Bought my first 40! 36k mi 1974 FST.

[BadReligion]

Its official. Just bought my first 40. My very first cruiser was a FJ62 (which I no longer have), followed by an 80 series, then a 100, and just recently a 200. The latter three I still have. So it only made sense to start at the beginning.

A few of you probably saw my recent inquiry thread regarding the truck.. Need advice on '74 factory soft top

To summarize, it is an original owner 1974 FJ40 FST with a verified (with documentation) 36k mi. It literally sat in a garage for almost 40 years with just occasional trail usage. Overall, the body is in excellent condition with no rust anywhere. The owners did "customize" it with some bolt on sliders, odd chrome bits, interior carpeting, and some ugly rear fender flares but all of this stuff can be reversed. There was a trail incident involving a Jeep that left a dent in the PS rocker, that was filled with bondo (good metal visible though on the inside). It was then subjected to a cheap respray so while it is not 100% original, I think it is still a fantastic starting point for a restoration. Final price was $18750, which was probably fair.

I pick it up tomorrow (its just across town) so I don't have a ton of new photos but I'll post one I took from last visit and a few from today. Plans will be to ditch the wheels and go back to OEM steelies with some 31x9.5 tires, do the belts, hoses, fluids, plugs, wires, and a few seals, and start to remove anything that isn't factory. I don't think I will do a frame off restoration right away. I am about 2 years out on the completion of a nice workshop so that may be in the future. I just want it to look mostly original and be something fun to drive around in nice weather.

I have a lot to learn about the 40 series but know enough to realize the bezel needs to be flipped and I have the odd "in between" F.5 (or F 1.5) motor.

 

[BadReligion]

From my first trip to see it:

Factory manuals, slightly aged

Original bill of sale. Notice the "nickname" the original owners gave it. Good thing I'm not on social media or I would be getting threats from the SJWs.

An actual in focus engine shot

Doors aren't in bad shape and the original canvas top looks good too. NO RIPS!

 

[lelandEOD]

Good score, Kris! Welcome to the madness!


Now the -80 will have a stablemate.














... ... ... along with -100...








... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... aaaand the -200...

 

[lelandEOD]

We’ll also need to figure out what’s going on with that rocker switch on the firewall for the trailer lights or something. Shouldn’t be too hard to remove.

 

[BadReligion]

Good score, Kris! Welcome to the madness!

Thanks (I think) for getting me into this! One of us had to buy it. Just don't try to talk me into a 1HZ conversion quite yet.

 

[BrianSanDiego]

We’ll also need to figure out what’s going on with that rocker switch on the firewall for the trailer lights or something. Shouldn’t be too hard to remove.

I bet it is, that's right where I tapped into my tail lights for flat towing.

 

[YoYoHo]

Welcome aboard cool truck. Not sure you can get 31 x 9.5 x 15's anymore most people are running 33 x 10.5 x 15's

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Welcome aboard cool truck. Not sure you can get 31 x 9.5 x 15's anymore most people are running 33 x 10.5 x 15's

You can get these: | Interco Tire

Not sure if there are any other choices out there in that size.

 

[BadReligion]

Welcome aboard cool truck. Not sure you can get 31 x 9.5 x 15's anymore most people are running 33 x 10.5 x 15's

Yes, it looks like a 30x9.5 is going to be much easier to find. I want to go with a skinny tire.

 

[BadReligion]

Just a few more photos. Drove it home today. That was an adventure in itself. It was only 15mi but involved a gas stop and some freeway driving. I only had to go about 2 mi on the freeway but 60mph has never felt so fast! 2 neighbors that I never talk to stopped by to see what I had in the driveway.

The original owners no longer had the OEM wheels but I took off a cover that was on the spare and it looks like it may be the original spare tire and wheel. Its a "Weathermaster" Dunlop that is Made in Japan. I'll probably save it and order 5 OEM Steel Wheels.

Pic of my son at the wheel. He LOVES this thing. At 2, he can already say "toyoda lan cruser". Took him for a ride around the block on my lap and he was all smiles.

These may be the original keys.

 

[77mustard40]

My second 40 which was a 76 had that exact tire as a spare when purchased, It was my DD for almost 15 years so I had to get a “real” spare. I didn’t have the foresight to consider keeping it... or the 40 for that matter.

Still own No. 1 though...

 

[scoutingranch]

I'm a bit envious of this find as I like stock vehicles. This one is right up there on my FST list. Be gentle when washing the plexiglass on the doors as it can scratch easily. I found these at Simple Tire 7.0x15. And remember, when you don't know what to do next, don't do nothin', the answer will come.

 

[daner]

Great starting point, most of the modifications are cosmetic. Great candidate to preserve or restore.

 

[Martyt]

Love FSTs— I run SuperTraxions and given San Diego’s usual good weather— I keep doors off, top less but with bows on—I like the safari look

 

[mrboatman]

Very nice truck looks like ya did good
JP

 

[BadReligion]

And remember, when you don't know what to do next, don't do nothin', the answer will come.

Very good advice! Its easy to get carried away.

Great starting point, most of the modifications are cosmetic. Great candidate to preserve or restore.

Thanks! Initial plan is to preserve, followed by eventual restoration.

Very nice truck looks like ya did good
JP

Thank you. I lucked out on this one! The person (my insurance agent) who found this for me said she has another client with an even nicer, 100% original '77 40 who is almost ready to sell. Basically same story. I can't wait for that phone call.

There is a TON of good info in this section and lots of really nice builds to read up on. It looks like I am going to get to know @RAGINGMATT and @Racer65 pretty well over the next few years. @Onur ,,,,you switched careers too soon!

So I'm going to take this one step at a time. My 10 day goal is to get some OEM steel wheels ordered, get the truck smogged/registered, and get some 30x9.5 tires mounted up. I do want to powder coat the wheels to RAL 7036 before mounting the tires. And order up @Racer65 s floor mat. That will be installed once I remove that awful carpet.

Current tires were mounted when I was still in diapers so I don't want to drive it all until I get some fresh rubber on. I will then put a few miles on it and see what seals/gaskets need to be replaced and look at changing fluids. I'll keep everyone updated on my progress. This is going to be a lot of work but also a lot of fun.

 

[BadReligion]

Just a little weekend update. I maybe get 2-3 free hours per week to work on things so lots of small steps.

#1 on the list was to get this smogged and registered. I happen to live in 1 of the 2 counties in the state that have smog checks, but with all emission equipment intact, it passed without any issues. Things got a little interesting at the DMV as the title was from 1974 and it was not in their computer system. But fortunately the clerk had a little common sense and was able to bypass the automatic denial on the computer and issue me a new title. I even got to keep the old one!

Once home, I adjusted the parking brake at the drum on the TC and can now park it without having to block the tires. Took a few turns CC but it holds very firmly now and is right in the middle of the recommended 7-12 notches when pulled.

I still need to "dechrome" the bumper but it was kind of cool to see when it was defiled in '79.

Next up was to start removing some of the funky wiring installed by the PO. This went to a set of old KC aux lights, a non functional CB, and some type of wiring that was used when flat towing. All came off easily.

As mentioned before, in 1976, the PO installed some pretty horrendous (or stylish at the time) shag carpet in the tub. While there is absolutely zero rust anywhere on this truck, I was worried that maybe the carpet held some moisture at some point and potentially created a few rust spots. Per previously given advise, I used a HF heat gun to soften the glue and slowly pulled up a few sections. I then used a 3M rubber wheel to remove remaining glue and finished off the residual with an adhesive remover. I thought I could do the whole thing in an afternoon but after starting with JUST the tailgate, I realized this is going to take a few weekends.

Before

After

Original spare carrier looks pretty good too.

After removing the section on the tailgate, I could not believe how nice the paint looked underneath. Same with the section from the PS foot well to gas tank. Its the original paint and looks brand new. Absolutely no rust. In a photo, there might be a little dirt visible but otherwise its spotless!

Ran a few quick errands to the grocery store and could not believe how much attention this thing draws. I'm used to a few looks when driving the G63 around, but this takes it to another level. Even had Jeep guys stop and ask me about it on two separate occasions. That never happens in any of my other cruisers.

Next weekends plans include continued carpet removal and putting together a list of parts for belts, fluids, hoses, brakes, etc. I decided I am going to go with CityRacer's 16" reproduction wheels but the next batch won't be in until the fall. Rumor has it they are coming powder coated already in the Toyota grey color. Got his reproduction floor mat ordered so that will go in once the carpet is out.

 

[Rigger]

18 posts in and I get to be first to say the bezel is upside down!

Nice score!

 

[Martyt]

18 posts in and I get to be first to say the bezel is upside down!

Nice score!

Bezel police were asleep at the proverbial switch!!

 

[BadReligion]

Bezel police were asleep at the proverbial switch!!

Ha. Yes...first thing I did when I got home. Pic just for proof.