1st FJ40

[GK81]

Hello from Stuart, FL! Just bought a 1972 with a 350 and Holley Sniper EFI and 4 spd (original) transmission. Sold my ‘86 911 a while back and always wanted an FJ40….so here we are.

Any recommendations for a good shop in the Stuart, Jensen Beach area?

I see that @cruisermatt is a couple hours away. Am I best off using him? Would prefer someone reputable and close by for logistical reasons.

Items to tackle first are wobbly steering, fuel smell.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Looks nice
Maybe some manuals free download

Land Cruiser Factory Service Manuals (FSMs)

Factory service manuals (FSMs) for your Toyota Land Cruiser ! From the 1950s to the present!

www.cruisercult.com

Coolerman's wiring diagrams and parts

Cruiser Wiring

 

[cruisermatt]

Happy to help with service or parts.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Whole heartedly vouch for @cruisermatt

Love the title. Looks like you will have more than one cruiser

 

[fireflyr]

I’ll second CruiserMatt at using @cruisermatt. 2 hours is right next door in the Landcruiser world. Guys like Matt in Florida and Georg in California are at the pointy end of the spear when it comes to supporting our hobby / obsession. We’re lucky to have them.

PS: nice looking truck. You’re lucky to have that top!

 

[knuckle47]

Welcome and congratulations on your 40. As @fireflyr said…. Two hours is like next door. By reading thru the forum you’ll discover the handful of guys with substantial knowledge on maintaining your Land Cruiser.

 

[pb4ugo]

Congrats on finding your 40. Do you like to get your hands dirty? FJ40's are sort of hands on type vehicles. It just depends on how deep you want to dive in.

 

[igotta40]

That looks like one of Julie’s Dirt Road tops and a Real Steel frame. Good stuff to have.

 

[GK81]

Thanks for the warm welcome y’all!

to answer above, I do enjoy getting my hands dirty on vehicles. I don’t have the time available to do a whole restore anymore.

We moved from Texas to Florida and I sold my 911 prior to the move. I took that car from near stock to a street track car over the course of three years. Owned it for a total of ten years. Was a bitter sweet moment to let it go.

So, I did my best to find a nice driver-quality 40 that my son and I would be able to work on, without it being another major project.

I’ll more then likely use Matt for a shakedown and address anything as I learn and get my feet wet in the cruiser world.

We worked on taking the top off the other night and got stuck on the bar that runs into the frame at the door strike plates.

Anyone know if that bar is held in place be the two door strike plate screws?

Thanks yall! Glad to be here

 

[timmyisinthewell]

Do you have these? These bolts on the backside of that pillar, one on each side, need to be loosened to remove top.

 

[GK81]

Do you have these? These bolts on the backside of that pillar, one on each side, need to be loosened to remove top.

View attachment 4157125

I’ll get home tomorrow and check. Will include some more pics as well

 

[Chamba]

Welcome. I'm up in Vero and I'd love to catch up for a beer one day at American Icon or some place like that. PM me if you're keen.

I can vouch for @cruisermatt as well: in fact, my 43 is at his Cruiser Spa in Winter Park right now.

'72 came stock with the 3 speed, so your 4 speed isn't original. But it's a great upgrade. Did you buy it locally? Would love to see a few more pics. Looks like it's got the holes for the hood hooks moved aft to clear 70 series lights (very happy to see the hooks back where they belong). Is it from Colombia originally?

 

[Unimogguy]

Welcome to the sickness…

 

[JohnnyC]

2 hours is right next door in the Landcruiser world.

2 hours is 2.5 hours in Land Cruiser world for most of us still close to run and get parts

I noticed the holes on the hood as well … I thought they may have used a hood from a columbian cruiser or it was one

He could still have the original 3 speed transfer case … more likely they kept the 4 speed with the 4 speed transfer case

Nice cruiser btw

 

[wchevron]

I would have kept the Porsche.

 

[GK81]

I would have kept the Porsche.

I’ve had a few and it probably won’t be my last

 

[GK81]

Do you have these? These bolts on the backside of that pillar, one on each side, need to be loosened to remove top.

View attachment 4157125

I don’t have that bolt!

 

[GK81]

Other than the door strike plate bolts, I don’t know what could be holding the bar in place.

 

[timmyisinthewell]

That missing bolt should tighten down on the tube running down that pillar. There is also a piece of sheet metal with a one inch or so hole in the pillar about seven inches down from the top opening. Is it possible that tube is just in a bind or could any of that black liner be sprayed in that bolt opening causing problems?

 

[JohnnyC]

Shoot some pb blaster into the missing bolt hole

Is the bolt missing or snapped off?

I recall on my fst having to loosen the striker bolts as well … but… it’s been 12 years since I’ve had the bow out last