Burnt FJ40 Restoration Project. Painted Photos are Posted

[Indygbd]

I found a FJ40 for sale on craigslist. The guy said it was in a barn fire and needed a few things. It turned out that is needed a lot more than just a few things! Like many of you I do not like to see these rigs getting parted out. I see the potential in all of them regardless of their condition. This is the start of my project and in a month or 2 you will all be surprised at the transformation.

 

[Indygbd]

First photos from when I went to see it.

 

[snaggletto]

Congratulations fellow Hoosier, good luck with your new project!

 

[Jdc1]

That's a lot better start than some that I have seen. At least you won't have to strip paint.

 

[Indygbd]

I was told the barn burned and the FJ40 was inside of it. After a closer inspection I realized why the barn burned. It was this FJ40 that must have had an electrical fire and burned the barn. It didn't really make a difference because at this point I was going to take on the project regardless of the reason it looks so bad. Anyone else would have probably parted it out and moved on.

 

[Indygbd]

Here is the potential I saw.

 

[Indygbd]

After cleaning it up a bit I noticed that the tub had the rear quarter panels replaced before and some poor body work so at this point I was too far in to stop.

 

[antFJ]

i hope you got a good deal! I would just drop it off at a sandblaster and let them go to town on it.

 

[Indygbd]

Body off and sand blasted. Now I can start to see what needs repaired. The rocker panels are shot. The quarter panels had been replaced before, however were not welded on correctly. There are also a few small rust spots in the floor of the tub. The good news is now my wife can see some potential as well and no longer thinks I am crazy.

 

[Indygbd]

i hope you got a good deal! I would just drop it off at a sandblaster and let them go to town on it.

That is what I did after removing the tub. See next photos.

 

[Indygbd]

The few rust spots are now cut out and replaced. I also had a set of new old stock factory rocker panels hanging in the garage that I used. They were neat because they were the inner and outer panels as well as the b pillar all in one piece. Those are welded in and the body is in its first of a few primer coats now.

 

[Indygbd]

Tub metal work is complete and I have the first coat of primer on it. A few more coats of primer and I will be ready for paint. Hopefully I will have the tub pained in the next few weeks.

 

[Indygbd]

Congratulations fellow Hoosier, good luck with your new project!

Thanks. Where are you located? I like to keep in touch with FJ40 owners in the area.

 

[FJ404345]

At least this one is happily saved !

 

[hairy_apple]

Wow... when I saw the first pictures I thought you were nuts... it wasn't even worthy of parts. But the sand blasted body actually looks pretty damn good! Not a bad starting point at all.

 

[Indygbd]

i hope you got a good deal! I would just drop it off at a sandblaster and let them go to town on it.

I paid more than I wanted for it, but I knew that I could always part it out so I would not loose too much if I sold the running drivetrain and chassis and some of the metal parts once they were blasted. I will still have a lot in it once I figure metal work, paint, sand blasting, and all the parts I need to replace. I am looking for a donor FJ40 now to replace all the dash components, switches, wiring, seats, ect... I am also planning on sand blasting the frame and painting it since I already have the tub off. You know how that goes. New tires, wheels, suspension, ect... It will be a few months before I am done but the project is heading the right direction now.

 

[roadstr6]

Looks like a very solid body. Good on you for saving this one!

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

You and I need to talk, I have all the 'donor' parts you're looking for. I bought an unassembled FJ40, but I'm not using a lot of those things you need... steering column, switches, wiring harness, gauges (I need the bezel), steering column.... one stop shopping

 

[Indygbd]

I was kind of hoping to find something a bit closer to Indiana however I will let you know as soon as I get it in paint and am ready for the parts. Thanks

 

[Astro57]

Looks good, it will be a busy few months to completion. You will be well ahead of my schedule.