Well I just couldn’t leave it. Somebody had to rescue this poor soul and that somebody is going to be me!
Mars FJ40 1966
- Thread starter Mars
- Start date
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- #2
I found it on craigslist, and probably paid too much but I just couldn’t leave it. Titled as 66, with a corrugated top. Motor is a mid 70s 2f with a 4speed. Two speed transfer case.
The good - it’s nearly rust free. Body is all there and the top is in great shape. Mechanically is operational, motor runs great and the trans/tc is rebuilt and tight. Brand new wiring harness throughout and everything works! Has an auxiliary fuel tank behind the rear axle that works. Power steering added recently that works ok.
The challenge - this truck has been used hard off-road at some point. It looks like it was built up maybe in the 90s for long trips. Then it was stripped down and put back together, rattle can sprayed black and here we are.
I know there is a beautiful truck in there somewhere.
That won’t do.
yuck
The good - it’s nearly rust free. Body is all there and the top is in great shape. Mechanically is operational, motor runs great and the trans/tc is rebuilt and tight. Brand new wiring harness throughout and everything works! Has an auxiliary fuel tank behind the rear axle that works. Power steering added recently that works ok.
The challenge - this truck has been used hard off-road at some point. It looks like it was built up maybe in the 90s for long trips. Then it was stripped down and put back together, rattle can sprayed black and here we are.
I know there is a beautiful truck in there somewhere.
That won’t do.
yuck
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Where did you find this?
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- #4
First order of business is to strip it down. Pulled the rack and bumpers and flares. I stopped counting at 220 holes drilled through the body! I got a ton of welding to do.
front frame hacked up
someone liked aluminum rivets.
Bifold door all there!
holes!!
fenders are cut bad
front frame hacked up
someone liked aluminum rivets.
Bifold door all there!
holes!!
fenders are cut bad
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- #5
craigslist! Nashville market
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- #6
Let the fun being. The grand plan is to get the paint taken care of first. The rest of the mechanical stuff is OK with a few things that need immediate attention. I’ve never done bodywork before, so I will be learning as I go! I have 1 million questions, hopefully this is the right place for this thread. I want this to be not a full restoration, but a very drivable slightly modified truck with a clean 65 body. I will leave the drivetrain, but swap out tires and wheels, trade out suspension for a small lift to run 33 inch skinnies.
I will be using the truck off road some, so I’m not looking for perfection. I do want it to be a good representation of a 65/66 body and lights. Most likely I will modify bumpers to something not very stock…
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Anybody know what this is?
one of many holes to fill
pup approved!
one of many holes to fill
pup approved!
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- #8
The previous owner bought this truck from California about five years ago. He was not very mechanical, did not drive it much and it sat in his driveway. I have a stack of his old receipts from SOR, it came from the Los Angeles area at a dealership.
Found the VIN tag behind the monster battery tray. It looks like this is a true 66, factory soft top with a 65 body put on it.
The dash is hacked up unfortunately.
Found the VIN tag behind the monster battery tray. It looks like this is a true 66, factory soft top with a 65 body put on it.
The dash is hacked up unfortunately.
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Body work - I need to fill holes, fab a new trans cover to fix this mess, reskin the passenger door, fix the rear sill rot, the patch the rear wheel wells. Parts are in the Mail from real steel.
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- #10
Can someone help me ID what trans and transfer case I’m looking at here?
And what’s this? Mounted on the front drive shaft output.
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- #11
Is this an original 66 front axle?
4WD indicator switch is what's mounted on the transfer case front drive output. Lights up green light in cab.
Axel looks to be correct, steering stabilizer is not correct.
Axel looks to be correct, steering stabilizer is not correct.
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- #13
Are any of these holes stock?
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- #14
or these?
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- #16
Writing on the inside calls it a “spring a spout”. No luck with google. 
Pictures of holes:
1: no
2: no
3: no , threaded holes yes, for door strike
4: yes , visor mount
5: four holes in back corner yes, FST bow bracket mount. Upper threaded holes i think are for jumpseat. Hole in door jam yes, for license plate light wiring.
6: upper threaded yes, other holes no
1: no
2: no
3: no , threaded holes yes, for door strike
4: yes , visor mount
5: four holes in back corner yes, FST bow bracket mount. Upper threaded holes i think are for jumpseat. Hole in door jam yes, for license plate light wiring.
6: upper threaded yes, other holes no
Nice truck. Glad your fixing it! I think the Spring Spout looks like a vintage RV freshwater fill port. Was there any kind of tank mountings inside of it? Save it.Writing on the inside calls it a “spring a spout”. No luck with google.
Looks like a metal version of one of these as @HelloKitty65 noted
Camco 37002 RV Flush Mount Fill Spout
The Camco Flush Mount Fill Spout is a great addition to your RV to either replace or upgrade your current fill spout and is designed to be flush against your RV once it is mounted.
www.rvupgradestore.com
