69 FJ40 FST (1 Viewer)

[schuy2147]

Well this is more of a continuation build than a start. I just took delivery of this beauty after a long, safe, well protected coast to coast journey. This Spring Green 69 has been tastefully updated by @Mightymes and just recently serviced by Valley Hybrids who assisted in storage and shipping - thank you! At the recommendation of @orangefj45 I used Optimus Shipping. Highly recommend. The 40 was in good company!

As my intended use for it is daily enjoyment and surf trips to the beach, the soft top and frame were removed (wouldn’t fit in garage anyway) and she’s tucked (stuffed) away for now.

First items on the list are preserving this beautiful patina and protecting the chassis from this salty air.
Front disc conversion and Dobinsons suspension next in line.

Thanks @CarcaineProblems for making this all happen! Pleasure working with you.

 

[schuy2147]

.

 

[orangefj45]

Thanks for the honorable mention. Happy to see this super cool survivor end up at a great home.

Have you considers the Terrain Tamer parabolic suspension? IMHO, far superior ride quality compared to anything else on the market.

Georg @ Valley Hybrids

 

[schuy2147]

Thanks for the honorable mention. Happy to see this super cool survivor end up at a great home.

Have you considers the Terrain Tamer parabolic suspension? IMHO, far superior ride quality compared to anything else on the market.

Georg @ Valley Hybrids

I have not. I'll check it out.

 

[orangefj45]

I have not. I'll check it out.

A friend of ours who’s well known in the FJ40 circles just installed the Terrain Tamer parabolic kit in his cruiser and wrote an article about it:

 

[charliemeyer007]

No article only like a 20 second short youtube vid

 

[orangefj45]

No article only like a 20 second short youtube vid

Here you go.

https://billdragoo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Built-for-Adventure-FJ40-OutdoorX4-Issue-53-1.pdf?

 

[schuy2147]

Just so damn photogenic.

She’s right at home in the lowcountry.

 

[schuy2147]

Giving everything a once-over and noticed a lock washer just sitting on the block lip at the oil pan. Then noticed I’m missing a stud/bolt on the rear most spot on the head. Had to pull her back into the garage cuz the no-see-ums were absolutely savage tonight.

According to the FSM, and a visual inspection, the manifold doesn’t have mounting provisions there.

What am I missing?

 

[6f40j9]

Giving everything a once-over and noticed a lock washer just sitting on the block lip at the oil pan. Then noticed I’m missing a stud/bolt on the rear most spot on the head. Had to pull her back into the garage cuz the no-see-ums were absolutely savage tonight. View attachment 3871936View attachment 3871937View attachment 3871938

According to the FSM, and a visual inspection, the manifold doesn’t have mounting provisions there.


View attachment 3871943

What am I missing?

My 69 has a lifting hook there.

 

[schuy2147]

My 69 has a lifting hook there.

View attachment 3872016

Excellent! Thanks. Wonder if I can source one of those still.

 

[Paul_A]

Really easy to make if you have some flat stock and a torch to heat the steel to make the bend. You could replicate it from a photo.

 

[Mightymes]

Oh wow! I had no idea she'd end up in South Carolina and have a pampered trip on the way no less. I'm glad to see it getting enjoyed...have fun!

 

[CondeCruiser]

Excellent! Thanks. Wonder if I can source one of those still.

Put up a wanted ad in the classifieds. I'm sure someone has one. Glad to see you got your Spring Green 40 you were looking for.

 

[schuy2147]

Anyone know if this is a ground? Not sure where it should be.

Missing some body mounts and the others look like it’s time for replacement.

Also started test spotting the patina preservation methods. Prett happy with these results!

Before

After

 

[6f40j9]

@schuy2147 the area of my 69 in your ‘ground’ pic. Not seeing anything that resembles the what looks to be wad of tape with the wire coming out.

 

[Mightymes]

@schuy2147 the area of my 69 in your ‘ground’ pic. Not seeing anything that resembles the what looks to be wad of tape with the wire coming out.

View attachment 3872458

There's a Petronix Ignition in there...that ground doesn't go to anything. I'm not really sure why I left it on there.

 

[schuy2147]

There's a Petronix Ignition in there...that ground doesn't go to anything. I'm not really sure why I left it on there.

Thanks! I need to go back through your build thread and update myself.

 

[schuy2147]

I really want to address the body mounts (or lack thereof) soon. SOR offers the Energy poly kit but also a "firm ride" kit that supposedly resembles the factory setup but at a higher cost.

Anyone have experience with either?

I'm leaning -no pun intended - toward the firm ride/OEM.

 

[Mightymes]

I really want to address the body mounts (or lack thereof) soon. SOR offers the Energy poly kit but also a "firm ride" kit that supposedly resembles the factory setup but at a higher cost.
View attachment 3885581

Anyone have experience with either?

I'm leaning -no pun intended - toward the firm ride/OEM.

I've used the red soft ride kits on some of my other builds. This build was one I didn't want to separate from the chassis....a lot of the mounts can be difficult to remove due to all the rust/gunk build up. Especially the running boards. As for the firmness of the ride I can't tell between one or the other.