a deal and we agreed to meet that weekend. I think we agreed on something like $6500. It was easy to convince my dad to join, so with the trunk of my Subaru commuter full of tools my dad and I headed out and settled in for the 5-hour haul south. Plan was to do a basic once over, and drive the rig north in one haul: Rosamond to Modesto. It worked, got the rig, a quick safety check and it ran well enough, got the feel for the 3-on-the-tree, and we took off. A quick pit stop in Lancaster for new tires and lunch, and we were cruising. Well, that was quite the journey. Lost the fuel gauge after about a 100 miles, was hemorrhaging coolant through the water pump seal so was stopping every 40 miles to top off, lost engine temp and oil pressure shortly after. That was enough. Pulled into a family friend's driveway in Fresno, patted the old girl goodbye and headed home. We returned the next day with a dolly and made the last 2 hours without event. Minor fixes over the next year, mostly just drives to get pizza, and I finally decided to do the head gasket...which turned into the rig in pieces in my garage. The classic mistake most of us make.
A new GF, a dog, lots of overseas travel, a career change, a wedding, 2 home purchases/sales, so much remodeling, 2 kids...you name it, and there was no chance I was going to get it back on the road anytime soon.
But the 40 itch was still there...as was bring a trailer. Bid on a lost a few good US 40s and some SA 43s, was never willing to hit the high prices they were moving for. Lost out on a good looking 43, but found the dealer selling it, contacted directly and he had a couple others. One being this project, a 1982 FJ43L-KC. Came home to CA about a year ago. Photos from before I took delivery.
I joined Mud about 12 years ago, a few months before I acquired my first 40, a spring green 71. I'd just come off the loss of a cherry 2003 Tacoma (supercharged, the works) and had loved the classic lines of the 40 series since college. A fellow in my same major had a built 40 with quite the street presence, and it just stuck with me. I'd go through 40 series phases from time to time, but after moving on from the Tacoma, I restarted my search. By August or September 2013 I'd found a great rig: one and a half owners, totally stock, 1971 (late 70 build), from down in the Lancaster area (SoCal high desert, Rosamond specifically). 'Runs and drives!', or so the craigslist ad read. Owner was a dentist, drove the 40 only in the winters, died in the early 2000's, vehicle sat, widow finally relented and sold to her neighbor (jeep guy) who had clear intent to flip it. He got it running, which spared it of a 350 swap, and he posted it to craigslist before even getting the new title. After 45 minutes on the phone, I struck a deal and we agreed to meet that weekend. I think we agreed on something like $6500. It was easy to convince my dad to join, so with the trunk of my Subaru commuter full of tools my dad and I headed out and settled in for the 5-hour haul south. Plan was to do a basic once over, and drive the rig north in one haul: Rosamond to Modesto. It worked, got the rig, a quick safety check and it ran well enough, got the feel for the 3-on-the-tree, and we took off. A quick pit stop in Lancaster for new tires and lunch, and we were cruising. Well, that was quite the journey. Lost the fuel gauge after about a 100 miles, was hemorrhaging coolant through the water pump seal so was stopping every 40 miles to top off, lost engine temp and oil pressure shortly after. That was enough. Pulled into a family friend's driveway in Fresno, patted the old girl goodbye and headed home. We returned the next day with a dolly and made the last 2 hours without event. Minor fixes over the next year, mostly just drives to get pizza, and I finally decided to do the head gasket...which turned into the rig in pieces in my garage. The classic mistake most of us make.
A new GF, a dog, lots of overseas travel, a career change, a wedding, 2 home purchases/sales, so much remodeling, 2 kids...you name it, and there was no chance I was going to get it back on the road anytime soon.
But the 40 itch was still there...as was bring a trailer. Bid on a lost a few good US 40s and some SA 43s, was never willing to hit the high prices they were moving for. Lost out on a good looking 43, but found the dealer selling it, contacted directly and he had a couple others. One being this project, a 1982 FJ43L-KC. Came home to CA about a year ago. Photos from before I took delivery.
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