Builds My Hawaiian 1975 Fj40 Resto-resurrection (1 Viewer)

[Aloha Jen]

Aloha Mud family! This thread will hopefully chronicle my adventures in bringing this neglected 40 back to life. This is how it looked when it was pushed/rolled into my driveway a few weeks back:

This spot is reserved for an updated photo for if and when we can get it back to some of its former glory:






We (referring to Myself and Mr. AlohaJen) were not really looking for another Land Cruiser project. But had seen this 40 for sale on Craigslist, bought and sold two different times over the last year and a half. When we saw it pop up a third time on Craigslist at a fraction of the original asking price, we decided to buy it! It wasn't running, the PO had told the next PO that the engine had run dry and seized up. The PO we bought it from had not attempted to start it since he bought it and had sat in his carport the last year. So we had it towed from Town to our place on the north shore.
From Town...

Through the country....

To its new home in Haleiwa!

This 40 is a rusty hot mess! Because of its neglect, especially the spread of cancerous rust, this 40 was probably destined for the scrap yard. The PO said some guys made an offer right before us, but that they just wanted the axles and wheels and were going to junk the rest of it. Luckily he didn't take their offer, and was happy to hear we were going to try and save it!

 

[Aloha Jen]

It has a ton of potential, it just needs a little love to help it come back!! Here is a walk around tour of what we are starting with....

The build plan is still in the works and we are still deciding the direction for it. But first to go will be those hideous wheels and bumpers!

 

[Aloha Jen]

The interior was in the same sad condition as the exterior. But there is plenty to work with inside with a little elbow grease and rust repair. I think the disco blue rear drop down seats will have to go. Cushions seem to be ok, so may just need to get some new covers for them.

It will be a ton of work, but really looking forward to digging in to it and making the interior pretty again!

 

[cruiserkev]

Great job saving that awesome FJ40 and best of luck rebuilding it.

 

[TractorDoc]

Looks like a great start!

Welcome to the 40 side. . . I imagine one of the disadvantages to living on an island paradise is limited options when it comes to finding a 40 project; good on you for giving this one a chance. I'd chuck those taillights too in addition to the wheels/bumpers.

Looking forward to what is to come. . .

 

[White Stripe]

Whew that needs a lot of work. How about some pics of the frame? B4 you do much of anything besides cleaning it up I would recommend figuring out what direction you want to go with it, and what parts of it are useable/salvageable, or sellable. I agree the wheels are pretty bad, but hey, at least they roll. Thats more than how some projects start out lol.

 

[Michael B]

Jen I would recommend buying the last pair of new front fenders that Roger has on his web site (City Racer LLC)

 

[westy]

Subscribed, can't wait to see what direction you take.

 

[Aloha Jen]

Looks like a great start!

Welcome to the 40 side. . . I imagine one of the disadvantages to living on an island paradise is limited options when it comes to finding a 40 project; good on you for giving this one a chance. I'd chuck those taillights too in addition to the wheels/bumpers.

Looking forward to what is to come. . .

Yes, living in the middle of the ocean definitely makes for limited available 40 projects! As well as finding spare parts, lack of a land cruiser community, and shipping any items over the size of a flat rate box!!
But we make do here. Plus there are a couple upsides to living here.....like beautiful scenic views

....warm clear water

....waterfalls in the forest

....secluded beaches

....and the sunsets aren't so bad!

Whew that needs a lot of work. How about some pics of the frame? B4 you do much of anything besides cleaning it up I would recommend figuring out what direction you want to go with it, and what parts of it are useable/salvageable, or sellable. I agree the wheels are pretty bad, but hey, at least they roll. Thats more than how some projects start out lol.

Frame is actually pretty solid. A couple problem areas that will need some work, but really decent condition compared to the body.

Jen I would recommend buying the last pair of new front fenders that Roger has on his web site (City Racer LLC)

Well, he must have sold the last pair because I didn't see them on his site. Plus, I can imagine shipping would be a little scary on those! So, I will have to work with what I've got.

 

[Aloha Jen]

The VIN plate on the door frame is in pretty rough shape. It is registered as a 1975, and appears to be June or January. Any experts know if they abbreviated Jun for June?

And this sticker was left under the hood by the PO during their swanky black spray paint job. But no other vin or info plates can be found in the engine bay.

One moldy owners manual without a cover left by the PO. Most the pages are stuck together, so it may not be salvageable.

Steering wheel is in decent shape. I've never seen one with this red colored center cap. Is this the one that came with the 1975 year?

All the glass is Toyota and looks to be in decent shape. Some of the weatherstripping will have to be replaced.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Hi, The 40 will be a fun project. There should be plenty of help on the islands with all the military machinists . Soak the cylinders with some oil for a week and then try to break the engine free...who knows. Mike

 

[Michael B]

Jen the red center cap button is correct for 75'

 

[ginmtb]

June 1975 based on VIN. I have the red logo on both my 74 and 75.

 

[thebigredrocker]

Hopefully you guys can wake up the engine. Here’s a good thread on un-seizing. Sad day, seized F motor

 

[brian]

the tub seems to be in surprisingly good shape.

 

[White Stripe]

Need some pics of the cancerous spots on the tub to see how bad it is and how much work it would be to save the tub. Does the cowl area have any cancer? I have a feeling their are some bondo surprises under the peeling paint.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Maybe buy this Kaneohe FJ62 with a lot of good parts. 1989 Toyota Land Cruiser Truck FJ62 Classic

You could use the engine, part out the rest and not come out too bad. Just a thought....

 

[Aloha Jen]

Hi, Soak the cylinders with some oil for a week and then try to break the engine free...who knows. Mike

Hopefully you guys can wake up the engine. Here’s a good thread on un-seizing. Sad day, seized F motor

You could use the engine, part out the rest and not come out too bad. Just a thought....

I appreciate all the suggestions, but you guys are responding faster then I can post. Part of the sale of this non running rusty 40 was the last PO bought another running 2F engine, but decided to abandon the project before putting it in. So this was part of the package deal:

The PO bought it from a guy who pulled it from a '77. Said it was running good, just needed a new water pump. Who knows if it runs or not, but we will put it in and see if it works. For how little we paid for everything, the extra engine is really just a bonus.

Since we got the spare motor, we figured it wouldn't hurt or do any more damage to see if the seized engine would start up. We cleaned up the battery terminals, put some oil in it, and tuned the key. We recorded it just for fun:

Started right up, which we were both super surprised about, who knows how long that gas had been in there or how dirty it was! But with the pretty noticeable knocking sound, we decided to not let it run too long. Just wanted to see if the knocking sound was more pronounced in one particular area of the engine. Maybe between the two 2F engines we can get one good one up and running!!

 

[Aloha Jen]

Maybe buy this Kaneohe FJ62 with a lot of good parts. 1989 Toyota Land Cruiser Truck FJ62 Classic.

That's funny, we have been looking at that one for a while! It's started at 6k last year and has come down to $2500 last time i checked. It's a really good price, and I would love to add a 62 to the collection....but it's just soooo rusted out in really bad areas (like the roof) and thankfully we don't have the space for it. Otherwise it would probably be in our driveway now!

 

[franklin40]

Maybe buy this Kaneohe FJ62 with a lot of good parts. 1989 Toyota Land Cruiser Truck FJ62 Classic

You could use the engine, part out the rest and not come out too bad. Just a thought....

seeing jens other builds i don’t think she’s end up parting it out. she’s end up having another awesome 60 series when all is said and done with!