'74 FJ40 in pieces

[ijonesinsp]

Hi guys,

I am new to to the forum and looking for some advice. I am quickly becoming an absolute Land Cruiser enthusiast and I have the opportunity to purchase my first project...completely disassembled. Everything is there minus the roof and one seat frame, I am told. Everything is original and has been taken down a few years ago with the intention of restoration but the guy just never got around to it and now the wife wants it gone...you know the story. The frame, axles and springs have all been blasted but not painted. The frame looks solid from the pics. The original 6 cyl is on a stand and never been rebuilt. He said the engine ran fine but leaked oil like a sieve and was going to put a gasket set in it. The tub is a bit rough but it comes with a decent tub off a '76. Everything else looks to be in good shape.

I know this is quite an undertaking, but what are your thoughts?

Thanks

 

[DangerNoodle]

The choice really comes down to the amount of time and money you are willing to put into it. It also depends on how much PO has been put into everything. I bought two rigs, mainly for the tub, doors, and top, all in pieces. They were cheap, and mostly in really good shape. The only reason I was willing to do it was because the rig is becoming more of a rock crawler, with a completely new drivetrain, axles, and suspension. Putting the doors and top on a tub is pretty easy. Trying to find all the original parts in a box to completely reassemble a drivetrain will be timeconsuming and expensive if things are missing.

Also, things look good in pictures. It's really hard to tell how good of shape stuff is in unless you get to look at it.

If the price is right, it's always worth picking up.

 

[SteveH]

If you do a comprehensive job of restoring this, you will have as much $$ into it as you would buying a restored FJ40. Depends on how much adventure you want.

 

[ijonesinsp]

I will be going over to take a look today and see for myself. I'm mostly interested in just putting it back together and making it mechanically sound and probably add lockers for the trails out here. Just curious, are there any major differences in the tub between '74 and '76?

 

[DangerNoodle]

I will be going over to take a look today and see for myself. I'm mostly interested in just putting it back together and making it mechanically sound and probably add lockers for the trails out here. Just curious, are there any major differences in the tub between '74 and '76?

The big difference is that you will be getting an F engine, and probably a 3-speed trans. I think. The tubs are all pretty much the same besides some cosmetic differences. Everything should fit together unless something is bent.

 

[ijonesinsp]

He says it's 4 speed but we'll see.

 

[bhsdriller]

good tops are getting harder to find as well.
Does it have the front doors and back barn doors?

Do you plan on keeping it topless or eventually adding one. That's another cost to factor in

 

[ijonesinsp]

The plan for now is to go with the soft top. He has all the side pieces, glass and doors, just missing the roof portion. I'll probably look for a roof to finish it off so I have a complete hard top.

 

[Pighead]

Could very well be a late F engine, 4-speed and transition transfer case. Very worth picking it up and re-assembling ('74 is my favorite year for LandCruisers...)

 

[Mr. Green]

My 74 is in pieces now too so if you do pull the trigger you’ll be reassembling about same time as me. +\- a year.
Go for it, learn something.

 

[ijonesinsp]

Could very well be a late F engine, 4-speed and transition transfer case. Very worth picking it up and re-assembling ('74 is my favorite year for LandCruisers...)

It's a Nov '74 and supposedly it was all original before he tore it apart a few years ago.

 

[ijonesinsp]

My 74 is in pieces now too so if you do pull the trigger you’ll be reassembling about same time as me. +\- a year.
Go for it, learn something.

I figured about that amount of time even if I don't have to rebuild the engine!

 

[redeyeracing]

I'm in Utah and I think I know the one you are looking at. If I didn't already have 2 in the shop I would probably have pulled the trigger on it. If you are up for a project, pull the trigger. You will learn more than you can imagine putting one together.

 

[ijonesinsp]

I'm in Utah and I think I know the one you are looking at. If I didn't already have 2 in the shop I would probably have pulled the trigger on it. If you are up for a project, pull the trigger. You will learn more than you can imagine putting one together.

I can't wait to get started! My dad purchased one the same year brand new and had to sell it before I was born. I'm sure it will be an adventure.

 

[Engineer8000]

If you have never seen one put together it will be hard for you to determine what is missing. Parts are expensive now.

 

[Tancruiser]

Build it and when your done you’ll have a full understanding of your cruiser , anyone can buy one only an enthusiast will build their own.

 

[greenbeast]

Been on both sides of the projects. Personally as I tear into my current one and am replacing tons of parts its an incredible learning experience. It is time consuming and can be expensive. However you will know what you have at the end of the journey and know what to do when something breaks.
If you have the time and some extra coin go for it. However be cautious at taking seller's word that most everything is there. If you know an established cruiser junkie take them over and have them take a look to see what may be missing. Invariably you will be buying some parts.
Good Luck, keep us posted!!

 

[ijonesinsp]

Been on both sides of the projects. Personally as I tear into my current one and am replacing tons of parts its an incredible learning experience. It is time consuming and can be expensive. However you will know what you have at the end of the journey and know what to do when something breaks.
If you have the time and some extra coin go for it. However be cautious at taking seller's word that most everything is there. If you know an established cruiser junkie take them over and have them take a look to see what may be missing. Invariably you will be buying some parts.
Good Luck, keep us posted!!

I did just that and took a friend of mine over to look at it last week. The only missing parts are one rear seat and the fiberglass roof of the hard top. Lot of new replacements parts have already been purchased by him and are being thrown in (new brake and clutch masters, LOTS of new hardware, mirrors, wheel cylinders, instrument cluster, shift boots and knobs, etc.) All the original glass is there too. Heading over this weekend to pick everything up. I can't wait to be cruiser rich and cash poor finally!

 

[kerplunk]

Sounds like fun!!!

Imagining this is about as organized as it would be if I took it all apart. And then my wife move it all to another garage....

You might want to do some quick searches for lists of nuts and bolts. I have seen lists with the description and size for every nut and bolt in an entire FJ40. There are multiple kits for sale that include them all, differing in types of metal and such (i.e. zinc plated vs. stainless, etc). All should be at least JIS standards (or JIS automotive?). In case you weren't aware, these were all build using bolts of this standard, and use only even sized metric wrenches (10, 12 and 14mm, 18mm on one of two really large things).

And if I was trying to put this back together... I would focus on the required mechanical bits first. Get the engine, transmissions, transfer case all attached and mounted. Shifters installed and working, Get the engine started. Axles mounted, steering and brakes. Then, drive it a bit.

Mine is for fair weather joy rides only. The top came off 4 years ago and is collecting dust in the back of a shed. You don't need to worry about a missing fiberglass roof for a while, keep an eye out for people selling them at "gotta clean out the shed cause I'm moving" prices. Even the heater is optional, Toyota sold many of these in warm climates without heaters. And many of us don't have back seats. (a lot of people find riding sideways, in those original back seats, very uncomfortable).

 

[ijonesinsp]

Sounds like fun!!!

Imagining this is about as organized as it would be if I took it all apart. And then my wife move it all to another garage....

You might want to do some quick searches for lists of nuts and bolts. I have seen lists with the description and size for every nut and bolt in an entire FJ40. There are multiple kits for sale that include them all, differing in types of metal and such (i.e. zinc plated vs. stainless, etc). All should be at least JIS standards (or JIS automotive?). In case you weren't aware, these were all build using bolts of this standard, and use only even sized metric wrenches (10, 12 and 14mm, 18mm on one of two really large things).

And if I was trying to put this back together... I would focus on the required mechanical bits first. Get the engine, transmissions, transfer case all attached and mounted. Shifters installed and working, Get the engine started. Axles mounted, steering and brakes. Then, drive it a bit.

Mine is for fair weather joy rides only. The top came off 4 years ago and is collecting dust in the back of a shed. You don't need to worry about a missing fiberglass roof for a while, keep an eye out for people selling them at "gotta clean out the shed cause I'm moving" prices. Even the heater is optional, Toyota sold many of these in warm climates without heaters. And many of us don't have back seats. (a lot of people find riding sideways, in those original back seats, very uncomfortable).

That's exactly what I plan doing. I'll go ahead and paint the frame and axles while it's apart and get it running to see what we've got. I don't wheel much in the winter so I'll more than likely just get a soft top to keep cool. Thanks for the info!