I bought a 77 quite a few years ago from a guy whos daughter had backed it into the river. They pulled it out and let it sit, my guess 10+ years.
The body and frame were pretty rough. I had a friend weld some plate into the frame but that never really sat right with me. So along with that and me blowing my back out and life getting in the way, the FJ40 project got put on hold.
My wife and I were going to check out an event downtown and I came across a nicely restored (aluminum tub) FJ40 in a parking lot and the bug bit me. I did some searching and came across a guy selling a 71 and a 74 as a package deal. The 71 was just the frame, the 74 had the frame, axles, somewhat of a body. Most importantly he had a clean title. I was never able to get the 77 title as the previous died in a car accident.
Struck a deal with him and picked the both of them up this morning. The 74 and 77 are in storage about an hour away, the 71 frame is in my garage.
Neither the 71 or 74 came with a motor/transmission/transfer case but I have the transmission/transfer case from my 77. I also have a bunch of other parts that I had bought for the 77. Advanced Adapters bell housing for a small block Chevy, lifted springs and shackles, power steering from a 70s El Camino and a couple other items. I also have a decent set of 33x12.5 Swamper SSRs from a Bronco I used to have.
Im planning on "frankensteining" the 3 together to make one roadworthy FJ40.
The 77:
71 frame:
The spots that were pretty much gone on my 77 seem to be in pretty good condition on this frame:
Some spots I did notice:
The previous owner wasnt sure, but he thinks the owner before him had a small block in it:
Id like to put in a 350 with a TH350 trans. I have a pair of them sitting in storage as well, just dont have the adapter for the transfer case.
With a two month old it is going to take me time but at least I now have something to start working on. Not sure exactly where or what I am going to begin with but I'll figure something out and definitely open to advice or suggestions.
The body and frame were pretty rough. I had a friend weld some plate into the frame but that never really sat right with me. So along with that and me blowing my back out and life getting in the way, the FJ40 project got put on hold.
My wife and I were going to check out an event downtown and I came across a nicely restored (aluminum tub) FJ40 in a parking lot and the bug bit me. I did some searching and came across a guy selling a 71 and a 74 as a package deal. The 71 was just the frame, the 74 had the frame, axles, somewhat of a body. Most importantly he had a clean title. I was never able to get the 77 title as the previous died in a car accident.
Struck a deal with him and picked the both of them up this morning. The 74 and 77 are in storage about an hour away, the 71 frame is in my garage.
Neither the 71 or 74 came with a motor/transmission/transfer case but I have the transmission/transfer case from my 77. I also have a bunch of other parts that I had bought for the 77. Advanced Adapters bell housing for a small block Chevy, lifted springs and shackles, power steering from a 70s El Camino and a couple other items. I also have a decent set of 33x12.5 Swamper SSRs from a Bronco I used to have.
Im planning on "frankensteining" the 3 together to make one roadworthy FJ40.
The 77:
71 frame:
The spots that were pretty much gone on my 77 seem to be in pretty good condition on this frame:
Some spots I did notice:
The previous owner wasnt sure, but he thinks the owner before him had a small block in it:
Id like to put in a 350 with a TH350 trans. I have a pair of them sitting in storage as well, just dont have the adapter for the transfer case.
With a two month old it is going to take me time but at least I now have something to start working on. Not sure exactly where or what I am going to begin with but I'll figure something out and definitely open to advice or suggestions.
