'78 resto using parts from U.S., Can., Aus., and B.C.

[Caddisfly]

Without Jacoby's help, my son and I would have spent at least a week trying to get the new tub installed. Jacoby fabricated some custom neoprene body mounts. He and his father fabricated a new mount to replace one underneath the cowl, and they also made patches to fill the spots where the cowl had been cut by the previous owner to make the FJ more "rock-hound ready."


Lastly, Jacoby spent a lot of time in my garage actually lining up the tub and bolting everything together.

 

[Caddisfly]

At this point in the thread, I've covered three of the title areas: United States, Canada, and British Columbia. The doors that came on my FJ looked really good -- especially the interior -- but the bottoms had some rust spots that had been covered up with Bondo. (The previous owner pointed that out before I bought the Cruiser.)

Jsaltlick (Yankee Toys forum on ih8mud) organized a group buy from Australia, and as of about a month ago, two front doors have been waiting to be picked up in Boston.

Although I've probably spent too much time on body and frame stuff in this thread, I plan to add paint stuff and engine stuff within the next few months.

 

[Caddisfly]

Whoops, I almost forgot. The original seats were in terrible shape. I mentioned in another thread that there was more mouse nest material than foam under what was left of the original covers. A local upholstery craftsman replaced the covers and added padding for less than what I was set to pay for a set of decent slip-on covers. Purists take note: I was given the option of having the original four- or five-seam stitching pattern for the same price, but the upholsterer said one-seam stitching would be more durable. Since I'd already added an aluminum body, I opted for his recommendation. (Note to self: Before taking another picture, remove the dust from the seat.)

Maine may add a little too much salt to its roads in the winter, but the important things -- welding, upholstery work, paint -- are generally quite a bit less expensive than you'd find in some other parts of the country ... plus I get to sit on a bucket and drive my FJ down the road from time to time without burning any fuel.

 

[lostmarbles]

Thanks. Very nice read!

 

[Vicm]

Thank you Dave for the nice words..
That was my first ever trip to the USA, it was my pleasure to meet you and your son..
I made it back and the that tub never moved an inch. I wish I had more time to spend in the US , it was a wonderfull place.
Your 40 is going to be so nice and will last forever. I am really enjoying the pics.
By the way , the sold that little car and bought an 86 HJ60.
We absolutely love the 60. Thanks for this thread and maybe someday you come for a visit.
Vic

 

[Coolerman]

Got a very nice FJ40 about to hit the road, got the son involved, and the wife seems to enjoy the addiction. What more could a man need?

Keep it coming....

 

[Caddisfly]

Thanks for checking out my thread. I hope to provide updates on a fairly regular basis.

 

[jacoby fj40]

thanks for the good words!!!!! but were not done yet we got to get paint on that rig

 

[apeterson]

what are you doing for paint? why didnt you change out that rear main seal while you had the body off? would have been way easier.

 

[Caddisfly]

base coat / clear coat (Color code = Toyota medium blue 857)

You are absolutely right about the rear main seal. I missed my chance.

 

[apeterson]

do it before paint... change your clutch assem. at the same time... then you are done... no seats or paint to worry about...

 

[Caddisfly]

It's still not ready for paint, so I may take your advice.
In the meantime, here are some more pictures.

These are the doors that came from Australia as part of a group buy. The shag on the panels is probably an inch thick. (I'm replacing the panels with stock panels from my old doors.) I don't know who scrawled the message on the door, but as far as I know, no faces were broken.

 

[Caddisfly]

The gas tank under the cover is brand new (OEM Toyota), and I'm pleased with the way the seats came out.

 

[Caddisfly]

The stock wheels were not on the Land Cruiser when I bought it, but the previous owner gave them to me just in case I decided to use them. They looked like they were ready to be dropped off at the landfill station, but a friend told me his friend could sandblast them. Here are the before and after photos:

 

[Caddisfly]

After reinstalling the seats, I drove the FJ for 20 or so miles. It's been about a year and a half since I last drove it, but it ran well. Unfortunately, the rear reservoir on the master brake cylinder sprang a leak, so I'll have to address that next. Thanks to a couple of mud connections, I have some new parts -- hubcaps (Ralph Hayes Toyota) and weatherstripping, belts, a brake cylinder rebuild kit, and a glovebox light (C-Dan).

edit: If you like pictures of new Toyota parts, you would have liked the two I tried to attach. Both files were 2.0 MB, however, so I could not upload them.

 

[Caddisfly]

I'm adding a couple of photos that show some smaller parts of the process ---> refinished/painted rims and roll bar. (BF Goodrich tires will be my next upgrade after I get the FJ painted.)

I'm sorting through some paint estimates now, but if all goes well, I should be back on the road in August.

 

[Chamba]

Looking really nice. I can't wait to see those doors installed

I put an Aqualu tub on a 78 once, and I was really impressed with the final product.

Cheers,

Josh

 

[Clint79]

Funniest pic ive ever seen

 

[Chamba]

Clint,

That used to be his Avitar. I would laugh every time I saw it. Try doing that down here in the land of Big Brother and see how far you get

Cheers,

Josh

 

[jacoby fj40]

any body work done yet???????