Hindsights FJ55 Rat Rod

[hindsight]

There is a saying in automotive circles that "you only get to be original once", that is exactly what sold me on this FJ55. Abandoned to sink into the driveway somewhere between 15 and 25 years ago...this 1974 FJ55 was left to a fate that is best described as a blessing and a curse.

A curse for obvious reasons but in a way the blessing is that it was never subjected to the harsh salted winter roads in Iowa. It has 58,000 original one owner miles, is completely original except for the CB radio.

The story from the owner is that it was parked in good running condition...it had issues with getting a bit of water in the distributor cap and the owner eventually tired of the hassle of drying it out....let it sit. And here it is. According to him, it was well maintained and greased....always in the back of his mind to revive but it never happened. The owner of the property died and now he has to move his property off of it.

$500 later....it is mine.

The plan is to make it roll, run and stop....clean it up a bit and leave it be.

Doc

 

[Bigcity25]

Subscribed

 

[jusmud]

Nice find Doc

Well done

Always had a soft spot for the Old 55

 

[waiting for time]

Maybe a new seat cover?

Great find, subscribed.

 

[3_puppies]

cool find...I like the old school pleather key holder.....F1/2? 4 speed or 3 speed?

also like it they kept the weeds mowed down around it.

 

[catbird]

Theres just something about FJ55s, they seem so content resting in the back yard You have the same disease I do....... wanting to revive them and run em down the road! Great find!!! I paid 750 for both of the 55s Ive pulled out the weeds and revived Its funny but the only cruiser I have that I was able to drive home is my parts truck.

 

[JohnnyC]

..I like the old school pleather key holder......

definitly an 'F and a Half' engine...and looks to be an oem key holder as well.

but all original except for the cb...i think NOT...there is a pair of floor mats ontop of the oem front floor mat ...they are not oem they look like old EMPI mats

great find...price was great!!

 

[mruff]

Looks decent for sitting in the yard for the amount of years it did. Good find. Good price.

 

[1911]

The hub caps are in good condition! Looks like another project for sure; have fun with it and I look forward to seeing what you guys do with it.

 

[hindsight]

The hub caps are in good condition! Looks like another project for sure; have fun with it and I look forward to seeing what you guys do with it.

Nope...the bottom of the hub caps were in contact with the dirt. Pretty rotten on the bottom. The Mongomery Ward tires have crumbled over time...I hope that the rims are still good...I have uses for them.

Doc

 

[hindsight]

BY the way, the discolration of the hood is not rust but rather a protective coat of lichen

 

[myquestoyota]

Wow! Nice to see you found something to do with your spare time. Keep you off the streets at night.
Looks like fun. Figures that a guy that builds storage would want a bigger canvas to work from.

 

[CruisinMT]

very cool!

 

[Bennett]

Rat Rod that sucker..........

 

[hindsight]

Certainly expands the concept of "Rust Bucket"

Doc

 

[numby]

Rat Rod that sucker..........

Thanks for that. Now I want to gouge my eyes out.

 

[Dudleyfj40]

I'll be watching, I'll get my finders fee at the next event.

 

[hindsight]

Some more pics...

Doc

 

[Dudleyfj40]

I think I owe you the beer, let me now when you tear into it. We have some motivated people here in iowa.

 

[aniket]

Subscribed to this thread. Hope you document the resto well, otherwise there's a lot I'll have to keep asking you