Starting here with my plans/ideas with hopes for comment from you who have gone before me.
I purchased my ‘55 in June, and have slowly been playing whack-a-mole with some must fix items, while also getting to know the rig and putting together my plan.
Baseline: 1974 FJ55 w X26,000 miles has been in continuous operation for entire existence. 226k?
2F motor (from a ‘76 according to an inspection by Land Cruiser Specialties out of Oregon City) that came with the rig) with 90 psi avg compression, no vac. lines, runs kinda rough but made it from Portland (purchase location) to Seattle via backroads: 230miles at 45-50mph without any major issues. No major oil leaks out of engine, but one leak out of mystery (to me) threaded stud on the side of the head between cylinder 4 and 5. I can get it up to 65 (57 on speedometer + rubber overdrive) but am afraid to keep it there for long.
H41 tranny (I think) with leak out front seal and bearings sound like they are shot. Tranny is VERY loud during normal operation- can’t hear engine running over tranny whine. I think H41 based on comments I’ve read- can’t get through an intersection without shifting to 2nd. Any way to tell for sure? Replaced slave cylinder first week I had it and master cylinder is failing now- need to order a new one.
Transfer case has leak out the back (I think). Oil comes out of speedometer cable and e-brake. Otherwise functions fine.
Factory differentials, axles, etc. shocks look super worn.
Power steering has play in middle, but otherwise functional. Shock on this looks super worn also
Drum brakes seem to work fine. Have not opened them up to see remaining wear.
Factory springs
33’s on nice rims
No lift as far as I can tell-plus 33s rub on far ends of turn radius.
All fluids needed replacement. Some grease fittings don’t want to take more grease so I’ll need to work on that.
Exhaust must have been rebuilt at some point b/c it is solid.
Body- one of the main selling points: rust in the normal worst spots-back/bottom of front fenders, bottoms of some doors, running boards, but nothing on the roof/drip rails, and body mounts are solid. Original is Red/White, but the matte tan is honestly growing on me.
F/R Bumpers are aftermarket custom and one of my favorite mods- pretty sure they are 1/4” plate, and the welded on D rings are pretty tough.
Interior- front had two trashed seats with non-functional lap belts, so I found some seats with integral shoulder belts (BMW convertible- all others seem too big/plush for the ride-looking at you, GM trucks). Dash has an aftermarket shell on the vinyl-not cracked but kinda deformed. Any ideas for giving that some new life or just replace it? Gauges all work. Heater core is good and I was able to re-build the blower motor. No interior carpet. Door panels are trashed. Ceiling liner is stained and torn in places, but overall not horrible. Overall mildew smell is just about right- it’s there so you know it’s an old car, but it doesn’t sting your nose. Back bench vinyl is torn but overall this seat is in decent shape.
Rear door window mechanisms are jammed/torqued to the point they don’t roll down, but rear tail gate motorized glass goes up/down (with assistance) from both the key in the tail gate and the switch on the dash.
Missing the 2 Toyota Land Cruiser badges on the fenders, and the big 4wheel drive badge on the tail gate. Otherwise all trim is in place.
Will follow up with initial build ideas.
I purchased my ‘55 in June, and have slowly been playing whack-a-mole with some must fix items, while also getting to know the rig and putting together my plan.
Baseline: 1974 FJ55 w X26,000 miles has been in continuous operation for entire existence. 226k?
2F motor (from a ‘76 according to an inspection by Land Cruiser Specialties out of Oregon City) that came with the rig) with 90 psi avg compression, no vac. lines, runs kinda rough but made it from Portland (purchase location) to Seattle via backroads: 230miles at 45-50mph without any major issues. No major oil leaks out of engine, but one leak out of mystery (to me) threaded stud on the side of the head between cylinder 4 and 5. I can get it up to 65 (57 on speedometer + rubber overdrive) but am afraid to keep it there for long.
H41 tranny (I think) with leak out front seal and bearings sound like they are shot. Tranny is VERY loud during normal operation- can’t hear engine running over tranny whine. I think H41 based on comments I’ve read- can’t get through an intersection without shifting to 2nd. Any way to tell for sure? Replaced slave cylinder first week I had it and master cylinder is failing now- need to order a new one.
Transfer case has leak out the back (I think). Oil comes out of speedometer cable and e-brake. Otherwise functions fine.
Factory differentials, axles, etc. shocks look super worn.
Power steering has play in middle, but otherwise functional. Shock on this looks super worn also
Drum brakes seem to work fine. Have not opened them up to see remaining wear.
Factory springs
33’s on nice rims
No lift as far as I can tell-plus 33s rub on far ends of turn radius.
All fluids needed replacement. Some grease fittings don’t want to take more grease so I’ll need to work on that.
Exhaust must have been rebuilt at some point b/c it is solid.
Body- one of the main selling points: rust in the normal worst spots-back/bottom of front fenders, bottoms of some doors, running boards, but nothing on the roof/drip rails, and body mounts are solid. Original is Red/White, but the matte tan is honestly growing on me.
F/R Bumpers are aftermarket custom and one of my favorite mods- pretty sure they are 1/4” plate, and the welded on D rings are pretty tough.
Interior- front had two trashed seats with non-functional lap belts, so I found some seats with integral shoulder belts (BMW convertible- all others seem too big/plush for the ride-looking at you, GM trucks). Dash has an aftermarket shell on the vinyl-not cracked but kinda deformed. Any ideas for giving that some new life or just replace it? Gauges all work. Heater core is good and I was able to re-build the blower motor. No interior carpet. Door panels are trashed. Ceiling liner is stained and torn in places, but overall not horrible. Overall mildew smell is just about right- it’s there so you know it’s an old car, but it doesn’t sting your nose. Back bench vinyl is torn but overall this seat is in decent shape.
Rear door window mechanisms are jammed/torqued to the point they don’t roll down, but rear tail gate motorized glass goes up/down (with assistance) from both the key in the tail gate and the switch on the dash.
Missing the 2 Toyota Land Cruiser badges on the fenders, and the big 4wheel drive badge on the tail gate. Otherwise all trim is in place.
Will follow up with initial build ideas.