New FJ owner in need of some direction

[1SICKMJ]

Hey guys. My dad is going to be picking up a 78' FJ40 either this week or next. But any way I live in Hawaii, Rust is a major issue. Now this thing has rust but its only like some quarter sized holes randomly cuz of acid rain, the rest is pretty much solid. Just wondering if there are like patch panels or anything that they sell aftermarket. The fenders and sides i can practice my body work on its the cowl that has me worried. I know there are replacement cowls but 3grand for the whole thing, that's more than he is gonna pay for the truck. And shipping is ridiculous, I'm restoring a 69' Roadrunner and the shipping alone has slowed that project down. Just wondering if anyone can point me in some reasonable body parts direction, definitely need a hood, and the cowl. Or im gonna wing it and try body work it with fiberglass or something. Thanks

 

[1SICKMJ]

I got some pictures I took with my phone a few weeks ago.

Thats the pictures i got, but the hood is worthless and theres just a hole in the cowl right under the windshield frame where water could sit and thats the only thing thats bothering me right now. Other than that it runs after 4 years of sitting and probly needs a new carb cuz it cant keep the rpms up.

 

[apeterson]

cool... FST but man.... rust is bad... it will be bad where you dont see it also... I would be looking for a new body...

lots of places sell pannels... do a search...

 

[John Smith]

Those factory soft top bows are worth more than the whole truck.

 

[kentmasters]

My truck looked worse than that from Kansas weather. Buy a hood and a cheap welder and fix the rest yourself. Most of the problem areas are flat sheetmetal. If you can't source raw material locally, a hood/decklid or bedside from a scrap vehicle can go a long way.

Where are you in the islands? I have some family just outside of Pahoa on the big island and have done some good four-wheeling in the area.

 

[1SICKMJ]

kentmasters, yeah I live up in Volcano on the Big Island. There are some nice wheeling spots on the island. This thing is probly gonna be a weekend/beach/camping worrior so its not like im building a show truck. That was the plan, i got a welder and i was either just gonna start making patches or make some fiberglass patch. It was under cover but because of the volcanic plume we get acid rain, and the front end was exposed to the elements more than the back so its the worst. good body work practice for the car I'm building.

My car, bought it for $500, so my dad and I are even, except he has a running engine in his, mine has none. Same small acid rain problem course its not 5grand for a tub, maybe 1500 in sheet metal 2 grand if i feel like replacing and not just body working. Believe me the FJ will get done. Every project has to start some where

 

[FR3533]

yall getting any good swells form the hurricane?

 

[1SICKMJ]

LOL nah maybe 4' if your lucky, but its over, never even hit the islands as a tropical storm. I heard theres a big one that just popped up off mexico and could be headn our way. thats the one to be worried about right now.