Builds Build Thread - My first fj40 (1 Viewer)

[CapriCruiser]

Por - 15 primer/sealer on. After a smoothing sand, it’ll be ready for paint.

 

[dmaddox]

Great to see rustic green - a great color on a cruiser.

 

[CapriCruiser]

Great to see rustic green - a great color on a cruiser.

Yea, too bad it won’t be there for long.

 

[CapriCruiser]

Por - 15 primer/sealer on. After a smoothing sand, it’ll be ready for paint.

Forgot pictures.

 

[dmaddox]

POR primer? Is this a two-part epoxy? How did you apply it?

 

[CapriCruiser]

POR primer? Is this a two-part epoxy? How did you apply it?

Primer followed by por 15. Brush on.

 

[kanzenbach]

Definetly!! Just taking them off for now for proper sanding and painting.

I`m in St. Augustine Fl. I to have been bitten by the bug Mine is all apart, working on installing front end Going to put a Chevy TBI 4.3 V-6 w automatic due to my legs good luck w the build The FJ looks awesome I don`t have a hard top Thx Buz

 

[CapriCruiser]

Here’s some pictures of the progress I’ve made over the last couple of months. The body is off the frame. Frame looks great, and is almost ready for the body once I source a few brake and fuel lines. More to follow.

 

[Pura Vida]

After a lot of searching and looking at countless fj40s, I finally found the perfect one. She had been in storage since prior to 1994. On October 9 her wheels turned for the first time in over 26 years. While not under her own power, she had a willingness to go on to the trailer for her ride to Florida. Two days later she arrived and we rolled her into the driveway. After some observations, I realized what a perfect cruiser she was and am happy to begin restoring her to her original beauty.

As some of you may know I’m a teenager, and this is my first vehicle. My dream came true. Like my predecessors, I long to drive only landcruisers. I will start with this fj40 and the journey will begin.


Overall this 1974 fj40 is in excellent condition. The body has almost no rust. There are no holes, only a few small sections of superficial surface rust. At least that’s what it seems like. She has only 79,000 miles and her frame has handled those miles well. The frame is perfectly straight and has just a little bit of surface rust in a few sections. Nothing at all is rusted through and all of the steel is strong. It will need some work to make it perfect, but I’m ready and able. Everything on her is original. No aftermarket parts or pieces except the wheels and some soft sided doors. Amazingly the spare tire is original, and will come inside the house where it belongs. All of the badges look great. All of the sides, doors, glass, are accounted for and original. They have no rust, and just need to be sanded, primed, and painted.

As for her powerplant,
I have two disassembled 2fe engines to choose from. I will take one of the blocks along with the cylinder head, crankshaft, balancing shaft, and pistons to a well known speed shop to see if it will be the right one to bring back to life. While that is in process, I’m going to start some sanding, priming, etc in preparation for her eventual paint job. I am sure that I will be asking a lot of questions as I am new to all of this.

I’m sure I’ll be looking for parts and pieces too. So far, I know that I need a hardtop as it wasn’t there.

I’ll post pictures of her progress.

The journey starts now.

Welcome, fellow teenager. Welcome to the fun

 

[DangerNoodle]

Here’s some pictures of the progress I’ve made over the last couple of months. The body is off the frame. Frame looks great, and is almost ready for the body once I source a few brake and fuel lines. More to follow.
View attachment 2844448
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Brake lines are really easy to bend yourself with a flaring tool, some brake line pliers, and a little practice.

Do you still have your old lines?

 

[CapriCruiser]

Brake lines are really easy to bend yourself with a flaring tool, some brake line pliers, and a little practice.

Do you still have your old lines?

I still have the old original lines. Perhaps I could try it. One more skill