New Member

[JGarrett]

Hello, I have been spending a lot of time on this forum is the last few months. My wife was just given (free) the FJ40 that she she has always wanted. It is a 1963 FJ40 in very rough shape. This is the actual vehicle she learned to how to drive in when she was 12 years old on the family ranch. It has been sitting in the elements on the ranch since the late 80s. It has many ranch mods that need to be corrected. Our plan is to swap in a SBC 327 (came free with the gift) and keep the rest of the drive train FJ40. The plan is to go from the frame up. Just about every system will need to be redone/repaired. We have disassembled the front and will soon be pulling the motor and trans. My efforts for the last 2 months have been dedicated to the 327 (it also has been sitting for while).

My first question:
I am pretty sure it has the earlier 3 speed that has been converted to a floor shift. This is going to be an around town grocery getter. She loves driving a manual and drove this particular 3 speed a lot growing up. Can this transmission handle a 327 that is very mildly built?

Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge.

 

[pb4ugo]

That's a pretty awesome gift and keeping it in the family is even better. We need pics. A 63 is going to present some interesting challenges, some things are a little different than the later 40's. You'll likely have a lot of desicions to make. When you convert to a v8 there maybe other items you'll want to do, to make a real nice driver. Both my 40's have v8's. You may want to define your wants and needs a little deeper. Running, stopping and driving. Folks have put 3 speed behind v8's. Stock 4 speeds are a more common setup and more refined.

 

[JGarrett]

Thanks for the reply. To be a little more clear. 98% of the time it will be on the road. Not a daily driver more like a weekend cruiser. She likes the 3 speed. Brakes will remain drums for now. I am just curious about the pre 64 3 speed behind and sbc.

 

[JGarrett]

Pics will not impress many. It is a pile right now.

 

[Aloha Jen]

Pics will not impress many. It is a pile right now.

Pics are what we live for on this forum…regardless of whether it’s a pile or not.

 

[Pighead]

Pics will not impress many. It is a pile right now.

We're not hard to impress, some of my favorite LandCruisers are piles...

 

[igotta40]

Does it have a hard top & doors?

 

[JGarrett]

No top. No doors. My 85 year father-in-law says it came from Japan making it a little different than the American models. I am not sure about that. All plates are in English. Any way he said he tried to get a top on it but it was no where near fitting. I think I read on this forum that in mid 63 the wheel base was lengthened. My guess is that it is an early 63 with the sorter wheel base. I wheel (intended) measure and give an update tomorrow with some pics. My hotrod neighbor thinks I am crazy taking it on. With all of the expertise I see on this forum I think I am just a little crazy.

 

[JGarrett]

No top. No doors. My 85 year father-in-law says it came from Japan making it a little different than the American models. I am not sure about that. All plates are in English. Any way he said he tried to get a top on it but it was no where near fitting. I think I read on this forum that in mid 63 the wheel base was lengthened. My guess is that it is an early 63 with the sorter wheel base. I wheel (intended) measure and give an update tomorrow.

 

[JGarrett]

 

[charliemeyer007]

I want to build a hi rev 283 Corvette for mine. The tranny/transfer will handle your 327 if they are not worn out from lack o or wrong gear oil. A friend built a 383 and put a ranger over drive in his 76 as the spacer/adapter.

Welcome let the saga begin. I have seen much worse remains brought back to showroom new - its only money away.
Not being a purest is a lot cheaper. Cosmetics on a real working 4WD is a waste of money IMHO.

 

[Pighead]

It's a beaut JGarrett, it's a beaut.

 

[Michael B]

What a gift! This will be fun to watch. You should consider updating the brakes with today’s driving demands. Don’t throw away any original parts, someone on this forum will need them. Keep the pictures coming. Did we mention we like pictures

 

[pb4ugo]

Good looking 40. That actually looks pretty solid. You have the coveted stamped "LAND CRUISER" bezel. Don't loose that. Lock it up someplace safe. Smittybuilt roll bar. How about some shots of the dash, inside and rear? B4 you start pitching stuff you should confirm whether it's original or not.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

You should consider updating the brakes with today’s driving demands.

Agree; especially if you are going to drop a V8 into her. You can live with rear drums if you change out the front to discs. I know on later 40s the parts are readily available; not sure about a '63.

FWIW they all came from Japan. If it was truly a Japanese market 40 the steering wheel would be on the other side. Is there a VIN plate that you can share a photo of? That would help us date it.

 

[pb4ugo]

I agree with @WarDamnEagle, early drum brakes have unique plumbing hardware to deal with, plus a single circuit master cylinder. The drums brakes are an old and antiquated design that constantly need manual adjustments. Disc brakes, new brakelines and a dual circuit master cylinder are pretty much maintenance free.

 

[JohnnyC]

you have a high post hardtop fj40... most likely a 62´ sold in 63´

whats the vin #?

quite a few of mods done.... missing under seat box as well... rot is long reaching

 

[JohnnyC]

BTW the hard top would have been one of these:

people have modified oem fst bows to work with the high post in order to keep that unique originality if you choose to go that route

later corrugated tops came without the high post

 

[JGarrett]

Thanks for all of the info and encouragement. I will try to keep posting the progress along with the many questions that will come up. Picture of VIN will be coming soon.

 

[JGarrett]