bwalker16527
1974 FJ40 SBC V8 350 TH400
Wow that is a bright red
Builds July 1976 FJ40 rebuilding/modifying/fabricating/cool pic thread
- Thread starter Robs76fj40
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- #22
Yeah... part of that was the smart-phone camera and part was the color. I don't think the long term "color-stay" is going to be what I want, so I'm moving away from that particular type/brand and color -somewhat. It will be red, just not that red. It won't be "tractor" paint either.
Freeborn red gets my vote!
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- #24
Well made more progress over the last few days. Kinda bouncing around a bit. Started at the driver's rear quarter, but then moved all the way down the passenger side to the cowl. I made the rear quarters out of 14 gauge drops, put them up with just the radius rolled in them, fit and tacked, then cut the wheel opening. The front toe boards are are salvaged and repaired. I bought, what I thought was going to be a complete front pan from the classifieds here, but when the box showed it was cut in half and had been removed with an Oxy/acetylene torch, poorly- to be polite about it. All the flanges were torched off.. it was total letdown to say the least... Anyway trying to save what I can.
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- #26
Got to love the old s***-grabbers!! 18R ViceGrips are sure getting a workout!! That is all....
You didn't want to buy a new tub? Looks like your replacing everything.
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- #28
Way, way too much money for a new tub, shipped to me. I the money I saves on all that is going into the LS swap, lift, etc..
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- #29
A very, VERY, muggy 88* and about 100% humidity, but managed to get out and get some progress made, really good progress really I think. Anyway, needed a Gatorade break and thought I’d snap a few photos and upload them quick. Hopefully more photos of more progress later tonight... stay tuned listeners!
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- #31
Wow, well its been a minute.. anyway suppose pics are always the order of the day. Got the frame back from the sandblasters and was really happy with the results. He even threw a coat of high zinc primer on for an extra $20, which blows me away that any professional shop does anything for twenty bucks anymore. Made a small repair in the front that I was super happy with the results and am trying to finish up the fuel tank install. Hopefully it won't be be a whole year until I post again...
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- #32
More pictures of the frame repair
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- #33
And here are some pics of the fuel tank placement... still kinda messing around here. May redo the shock mount to make more room. As it sits right now, I'll need to clearance the tank slightly to clear the shocks.
I missed this thread earlier. Good work and a lot of it. My heart goes out to anyone in Michigan trying to restore an FJ40. You are doing major justice to a truck most would have scrapped.
dmaddox
SILVER Star
Wow! My truck has surface rust compared to this. NICE WORK - major patience here. At least you have the space/lighting/tools to make this happen. I'm very jealous. Keep up the good work - we LandCruiser people....handy bunch, I'd say. Great post.
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- #37
Yes it is a Blazer tank, pump also. I removed the rear braces because of impacted rust, even after sandblasting and also for room to work. May put the oem parts back or, more likely, just fab up new parts.
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- #38
Thanks for the kind words. A lot of sentimental value with this truck, so that helps, also pretty dammed stubborn which is both a curse and a blessing.
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- #39
My "shop", as it is, is only 28' wide by 22' deep. Tight, but I'm making it work. You have to stay on top of junk collecting that's for sure! I need to do a better job,baby steps..lol Thanks,though for the encouragement and kind words.
RE: Michigan rust. I saw my first FJ40 in real life when I was in high school, in Midland, Michigan in about 1981-1982. It had ambulance doors, but already had a grapefruit-sized rust hole in the rear fender and was rusty all over. At this point, this truck couldn't have been more than 7-8 years old. It was vehicles like the FJ40 that gave Toyota the reputation it had in Michigan for being rust buckets.
