Just bought my first 40 and looking for ideas on where to start...

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give it a good scrub bleed the brakes, change fluids, put in heated seat pads off ebay like 50 bucks... drive it all winter spring and summer take the top off and get a soft top for easier put on and off when you have the soft top off restore the hardtop to make sure you and the wife can get along with it then trestore the doors, then the body later but drive it in the mean time while you are restoring the removable parts.
 
Cool find!

If the body is truly hopeless, consider getting it driveable, having some fun with it, and then looking for another truck to restore. Just because it's the first one you found, doesn't always mean it is the best one to restore. Being a '76, it has disk brakes and other goodies, and could be an excellent donor truck if you find another truck that needs updating. Keep some perspective and don't get depressed about all the work it needs!
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Be sure to give us an AFTER picture when you have it demossed and cleaned up.
 
Toyota Techs(Johnny and Mark) in Fort Mill off of 21 business. Best around. send me an email i will help you out and get you on your way to establishing your list of things to do. I am guessing a new carb, tune up, and fluid flush is in order to get the truck runnin first.


nice find! i cant wait to see it in person.

Join us in the ONSC club section. great group eager to help. Lots of 40s in our club too.
 
the gimpey one said:
Definitely join olde north state cruisers!! That club is super active and i assure you would jump all over that thing as long as parts and beer floweth!!
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see. this guy knows us pretty well. lol :beer:

Definitely give us a look. we're always here to help. There is a pretty good about of fellas in the CLT area too.

There has been some pretty good advice. As tempting as it is to tear it all down. I would suggest driving it some first while you figure out the direction you want to take. And welcome aboard. :flipoff2:

NC- Olde North State Cruisers
 
Thanks guys. I certainly appreciate the insight. I'll be looking for Toyota Techs in Fort Mill. Appreciate the heads up. Now to figure out how to upload more photos of the 40 "de-dingled". I put the pressure washer on her yesterday and blew off the moss. The blue is still coming through. Anyone know the actual name of this color?
 
skidplate said:
Just get it running and stopping, change fluids, give it a tune up and drive it. Too many people start by tearing them apart and then they loose interest, go broke ,and end up years later selling them as basket cases. Drive it and enjoy it, then decide which way you want to go with it. my .02. Welcome to your best resource on Landcruisers!
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X2:steer:
 
nice old Bellevue winch you've got on it :) love the old school

look foward to seeing your build :)

welcome to MUD
 
My advice would sound like the others here... get it to run and stop, then find the steepest hill you can find and climb it....:steer:

I guarantee you will not be able to wipe the grin off your face:eek:

Oh, and welcome to the addiction... :flipoff2:
 
Step One: Invest in your favorite penetrating lube. I am not a fan of WD40, but PB Blaster and Sea Foam Deep Creep have been my friend for those rusty bolts screws etc... Breaking/stripping those will make you hate life with extracting and rethreading holes. Spray the bolts screws etc... well before you attack them with tools and let it sit for a day or so, then go at it.

All the other ideas given here are a good prescription for success and subsequently fun with your new rig.

Looks like your patience has paid off and you are well on your way to a fulfillilng project.

By the way what are those "T" handles on the driver side kick panel? It looks like a Warn logo on the plate. Winch controls maybe? Snow plow stuff?
 
After a good clean, when the weather in nice!
Get a gallon or two of Phosphoric acid and a cheap knotted wire wheel. go too town on the rust, and either oil spray to keep it at bay or do some patch panel work and a 2 part epoxy paint system that I would just brush or roll on... Don't bother with rust paints, as the acid will do a far better job eating up rust rather then painting over it!

I would definitely agree not to take it all apart right away... Time will tell how much it will need...
 
I would take my time starting the engine. Seems most old cruisers were parked because rust was so bad or something broke and never got repaired. This was a low mileage cruiser that the PO died. It may have been in great shape mechanically when parked. I would pour one of those additives down the cylinders and let it soak. Then drain and flush the gas tank. Once started I would make 100% sure the temperature and oil pressure gauges worked. Won't be surprised to see the water pump leak after setting so long. You also want to make sure you have good oil pressure. I would expect to be changing fuel filter on a regular bases. Like others mention change all your fluids. Just keep a close on your engine. Thats the one biggest thing that will keep you from enjoying your new cruiser because it will cost you the most to redo.
 
Start at the ground and work your way up!. Be prepared to replace everything. When you are done you will have a magnificent ride!
 
mate i dont belive scraping it because of the body, my suggestion would be:

-Buy yourself a decent MIG welder (not gasless)
-practice stick welding on some sheet metal same thickness, read up on welding car bodys (main thing is to not overheat the metal which will cause it to warp.)
-start taking off 1 panel at a time and start replacing all the rusted areas.

its not that difficult with a little practice, its very rewarding also, but first things first, drain all oils, fuids, everything, bleed everything, fill her up and get the car running, if it dosnt run then its not much use to you.... with only 44k miles, the outside may look a little rough but the inside will be great and thats what counts....
 
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