Intro

[TexasRoach]

Howdy from Houston. Just joined and I'm looking forward to the interaction...I have a lot to learn.

My dad passed away last year and I inherited his "74 FJ40. I have some great memories of that vehicle. Dad was a "car guy" through and through but wasn't great about passing on that knowledge so I'll be leaning on the community to help me as I get the beast back into fighting condition. He was the second owner and picked it up in "76. He dropped in the Chevy 350 shortly after he purchased it. In the last few years the things I know that he did were to put in a new exhaust system, new radiator fan, fabricated and installed a legitimate roll bar (attached to the frame), some body work, and put in a new stereo. He also purchased a new set of tires and designed a radiator fan shroud that needs to be fabricated. Some of this can be seen in the photos, but not all. The work he did was excellent--he was a meticulous-as-hell engineer--but he was in his 70s so the work was certainly not speedy.

We're still finishing the probate process so I don't have the vehicle yet. When I get it my plan is to finish up the body work and paint and get it back on the road. I've gone back and forth on whether to keep the bikini top on it or get the side panels and roof put back on. He may still have the side panels but I haven't seen them for a long time. He has the roof but I think it may be in rough shape. Right now I'm leaning toward getting the hard top back on. It runs and is drivable at this point but needs some engine tune up work...usually takes a shot of starting fluid to get it fired up.

As I said, I lack the knowledge, tools and skill set to do the work myself so I'll be looking for someone in the Houston area to help me get the work done and I'll be leaning on y'all to help me make good decisions! I'll also state up front that I'm a forums rookie, so apologies in advance for any novice buffoonery you see from me. Thanks in advance...looking forward to the process.

 

[workingdog]

Welcome. Beautiful cruiser. I'm glad you have something of your fathers to stay connected to.

 

[coonassjohn]

Welcome to the forum. I need to tell you that mechanic shops have a special rate for Landcruisers and it ain't good. Most places will try to take advantage of you especially if they know you're a novice. I wouldn't sell yourself short in the capabilities department. There is ample help on this forum and you don't need a shop full of tools. Give yourself more credit, your wallet will appreciate it.

 

[TexasRoach]

@coonassjohn Thanks for the welcome and vote of confidence. I’ll definitely be looking to do anything I can myself with the forum’s assistance. When I get the vehicle I’ll be talking to the shop that did my buddy’s CJ resto. He was happy with them and it came out great.

 

[1911]

And it's the right color, too!

Welcome to Mud, but I'm afraid those wheels will have to go - I hope you're not sentimentally attached to them.

 

[pb4ugo]

Welcome, sorry for your loss. It looks like he left you a fine 40. A little paint and your about done. It sounds like your choke or accelerator pump went out on the quadrajet.

And it's the right color, too!

Welcome to Mud, but I'm afraid those wheels will have to go - I hope you're not sentimentally attached to them.

Those wheels are fine. They would be period correct.

 

[TexasRoach]

Welcome, sorry for your loss. It looks like he left you a fine 40. A little paint and your about done. It sounds like your choke or accelerator pump went out on the quadrajet.



Those wheels are fine. They would be period correct.

@pb4ugo Appreciate it. As for the wheels, Dad’s plan was to get the ribs polished up to contrast with the matte hue on the rest of the wheel.

 

[1911]

Those wheels are fine. They would be period correct.

As for the wheels, Dad’s plan was to get the ribs polished up to contrast with the matte hue on the rest of the wheel.

Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. It's your truck; you get to do whatever you want with it. Cool to have something that substantial/memorable to remember your dad by in any event.

 

[SteveH]

While I dislike non-stock wheels, those are vintage '70s rims. I'd keep them on the truck, or at least not donate them to Goodwill. The white-letter out wheels is also nicely 1970s, and the Per-Lux driving lights are vintage.

I would clean that up, put a bikini top on it for this summer, and enjoy the heck out of it. An EFI conversion might only cost about 2x what it will cost to get a good running carburetor on there, and will provide much more starting/running satisfaction on hot days. EFI should provide turn-key performance so you can enjoy the truck, rather than fiddling with it more than you'd like. Many EFI kits are not that difficult to install, so you might consider doing that yourself, when the time comes.

I took my father on a few 'wheeling trips in Colorado, and those trips meant a great deal to him, and I. Glad you have some good father/Cruiser memories to work with.

 

[umpqua]

Looks good. You're starting with the correct bezel placement so you can be thankful for that.

Nice connection to your dad. Enjoy.

 

[TexasRoach]

So here's the latest. I just finished the 1100 mile trip from Dayton, OH to Houston trailering the Cruiser to its new home. I ran across what looks to be most of the parts for the hard top, should I decide to get it put back on, but for now I plan to get one of the Trollhole/Julie tops as referenced in the Factory FJ40 Soft Tops thread.

Below are some photos.

 

[TexasRoach]

More pics

 

[TexasRoach]

Spare

 

[TexasRoach]

So as for the roof...obviously Dad had zero intention of ever putting it back on...because he was literally using it as a sled to haul brush behind his riding lawnmower Which would also explain why he left all of the hard top parts sitting outside year-round in OHIO! Note the fine craftsmanship done on the pop-riveted aluminum bars on either side of it. I had already removed the anchoring system and steel cable.

 

[TexasRoach]

And I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what these are. The largest is, I presume, what goes between the side panels and attaches the lift-gate window. The others?

Is any of it still viable from what you can tell?

 

[TexasRoach]

Finally, lift-gate panel.

 

[Billsboat]

Welcome from DFW!

 

[cbmontgo]

Great story and FJ40.

That top is rough, but I’d hang onto it and stick it in the attic somewhere. Parts are getting harder to find and it’s cool that you’ve still got the original one. Worst case, make a wall ornament out of some of it.

 

[thebigredrocker]

If you get to a point where you pull the tranny hump to mess with the transmission. You can get a FJ60 top plate the just bolts on to your H42 and will move the shifter out from under the heater. I got one from Georg at Valley Hybrids. My understanding is not all FJ60 top plates will work, has to be from a certain year.

 

[TexasRoach]

@thebigredrocker

If you get to a point where you pull the tranny hump to mess with the transmission. You can get a FJ60 top plate the just bolts on to your H42 and will move the shifter out from under the heater.

Thanks for the tip!