Hi all. I hope this is in the appropriate section, I looked for a new member thread and didn't see anything. Oh well.
I am 18 years old and am new to cruisers. This is my fourth vehicle and fourth toyota. My first was a hand me down 99 sienna with flame decals, sold that and bought a 99 4runner. Did some stuff with that -- ome lift, 32s, spartan locker, pretty basic. Somewhere during my ownership I bought a non running 85 2wd pickup for $350, adjusted the carb float, and got it going. A couple months back I started dailying the truck, sold the runner, and bought a non running 72 40.
I spent 3 summers working at an all Japanese auto shop, and am a budding welder and fabricator. That being said this is certainly a large project. I usually lurk on forums but joined at the urging of some family and friends who wanted me to document my progress.
Enough about me, on to the truck! It's a 72 FJ40, not running, but according to the previous owner "it was close". A LOT of rust. I should have inspected further, I never would have paid as much as I did. Terrible, thin sheet metal patching all over. You live and you learn. At some point, somebody cut the wiring harness in half, I'd guess it was the same guy who did the patching, added the plywood running boards, and sprayed it awful gray. Poor truck.
It is currently up on stands at my shop, and I am slowly going through the brakes. Next will be to get it running, shocks and tires, and eventually, as money comes in (I am young and there is not a lot of it), body work. I will start a build thread soon.
Sorry for such a lengthy introduction, looking forward to learning and contributing.
Now for some pictures. Carson.
ps - I didn't actually tow it with the pickup, just moved it a short ways haha
I am 18 years old and am new to cruisers. This is my fourth vehicle and fourth toyota. My first was a hand me down 99 sienna with flame decals, sold that and bought a 99 4runner. Did some stuff with that -- ome lift, 32s, spartan locker, pretty basic. Somewhere during my ownership I bought a non running 85 2wd pickup for $350, adjusted the carb float, and got it going. A couple months back I started dailying the truck, sold the runner, and bought a non running 72 40.
I spent 3 summers working at an all Japanese auto shop, and am a budding welder and fabricator. That being said this is certainly a large project. I usually lurk on forums but joined at the urging of some family and friends who wanted me to document my progress.
Enough about me, on to the truck! It's a 72 FJ40, not running, but according to the previous owner "it was close". A LOT of rust. I should have inspected further, I never would have paid as much as I did. Terrible, thin sheet metal patching all over. You live and you learn. At some point, somebody cut the wiring harness in half, I'd guess it was the same guy who did the patching, added the plywood running boards, and sprayed it awful gray. Poor truck.
It is currently up on stands at my shop, and I am slowly going through the brakes. Next will be to get it running, shocks and tires, and eventually, as money comes in (I am young and there is not a lot of it), body work. I will start a build thread soon.
Sorry for such a lengthy introduction, looking forward to learning and contributing.
Now for some pictures. Carson.
ps - I didn't actually tow it with the pickup, just moved it a short ways haha
when putting it back after restoration ... The thick side goes up 
