74 Heath Grey Build

[MIKKELSEN]

A year and 1/2 ago i bought a pretty rotted out FJ40 to build up. After selling my 72 in July ( I think) i was able to finally start on this one. Stock it was a Capri Blue but I was not interested in painting it back to stock color. So between Heath Grey and Cadet Blue I decided grey.

A few disassembly photos:

 

[MIKKELSEN]

I found a tub in great shape to replace the rotted one as all the floor everywhere even up part of the firewall was rusted. Seats were trashed as well. The 40 was ran without a top for a long time. So after having the tub dropped at my painters he began stripping the primer and checking for any possible bad spots or areas that needed properly replaced. Overall the tub was very solid. Just some rework of the patch panels at the back and smoothing out sanding down primer layers was in order.

As for the frame. Just the rear frame had some damage at the drivers side rear light. Someone crunched it so i bought a replacement from Real Steel. Love the products they produce.

 

[MIKKELSEN]

While my painter has the body and all the panels to sandblast and do body work on i started blasting the frame and getting it ready for paint. I also dropped off the axles at NM Gear and Clutch to have ARB's added and disc brakes added. I don't really trust myself with installing these. I probably could do the lockers but too paranoid I would screw it up.

The disc kit from Poser and the ARB's /rebuild kits from Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters. Both awesome to order and get supplies from

 

[MIKKELSEN]

The stock motor was in need of a rebuild as two cylinders had no compression. I'm a fan of fuel injection and with an LT1 laying around I decided to go with Chevy stuff. I know I'm upsetting someone out there but I figured I rebuilt the last one stock so this one could be different. Also driving a 1F sucked at 65 MPH. I also am not a fan of standard transmissions. I really am just over shifting vehicles manually.



Next up getting the LT1 rebuilt and ready to go. Knighton's in ABQ did the machine work and always do well for me. I also picked up a 700r4, the advanced adapters kit, and dropped off the stock T-Case for a rebuild by NM Gear and Clutch. Transmission is being built as well so everything is new.

Unfortunately the Tcase was garbage as a bearing broke loose and destroyed alot of stuff. Luckily I found a 16 spline case last week. Between the two hopefully he can get me one solid case.

Also the axles are 4.88's as the stock 4.10's were questionable

 

[MIKKELSEN]

Some pics of body parts in the booth.

Frame is painted. 2.5' Lift on along with 2" shackle lift. 35" tires on black 17" steelies. Hopefully they have enough room. Was originally going to go with 33's but 4wheelparts had a smoking sale going all the tires cost $1000 for 5. Couldn't pass it up.

next up is power steering install, and finishing up getting the motor, trans ready to get all the mounts in.

 

[imyahucklbrry]

Really like that color... look forward to rest of this process!

 

[4Cruisers]

Looking good! Good to see another FJ40 brought back to life in New Mexico.

And how about those Aggies, first bowl game appearance since 1960 and they won in overtime!

 

[Xpnsv72fj]

Really excited to see your 40 come to life, I’m going to be painting my 72 the exact same color!

Josh

 

[Dirtgypsy]

very nice. What radiator is that?

Clint

 

[MIKKELSEN]

Really like that color... look forward to rest of this process!

Thanks. I appreciate it.

 

[MIKKELSEN]

Looking good! Good to see another FJ40 brought back to life in New Mexico.

And how about those Aggies, first bowl game appearance since 1960 and they won in overtime!

Thanks. Yeah the Aggies has a good year. I was surprised they did so well.

 

[MIKKELSEN]

Thanks XPN.

The radiator is a champion with the shroud and fan made for a SBC/AUTO combo in a FJ40 found a decent price for it all on eBay. It fit really well.

 

[White Stripe]

700r4 will be a tight fit with the stock wheelbase. My last 40 I sold had a 700r4. It had the slip yoke welded to both u joints and no tube. Was very strange looking. I never drove it, but have a feeling it would be tough to keep it from causing vibration.

 

[tucker74]

Nice build you’ve got going, love the color! You’re going to need at least 4” of lift to fit the 35s, I still get some rubbing off road at that You’re gonna love the V8, I’ve got a similar setup but with a h55. Here’s mine with 4” SUA and 35x12.50s -


Tucker

 

[MIKKELSEN]

700r4 will be a tight fit with the stock wheelbase. My last 40 I sold had a 700r4. It had the slip yoke welded to both u joints and no tube. Was very strange looking. I never drove it, but have a feeling it would be tough to keep it from causing vibration.

There is a few builds I checked out for the length of the driveshaft. Looks like if I can get it forward enough I should be able to get a short Tom Woods shaft in there.

 

[MIKKELSEN]

Nice build you’ve got going, love the color! You’re going to need at least 4” of lift to fit the 35s, I still get some rubbing off road at that You’re gonna love the V8, I’ve got a similar setup but with a h55. Here’s mine with 4” SUA and 35x12.50s -


Tucker

View attachment 1605654

Thanks Tucker. I like your 40. What type of rims are those? I like the look of them.

 

[MIKKELSEN]

Been messing with other FJ40’s in between and this one hasn’t made much progress. In the last few weeks I finally jumped back on it. Now I’m debating on swapping to an LS instead of the lt1. No real reason to just think it would be cooler.

 

[cult45]

Been messing with other FJ40’s in between and this one hasn’t made much progress. In the last few weeks I finally jumped back on it. Now I’m debating on swapping to an LS instead of the lt1. No real reason to just think it would be cooler.

Great idea! You can ship the LT1/700 to:

Daniel Green
4/3 Wulworra Ave
Cremorne Point
Sydney, Australia 2090

 

[231Designs]

Been messing with other FJ40’s in between and this one hasn’t made much progress. In the last few weeks I finally jumped back on it. Now I’m debating on swapping to an LS instead of the lt1. No real reason to just think it would be cooler.

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@MIKKELSEN

Hey there - hate to ping you on a 4 year old thread - but I’ve been scouring mud for any photos of any FJ40s in Heath Gray and yours came up.

Looks like you did tinted rhino liner (or equivalent) on the interior.

Any chance you have some more photos of this one to share?

My wife and I are on picking a color for our 74 restoration that I’ve had since the late 90s.

Heath Gray is on the top of the list right now - just trying to find some more samples to see.

Most google searches result back the FJ Company and lord knows that their photos are “pro” and the cars are like new so trying to find more “real world” photos etc.

Any help appreciated. Thanks!

Ryan