FJ40 Rescue

[Crazy Diamond]

My son and I rescued this 1973 FJ from the middle of nowhere this last Saturday. We are preparing for a rebuild project, planning and choreographing. We start this weekend. Initially we are just in repair mode and running down needed fixes. I think a frame off might eventually happen. I love this site, I’ve visited it for years enjoying all the 40 porn I could consume. Ever since I first saw one as a kid, I was hooked.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

It runs, poorly, has no exhaust, no breaks, no clutch, you are seeing its best side. Rust in all the good places. Going to need need to replace tub and body pieces. My son is a welder, so bonus.
We have, like many, our work cut out for us.

 

[Pighead]

That looks like a fine project. Congratulations and good luck.

 

[FJ40Savvy]

A reference for you. Welcome to the Crazy

1973 Model Reference

The '73 is a unicorn model year. It would seem there are a number of changes that Toyota introduced in this model year which only latest for one model year or less. I have collect this information from the forum, experience and from other members (@Living in the Past , @Engineer8000 , @73FJ40 )...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[1969FJ]

Great start. That looks like a 1973 model. Frame number ? I like the belleview winch. You will have great times with this.

 

[pb4ugo]

Welcome. Looks like a nice project. Does it still have coveted backup light?

 

[pbgbottle]

Nice find and a complete truck let the fun begin. I would drive it before tearing it apart.

 

[igotta40]

My son and I rescued this 1973 FJ from the middle of nowhere this last Saturday. We are preparing for a rebuild project, planning and choreographing. We start this weekend. Initially we are just in repair mode and running down needed fixes. I think a frame off might eventually happen. I love this site, I’ve visited it for years enjoying all the 40 porn I could consume. Ever since I first saw one as a kid, I was hooked.

View attachment 3835962

What did you rescue it from?

 

[Mark Jennings]

What did you rescue it from?

same here…..where, what desert are you in? Did you rescue from a zombie apocalypse?

 

[Slapshot]

Congratulations! You found the best year and the best color!

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Great start. That looks like a 1973 model. Frame number ? I like the belleview winch. You will have great times with this.

Yes, 1973. FJ40147946.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Welcome. Looks like a nice project. Does it still have coveted backup light?

Good question. I don't think so. Its missing a number of items, mirrors, badges, handles... The inside is rough and Rusty. Is it a light that sits above the door?

 

[Crazy Diamond]

What did you rescue it from?

Eternity of endless days of sitting and rusting on a farm in the middle of nowhere.

 

[77mustard40]

Great find, these things get used and abused and still only manage to dip a toe into the grave. Yours looks like it will buff right out.

 

[igotta40]

Eternity of endless days of sitting and rusting on a farm in the middle of nowhere.

Cool, we found an old VW bus that way.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Great find, these things get used and abused and still only manage to dip a toe into the grave. Yours looks like it will buff right out.

My son and I were looking at a number of 40's. Most wanting crazy money for not well modified or mismatched 40's parts/body. I appreciate that most want to make a buck, but they need to be realistic and not every 40 is a bar of gold. I got a complete original fixer upper for a good price, I feel. $4k.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

same here…..where, what desert are you in? Did you rescue from a zombie apocalypse?

Nevada, a ways outside of Elko, in the boonies. Nearly every house you passed had some kind of card board or particle board covering at least one window. Mainstreet was a dirt road. So... Not many Zombies to apocalypse out there should it come.

 

[Living in the Past]

By the VIN would say may early part May 73. The early part of the 73 model year (started 9/72) the cover the the emissions recovery tank by the fill neck has a different cover than the rest of 73 and to the end of the 78 model.

My 2/73 recovery tank cover which ran thru the 78 model.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

My son and I rescued this 1973 FJ from the middle of nowhere this last Saturday. We are preparing for a rebuild project, planning and choreographing. We start this weekend. Initially we are just in repair mode and running down needed fixes. I think a frame off might eventually happen. I love this site, I’ve visited it for years enjoying all the 40 porn I could consume. Ever since I first saw one as a kid, I was hooked.

View attachment 3835962

 

[pb4ugo]

You gotta a smokin deal on that 40. You should carefully remove the backup light and put it in a safety deposit box until you're ready to use it, or sell it to fund your build.