ARCHIVE 5.3 Vortec FJ40 build - CruiserCrap's Delivery Truck

[mmw68]

I picked up this 1978 FJ40 a few weeks ago, the last owner had used it on a ranch, over heated the engine, then parked it. His wife decided the needed the money more than a project.

I've decided to make it my offical "CruiserCrap.com" vehicle, have some fun building it, and share the progress here. My daughter named it "Peanut" after Jeff Dunham's monkey.. he's purple too!

Here are the before pictures:

 

[mmw68]

Tear down

I've begun the teardown.... The worst part was cutting off that getto made rear bumper, that alone took almost a day!

Some pleasant surprises..
1. The fuel tank and fuel was in great condition. We drained 10 gallons from the tank, and one of the guys in the shop decided it was good enough to put in his truck. Told me later in the week, he got poor mileage, but had no other issues.

2. Rust - the tranny hump was gone, I'll post a picture later. The frame is in great shape, and the rest of the truck looks good. Not saying it's 100% rust free, but very manageable.

 

[mmw68]

Pulling engine

We pulled the engine, and I've begun to clean up the firewall and framerails.

Spent most of the day with a wire brush and some simple green.

Look like olvie brown was the orginal color. I was going to paint it desert tan, but now Iam liking the olive brown. In fact while I was working on it, some one pulled up in this.

 

[warpdriv]

Looking forward to the build...

 

[mmw68]

Not too much to report, amassing parts.. here is one part that arrived today!

 

[El_Toyotero]

Is it just me, or does the nanny software asterick out cra.p and break the image links?

Like so:

 

[mmw68]

It's your settings on ih8mud, for profaninity.

 

[tucker74]

Saw the truck last week, looking good. You gonna update this?



Tucker

 

[mmw68]

Yep, trying to get the pieces back on.... Here is a quick shot from today.

 

[mmw68]

Some more progress

Got the 5.3L Vortec engine, and Toyota 4 Speed installed. Thanks to Jeff for helping me out a few weekends ago.

 

[mmw68]

Here is shot of the bedliner.

 

[mmw68]

Picked up some parts today.

 

[mmw68]

Went thru the winch this weekend... ready to bolt on the truck!

Lots of great info on the last 8274 I rebuilt:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/i-scored-an-8274.199469/

 

[tucker74]

Where are you with this truck Mark?

Tucker

 

[mmw68]

Where are you with this truck Mark?

Tucker

Wow - has it been almost a year, I guess it's time to update you on the progress.

I moved the truck from Edwin's Shop to my house and begun to rework the painless wiring harness the PS installed. Then, I began to wire up the LS engine.. Wiring is all done now.

Also been working on little things, like re-finishing the dash knobs, and installing the Dakota Digital gauges.

 

[mmw68]

Finished up the PS lines, going to begin to rebuild the front axle, and knuckle..

 

[mmw68]

Side shot with Half doors and FJ62 wheels.

 

[mmw68]

Thanks to Georg for shipping out all my Knuckle parts - I guess I have no excuse not to put it all back together!

 

[mmw68]

I purchased The Marlin inter seals, and one of Georg's install tools.... great quality!
@orangefj45

 

[orangefj45]

I just saw this thread for the first time!
Hope you kept that hood to hang on the wall. That just screams 80s along with the paint!!!!!

Great build Mark, that cruiser is lucky it found the right home.

Looking forward to the progress and hopefully seeing it in person one day ...... Maybe next year at K2?!

Georg @ Valley Hybrids