My 1971 FJ40 Build Thread

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The story with the 40 is that it was in one family since 1971 and was towed from WA to MT and back each year and used at the family's hunting camp.

It's supposed to be nearly 100% original

I'm buying it from the 2nd owner who just picked it up, and put new wheels on etc before flipping it.
 
Wow. Clean and clean. I wouldn't do anything to it but drive and preserve and constantly be on the lookout for any light rust starting.

What month was it built? Mine is a 9/71.
 
Beautiful Cruiser!!! Nothing to do there except drive it.

Everything is correct including the 4 piece bench seat. Later 71s and 72s had the 5 piece bench seats but 70 and early 71 have your exact seats.

Really nice find
 
swamp-thing said:
Just cover that silver duct tape on the seat with some black and you're good to go!
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There's 2 spots on the seats with tape - one spot on the drivers seat where a seam has started to split, and on the top of the passenger seat - I was told that the hole came from a deer antler during one of their Montana trips.
 
Some updates. Carb needs to be rebuilt. Brakes are shot. Steering is very loose.

I took it over to Landcruiser Specialties up here for the carb and brakes. I'm gonna take a stab at the steering myself once I get it back and re-evaluate everything. It needs new tie rod ends and I assume a few other things down there.
 
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I too have a bone stock 71 (although mine needs a restoration) that I purchased from the second owner who owned it since 73 or so. Like yours, mine has the original white steelie wheels. I've read numerous posts that say the wheels were supposed to be grey in 71. Was the wheel color an option or is this a build date thing?
 
BigDogg said:
I too have a bone stock 71 (although mine needs a restoration) that I purchased from the second owner who owned it since 73 or so. Like yours, mine has the original white steelie wheels. I've read numerous posts that say the wheels were supposed to be grey in 71. Was the wheel color an option or is this a build date thing?
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SB grey. White came in to play with the spoke rims in 79.
 
Yeah, the white wheels aren't original. They were just purchased but they're supposed to be oem.

And thanks for the compliments. I'm hoping to get the rig back by end of week and hopefully it'll be a trusty DD while I get some work done on my fj60!!!
 
sitesbyjoe said:
I placed it'd birth at June 1971 and was just reading about the different benches for that year last night while skimming through all the FJ40 FAQ threads. I THINK that the early half of the year got the 2 seat bench then it changes mid-year to the 3 seats which lines up with the number - if that's correct.
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correct - the 3 back bench was only installed for a little more than a year or so

you'll love the 40 more than the 60 in no time :flipoff2:
 
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Been a long time since I’ve posted anything!

I had a lot of work done to the 40 since it’s been in my possession including:

* New radiator and hoses throughout
* Emergency brake redone
* All drum brakes and lines replaced
* And more

This work was done by Tim at Landcruiser Specialties in Oregon City, OR. He did a beautiful job as coming photos will show.
 
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