71 FJ40 Resto Mod

[71-CRUISER]

So the truck is a very nice, completely original, and rust free FJ40. The plan was to make a good reliable truck for weekends at the mountain cabin. The truck still had the stock F and column shift 3 speed and had been parked for a few years. The origonal engine and trans were OK but thats about it. We got a 83 FJ60 and proceeded to swap the entire dirvetrain into the 40 after a quick engine rebuild and cleaning of the trans and t-case.

We also did some minor rust repair which was mostly just a wire wheel and some new paint as well as upgrading to disk brakes at the same time.

KRxak

 

[71-CRUISER]

This is the donor truck, and its refurbished drivetrain ready to go back in the freshly cleaned up engine compartment of the 40.

 

[71-CRUISER]

Most of the rust was just surface rust and was easily fixed with a little wire wheeling and some good primer and new paint.

 

[71-CRUISER]

FJ60 Drivetrain installed....mostly

 

[71-CRUISER]

Trans Tunnel modified for the 4 speed shifter and the t-case linkage. We were able to use the shift boots from the FJ60 and everything turned out as close to OEM as could be expected.

Also check out the newly refurbished gas tank.

 

[71-CRUISER]

We were able to use most of the FJ60 X-member and fit it into the FJ40 which allowed us to keep all of the 60 mounts and t-case linkages without having to swap bellhousings.

We also installed the MAF e-brake kit onto the split case to retain an e-brake. We did run into a clearance issue between the e-brake drum and the rear cross member so we moved it.

 

[71-CRUISER]

Engine and interior buttoned up and ready to go.

 

[71-CRUISER]

Finished and ready for another 30 years of faithful service.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

We were able to use most of the FJ60 X-member and fit it into the FJ40 which allowed us to keep all of the 60 mounts and t-case linkages without having to swap bellhousings.

We also installed the MAF e-brake kit onto the split case to retain an e-brake. We did run into a clearance issue between the e-brake drum and the rear cross member so we moved it.

I chose to do what Poser did in his H55 install and mounted my cross member just a bit lower to allow for clearance. Looking good.