Here we go! I had debated posting a build thread because I wasn't sure of the direction that I wanted to take the new-to-me FJ40 that is now in my backyard. I guess I should start this thread from the "actual" beginning... I bought my FZJ80 in 2005 but kept it stock until August 2013. Something many folks on here describe as "the obsession" or "the bug" or "the fever" came over me when I realized that Land Cruisers are capable of much more than I was using mine for. I joined the local cruiser clubs (SFLC, UC, Low Country Cruisers, and ONSC) and took it wheeling. I later met BBQ Boy and subsequently bought his 100. I've taken it wheeling as well; I still prefer wheeling my 80 but the 100 makes a great daily driver (quiet, comfortable, reliable...).
I always thought FJ40's were cool, my neighbor had a green one when I was growing up and I admired it from a distance. 30 something years later I still hadn't considered owning one until the wife saw one at LexTech and asked why I don't have THAT style Land Cruiser. Since I had just purchased the 100, I wasn't looking to invest in a 3rd Land Cruiser. Then I got "the message".
Sam was my best friend in my unit when I was in the Marine Corps; he talked me in to pursuing an engineering degree, so he's had a major impact on my life. His roommate was Shannon. Shannon is one of the nicest women a guy could meet - she's never met a stranger. We hung out often in my college days, but we lost touch after graduation. Shannon married a Marine pilot named Bryan; I don't think that I ever met him, but I know from multiple accounts that he was a good guy. The FJ40 in my possession was Bryan's baby. He was killed in a helicopter accident overseas back in 2006. Shannon didn't want to part with the vehicle. It was in her family for over 10 years, but she didn't feel it was safe for her children... So she IM'd me on Facebook and asked "if I wanted an FJ40".
Admittedly, the timing was bad... But I wasn't about to say "No". I bought it sight unseen and without a 3rd party verification (I knew Shannon and trusted her). The wife gave me the thumbs up and we made plans to bring the FJ40 from Texas to Charleston. Before I could bring it out, I had to have a place to put it. Our garage is so low that my wife's Venza barely fits and I'm not about to leave 3 Land Cruisers in the driveway... So we built a carport on to my workshop in the backyard (permitted of course). The wife has dubbed it "ShedMansion".
So, I have this wonderful FJ40 with a nice personal history. The 100 is a great daily driver and the 80 is a great wheeler. What to do with this thing... It doesn't really make sense to sell any of the vehicles. I'm undecided at this point as to whether it should be built for moderate crawling or nicely modified so that it can handle the trails if it ever goes offroad. One thing is for sure: it must be painted, I'm not a fan of owning black cars (they look nice, but they're not me).
Here is Shannon saying "Goodbye"
Being loaded and leaving San Antonio
Here it is arriving in Charleston
About to head in to the backyard
And situated in ShedMansion
I always thought FJ40's were cool, my neighbor had a green one when I was growing up and I admired it from a distance. 30 something years later I still hadn't considered owning one until the wife saw one at LexTech and asked why I don't have THAT style Land Cruiser. Since I had just purchased the 100, I wasn't looking to invest in a 3rd Land Cruiser. Then I got "the message".
Sam was my best friend in my unit when I was in the Marine Corps; he talked me in to pursuing an engineering degree, so he's had a major impact on my life. His roommate was Shannon. Shannon is one of the nicest women a guy could meet - she's never met a stranger. We hung out often in my college days, but we lost touch after graduation. Shannon married a Marine pilot named Bryan; I don't think that I ever met him, but I know from multiple accounts that he was a good guy. The FJ40 in my possession was Bryan's baby. He was killed in a helicopter accident overseas back in 2006. Shannon didn't want to part with the vehicle. It was in her family for over 10 years, but she didn't feel it was safe for her children... So she IM'd me on Facebook and asked "if I wanted an FJ40".
Admittedly, the timing was bad... But I wasn't about to say "No". I bought it sight unseen and without a 3rd party verification (I knew Shannon and trusted her). The wife gave me the thumbs up and we made plans to bring the FJ40 from Texas to Charleston. Before I could bring it out, I had to have a place to put it. Our garage is so low that my wife's Venza barely fits and I'm not about to leave 3 Land Cruisers in the driveway... So we built a carport on to my workshop in the backyard (permitted of course). The wife has dubbed it "ShedMansion".
So, I have this wonderful FJ40 with a nice personal history. The 100 is a great daily driver and the 80 is a great wheeler. What to do with this thing... It doesn't really make sense to sell any of the vehicles. I'm undecided at this point as to whether it should be built for moderate crawling or nicely modified so that it can handle the trails if it ever goes offroad. One thing is for sure: it must be painted, I'm not a fan of owning black cars (they look nice, but they're not me).
Here is Shannon saying "Goodbye"
Being loaded and leaving San Antonio
Here it is arriving in Charleston
About to head in to the backyard
And situated in ShedMansion