NOT - ROTW... new (to me) 1970 FJ40

[CosmicFJ]

Hey from F-L-A,

Just finished restoring a '66 IIA Land Rover and something was missing. I filled that void (in my garage) with a 1970 FJ imported from Japan... so it's 100% stock and original with a couple of add ons like the PTO winch and A/C... not too sure if I'm happy about that last item but in Florida it helps a bit I guess.

Besides paint (green then red then blue...) this old beastie is untouched as far as mods. Typical rust in the typical places but it shouldn't be too long before I have it out on the road / trails. Then I just have to learn to drive the three-on-the-tree setup in a right hand drive truck and then learn to read Japanese since all the data plates have this crazy, squiggly writing on them. Maybe I could pick up a mail route or something.

Here are a few pics in its "before" state (link below). Wish me luck.

Toyota 1970 FJ40 - Before - a set on Flickr

Cosmo

 

[lostmarbles]

Nice score Cosmo

But surely you'd lose interest in the series 2A Landrover somewhat after seeing the superior build quality and superior engineering standards of the FJ40?

(Well that's what happened to me anyway - because I had a series 2A before my BJ40.)

 

[CosmicFJ]

well huh?

I still have yet to bury myself in the engineering of my new toy. Is it really all that superior? Don't get me wrong now, there couldn't be anything worse than Lucas Electrics, Positive grounding and the neverending variation of fasteners / threads (ie. whitworth, BSF, UNF...) found on the LR's but something has to be said for longevity and worldwide availability.

Now I can't wait to make some side by side comparisons.

 

[cjgoode]

Real nice, if you do not want that AC let me know, I live near Orlando and would love to have AC.

 

[dgangle]

Welcome to the TLC community. I dig the 3rd world mirrors.

Do a build thread so we can see how anal you are and how deep your pockets!

How in the world did this RHD end up in in central Florida?

 

[CosmicFJ]

1.Sorry CJGOODE but for now I am gonna try to recon the aircon. If you have a decent amount of FJ rebuild experience maybe we could hook up and you could help me turn a wrench or somethin'.

2.Dgangle, Shallow pockets (my wifey is preggos) but time 'o plenty will make for a decent build and I'll definitely get a thread going.

3.How did it get from Japan to Orlando? The P/O was in the Navy, stationed in Japan for a while and bought it from a "dude" near Yokosuka in '84. It was Fire-Engine red at that time and being used by a photog to travel around Japan getting those remote shots (so the story goes). He imported it when he was discharged, painted it blue and kept it completely stock. Sadly it has been sitting in a driveway, under a tarp for the past 5 years.

Cosmo to the rescue!!