A '78 FJ40 in the Lowcountry - HolyCityFJ40

[HolyCityFJ40]

Hey friends! After lurking on here for the last few weeks, I just wanted to quickly introduce myself and thank this forum for all the insight and knowledge that it's provided so far. After owning an '81 Land Rover Series 3 over the last few years, I finally made the switch and pulled the trigger on my dream FJ that I bought here in SC. It's been a night/day difference and I absolutely love driving this thing around, BUT I've still got so much to learn and discover about this FJ.

Here's what I do know:

• Titled as a 1978 FJ40 in Matte(?) Red with a tan soft top.
• 2F Engine (can't tell if it's the original)
• OEM Carb was replaced with a Weber
• Installed power steering + brakes
• Undercarraige is clean and also has little surface rust.
• Exterior seems to have no rust but can tell certain areas where Bondo was used in small areas.
• Tub seems to be from a < '71 FJ (??)
• 60/40 bench seats installed in the interior
• Theres a toolbox under the driver's seat + larger fuel tank.
• Electrical seems to be in good shape but there are some switches that don't work (hazard + washer)
• Originally bought from Streetside Customs in Charlotte, NC before landing at a dealership in Charleston, SC
• The front grille was installed in the correct orientation

The PO seems like they did a decent job at the restoration work but I definitely have a couple small projects I want to tackle over the next few months/years.

Projects:

• Tune the carb to run a little leaner - I smell like exhaust.
• Replace 60/40 Bench with bucket seats and center console.
• Add 3-point seat belts
• Replace rear jump seats with forward-facing for the kiddos.
• Fix gap between windshield A-pillar and the doors.
• Fix side view mirrors (they're loose).
• Fix/replace switches that don't work.
• Fix bondo cracks on driver-side exterior
• Replace windshield washer motor/switch/reservoir
• Replace warped dash pad - it restricts access to the glove compartment.
• Replace gauge cluster and/or install new bulbs.
• Replace turn signal lenses
• Add a winch
• Add fog lights
• ???

Anyways, I'm happy to be part of the community and value any feedback on any of the upcoming projects or the known info above. Definitely a unique restoration. Curious as to your thoughts on the < '71 tub and the '78 classification. Thanks in advance, y'all.

Here are some photos!

 

[HolyCityFJ40]

Here are some pictures of the interior too:

 

[HolyCityFJ40]

The engine bay:

 

[charliemeyer007]

Looks nice. Make it yours.
Find free manuals here Land Cruiser Factory Service Manuals (FSMs) - https://www.cruisercult.com/factory-service-manuals

 

[JohnnyC]

welcome to the world of frankincruiser

u get extra points for correct bezel orientation

 

[MOTOV8R]

Seems like 71 body on 78 frame and running gear maybe?

 

[HolyCityFJ40]

Seems like 71 body on 78 frame and running gear maybe?

Thats definitely what it seems like. Looks like they may have reattached the old driver side VIN plate to the "new" '71 body so it matches with the plate in the engine bay. Doing a bit more digging here and finding out some cool details like the original paint color and body/trim (details below). The frame number and engine number seem to line up with a 11/'77 production on SOR.

Hood tag:

Engine tag:

Door tag:

MODEL: FJ40LV-KCJA

F = F, 2F Gasoline Engine
J = Land Cruiser
40 = Wheelbase 2,285 mm
L = Left Hand Drive
V = Hardtop (van or station wagon)
K = 4-speed manual transmission
C = Swing Out
J = With Roll Bar
A = Models for USA and Canada ? I think

COLOR/TRIM: 532-LE11

 

[JohnnyC]

Doing a bit more digging here and finding out some cool details like the original paint color and body/trim (details below).

MODEL: FJ40LV-KCJA

F = F, 2F Gasoline Engine
J = Land Cruiser
40 = Wheelbase 2,285 mm
L = Left Hand Drive
V = Hardtop (van or station wagon)
K = 4-speed manual transmission
C = Swing Out
J = With Roll Bar
A = Models for USA and Canada ? I think

when i originally posted this information it was for a specific truck.... that is not yours

the body your truck is based off of may not have been a hardtop... most likely yes but would not have had the swing out hardtop ambi doors... and would not have had a roll bar... your truck is not the truck that the tags came from... it is a huge mix of miss matched parts

All you need to know if most interior and body bits are 71´
Drive train and frame a 78´
wiring and such

If you want to get back to original (or at least closer) it will be a whole tub replacement to get back to the FJ40LV-KCJA the tag says

 

[HolyCityFJ40]

when i originally posted this information it was for a specific truck.... that is not yours

the body your truck is based off of may not have been a hardtop... most likely yes but would not have had the swing out hardtop ambi doors... and would not have had a roll bar... your truck is not the truck that the tags came from... it is a huge mix of miss matched parts

All you need to know if most interior and body bits are 71´
Drive train and frame a 78´
wiring and such

If you want to get back to original (or at least closer) it will be a whole tub replacement to get back to the FJ40LV-KCJA the tag says

Yeah I figured as much now that I’m a little more informed about my FJ. It’s odd they’d reattach the old tags onto the frame (or maybe not?). This tag lines up with the code on engine though but wish I had the original tag from whatever body this was sourced from. I guess it makes sense since this was probably the original VIN.

Thanks for the info!

 

[JohnnyC]

The vin goes with the frame

If I used my frame (1974 fj40) and stuck a 1984 Fj40 LX body on it … it would still be considered a 74’ as the frame is stamped and that is a 74’

¨It’s odd they’d reattach the old tags onto the frame (or maybe not?)¨
they removed the tags from the 78' and attached them to the 71' body

the frame is stamped .... not a tag... since they cant change that unless they cut out the section or grind and re-stamp (illegal) it stays a 78´

Heres where it is stamped:
Pic from Sor.com

 

[pb4ugo]

Tub swaps are not that uncommon. Having the frames original A pillar tag is what I would want. Most importantly at a minimum you want the frame # and the vin # on the title to be the same. Some states ID the vehicle by the frame #, other states will use the VIN on the A pillar. If your frame, A pillar, and title #'s are the same you should be fine for any State. The tub is just a replacement of a most likely rusted one.

 

[HolyCityFJ40]

Dang, not sure if it’s worth sanding this down. Appreciate the info though!

The vin goes with the frame

If I used my frame (1974 fj40) and stuck a 1984 Fj40 LX body on it … it would still be considered a 74’ as the frame is stamped and that is a 74’

¨It’s odd they’d reattach the old tags onto the frame (or maybe not?)¨
they removed the tags from the 78' and attached them to the 71' body

the frame is stamped .... not a tag... since they cant change that unless they cut out the section or grind and re-stamp (illegal) it stays a 78´

Heres where it is stamped:
Pic from Sor.com
View attachment 3922162

 

[pb4ugo]

I probably would check the #, considering the rear crossmember looks altered and may not be original. It doesn't have enuff holes in it and the tab to left of the left tail light is missing or cut off.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

The frame number being covered up might be why it was sold to a SC dealership.

NCDMV will have their guy go out and check the frame number and all the other data plates before issuing a tittle/registration for an out of state vehicle. Not sure if they do this for an in state vehicle purchase.

Might be worth while to see what you have under that non original bedliner on the frame.

 

[ChubbyHands]

that matte color looks pretty sharp!

 

[beran earms]

Those seats are SWEET

 

[65swb45]

Those look like FST tailgatehinge holes behind your tire carrier.

 

[pb4ugo]

Those look like FST tailgatehinge holes behind your tire carrier.

Aren't those holes for the plate style tire carrier catch? I think a couple tailgate hinge holes would be centered with the center of the barn doors. That whole tub and body panels screams 71 style.

 

[65swb45]

Aren't those holes for the plate style tire carrier catch? I think a couple tailgate hinge holes would be centered with the center of the barn doors. That whole tub and body panels screams 71 style.

Well, we're going with the idea that its a pre-73 tub because of the toolbox. That would put the tire carrier (and hook) on the passenger side. That is why I opined that they were FST hinge holes.

 

[pb4ugo]

How do you open the toolbox? It looks all wrong.