Highlandcruzer's FJ40 Un-restore......and Re-restore/slow build up

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Some more of my neighbors shots.

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Ice cream cones and ammunition.

I would have liked to have been a photographer in another life. I'm not so good, but I enjoy it.

Heres one that I took that makes me laugh/smile. :).......

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Nice 40! Cant wait to see it in person, enjoyed the write up also. What kind of lockers are you running? Those last couple of pics are awesome!
 
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Hey, I've got a round bezel thats in pretty good shape, its yours if you want it.
 
The roll happened this past summer. I had gone to that event as a spectator, with no intention of participating!

My friends and I watched quite a few trucks struggle through. So, I started getting the inevitable "prodding" to take mine through, from friends and others around, to see how it would do. I repeatedly declined. I'd just washed my truck!

Peer pressure's a :censor:!! :hillbilly:

Sooo....I told told one of the main instigators, that if I was going, he was going too! :D

We strapped on helmets and lined up. Well, many of the more mud capable trucks I'd watched, had had a hard time, so I knew I'd have to really get on it.

I dropped it in four low, 2nd gear, and wound it up. What you're looking at is actually a kind of, "mud hole, loop course".

The first run through was wild, but not as tough as I had expected. The crowd showed their appreciation with hoots and hollers, and applause. I was the only "stocker" to make it through. When I got back around, they were yelling for me to "hit it again"!..............

"Okee Doke".......

They kept motioning for me to hit the more difficult sides, and I obliged. ;)

I went through three uneventful rounds........On the fourth, the roll happened. [bear in mind, I don't have power steering]

For those with armstrong steering. You know, if you catch a hard rut, the wheel turns, and there's no stopping it if you value your thumbs!

Soo.... I had it wound up good......caught something hard, wheel went left, and up the eight foot bank!! :doh:Over she goes. If I had had PS, I don't think it would have happened.:frown:

Thankfully, no one was hurt. Lesson learned!

So, here I am on my side, seat belt holding me up. I look down.....The first thing out of my buddies mouth...." DON'T YOU LET THAT SEAT BELT GO MF'er ! :lol::lol:

Crawled out, and gathered the contents of my cooler, and my fishing tackle box from out of the mud. :doh:

Gotter flipped back over. Let it sit for a couple minutes, check for fluids, started right up with a little puff of smoke, and drove it back around through the mud loop.

I stayed around for a little while, and drove it home......

[sorry if this is a repost for some of you]
 
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Here's where I am today:

Between the roll and various other trail rides over the last two years....


Paint: Still very decent, with some trail stripes and chips. [I'm nuts about rust proofing the scratches] I'm thinking about a re-paint this spring or summer just to freshen it up. I haven't decided whether or not I'll pull the tub off, and do it right.

Smashed right side tail light. I'd like to buy two brand new OEM tail lights

Destroyed drivers side mirror. No biggie,

Dented right front fender. I may just replace it, or beat it out. I'm seriously considering the Metal tech tube fenders.

Yanked out [bent]rear frame crossmember. ["bumper"] I might replace that with the 4plus crossmember.

Roll bar: The hoist chain from the roll crushed the right side tube. Yes the factory bar is pretty worthless anyway.....Heres my excuse to install a real cage. I'll probably go with Metal tech cage.

About a month ago, I was on a trail ride. I was on a fresh logging skidder trail. There were still plenty of fairly large logs that I had crawl over to follow the trail. I got almost back to the main road, and unbeknownst to me, about a 6 in. diameter by 4 ft. "log" and root ball got shoved into my steering linkage. It happened only sixty or so yards from the road. I couldn't even feel it. I had one more log to cross before I was in the clear........bam! Bent the crap out of my tie rod. I put a strap around the tie rod, hooked to a tree, and reversed slooowly while my buddie watched. It got the rod straight enough to get me out..............

Sooo, I need a new tie rod. I think I'll go with the HD Bud Built.


All together, its really not as bad as it sounds. It shouldn't take to long to get things back in order, and looking nice. Nothing major.
 
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Build plans.

I'm really torn between doing a restoration, and building a dedicated trail rig. :hhmm:

The only real solution is to buy another 40, and have one of each! :D Over the next year or so, I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for a really good deal. I'm looking at one now, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to swing it.

First order of business is to get road worthy. I need the tie rod, and at least one tail light lens. Everything else is good to drive.

At the very least, I'd like to get the factory passenger side down bar on my roll bar replaced, so it looks better on the road. But I might just hold out for the Metal Tech cage. I'm not going to do any real trail driving before I get the cage. Hopefully I'll have that before June.

We'll see how the spring goes....The paint job may be coming soon. It really doesn't look too bad now. :meh: It depends on how much trail driving I'll plan.

Power steering: I haven't decided between a mini truck set up or a Saginaw install. Depends on.........

I might decide to go spring over. Nothing crazy. I'd keep it as low as possible. At that time, I might stretch the wheel base a little with a spring flip or some longer springs.

Wheels: I want stock steelies. I've grown tired of the after market rims that came with my truck. I like the stock look, and would probably run hub caps, on the street. :cool:

Tires: I no longer spend much time on pavement, so I'd like some Swampers. If I stay spring under, I'll probably go with Q78's. Spring over: Beadlocks and and 36-12.50 TSL SX's.

At some point I need to rebuild my axles. I'm getting a tiny bit of weeping at my drivers side front hub. It's about time. There's a little slack in the rear output now.

If I do the spring over any time soon, I'll do it then. If I can afford it, some Longfields would be nice too.

I need to install some extended axle breathers!!

I still have the stock limited slip. :eek: I've gotten comfortable running open, but lockers are in my forecast. :) I've been tempted to put a Detroit in the rear, but I like an open diff for ice and snow on the road. Looks like ARB's front and rear.

Transfer case: :hhmm: I haven't had any problems with the stock case, it's been left alone since I've owned it, other than oil changes. The inner seal has just gone so I need one of those hose returns now. I might like to rebuild, just to know everythings good. The gearing has been tolerable with the 33's. If I go SOA, or just run Q78's I might swap in a three speed case and a "case saver"....... Ofcourse the Orion case would be gravy, if I have the dough.

Transmission: A rebuild couldn't hurt. An Aussie 4 speed would be nice. Or better yet a five speed. I'm not in any hurry....

Motor: I love my 2F! It stays. Nothing major here. It runs more than fine, and is completely reliable. I have a small manifold leak, again. :mad: I think it's causing some vacuum leak. I'd like to rebuild the carb first, it's fine but could be better. Jim ? ..... I'd also like to sit down and make sure all of my vacuum/emissions line are correct. I replaced them all a couple years ago, but with the limited info that I had then, and my lack of faith in the P.O.'s, I want to be sure that everything is correct.


I have a header, but when I fix the manifold, I'd like to install a Man-a-fre Tri-Y. I know it sounds foolish on a straight six, but I'm considering true dual exhaust. Hear me out. My buddie has a CJ7 with a header, and a Weber on the 258. John West installed true duals on it, with Dynomax mufflers. I can't describe how perfect his exhaust is. Not too loud, but sounds "powerful" from idle on through the RPM range. It seems to be very efficient also, not too open. I'd like to try it if I get around to it. My current exhaust sounds nice at idle, but is just a loud "vibratey" hum off idle. :meh: ........Coming from a guy that likes muscle cars.


Winch: I need a winch! My plan has been to get an 8274-50 Warn. But the more that time passes, the more I covet the PTO setup. :cool: I'd be happy either way. Currently I rely on my Hi-Lift. :frown: If I get the Warn I'll install dual batteries.

Again, I have an early hard top and doors that need paint. I would prefer to get the correct doors and ambi top though. Also, my hood is the earlier type with the fat rubber windshield rests. [not split] Not a big deal, they're good solid parts, but I lean towards the purist side, and want the correct parts for the year. I might try to do some trading.

I have a Bestop soft top that came with my truck, but it's not my cup of tea. I'd like an OEM style soft top.........That one's in the works. ;)

There are a couple of small parts that are missing or could stand to be dressed up. I don't have a rear heater.......that's high on my priority list. I need a windshield washer/coolant reservoir. The air filter box "hose" and end piece that connects to the bib....

....Or, Ive considered installing a snorkel. :hhmm:......It's become such a poser piece nowadays, but I could have a legitimate need for it.

There are a couple of what appear to be empty factory holes in my dash. I haven't yet taken the time to figure them out. Maybe.....four wheel drive indicator light and....??

I had the factory floor vinyl, until I left it on the ground one day, and my G:censor:ed dog ate it!! :mad: That's what I get for naming him "Rip". :rolleyes:



I'm sure I'll add to this. Does the list ever really end? :wrench:

Funny.....My wife, knowing me, told me when I wanted to buy it, that we didn't need another money pit......"I agree dear, but this one's really solid! It doesn't really need much at all, just brakes and steering to make it safe for us to drive! I'll be content just owning a FJ40, and I can piddle on it over the years and decades"........He he he [evil grin and rubs hands together]. :grinpimp:
 
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I'm really torn between doing a restoration, and building a dedicated trail rig. :hhmm:

The only real solution is to buy another 40, and have one of each! :D Over the next year or so, I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for a really good deal. I'm looking at one now, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to swing it.

First order of business is to get road worthy. I need the tie rod, and at least one tail light lens. Everything else is good to drive.

That's got my vote!
 
When you say John West are you refering to John West Automotive on Brentwood Road in Raleigh?

He does some pretty trick work on muscle cars and built a few nice 40's
 
When you say John West are you refering to John West Automotive on Brentwood Road in Raleigh?

He does some pretty trick work on muscle cars and built a few nice 40's


Yessir. ;) The one and the same. The exhaust on the CJ is a work of art. I'd like for him to do mine as well.
 
Project helper and Future Cruiser chick (:

Her Cruiser needs work too....needs lockers, better tires, the hood latches are upside down, it has heep tail lights, the turn signals are wrong.......... :D

She does have some experience wheeling though...........:cool:


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