FJ40 frame off restoration Help.

[MbGreen40]

Hello everyone,

2 years ago I decided I wanted to do a frame off restoration on my FJ40. I went to a shop in San Diego that did frame off restorations on classic cars. Unfortunately, Covid happened and the project was plagued with delays. Fast forward to today the shop is going bankrupt and is now closing its doors (soon). As a result, I’m in a time crunch to remove the project and take it to another competent shop. If you guys know of any shops in socal restoring classic cars or more specifically Land Cruisers drop their name and I’ll reach out!

PS corsetti won’t take it because they want to order everything from scratch and my project is past that point and ready for assembly.

Icon and TLC are out of the question.

 

[1969FJ]

Proffitt's Resurrection Land Cruisers - Toyota Land Cruiser Restorations

We exist to preserve and enhance the legendary Land Cruiser in a way that nobody else can. Check out our FJ40, FJ60, FJ80, and FJ100 Restorations

www.resurrectionlandcruisers.com

 

[bikersmurf]

I’m rooting for you. You’re in a bit of a nightmare situation. If you were looking for a mechanic I’d suggest you call Marks Off-road as he’s excellent and only a couple hours away in Burbank California. @65swb45 aka Mark do you have any suggestions?

Unfortunately you’re a long way out of my stomping grounds.

I’ve also read good things about Valley Hybrids, and Mudrak Custom Cruisers. I believe both are vendors here.

@cruiseroutfit aka Kurt, any other ideas? Kurt is a great source for parts, but a bit out of your area.

My apologies if I’m overlooking someone… you’re a 1000+ miles away and in a different country.

 

[65swb45]

@bikersmurf , I do not.

What I will say is what I told a new acquaintance with an FJ62 who has an abandoned project last month: most shops NEED to be both the ones taking it apart and putting it back together in order to have a clue what to do.

Only a specialist in that vehicle can walk into the middle and just pick up where the last guy left off. That is exactly what I did three years ago with project Remote Control, the last BIG project I was willing to take on.

GLWS

 

[White Stripe]

Probably proffitts even though it's far away. Could also try the long range fuel tank guy orange45 I think known here.

 

[middlecalf]

Ready for assembly? Rent a shop, join the local cruiser club, make friends, buy lots of tools and beer, and enjoy several months of wrenching social gatherings. 🤷‍♂️

 

[kudzugypsy]

sadly, in nearly every case like this you probably never get all the parts back you gave them after that amount of time. stuff gets taken off and lost
plus there is really no way to inventory what parts you get back until you go to put it all back together

 

[bhsdriller]

Mark's Automotive here in Bakersfield did this one. Although not all original they definitely do good work

55-Years-Family-Owned 1966 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

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[rainingagain]

You are in Washington? Lots of folks use Torfab in Everett.

 

[Living in the Past]

Fast forward to today the shop is going bankrupt and is now closing its doors (soon). As a result, I’m in a time crunch to remove the project and take it to another competent shop.

Personally believe would be a step in between. Getting possession of my 40 would be first and foremost versus counting on a shop going bankrupt holding on to it. You have about zero recourse if anything goes missing.

 

[sogncab]

Proffitt's Resurrection Land Cruisers - Toyota Land Cruiser Restorations

We exist to preserve and enhance the legendary Land Cruiser in a way that nobody else can. Check out our FJ40, FJ60, FJ80, and FJ100 Restorations

www.resurrectionlandcruisers.com

I know Jeremiah has a massive backlog, but he was great to work with.

 

[sedonut]

If it was me I would bring everything I could recover back home and finish the restoration myself. That would assume the owner had the mechanical skills, the inclination and a place to restore it.

Another option is to take a whole bunch of pictures and try to sell it quickly as is/ where is. Cut your losses, s*** happens.

Nobody in their right mind will give you firm price to finish an incomplete project they did not take apart. There is also a good chance some of the work you paid for will have to be redone.

 

[greenbeasty]

I agree, take possession soonest, even if you have to rent a location to store it! Those parts will start walking off real soon!
You CAN do the work , especially with all the help available here.