Well folks this is the 1st build thread I am posting. Although I admit people don't usually post them decades after the build was done. However, this one is special as it was my introduction to the Cruiser World! For me, this is where it all began back about 1989 or so. I was wheeling a 4-Runner at the time and decided that having something specific for wheeling would be better than having to depend on the wheeling vehicle as a DD as well so I began my search for something that would fit that need. One day I was in a part of town that rarely have a need to be in and at this point in time I can not even remember why I was there but it was there when I saw an old "jeep looking thing" behind an auto shop. It was partially sticking out from under a willow tree and looked like it had been there for years possibly. This was on a weekend so I had to wait until Monday to talk to the shop owner. Again, can't remember the substance of the conversation other than for $100 it could be mine. I do remember thinking about it for a few days and then said well let's give this a try. I don't think at this point I even knew it was called an FJ40.......but I did know it was a Land Cruiser from Toyota. I did not know anyone else with one and had never seen one before. It was also before cell phones, a home computer and before Al Gore invented the Web as we know it today. As I look back on these old photos I realize these days that this 67 FJ40 was bone stock, aside from the plow frame. It was in pristine (for Wisconsin) and probably excellent condition for most other places. Even the fenders were solid. The OEM 6 cylinder was locked up so I opted for a V8 that a friend had sitting in his garage so the build began. Looking back now, I clearly had NO CLUE of what I just found.
I do remember the 40 was originally from El Cajon, Ca and how it ended up in Wisconsin I never knew.
The day I brought it home, to my parents house.
I secured a place to work on it and the tear down begins with the Downey V8 to stock 3-speed conversion kit @Downey :
A friend helping me with the work.
I do remember the 40 was originally from El Cajon, Ca and how it ended up in Wisconsin I never knew.
The day I brought it home, to my parents house.
I secured a place to work on it and the tear down begins with the Downey V8 to stock 3-speed conversion kit @Downey :
A friend helping me with the work.
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. This is what it looked like when he sold it and that was the last time I ever saw it.
