New to the form, my first FJ.

[FJ404345]

Use your enthousiasm and energy in an intelligent way. Not swimming up stream is the way to go.

Have a little bit patience, take both 40's you gathered now, store them like that, or pull all the useable parts and store.

Probably during that time or a little later the right solution in the form of a third 40 can show up.

 

[Disasterman]

I agree that you should consider accessing what you have that's worth using then start looking for a rust free tub or whatever else you need. It will save your months of work and can make the difference between having a fun, rewarding project and a quagmire of broken bolts, rust and money.

 

[Overlander78]

Well then here's my issue, I leave for basic training next January, so that's how long I have to make something somewhat driveable/usable. My father already stated that this is my project not his, and he doesn't plan on finishing it for me. And he doesn't want it taking up space down in the barn when I move there for the winter. So I'm on a sort of time crunch. Because once I'm gone with the Air Force I don't know how much time that will leave me for Landcruiser building.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

If you mean Jan 2017, I don't see you having time to do much more than make a mess of disassembled Landcruiser parts.

Again, if this is the case, you'd be much better off parting them out and selling the parts and junking the junk.

If you mean Jan, 2018, you may have time...

@rkymtnflyfisher mentioned the 18 months he's been working on rust... So far...

This is really none of my business, but you asked... Given your Air Force plans, you have no idea where you will end up... You have no idea how much time you will have to actually work in it... You have no idea how expensive this hobby can/will be.

Do you really want to spend the rest of your free time working frantically to create a trail rig that you may not get to use?... That you have to find a way to move to your duty station?... What if your duty station is overseas? My first station was Tripoli, Libya... It would be extremely expensive to ship it overseas.

Do you really want to spend every penny you can scrounge on a project that you probably can't finish and probably won't get to use?

Seems like you are putting the cart before the horse... Enter the Air Force unencumbered... Save your money, buy a beater car to get around... Save your money... Find a better candidate when you are more settled.

Good luck!!

 

[velillen]

I say go pick up the other one. Then pick and combine the best of both. Have fun with it. Sounds like you want a beater/trail rig so its not like you have to pour tons of money into it. Just get the basics like brakes, steering, and drive train sorted out. Fix the body a bit and toss a spray-paint paint job on it (which can actually look decent). As long as its more of a "tune up" over actually replacing tons of parts it wont cost to much.

Sure you can spend months and months fixing one up but that doesn't sound like what you are really wanting anyways. With that in mind your current plan sounds fine to me! Now if you said you wanted to restore it....id tell you to just walk away lol

 

[Overlander78]

@velillen you have me completely understood. I'm not really wanting a restoration project at all for the time being, but a trail rig for fun and wow
Thing I can drive on the road around town.

 

[Overlander78]

Alright I got a question. So what other year of tops will fit in my 78 cruiser body ? Mine is rough in spots that I don't feel like are worth the time in money trying to fix

Also the guys that have been active in the thread will know what I'm talking about, so the "new body" doesn't have the rear barn door set, but the hatch. Can I convert it barn doors or ?? Help!

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

The barn doors are the ones with the hatch.
Your 78 should have the ambulance doors.
75+ I believe came with the amby doors, 74 and older had the barn doors and hatch.

 

[Overlander78]

Well this body has some weird Frankenstein gate going on then I guess!

 

[Overlander78]

Also I have more pictures of new body !

 

[Overlander78]

 

[Mace]

Stretch the WB, Comp cut the rear fenders and wheel the piss out of it..

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

What is that one in the background?

 

[sggoat]

@brian said it best...

You have a TON of expenses and labor ahead of you, trying to bring this one back...

It sounds like you may have a working engine/drivetrain and maybe some other major parts, like the Oil bottle, all for the price of some firewood delivered.

You also have very admirable skills and the energy and can-do attitude of the young.

If you decide to pursue bringing this one back, I think you will learn a LOT... But, I also think you will quickly become frustrated with just how expensive it is to try to return rust to metal.

I think the main lesson you would learn is that you put your energies and money into the wrong FJ40.

You said you have very little funds... Rather than try to resuscitate this one, why not part it out? Compression test the engine and see if you can make some money selling the engine, tranny, tcase, axles, gauges, etc.

Accumulate some funds... Contact your Indiana IH8MUD clubhouse IN- Hoosier Cruisers and have some experienced MUDders talk you down...

Maybe they can help you find a good starting point... Perhaps with a more viable opportunity.

I don't want to destroy your dream... Just trying to help ensure it comes to fruition.

Regardless, all the best ... I hope you are able to drive your 40 (a better example) before your enthusiasm wanes.

Danny's opinion(and Brian's) are extremely valuable--
but--If I ran across this rig for what you obtained it for, I would be tearing into this thing every day--replacing/welding in new-etc./etc. It does have body/frame issues for sure-But the thing that tells me it's worth fixing is that it started!
You may indeed find that there are drive train issues that will be prohibitively expensive to repair--but you won't know that unless you check--
Get a build plan-what you want from the truck-research the options(most answers will be here on MUD), and make decisions based on your abilities/time/funds. If it turns out you end up parting the thing out--you will at least have gained a good understanding of the LC and will be able to better pick a replacement(and you WILL replace it--it's like the Chicken Pox--once you are exposed, you never get well again){ha!}

 

[brian]

you are never going to get a hardtop back on this latest red one, without serious work. that thing is twisted 6 ways from two weeks ago.
just getting the front doors on it is going to be an adventure, and that's before you try to close them.
i'm not trying to piss in you wheaties, but you have a lot of work in front of you.

 

[archie73]

No guarantee it'll work, but your best bet for a top is going to be a used soft top. It'll be more forgiving then a hardtop on that beat up body. I found a used(good condition) besttop complete for $500 on craigslist. Keep an eye on the classifieds.
Another option would be a bikini and a warm set of clothes. The benefit would be that you'd have an extra set of warm clothes for when you need them.

 

[Overlander78]

I got more photos!, but here's the thing guys, if that's the case with the door and top. I'll just cut it off. I have a torch set up. I honestly have lots of tools, what you might call a dream garage. So I'm
Not too worried about having to weld or cut things away or on.

 

[Overlander78]

My bad, I've kinda started a bad habit.

So my biggest concern for the new body is what's underneath the diamond plate.... It looks from what I can tell it was done somewhat professional. But what gets me is, what is it welded/attached to? What is that floor getting supported by... This Monday I'm leaving to go get it.. So soon as I get a chance I'll let you guys know, but I love the feedback I'm getting. So just keep it going on maybe ideas for m

 

[White Stripe]

That body is hammered, frame looks great. Bend the body as straight as you can and put a soft top on. When you get more money put a 3/4 tub on that body. Don't try and restore that tub, just make it work for now. It's too twisted up to restore, bit is perfect for a wheelin truck.

 

[mtnbiker4evr13]

I honestly have lots of tools, what you might call a dream garage.

"My dad's a TV repairman, he's got the ultimate set of tools."

For a trail rig you will probably just want to throw your drivetrain in the free body/frame and just get it running reliably. Neither one is going to be original or rust free but who cares? It's still a 40 and you can pick up a nicer tub/chassis later. I saw your first red one when it was on the list of craigs thinking there were some parts I needed for mine but wasn't in a place to drag another one home. Do wish I had the seats out of the free one though.. Good Luck!