This is a very mistreated 1974 FJ40 that I recently purchased. Dude had it listed for way too much money, but said he was motivated to sell. So I went to look, and ended up coming home with it. I currently have 3 other FJ40's in various stages of survival and felt obligated to try to save this one from further torment.
I noticed right away that this guy was much smarter than the engineers at Toyota, bc he felt that every mod he did needed to be welded in place. The homemade lift has spacers just welded in place, and the jump seats are welded to some supports to face forward in the back. Those supports are also welded to the tub. The bondo/filler that was used to address what appears to have been some major rust issues, looks like my 8 year old nephew slapped it on. So now the top doesn't fit properly and is just sitting on for now. I will also need to address the pop-riveted sheet metal used to fix the rust in the floors. Plus the PO added this horrible spray bomb paint job. He didn't feel the need to remove some of the lenses or badges and just painted right over them. At one point even painting over a light and bulb that was missing the lens.
The pro's include that it has a 95% original drive train, except for the holley carb, that functions properly. It runs and drives although it did overheat within 5 minutes. I think I've diagnosed that as a bad radiator, of which I have a replacement. I have ordered new hoses, thermostat, gaskets, plugs, plug wires, and will replace the oil and filter as well as the other fluids before starting it again. It has new 33 x 10.50 - 15 Radial Super Swampers. I dig the tall skinny's.
My plan is to simply keep it running strong and correct and purchase a responsible manufactured lift to accomodate the tires while slowly making it as dependable as I can. I'm a realist and know that I would never be able to afford to restore it but I know I can get a lot of great use out of it hunting and fishing. I will also put some more respectable paint on it at some point as it's hard to look at. It may even be a good rig for my nephews to learn to drive a manual. These are the only 2 pics I have of it right now, but will update this thread from time to time with any fixes or mods I get accomplished.
I figured for $1500, I could save this rig from further mistreatment, and I can't even buy a 4 wheel drive 4 wheeler for that.
[URL="http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t119/Hoot25/FJ40/1974%20FJ40/74FJ40-2_zps321d6f94.jpg"]
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[URL="http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t119/Hoot25/FJ40/1974%20FJ40/74FJ40_zps8ad6a2ca.jpg"]
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I noticed right away that this guy was much smarter than the engineers at Toyota, bc he felt that every mod he did needed to be welded in place. The homemade lift has spacers just welded in place, and the jump seats are welded to some supports to face forward in the back. Those supports are also welded to the tub. The bondo/filler that was used to address what appears to have been some major rust issues, looks like my 8 year old nephew slapped it on. So now the top doesn't fit properly and is just sitting on for now. I will also need to address the pop-riveted sheet metal used to fix the rust in the floors. Plus the PO added this horrible spray bomb paint job. He didn't feel the need to remove some of the lenses or badges and just painted right over them. At one point even painting over a light and bulb that was missing the lens.
The pro's include that it has a 95% original drive train, except for the holley carb, that functions properly. It runs and drives although it did overheat within 5 minutes. I think I've diagnosed that as a bad radiator, of which I have a replacement. I have ordered new hoses, thermostat, gaskets, plugs, plug wires, and will replace the oil and filter as well as the other fluids before starting it again. It has new 33 x 10.50 - 15 Radial Super Swampers. I dig the tall skinny's.
My plan is to simply keep it running strong and correct and purchase a responsible manufactured lift to accomodate the tires while slowly making it as dependable as I can. I'm a realist and know that I would never be able to afford to restore it but I know I can get a lot of great use out of it hunting and fishing. I will also put some more respectable paint on it at some point as it's hard to look at. It may even be a good rig for my nephews to learn to drive a manual. These are the only 2 pics I have of it right now, but will update this thread from time to time with any fixes or mods I get accomplished.
I figured for $1500, I could save this rig from further mistreatment, and I can't even buy a 4 wheel drive 4 wheeler for that.
[URL="http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t119/Hoot25/FJ40/1974%20FJ40/74FJ40-2_zps321d6f94.jpg"]
[/URL][URL="http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t119/Hoot25/FJ40/1974%20FJ40/74FJ40_zps8ad6a2ca.jpg"]
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