Hindsights FJ55 Rat Rod (1 Viewer)

[hindsight]

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

Yep, I think you do...You probably dodged the bullet when I bought it before you did. It had to be drug onto the hauler. The wheels would not turn, not sure if it was due to the tires, brakes or locked up axles. It will be going on the hoist today....I am nervous to see what time and exposure has done to it.

Doc

 

[pavieSD]

That tread pattern on your spare tire is exactly like my original stock spare. Looks like it's been sitting under that rig since it came off the factory floor. You have your work cut out for you!

 

[hindsight]

Not looking good...cannot turn the engine over by hand. put some oil down the cylinders and will let it soak for a few days.

Doc

 

[My71FJ40]

Even the original spare tire...Nice

 

[hindsight]

WoooHooo! It runs and rolls....mechanic just called to give me the lowdown. The reason that it would not roll was because the brake linings had fallen apart over time. Gas tank is shot. Radiator is still good. I will find out more on Monday.:bigthumb:

Doc

 

[baldredhead]

WoooHooo! It runs and rolls....mechanic just called to give me the lowdown. The reason that it would not roll was because the brake linings had fallen apart over time. Gas tank is shot. Radiator is still good. I will find out more on Monday.:bigthumb:

Doc

it runs!?

amazing

 

[hindsight]

More pics...she is not looking too bad underneath.

Everyone at the shop is amazed that the old girl started up on the 4th turn of the motor after 20 (ish) years :bigthumb:

Doc

 

[hindsight]

Here is the beauty actually standing on some real rubber in a bunch of years...can't drive it yet, we are going to swap out the master cylinder from the old FJ40 tub and put it into the FJ55.

I sprayed the door hinges with WD40 last week....seems to have worked pretty well. Everything opens pretty nicely.

Now I just need to find a gas tank and a rear window.

Doc

 

[hindsight]

Well, after a 3 hour drive I was able to source a decent gas tank for the Rat Rod....well...sort of. It has a rust hole in the top but otherwise seems solid.

I dropped it off at the local radiator shop and they are going to attempt to weld the hole. If that works, then they will clean it out and coat the inside. Crossing my fingers that this works.

I also found some door panel outlines that someone kindly copied and transferred to a CAD program...I passed this download onto my engineer who is going to make me some cutouts. It looks like there will be a bit of work for fitting and I may add to some MPAC racks to the rear (could have predicted that...huh ) to improve storage a bit. I think that 16 gauge steel should work nicely.

First things first though....still working on roadworthy.

Doc

 

[alaska60]

It really looks good for sitting for so many years. You must be really excited that it fired! I would be.....

 

[SteveH]

Good job on a Pig rescue!

 

[The Jade Bean]

Subscribed...Good Work!

 

[hindsight]

Rust hole fixed, they sealed the outside of the tank with what appears to be a POR15 type paint. They said the inside was great so it was not coated.

I should have a streetable FJ55 by Tuesday!

Doc

 

[myquestoyota]

Go pick up that free one in NY while your out and about. Probably has some parts you need.

 

[hindsight]

She runs and is home, now is the time to start working on all of the little things like getting the windows and heat working.

Fist I tackled the rear window tailgate combo...since I could not get the plexiglass to roll down....the universal tool (Hammer) was used to gently clear the area.

The motor would not actuate and was eventually tracked down to a faulty door sensor. I wired that into a loop and now the window motor will work with the door in any position.

Now that the motor works...well, the mechinism does not. I fgured that the little plastic gear had self destructed (which they are famous for) but was surprised to find that it was not there AT ALL!

One more bit of unobtainium to add to the list

Doc

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Lots of rust. Does Iowa salt their roads? I remember 50 gallon drums of rock salt dropped off on steep hills in Omaha for residents to shovel onto the pavement. On the way home from school we'd swipe a piece to lick.

 

[Zang469]

Salt and other deicer things they spray on the bridges.

 

[toyotology]

This makes me miss my '71 kansas field find. Nebula green but with the same patina.

 

[erics]

Doc - thoughts of xmas ham make me wonder what's new with the piggie?

 

[71AZFJ]

More Pics. Keep them coming.