78 FJ 40 project Frank

[alabamatacomaguy]

I'll have some time in the garage today I'm trying to assemble everything so it's a complete cruiser for when the potential paint and body comes to look. I've never restored or done a large project like this so I'm trying to map out the direction.


Potential plan
The plan I had was assemble everything but the roof cap and make sure panels line up and are straight to where I'm happy with fitment. Then tear down to just driver seat and gauge cluster to make getting the body off the frame easier for him. I'll label and bin everything to keep in order.
He will blast body and parts then hopefully just some small repairs will be needed before the pre paint primer skim coat and paint.
Then I will assemble parts once painted and finished at home.




I had been going back and forth on this trying to decide if I want to jump in this deep or sell the project and find a completed 40. I think I will be happier with the end result if I go the route of completing the one I'm on but it is not the easy or quick route. I'm a numbers and info guy except with the cruiser since it's my fun time I have trouble making rational decisions at times with it. But I can't help but try and figure out what I'll be in for. I plan on getting all new weather stripping for the hard top and all windows which won't be cheap but I think bring the quality up I'll also need a few little parts to really finish off


early Parts list for body
Oem running boards
Front bumper
Front door internals and weatherstripping
Amby door weather stripping
Hard top to body weatherstripping
Hard top window westher stripping
Windshield frame bolts
Front bib hinge bolts
Hard top side to body bolts
Amby door to body bolts
New rear reflectors, lights
New apron emblems
Seat cushion sor
Bumperettes rear


I get overwhelmed thinking about it but if I can break into small jobs and get completed over time I think I can work it out.

 

[Michael B]

Post a Wanted add, there are plenty of good used ones available.

 

[Jdc1]

I'll have some time in the garage today I'm trying to assemble everything so it's a complete cruiser for when the potential paint and body comes to look. I've never restored or done a large project like this so I'm trying to map out the direction.


Potential plan
The plan I had was assemble everything but the roof cap and make sure panels line up and are straight to where I'm happy with fitment. Then tear down to just driver seat and gauge cluster to make getting the body off the frame easier for him. I'll label and bin everything to keep in order.
He will blast body and parts then hopefully just some small repairs will be needed before the pre paint primer skim coat and paint.
Then I will assemble parts once painted and finished at home.




I had been going back and forth on this trying to decide if I want to jump in this deep or sell the project and find a completed 40. I think I will be happier with the end result if I go the route of completing the one I'm on but it is not the easy or quick route. I'm a numbers and info guy except with the cruiser since it's my fun time I have trouble making rational decisions at times with it. But I can't help but try and figure out what I'll be in for. I plan on getting all new weather stripping for the hard top and all windows which won't be cheap but I think bring the quality up I'll also need a few little parts to really finish off


early Parts list for body
Oem running boards
Front bumper
Front door internals and weatherstripping
Amby door weather stripping
Hard top to body weatherstripping
Hard top window westher stripping
Windshield frame bolts
Front bib hinge bolts
Hard top side to body bolts
Amby door to body bolts
New rear reflectors, lights
New apron emblems
Seat cushion sor
Bumperettes rear


I get overwhelmed thinking about it but if I can break into small jobs and get completed over time I think I can work it out.

Breaking it into small projects helps me not get overwhelmed financially or with my motivation. Ex. Frame then Suspension then Front Axle etc. etc. Completeing each small area will give you a sense of accomplishment and small wins to keep your project moving.

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

Post a Wanted add, there are plenty of good used ones available.

Probably easiest route sometimes my modifications complicate when not nesseary so no need to make a project out of something small like I tend to.

Ive got to at minimum get the brace that goes above the amby doors. I need to get to where my roof cap is stored and see if the braces above the doors are good. I remember they were in better shape so maybe I can reuse.

I will probably just order a correct bib and sell the one I have now once when I get the replacement.

 

[Michael B]

The journey of a 1000 starts with the first step and to eat an elephant you do it one bite at a time. The big picture can be over whelming so just take it one piece at a time. I think you will be more satisfied by building your current rig yourself. If your body man is going to assemble the truck before he delivers it to you I would let him disassemble it as well. It will cost you more in labor but he will know how the puzzle is supposed to go back together. you can find a lot of the pieces your looking for on Ctiy Racers web site. He is a Mud memeber in good standing with reasonable prices for the quality of parts you are purchasing.

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

Thanks I've figured out the weather stripping piece of the puzzle with racers site, I'm going to get the body and paint in the works then get that from him.

I've been messaging around on mud trying to learn about the best paint. Looks like epoxy primer then a single stage ppg base coat in factory mustard is what I'm going after from seeing the great restorations on here. Im trying to go after the original duller looking mustard that's not to flashy/shiny. The protection of a clear coat would be nice but I like the stock look.

After talking with my father in law he was thinking soda blasting would be easier and not warp the metal. That's a talk I'll have with body guy as well. I'm not well read in the subjects of paint and body work and learning what is best.


Work is busy for a while but I did spend about an hour on the cruiser last night. I decided to check my tail lights since they are becoming harder to find to see if I needed to order some. Looks like a previous owner put in some replacement oem ones at some point as there no corrosion on those so nice to get lucky on that.

I worked on the driver side windshield hinge bolts that are infamous on here. With alittle careful effort I got all but two to let go on the driver side. I think these are replacement screws from a previous owner repaint as the Phillips bit on my screw driver fit perfect. I was about to order the jis set of driver bits from a post on here.

Good news/bad news
Bad news
is the bit snapped on one of the hinge to tub bolts which is frustrating since I have a replacement windshield frame so I don't care about the current frame if a bolt breaks off but in the tub it has to be dealt with.
Good news
The bit isn't stuck, it's a low price driver set from Oreillys so no tears over that bit, most of the bolts are coming out without a fight, I was expecting to have to drill them. Sprayed some p oil and let set until I get some spare time.

Going to order the specialized bolt kits from Dave on here when time. Looking forward to that shinny hardware.

 

[Jdc1]

A few painters I've talked to hate Soda Blasting because it's hard to get all the soda out of everywhere. if it's not completely clean, the paint doesn't like it. A good media blaster should be able to strip a 40 tub without warping panels. Do your research and you'll find the go to guy. He won't be the cheapest but will be fair and probably have a backlog.

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

Progress has stalled with work being crazy lately but I hope to get things moving now. Getting a few parts later this week then I will work on piecing it all together and continuing searching for a body and paint guy.


Some good news
Converted the mrs to Toyota. I think she could tell I was not happy about the other manufacturers she was considering.

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

I'm working on finding a radiator overflow bottle. When researching I see two types people claim are for 78....... But that doesn't matter to me more so what will bolt to the replacement oem fender I have.

I have a new old stock fender on and want to get a setup that will bolt to that without drilling. I'm thinking (guessing) the fender I picked up last summer is for a later model 79-83 and the bolt holes will be positioned different. I'm thinking (guessing) the fender was changed like many other things in 79 so am earlier bracket might not work without drilling? I don't have he 78 setup to try fitment so I figured I will ask on here.

Trying to improve the current overflow design

 

[TheHardWay]

Well, at least it's OEM.....

 

[Michael B]

Brad it looks like you may have the correct hole pattern for the 78' overflow bottle bracket. We can look at it when you get here this weekend. I also have a useable 78' bottle setup I can make available.

Take a real god picture of the area in front of the right shock tower.

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

Well, at least it's OEM.....

Your vehicle lineup looks like mine. I regret selling my 01 taco, oddly it did better on the interstate then my fjc. Just converted the mrs to Toyota so have a new RAV4 in the lineup.
If your looking for oem fenders there's still a small supply or was left. Good news is the euro is weak so that helps.

Brad it looks like you may have the correct hole pattern for the 78' overflow bottle bracket. We can look at it when you get here this weekend. I also have a useable 78' bottle setup I can make available.

Take a real god picture of the area in front of the right shock tower.

Looking forward to seeing your project and meeting you thanks for thinking of me that will be a big help. I've got a guy texting me about a nice 77 bottle and bracket he has but from what I've seen searching the later one is more correct on a 78. I need to text him back when it's not so late.
My wife's not as excited about my cruiser trip but she's going to go antiquing with my mom. She sat in the car with the dogs when I bought doors 3 hours from home a few years back. She wasn't as excited to see that guys new trollhole carb as I was..

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

Haven't gotten to spend any cruiser time but hoping to on Sunday. Picked up a front shock bolt and cleaned my old one up. I was able to spend about an hour at my late grandfathers garage which is 4 hours north of my cruiser using his tools to clean them up. I'm planning on loading up some more of his tools next trip. My garage space is limited so I'm having to plan its arrangement better.

I always enjoy looking through his garage. Not everything is high quality but I did finally come across some metric tools he had. They are dollar store china made.

 

[Michael B]

Antique Snapon! Very nice !!!

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

Antique Snapon! Very nice !!!

I like going through his basement and seeing what he had. I need to get back up there my time is limited and my grandmother is hinting she wants to downsize. I think I'll have to rent a trailer and take essential items one day soon. Not sure where I'll put everything but I think I'll have a garage organization and layout weekend at my garage to make a place for as much as I can.

 

[SSTigerMerc]

For your screw head problems, Motorcycle Restoration & Repair | Screwdrivers | Hand Tools | VESSEL TOOLS. They are made to Japanese industrial standards, which I guess are somehow different from ours. They have worked wonders for me to remove screws on all of my cruisers. Also if you are in need of parts and pieces I have 15 40's and have 2 that are your year. Let me know what you need if anything or just a picture of how something is supposed to look and we can figure something out.

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

I was very fortunate to pick up a great condition new old stock 78 bib with headlight buckets, grill piece, hood latch and emblem that had been redone by 76 fj40 on here. His work on it brought it to an amazing quality, he blasted and then powder coated the grill insert and buckets to bring them back to life as well as other parts. Seeing his build in person was very cool. It is a cruiser where he has done top quality work on every single nut and bolt. He was a very nice knowledgeable person and it was fun to spend a few hours looking at his build and talking cruisers with him. I may have to drive 6 hours north for their clubs meeting one day soon as that area has a bunch of guys doing top notch work on old land cruisers .

I now struggle even more to pick a color to paint the cruiser between the sky blue and mustard, as blue is my favorite color....... But that a decision I don't have to make today as I don't have a body and paint guy yet.
I've also ordered a bunch of small stuff from a Toyota dealer. Hopefully will have those by the end of the week. Plan is to have some cruiser time tomorrow but I have a large todo list to earn my cruiser time.

Cruiser parts this nice get to stay in he house.

 

[Michael B]

It was nice meeting you and spending time talking about Cruisers. I look forward to your next visit. Hopefully you can make a meeting soon.

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

Had a paint and body guy come by and take a look and talk with me a few days ago. He should give some estimates on the work in the next few days. Hopefully that pans out. He kept saying you know this will take awhile. Maybe two months. ... for this type of work from what I've seen that's a nice turn around. I'll post up what he says and probably annoy some people on here with questions to get there advice as I'm not knowledage on the subject.


I picked up a few things from Toyota that are still avail for the 40 and fjc.
I pity the people in the future that are going to restore fj cruisers. Needing dozens of little cheaply made one time use plastic fasteners that are a few bucks each add up quickly. It's very easy to see why old timers always say they don't make them like they used to.

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

A 40 popped up forsale on Craigslist that was pretty close to where I was wanting to end up with this one so I jumped on it. I'll create a thread for it soon but for now will post it here.

At first I thought it would be easy to sell this project getting another. Though really I don't want to but my wife and a lack of places to park any more vehicles means this one will be forsale soon. I have no clue how to start selling it but my plan right now is inventory all the parts, figure out what I have in it and realize I'll be taking a loss. Some things like the oem fenders and a few oem parts that are getting harder to find will be stored in a closet for down the road as I see myself having more of these trucks as life goes. My wife thought no one would be interested in my project 40 and I've already had a few phone calls asking if people can look before I've even listed forsale. For the time being it's not.
I'm going to enjoy being a dos forty owner for as long as I can swing it.

And before any posts

It's got a few things I might not have done but are actually pretty nice. Metal tech cage and the stock one in great shape, the lift is 4 in which is to tall for me but I think I'll learn to like it. Previous owners have been good to her from what I can tell. She needs a tune up bad, runs poorly but should run like a top when I get some time to tinker and research on here. (Hoping to take a few days next week off and spend them doing landcruiser activities)



I have to give a big shout out to Mike 76fj40 on here. Without him I wouldn't have been able to get the seller to continue answering me with all the attention it was getting being listed....... the listing had a phone number attached and I was bothering him at close to midnight so he probably thought I was crazy. Which has some truth to it as landcruisers are one of the few things that turns my brain into something resembling a middle school boy talking to a girl.
He also helped me and the seller get the hardtop on and prepared for the journey and put up with my texts and questions all day. I'm learning more about this cruiser the more time I get to spend with it but at the moment I'm still the 13 year old kid trying to understand why the pretty girl is talking to me and not know what the hell im doing but if my friends ask I've gone around the bases........

I don't have a name for it. Have a couple in mind but if your have any suggestions post em up. I've got a ton of work so I'll get to look at it but I'll be busy for the next 3 days to even sit in it.



Thank you Mike for the help, hope you get some time soon to finish yours and drive it. I'm normally not a deer in headlights like you've seen me haha.