Builds My 1975 FJ40 Build

[ColtonPepper]

Hey guys! This is my first thread in MUD. I have visited the sight 100 times in the past but I wanted to finally make a profile and share my 40 with y’all!

Quick back story on the FJ40. My granddad had a 1979 40 before I was born and they always told me how solid of a rig it was. I remember bein a kid and havin a matchbox FJ40. It was my dream car!

Fast forward to September 2001. My dad and little brother had a terrible accident and were back and forth to the hospital in Durango Colorado for a number of days. Well on one of the trips back to Aztec, NM, where we lived at the time , we saw a white FJ40 sitting in the side of the road for sale. I had always dreamed of owning one and I knew my dad wanted one as well. Well, my dad and granddad bought it right then and there.

We shortly after that moved to Texas. We used her as a huntin rig in the ranch for 2-3 years and they gave me the title and the keys when I was 13. I am 28 now and have dreamed of the moment when I could start the build I have had planned for years.

I have made some great progress in the last few weeks so I wanted to share with y’all some of my progress and some pictures. Thank y’all and I hope y’all enjoy! The first pictures are what it looked like before I started.

 

[ColtonPepper]

The first thing I did when I brought it home to Las Cruces from Texas a while back is new battery, New gas, and a deep clean. It was dirty!

 

[ColtonPepper]

Then it was on to assessing what needed to be done and making a list! I needed to flip the bezel, check all the lights , wiring, fuses, oil, and start lookin for parts. I had 2 original 15” steelies that came with it when we originally bought it, I wanted 2 more the make a full set. The original wheels on 33s and a small lift is the build plan.

 

[ColtonPepper]

After figuring out what parts I needed , I remember coming across a FJ40 parts ad here in Las Cruces. I quickly looked him up and we planned to meet. Tim has a ton of FJ parts and is a wealth of knowledge on them as well. (MUD Username : MIKKLESEN ). After lookin over his multiple 40s and storage units full of parts , I ended up with a pair of 15” steelies , a Cruiser Corps tailgate, and some mint condition badges. Tim is also a great guy and I was stoked to meet another FJ enthusiast In town!

 

[ColtonPepper]

I then installed the badges, prepped the rear bumper, painted it black , cut off the bent ends of the front bumper, painted it black , and put some good floor mats in the front and back as I am driving her around Las Cruces a lot and havin fun in it as I’m workin on her. I also prepped and painted the grill mesh behind the bib and installed the new Toyota badge.

 

[ColtonPepper]

I have always loved the look of the factory 15” steel wheels and hub caps on These rigs , so I couldn’t wait to get that process started. I prepped the wheels, primed them , painted them black and cleared them. Then had the 31x10.50s I had already mounted on to them and installed! Totally changed the look of the rig!

 

[ColtonPepper]

More shots of the newly painted 15” steelies!

 

[ColtonPepper]

Once gettin that job completed , I turned my attention under the hood! She’s been runnin and drivin fine but I I needed to do a few things. I adjusted the carb a little, lubed up the choke cable , checked ignitor, replaced battery terminals, checked all grounds , replaced a few feet of wire and replaced all rubber hoses on the fuel lines. I also replaced the spark plugs tonight with New NGKs!

 

[ColtonPepper]

Here’s a quick shot I snagged of the 40 and my 2001 Ford Excursion Limited. Pretty solid pair !

 

[ColtonPepper]

Next on the list is :

2.5” lift shackles , new shocks, 33’s , (either KM2s or KOs), factory hub caps , reupholster the seats, and install a radio / speakers. I will continue to post here as I make progress on her and share pictures and videos as I go!

 

[Martyt]

Nice 40 Colton. You had me at having to flip the bezel as first priority. How about some pix of engine. We like pictures

 

[Cruiser Corps]

What a great solid rig! It’s next to impossible to find something that rust free! Keep the pics coming!
Mike

 

[TheHardWay]

Damn, CP, you one lucky sumbitch - great looking rig. If I see you around LC I'll flash the brights and honk

 

[ColtonPepper]

Thank you sir! I appreciate it! I’ll dedinitely post some 2F pics ASAP! @Martyt

You got it @Cruiser Corps ! Thanks Mike!!

Thanks man! I appreciate it! Hope to see you around! @LasCrucer

 

[bwalker16527]

Next on the list is :

2.5” lift shackles , new shocks, 33’s , (either KM2s or KOs), factory hub caps , reupholster the seats, and install a radio / speakers. I will continue to post here as I make progress on her and share pictures and videos as I go!

Take a look at the KM3s. Just put them on my 40 and love them.

 

[brian]

Cool another white 75

 

[ColtonPepper]

Cool another white 75

Yes sir!! Mines a April 75, all matching numbers 2F, 4 speed, Cygnus white, amby door rig

 

[ColtonPepper]

Here’s a couple more pictures of the 40. I replaced the master cylinder and slave cylinder last summer, brakes and booster seem pretty solid. This week, I’m goin to remove the air cleaner and sand it / prep it and paint it black. I’m also on the hunt for a replacement air cleaner hose and intake Horn. My ID tag on the fender states that it is in in fact , the original color. Code :012 also shows the A11 plant code for Japan. Pretty cool findin out all this information on my 40.

 

[ColtonPepper]

Got the 2.5” shackles added to the rear! It was saggin quite a bit back there so it helped a lot! May not add anything to the front right away.

 

[MaltbyPenn]

I've always been a fan of aftermarket rims, but I really like your steelies. It's got to be cheeper