That's a beauty, nice work.
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gilmorneau
SILVER Star
Phenomenal!!! I just read the entire thread. Extraordinary work and results.
I do have a question that I didn't see answered in the thread, though (might have missed it). How'd you make the wheels? Are those split rim centers welded into tubeless rims? I love the look of them.
I do have a question that I didn't see answered in the thread, though (might have missed it). How'd you make the wheels? Are those split rim centers welded into tubeless rims? I love the look of them.
MOTOV8R
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #626
Apologies for announcing her ready, when the mudflaps weren’t installed.Now, they are in place.
ready for what? museum?, auction block? garage queen? off road use? daily driver?
What plans do you have for this beauty?
hOOter
He needs to fix the colour on the rear bumperettes and on the front hub dials. At that point we can wheel it into the museum and store it for him. 
- Thread starter
- #629
Too many exciting options, right? First I thought of a DD then it seemed too nice to just throw it on the road, however it drives like a dream. Its smooth like a silk from the balanced driveline and the OME springs making it a surprisingly confortable ride. Someone asked me if I want to store it in a Toyota dealrship as promotional display but I hasn’t decided it yet.
- Thread starter
- #630
Do you regularly drive or run the museum display vehicles?He needs to fix the colour on the rear bumperettes and on the front hub dials. At that point we can wheel it into the museum and store it for him.
Some of them get out. The perfect ones like yours, not so much. It is challenging to clean them up afterwards.
- Thread starter
- #632
The reason I ask is to figure out the maintenance conditions I should demand (contract) if I was to let it on display at a dealership
I would make sure that the vehicle is locked at all times and is cordoned-off. Moving it should require your permission and only authorized persons are permitted to operate it. It should also be fully insured. Car dealer showrooms are loaded with people that feel entitled to sit in the merchandise. Don't let it become a kiddie Jungle Gym.
I wouldn't do it - a local dealer has a '79 FJ40 that has been restored, although not all that well sitting in their showroom. It's already scratched up despite all the "do not touch" signs and being surrounded by ropes - kids just duck them and have been climbing on it . It's tough for the staff to get people to police their children and they have to treat them with too much kindness when it comes to a potential customer. To those coming in to look at a new car - it's just an old truck and they have no idea what it cost to get it back to that condition , let alone it's current market value - which at times can be staggering.
I've had this same conversation with my stepdad and other car collectors that take their wheels to car shows - it's getting to where you won't see the really cool ones anymore - people don't respect them and some are well north of 6 figures. A kid climbing up to look in the window of a classic from his parent's lack of respect or supervision can cost you a paint job in a very short time - a Cruiser looks like a jungle gym to small children. Just taking yours for a nice Sunday drive and parking it anywhere to run inside a store is going to attract attention - that can be a bad thing. My old rusty 77 , when it does go out has my black and red german shepherd inside - it's "his" truck and no one is allowed near it . Times I've taken it to work (construction) always attracts idiots that want to look inside - some even try to open the doors and fellow workers of mine run them off quickly, those guys "get it" and respect a classic no matter what it's condition. Maybe things are better in Australia with such a market for anything Toyota, but I'd be really wary of where I take it and make sure someone is with it at all times, no matter what.
Around here, you almost need your own security team - my GSD does that job really well and won't hesitate to take someone's arm off for touching his truck...lol.
Sarge
I've had this same conversation with my stepdad and other car collectors that take their wheels to car shows - it's getting to where you won't see the really cool ones anymore - people don't respect them and some are well north of 6 figures. A kid climbing up to look in the window of a classic from his parent's lack of respect or supervision can cost you a paint job in a very short time - a Cruiser looks like a jungle gym to small children. Just taking yours for a nice Sunday drive and parking it anywhere to run inside a store is going to attract attention - that can be a bad thing. My old rusty 77 , when it does go out has my black and red german shepherd inside - it's "his" truck and no one is allowed near it . Times I've taken it to work (construction) always attracts idiots that want to look inside - some even try to open the doors and fellow workers of mine run them off quickly, those guys "get it" and respect a classic no matter what it's condition. Maybe things are better in Australia with such a market for anything Toyota, but I'd be really wary of where I take it and make sure someone is with it at all times, no matter what.
Around here, you almost need your own security team - my GSD does that job really well and won't hesitate to take someone's arm off for touching his truck...lol.
Sarge
What an incredible build, great photos.
Now that you have had the vehicle finished for a few months:
What was the greatest addition, beyond OEM, that you installed?
What was the least expensive item that contributed the most to the build?
What was the most expensive item that contributed the least?
If you were to do it again would you change anything?
I just bought a 84 FJ45 RHD Troopy and I think I wouldn't drive it if it were that beautiful, so I'd probably sell it.
Now that you have had the vehicle finished for a few months:
What was the greatest addition, beyond OEM, that you installed?
What was the least expensive item that contributed the most to the build?
What was the most expensive item that contributed the least?
If you were to do it again would you change anything?
I just bought a 84 FJ45 RHD Troopy and I think I wouldn't drive it if it were that beautiful, so I'd probably sell it.
- Thread starter
- #636
Thank you all for your warnings for cautiousness. I had those worries but I have seen old vehicles behind glass at dealerships. Definitely no jungle-gym approach!! I will keep posting as any progress evolving. Today, I have taken her to Department of transport inspection and of course she performed with flying colours. The inspectors gathered and commented that this is probably the best quality restoration they have ever seen. Now the plan is to get the historical concession via club endorsement. That way it is exempt from the regular roadworthy duty.
- Thread starter
- #637
Interesting questions.. thanks for taking a look the whole thread. You might recall there aren’t many not oem additions but if I may pick the OME suspension is definitely something worth mentioning.
It drives as smooth as silk. Bumps and bad road she is very smooth.
All the parts taht got changed were important and I would change them again if I was doing it again. So no any unnecessary detail.
Yes I am doing it again, and I change many things. I will weld, paint do all the panel work myself. I have purchased a hoist to make life easy. I will build a painting booth and do as much as possible myself. Probably the cad plating will be paid for but I don’t want to work with so much poisonous materials.
I have done everything and moved every stone to get her right. I will do it again but if this time I have done 70% in future I aim 95-98% all by myself.
Also there are a number of parts that were re-created in close correlation to this resto. I must thank Roger alias @Racer65 recreating so many new parts and making them available at a very fair price for the benefit of the “Landcruiser People”. Now that is to keep these old girls on the road - and not in the museum display.
This one is a good example to go back and check if someone is interested how these looked genuinely. Except my rr bumperette and free wheel hub dial
And extractor.....
One damn fine job as far as I am concerned.
One damn fine job as far as I am concerned.
Beautiful work!! You have really set an incredible standard and I am sure this thread will be used as reference for many future restorations. Thanks for posting so many pictures. We all know that takes time and effort.
I finished my restoration about two years and several thousand miles ago. It wasnt quite up to your standards, but like you it was a full restoration and I had a a ton of time in it. I drive mine often in good weather and try my best to keep it clean. Even with careful use, I can see some wear and tear. A scuff here, a chip there, some surface corrosion around brake calipers, etc. I decided, I dont care. I am going to use it and enjoy it.
Whatever you decide, get it out for people to see and appreciate. To see people point, give a thumbs up or snap a picture puts a smile on my face. Unlike an exotic sports car, I find the 40 never meets a stranger. Everyone likes them. Congratulations on a great job!
I finished my restoration about two years and several thousand miles ago. It wasnt quite up to your standards, but like you it was a full restoration and I had a a ton of time in it. I drive mine often in good weather and try my best to keep it clean. Even with careful use, I can see some wear and tear. A scuff here, a chip there, some surface corrosion around brake calipers, etc. I decided, I dont care. I am going to use it and enjoy it.
Whatever you decide, get it out for people to see and appreciate. To see people point, give a thumbs up or snap a picture puts a smile on my face. Unlike an exotic sports car, I find the 40 never meets a stranger. Everyone likes them. Congratulations on a great job!
That is one thing about a vintage vehicle and especially a Cruiser - they have a certain rugged character that folks just seem to be attracted to and will almost always generate a conversation. Around here, it's the usual comment of - cool old Jeep as they just don't know any better. It's irritating to a Cruiser owner, we know the differences and they aren't small. I try to be polite, just point at the labels on the fender and most still don't understand, lol. The thing is - you'd be surprised at the backrounds of the people that appreciate these things - not just "4X4 people" , but everyone in general , even kids. Flat fenders attract attention - it's gotten to be something of a rarity today and they just pull them in...
Gotta give you a ton of credit - that FJ45 is exactly how I'd want to do my 40, if I had the ability as well as the funds. It takes a lot to restore one - but pictures like yours show others that they are worth the effort. That really says something about the quality of what you've done here - great job and I'd love to own one just like it .
Sarge
Gotta give you a ton of credit - that FJ45 is exactly how I'd want to do my 40, if I had the ability as well as the funds. It takes a lot to restore one - but pictures like yours show others that they are worth the effort. That really says something about the quality of what you've done here - great job and I'd love to own one just like it .
Sarge
