help on resoration

[1969 fj wheelen]

alright so i am a new to this site, i just got my fj40 tonight and i really do not know where to start my resoration on it, i plan on doing the hole entire fj so if anybody can tell me where to start and to go on through out the hole project of what i should do from begining to end.

thanks

 

[kenpoloren]

Good place to start would be the build up threads....

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/168594-build-up-threads.html

 

[lostmarbles]

Welcome

I'd recommend just doing your own thing because a lot depends on your budget, what gear you have available to you, what skills you have, what time you have available, what you want from the vehicle, etc.

But if you want guidance or feel more comfortable following someone else's lead - There's lots of great build threads here to choose from (as kenpoloren says).

Enjoy!

 

[Copenhagen1]

Welcome!!! You have come to the right place. Search button is your friend!!!

As said before, you have to know what you want to end up with and how much money you have to spend. Different people go about things different ways.

I personally try my best to tackle the mechanical stuff first and leave the cosmetics for later. When I picked up the 77 that I am working on now, it was gawdawful multicolored. I bought some Krylon matte finish paint and got it all at least one color. I spent about $50 and a Saturday doing that. Now I am concentrating completely on drive train and when all of that is ironed out, I will tear it down and do a better job on the paint, lift, wheels, tires, bumpers, upholstry, tub liner. I don't want to spend hundreds of hours on getting the body straight and laying down beautiful paint, then the truck runs like a POS. You would always have to be laying all over your freshly painted fenders and taking parts off that were freshly painted.

IMO, get the thing running like a top then spend money on aesthetics. My .02.

Copenhagen1

 

[Trollhole]

alright so i am a new to this site, i just got my fj40 tonight and i really do not know where to start my resoration on it, i plan on doing the hole entire fj so if anybody can tell me where to start and to go on through out the hole project of what i should do from begining to end.

thanks

Pics please.
Then a history of the vehicle.
Condition of the vehicle.
What type of restoration.

Then we can get you going.

 

[Colorado Boy-74-FJ40]

Bezel check!

 

[bsmith123]

tear down and build up

Hello and welcome to MUD!

You will find that you can find writeups on nearly each stage of the process here.


here is a general way to go

take the front end off fenders, hood, windshield etc. use lots of pb blaster and a propane torch

remove the tub, take out all the gauges and controls and take lots of pics tag all the connections with where they go twice in case one falls off--you can use the schematic but tagging is much easier

disco speedo cable clutch controls brake lines and horn lights etc

about 12 bolts to get the body off

have supports ready for the body

take the frame down to metal and treat with rust bullet, por-15 or whatever you choose

pull the engine and trans now for any work. At least change the seals like the rear main at this point


Radiator out for recore?

make a list of replacement parts you will need

pull and paint the diffs ---install suspension upgrades ---lift etc

paint inside tub, and the cowl and leave the outside for now

put it all back together then fix up seats, belts, roll bars and whatever else


PAint last

consider materials---rhino liner, durabak, which paint,

bolt on accessories winch, lighting and so forth


whichever job you are on search this forum for some good tips

there will be things i didnt think of here but that is food for thought


I am leaving power steering, disc brakes, and axle upgrades for after the build cause of the expenses already and gives me something to look forward to




best of luck----lets see the PICS

 

[fieldsken1]

restore done right

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/237264-my-fj-nicknamed-bad-ass.html heres what a full blown redo looks like

 

[antFJ]

i'm not sure I would call that a restore and 'done right' - sure is nice.. but for me.. 'right' is a stock engine, a black frame and no diamond plate. to each his own.

 

[thecrazygreek]

i'm not sure I would call that a restore and 'done right' - sure is nice.. but for me.. 'right' is a stock engine, a black frame and no diamond plate. to each his own.

x2

cool and custom, but not a "restore". IMO

Basically, my belief is a full stock config, with a 2-4 inch lift kit, 32 - 33 x 10.50 inch tires, (ie BFG 33 x 10.50) Power Steering, and maybe a nice CCOT shackle bumper, and winch.

Everything else needs to be left alone. Maybe an H55, and onboard air...

 

[okie]

look at proffits cruisers. they have a few that are done right.

 

[1969 fj wheelen]

well thanks for the help ive done alot of looken around and i think i got my idea on what i am going to be doing ill post pics of it later in the day i am going to be takeing it down to the frame today, iam get it powder coated, can any one tell me what the price is going to be on powder coating the frame

 

[friel01]

local clubs too

Dont forget to also introduce yourself over in the clubhouse forum to the folks at Copper State Cruisers, lots of good local knowledge resoucres there, plus good folks. I am in East Mesa, so if you need some help from time to time, may be able to help out.

 

[okie]

well thanks for the help ive done alot of looken around and i think i got my idea on what i am going to be doing ill post pics of it later in the day i am going to be takeing it down to the frame today, iam get it powder coated, can any one tell me what the price is going to be on powder coating the frame

i wouldn't pay more than 250 assuming they are going to blast everything and make sure they put silicone plugs in all the threaded hole you will use ( or qwont use- you never know)


good luck. Also instead of doing gloss black satin black looks great too, really brings out the paint when everything is done.


good luck with the teardown!

 

[1969 fj wheelen]

well i am going to start a new post on the restortion ill be posting my pictures of the work on it, so thanks for the advice