My '72 FJ40 Rebuild

[My72FJ40]

Hi, I have been looking at this forum intensely and have been a member for a year today. I have to say, this forum is a must for fixing these rigs up.

I picked up a 1972 FJ40 in July of 2011 as my first car, I am 16 currently. I am very happy that I have made it my first car. We drove by it for the first time. The 40 was up the road about 20 miles from my house. My dad and I rode up there to go take a better look.

The 40 had a rebuilt F with a Weber Carb and the rear end had been rebuilt. It had the hardtop and the PO had a roll bar, the rear heater, the original carb and air cleaner, new badges, original mirrors, new temperature gauge sender, new barn doors, spare tire carrier with spare tire and a bestop for it. The 40 was in great shape except for the paint was bubbled up in some spots, the barn doors had rusted out and the hardtop had rusted out on the bottom rail around the back corners on both sides, which was not bad at all.

I will post pics next post.

I purchased this 40 a year ago today.

 

[My72FJ40]

Pics

What it looked like when i brought it home and gave it a wash. It was resprayed in Chevy Orange. It's original color is Freeborn Red. [STRIKE]which it will be painted in at the end.[/STRIKE] It'll actually be painted Forest Green.

 

[My72FJ40]

Removal--Hardtop

The drivetrain was in excellent shape, (had to replace speedometer cable), so I went straight to the body work and hardtop. I took the Hardtop off a week after I got it home, to fix the holes (which aren't fixed yet, they have been put off 'til i get the body work done). I also took the barn doors off the back because they had rusted out.

 

[DSRTRDR]

drive it some - enjoy

 

[My72FJ40]

Installation--Bestop

I put the bestop on the day after I took the hard top off. I didn't really like the look but it protected the 40. Catastrophically, March of this year, after winter storage, I ripped the bestop and severely bent one of the bows. I didn't raise the garage door all the way, hence I ran into it. The mirrors are down because I put the windshield down.

 

[My72FJ40]

Body Work--Started

Then, last Sunday, I started the bodywork. I used ZipStrip to take the left and right rear quarter panels down to metal. Looks like the PO replaced the back 1/4 of each quarter panel, which left a 1/8 inch dip and weld on each side. Then the spot welds from the factory started to rust and bubble.

 

[My72FJ40]

Putting on Bondo--Right Rear Quarter Panel

Then last Friday, I started doing the thing I regretted the most, putting on bondo.


Zipstripped


Layer 1


Layer 2

 

[My72FJ40]

Putting on Bondo--Left Rear Quarter Panel

Then, yesterday, I started putting bondo on the other side.


Layers 1 and 2

 

[My72FJ40]

Putting on Bondo--Right Rear Quarter Panel

Hey, I'm back, I went on a 2 week vacation to my grandparents' house and have been really busy. I finally got working on it again today.


Layer 3

 

[My72FJ40]

Putting on Bondo--Left Rear Quarter Panel

It seems that the left side was more cobbled because a lot more bondo had to be used.


Layer 3


Layer 4


Layer 5

 

[My72FJ40]

Removal--Left and Right Sidesteps

I removed the Sidesteps to get them powder-coated. Removal was quite easy, due to the PO using new hardware but they used black caulk, which was hard to scrape off. Also started to take a peek at what work was ahead. A lot of rust and one rust hole was discovered.


Left Side. (That seat has a nasty tear and has no foam in it, a necessity to be fixed.)


Right Side.

 

[My72FJ40]

Putting on Bondo--Finished Product

Finished up the Bondo today. Looks nicer than the pictures. It's now waiting for the Glaze/Spot Putty.


Left Side.


Right Side.

 

[My72FJ40]

Well, its been a long time since I've been on here. I kind of go dormant in the winter. We don't have a heated garage so all of my work is ceased til spring.

 

[rockcod]

Great to see the younger crowd getting into the mix!! The 40 is looking good, keep after it and dont get discouraged, but beware, these are never ending, money sucking projects.

 

[My72FJ40]

@rockcod Yes. I love them! It was love at first sight. I've spent a little on it, but I can see a pricey future.

 

[redsonja]

Cool rig.

Way better than my first vehicle. Anxious to see ur build

 

[My72FJ40]

@redsonja Yeah. I hope to finish it before the beginning of summer.

 

[redsonja]

Post lots of pics please!

 

[My72FJ40]

@redsonja I will, I promise. You can't explain your rebuild without pictures.

 

[My72FJ40]

Catching Up

Long time since I've been on here and I am ready to bring this thread back to life! Let's catch up...

Since last summer, I got a 1996 Saturn SL2 as a daily driver and have been working on it lately a lot, putting the 40 in the background. I thought about it everyday this summer and got my self to it. I can't work during spring because I'm in school and weekends are loaded busy. Then 2 weeks ago, I got back from Florida and now I am not busy. Ready to work again!