Builds My Hawaiian 1975 Fj40 Resto-resurrection

[Aloha Jen]

Ok, back to business. One issue I was having with my original carb (even after full rebuild), was some annoyingly long starts. It would always start, just might take 25 seconds of cranking. Decided to take a risk on one of the cheap Chinese clone carbs. I know from my research that these can be hit or miss, and the long term viability is unknown… but probably not very long.
But, I must say, after installing one on my 40 it starts every time after just a couple cranks. That’s even if it’s been sitting for two week, starts right up. It was tuned acccording to the service manual and Ottrams YouTube channel tutorial (which is awesome). Purrs like a kitten now and starts right away every time. Very happy with my results, I just hope it lasts!!

And a bonus glamour shots since it’s so dang beautiful!!

 

[Aloha Jen]

Couple of shots done for Classic Cruisers.

 

[Aloha Jen]

Loaded up for some background use on the Timberland Clothing summer campaign. Will be exciting to see the final shots from it.

 

[Aloha Jen]

Some topless and roll bar free fun!

 

[Aloha Jen]

Some finished shots from the Reyn Spooner Aloha Shirt company. I may be biased, but my 40 sure does steal all the attention!

 

[Aloha Jen]

Fun Photoshoot for Pakaloha Bikini Co.

 

[Aloha Jen]

Found an old school ARB bumper locally at a house 10 mins away from me. Got it for next to nothing, I think the guy just wanted it gone, even came with a winch (but don’t know if it works). It needs some cleanup for sure, but nothing we can’t handle.

Decided not to use it on the ‘75 40, as we really like the stockish nature of nearly everything on it. Instead, we have a ‘78 40 that that is waiting for some restoration love (and our poverty pack 80 series that is currently being worked on), so the ARB bumper will be stored on the front end of that until its turn.

Looks pretty good on the front of it, really beefs up that front end!

Also, scored me one of the best deals in the Toyota parts world…hands down one of the best $17 dollars I’ve spent at the dealership ever! Not sure how they even make money on it…it’s cost me $7 alone for a good pack of zip ties here in Hawaii! Hopefully it will be installed shortly, if not on the ‘75 then the ‘78 will get it.

 

[Aloha Jen]

Some artistic Cruiser shots from earlier this winter. Winter in Hawaii just means we have a bit more rain then in the summer, but it’s still 85 degrees most days in winter here on the north shore of Oahu.

There’s a Land Cruiser back there somewhere…

 

[Aloha Jen]

Took a little trip to the mainland for a wedding. Since the wedding was in Utah, decided to check off one of my life goals from my list and go to the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum. It did not disappoint, the collection there was unbelievable! But I was a little bummed because the lady in the front mentioned that we missed Dan Busey by about 20 minutes. That would have been the icing on the cake to meet and talk with him in person, but he wasn’t feeling well and went home sick. But, was still an awesome experience going there!

This 1965 green Fj45LV was one of my favorites, would be my dream to have one like this!! Just one of many in the collection that had such a great story behind it.

 

[Aloha Jen]

Another highlight was the newest addition that didn’t even have a space in the line yet! It was really cool to see this in person, as I followed thier journey on Social media when they were travelling across the world with it. Super cool to see inside as well, but must have been super cramped quarters for two adults in that thing for years!

I really wanted to try on some of the vintage Toyota jackets and the Japanese fire man foil outfits, but sadly, they said no.

We topped the trip to the museum off with a visit to Cruiser Outfitters just down the road from the museum. We needed some OME leaf spring bushings from them, so dropped by to get them instead of shipping to Hawaii since we were the neighborhood. I was also looking forward to meeting and talking with the owner Kurt, but sadly he was in a meeting when I was there. So struck out twice in 2 hours with meeting a couple of LC icons on my short trip to Utah…next time I suppose.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Took a little trip to the mainland for a wedding. Since the wedding was in Utah, decided to check off one of my life goals from my list and go to the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum. It did not disappoint, the collection there was unbelievable! But I was a little bummed because the lady in the front mentioned that we missed Dan Busey by about 20 minutes. That would have been the icing on the cake to meet and talk with him in person, but he wasn’t feeling well and went home sick. But, was still an awesome experience going there!
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This 1965 green Fj45LV was one of my favorites, would be my dream to have one like this!! Just one of many in the collection that had such a great story behind it.
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Great photos, as usual. It would really be a treat to walk the aisles there. I will take the red and white LV behind you, thanks!

 

[120mm]

Great photos, as usual. It would really be a treat to walk the aisles there. I will take the red and white LV behind you, thanks!

I twice decided not to go in my FJ40 when I was within a couple hours, and now regret it

 

[Andrew S]

Always cool to see photos of the museum! Thanks for sharing, Jen.

But I was a little bummed because the lady in the front mentioned that we missed Dan Busey by about 20 minutes.

I was also looking forward to meeting and talking with the owner Kurt, but sadly he was in a meeting when I was there. So struck out twice in 2 hours with meeting a couple of LC icons on my short trip to Utah…next time I suppose.

Imagine how disappointed Dan and Kurt must be!

 

[msapers]

@Aloha Jen , Your rig looks great, especially for a home garage paint job. It gives me hope for mine. I've never painted anything before but I'm going to give it a shot. Do you know if your paint was water based or are you able to get solvent based paint in Hawaii?

 

[Aloha Jen]

Great photos, as usual. It would really be a treat to walk the aisles there. I will take the red and white LV behind you, thanks!

You can have the red and white LV, but I got dibs on the green LV patina beauty!

I twice decided not to go in my FJ40 when I was within a couple hours, and now regret it

You should definitely go next time you have the chance, well worth the trip and such a special little place for us Land Cruiser fans!

 

[Aloha Jen]

@Aloha Jen , Your rig looks great, especially for a home garage paint job. It gives me hope for mine. I've never painted anything before but I'm going to give it a shot. Do you know if your paint was water based or are you able to get solvent based paint in Hawaii?

Thanks! It was one of the more challenging things we did, as it was both our first time painting anything. I particularly liked it because it was where I helped the most on this restoration. I’m usually just the assistant or tool runner on most things (or just watching/learning). But I got a chance to paint portions of the truck and participated in the hours of wet sanding and cut/buffing. Was fun after it was all done and I think most people with patience, attention to detail and the ability to watch YouTube tutorials can do it!! All the work was done in our garage and driveway.

You should definitely go for it if you have the space to do it. Paint goes everywhere, so get some roles of Home depot plastic to hang from walls and a tarp for the floor. I got the gun cheap off Amazon, some me floor fans from Walmart, the medium sized compressor from Lowe’s and the paint and materials from my local Napa. Was a single-stage urethane auto paint, but I think on our next restoration project we may try a 2 stage base/clear. We’ll see, single stage is easy and fast because clear coat is part of it. But you should give it a try, saves literally thousands of dollars doing it yourself, with the added bonus of some new tools and a unique experience. Here is the paint info I got from Napa, it was PPG shop line brand paint.

 

[MatthewMcD]

Some front dash love . I think everything on the dash is how it came from the factory in 1975. It’s amazing how far it has come, quite a bit of work was involved in filling PO extra dash holes and fixing the radio opening the the PO cut larger. Here are some before and after shots:
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Who's floor mats and tunnel cover is that? I need some insulation and thermal abatement.

 

[Aloha Jen]

Whose floor mats and tunnel cover is that? I need some insulation and thermal abatement.

It is a City Racer reproduction floor mat/tunnel cover installed, it’s very good quality and nearly a perfect fit.

Then I cut to fit some good quality (dirt/sand and water drop catching) floor mats I got from Costco to go on top of the reproduction whole floor mat for a little extra protection and easy cleaning.

 

[MatthewMcD]

It is a City Racer reproduction floor mat/tunnel cover installed, it’s very good quality and nearly a perfect fit.
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Then I cut to fit some good quality (dirt/sand and water drop catching) floor mats I got from Costco to go on top of the reproduction whole floor mat for a little extra protection and easy cleaning.
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Sweet, yours is a '75 right?

 

[Aloha Jen]

Sweet, yours is a '75 right?

Yes, late 1975.