'72 40 Project...Bluey... until we think of a more original name.

[Explorer4Hire]

Hello there fellow travelers. Time to start a thread on the new rig. 1972 3 on the floor F155 FJ40. I believe it was a factory soft top and will soon be again. I purchased from Cali and had her shipped here. Just tucked her in the garage after an arctic rinse of to get the salt off from transport. There is a lot going on with this rig but there is a lot to love as well. I did not see it in person or drive it, but drove it home this morning after my shift at the firehouse from a parking space where it was dropped off yesterday.

I have owned a 1985 pickup (22R), 80 series LC, FJ cruiser, an 86 4runner (22RE), and 1st gen tacoma (I don't have any of that now but my daily is a '25 Tacoma : ) )..... I have never had a Toyota this old (I had a 73 beetle and 68 impala when I was in my 20s though). I have always wanted a 40 or 55 and this one fit the bill. I love a 55, but I ended up going with a 40 because it is smaller, more parts availability / support, and can go topless. My budget was limited and I wanted a running, driving, stopping project, and thats what I got.

This will be a patina build. I am not going to be doing a showroom resto. I am going to preserve the patina and take good care of the frame (which is chefs kiss amazing) with thorough cleaning and woolwax at least annually. The body is pretty solid... some blemishes here and there... some will stay, some will be patched up a bit.

Here are a few pics to get us started.....

Skinny tires on factory wheels will be a priority... The 12.5s the PO had on are not for me.

Let's talk about what works and what doesn't..... I will do that in the next post to keep any one post from being too long.

 

[Explorer4Hire]

So... what works?

It starts .... stays running.... it shifts pretty good. I'm pretty sure the transfer case is working... hubs seem to lock... the headlights work and the floor switch as well! Thats about it. Oh, the fuel gauge and amps work, the right side of the gauges. It has an electric fuel pump which is working.... starts right up.

So..... what doesn't work?

Everything else. The electric is largely not hooked up... no gauge lights, signals, brake lights, marker lights, horn, hazards, heater.... you get the idea.
The brakes "work" but they are not up to task. No idea on the wipers, they are in the back right now, what I have of them

More pictures....

Don't let the surface patina fool you... it's solid. CLR will be utilized soon. Underneath you wouldn't think is the same truck.

Some things I do not like.....

She has headers and they are loud. Cool for a second, but too much. I may be going back to a stock style exhaust or taming these down when I weld in new pipes. All this is hard to gauge because I need to see if/where there are leaks.

The hard top is salvageable for sure, but I will be ditching it for a FST. Non-Negotiable. The hard top will be its own separate resto. I will definitely fix it up, but it will not be on much.

The tires... to wide (for me) both aesthetically and for no PS. Skinnies incoming. I will redo the suspension last. I know I know... no fun.

I am not sure how I feel about the electric fuel pump. I might go back to a mechanical one. Lets look at the engine needs since we are discussing that....

 

[Explorer4Hire]

Valve cover gasket is a concern... Probably the head gasket too. Oh yea, there is no battery tie down... its just sitting there... all the way across the country...

Yes, the coil is upside-down

Ive seen worse... The good news is it cleans up super easy... I hit a little part with WD-40 and it looks great. That cover will clean right up. The air "box?" has a hole in the other side... will need welded and repainted.

The radiator hoses are also not pre-bent etc... there are some creases I don't love.

 

[EWheeler]

Hello there fellow travelers. Time to start a thread on the new rig. 1972 3 on the floor F155 FJ40. I believe it was a factory soft top and will soon be again. I purchased from Cali and had her shipped here. Just tucked her in the garage after an arctic rinse of to get the salt off from transport. There is a lot going on with this rig but there is a lot to love as well. I did not see it in person or drive it, but drove it home this morning after my shift at the firehouse from a parking space where it was dropped off yesterday.

I have owned a 1985 pickup (22R), 80 series LC, FJ cruiser, an 86 4runner (22RE), and 1st gen tacoma (I don't have any of that now but my daily is a '25 Tacoma : ) )..... I have never had a Toyota this old (I had a 73 beetle and 68 impala when I was in my 20s though). I have always wanted a 40 or 55 and this one fit the bill. I love a 55, but I ended up going with a 40 because it is smaller, more parts availability / support, and can go topless. My budget was limited and I wanted a running, driving, stopping project, and thats what I got.

This will be a patina build. I am not going to be doing a showroom resto. I am going to preserve the patina and take good care of the frame (which is chefs kiss amazing) with thorough cleaning and woolwax at least annually. The body is pretty solid... some blemishes here and there... some will stay, some will be patched up a bit.

Here are a few pics to get us started.....

View attachment 4076885

View attachment 4076886View attachment 4076887

Skinny tires on factory wheels will be a priority... The 12.5s the PO had on are not for me.

Let's talk about what works and what doesn't..... I will do that in the next post to keep any one post from being too long.

This was for sale local to me, saw it on FB for a while. Didn't look at it in person, but appeared to have good bones in the ad. Congrats!

 

[Explorer4Hire]

Carb looks good from here....

An oil pressure gauge just sitting there... It works though! I forgot to mention that!

Brakes ... they really like you to press them down...... Parking brake works though, I also forgot that!

 

[Explorer4Hire]

Here are some extra goodies......

An old WARN to clean up and find a controller for....

A 4 speed tranny

there is an additional steering column and power steering parts in the shed

....and the fan shroud and skid plate are in the shed as well.....

Frame next....

 

[Explorer4Hire]

The frame is why I decided to buy this. It isn't perfect but it is very clean. Looks better than the pictures... there is some caked on material (Cali dirt?) and some surface rust, but it peels right off.... the metal is good. 0 rot.



Icicles

 

[Explorer4Hire]

Final thoughts.....

I am overwhelmed... I bought this with the expectation of the current condition but hoping there was a bit less to do. I am still happy though. I got a fair deal I believe, as they came down A LOT from what they wanted.

I enjoyed working on my 22R and 22RE, but I feel like I'm in a different world now. I don't know these rigs and I'm nervous a bit. I can fix up a 22R in my sleep, but these are the big boys! Minitrucks are easy.

I am just going to take it one step at a time... try to pace myself. I need to do a few simple things first like center the steering wheel....

First actions....

Battery tray fix
secure loose stuff

CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN.... CLR party followed by several coats of poppy's patina. Then I will wire wheel and woolwax downstairs....

Complete fluid change:
(I will probably run Rotella 15W-40... I liked it when I had/worked on vintage motorcycles...)
((I will run GL-4 something or other in the gears)
(I will run a GL-5 in the diffs)

Electric work and new brake lights

OEM wheels and skinny tires

Gaskets... I'm just gonna get a full gasket set... I will need them eventually. Some immediately.

Something fun.... new OEM shift knobs...

I have a line on a soft top deal

Cage... probably a Jackson or metalteck factory replacement (beefy) bar... not going full cage

Door window runs and complete weather stripping... probably city racers....



Anyway... I'm fairly savvy, but I am going to need A LOT of help when I get into this thing. I already downloaded FSMs and bought a giant laminated wiring diagram...

This will be an awesome project for my son and I (10 and 47 respectively) and it will be his when he can drive.

Thanks for all the comments and interaction in advance! LETS GO!!!!!!!

 

[Explorer4Hire]

This was for sale local to me, saw it on FB for a while. Didn't look at it in person, but appeared to have good bones in the ad. Congrats!

Thanks! Yea, it was a nice father and son duo... they specialize in old Chevys... They got this one as part of a trade. They didn't know a ton about it but accommodated any pictures and videos I wanted. They also were very negotiable on price. I was looking at 3 40s and a 55.... The 55 was the cheapest and I really wanted it but the 40 won out for previously mentioned reasons. Of the 40s I looked at this was simply the best priced after negotiating. The others were a little more ready, but this one had less frame rust and the price ended up being something I could live with. I'm still in shock I bought it honestly... She is here now though and will be awesome soon.

 

[jesus888]

Valve cover gasket is a concern... Probably the head gasket too. Oh yea, there is no battery tie down... its just sitting there... all the way across the country...

View attachment 4076903

Yes, the coil is upside-down


View attachment 4076904

View attachment 4076905

Ive seen worse... The good news is it cleans up super easy... I hit a little part with WD-40 and it looks great. That cover will clean right up. The air "box?" has a hole in the other side... will need welded and repainted.

The radiator hoses are also not pre-bent etc... there are some creases I don't love.

I've got a much nicer stock airbox for you in my garage that I won't be using... shoot me a PM and I'll get you a picture... I'm in Atlanta, which isn't close but at least it's on the same side of the country!

 

[Chamba]

What makes you think she was a factory soft top? I see no evidence of FST: tailgate is a hard top tailgate, there are no hooks or interior lights on the dash, etc. Factory hard top is very cool too, and this one looks wonderful. I'm not a 'patina' kinda guy, but this one has it in spades. Beautiful.

The F is simply the 22R's grandfather. You'll find this engine is very intuitive to you.

I will say get some lifted springs or skinnier wheels on her soon though as those fatties will bash up those beautiful wheel wells pretty quickly.

 

[Jdc1]

What makes you think she was a factory soft top? I see no evidence of FST: tailgate is a hard top tailgate, there are no hooks or interior lights on the dash, etc. Factory hard top is very cool too, and this one looks wonderful. I'm not a 'patina' kinda guy, but this one has it in spades. Beautiful.

The F is simply the 22R's grandfather. You'll find this engine is very intuitive to you.

I will say get some lifted springs or skinnier wheels on her soon though as those fatties will bash up those beautiful wheel wells pretty quickly.

Door Hinges definitely not FST

Great buy- looking forward to seeing what you do with her. ‘72 is arguably the best year….

 

[Explorer4Hire]

What makes you think she was a factory soft top? I see no evidence of FST: tailgate is a hard top tailgate, there are no hooks or interior lights on the dash, etc. Factory hard top is very cool too, and this one looks wonderful. I'm not a 'patina' kinda guy, but this one has it in spades. Beautiful.

The F is simply the 22R's grandfather. You'll find this engine is very intuitive to you.

I will say get some lifted springs or skinnier wheels on her soon though as those fatties will bash up those beautiful wheel wells pretty quickly.

It has the strap stays on the rear corners. Wasn’t that only on FSTs?

 

[Chamba]

No, the footman loops were on hard top and soft top until '74 I believe.

 

[Explorer4Hire]

Thanks for the info! What other tells are there? Curious only…. I still prefer the FST look. Both are awesome though.

Edit. I see, dash lights etc…..

 

[Explorer4Hire]

I will say get some lifted springs or skinnier wheels on her soon though as those fatties will bash up those beautiful wheel wells pretty quickly.

On it!

 

[Explorer4Hire]

By the way. Bluey is an 8/72. I guess there are some key differences starting 9/72 in the parts world.

 

[Rock40]

It doesn’t look like there’s anything wrong with that frame. It’s just dirty from 54 years of collecting

 

[1MOA]

I would start on the mechanical. Engine clutch transmission transfer and diffs. Get the bakes sorted out fully. If you are talking axles and a diff decide if you want to get discs up front now so you can plan on a brake master cylinder and work your way out.Get power steering that is the one thing I did that made all the difference, especially if you intend to go wheeling. As far as a diff I don't know who makes an e locker for a non full float axle like you have so you might have to go with a ARB.

 

[Chamba]

Thanks for the info! What other tells are there? Curious only…. I still prefer the FST look. Both are awesome though.

Edit. I see, dash lights etc…..

The most noticeable difference is the tail gate: one piece, hinge at the bottom like a pickup. Then there's the dash: there are hooks for the safety belts to hook to and an interior light which looks a bit like a trailer licence plate light activated by the same switch your dome light is now activated by.
More subtly, the front door hinges are different to allow the soft doors to be simply lifted out without having to pop a pin like in the hard doors. Otherwise, until 1979 (when the rear of the tub was rounded with indents for the weatherstripping and lower door catch on the hard top, but remained similar to the '78 and older for FST) there were not many other differences I can think of.