72 FJ40 LS and WONTONS

[TN LX570]

New to me ‘72 40

As acquired:
6.0 LS
TH350
Twin stick 205
D60 (spool)
14B (Detroit)
5.13s
4 link rear radflos
Front SOA
16 year old 39” iroks

Story time. I was on the hunt for a project, but I definitely wasn’t looking for a 40. In fact, I wasn’t even hunting a Toyota. I was after a first gen Ramcharger.

Then this one showed up 10 miles from home. With how much has already been done—and more importantly, how much of it was done properly—I couldn’t turn it down. Sometimes the project finds you.

It runs and drives, and the LS absolutely begs to be stomped on. Unfortunately, it currently has no front shocks and quickly reminds you of that with a healthy dose of death wobble above about 35 mph.

It’s already got a Metal Tech cage, but right now it’s only bolted to the body. The frame tie-in pieces are already sitting in the garage waiting to go on.

Also on the way from Metal Tech are a set of tube fenders. The original fenders are just way too straight and pretty to crumple.

Do I bolt shocks on the front and call it good, or go ahead and bite the bullet and link the front as well. That’s TBD. Other than that, it really just needs some sliders and a winch, and patiently waiting for a steal on a set of 42s on 17s to hit marketplace.

 

[NOSAJ]

Nice! I’ll be watching. I’m in Franklin also.

Jason

 

[mr jits]

I remember this build when it started and I'm stoked to see someone else pick it up to complete it!

 

[clrussell]

I vote pull a front leaf, install front shocks, put the caster/ pinion shims in correctly. Fan shroud.

Enjoy it.

 

[Mike Shull]

And maybe narrow the axles a bit. Not too much. I took 7” out of mine and I wish that I had made the front 64-65” wms. Happy to chat if interested, and you can come look at mine and determine whether you even want to do that.

 

[clrussell]

I like it low and wide. But that’s me

 

[Ditcherman]

I vote link it!
I don’t know that’s it too wide, nothing some positive offset wheels might fix, it just looks so empty around the back axle and under the body. Maybe some kind of fender there or underbody treatment to dress it up?
Looks like a great start if you want a project or just go enjoy it!

 

[peesalot]

You will need sway bars if you link the front, IMO. My 40 is linked at rear & leaf in front, I was going to add a sway but after looking at pricing I decided to love the lean, not much street driving involved.

 

[TN LX570]

No other updates yet, but I got the 42s bolted on.

 

[clrussell]

I’m in love with it

 

[Mike Shull]

Sweet!

 

[cruisermatt]

Going from a full size wagon to this is like a going from a pea shooter to a 50cal..big jump. I would start with the shocks/fenders, store the hard top and windshield frame, and wheel it for a few years on the 37’s/39’s and work your way up with your driving before making the truck more capable

 

[peesalot]

You gotta fix the grill badge placement & those covers on the fender lights, never have I ever ?