On the verge of diving into the stye...

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Mtbcoach

Mtbcoach

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jun 29, 2006
Threads
179
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4,391
Location
Carolina Beach NC
I took my daughters with me to do Rubithon in my FJC this summer and it exposed them to a whole new "culture" of FJ owners. My oldest daughter will be turning 16 in the next month and as we have talked about cars, she points out a "vintage FJ-40" being for sale and that she would like something like that.

What dad wouldn't want to hear that. She also became enamored with the FJ-55's because it was "like the 40 but I could pile all my friends and dogs in the back". Well, that was all I needed to hear.

We are going to look at a '75 FJ-55 with a 2F and 4 speed tranny Sunday morning. It runs, is solid, everything works but has some "cosmetic issues"(rust) with the rear door and a dent in the rear passenger panel. The main thing I like is I know the owner and he buys FJ's to restore and this one has a solid frame and tub. He is currently doing a frame off restoration and doesn't have any time for it. He is willing to part with it because he knows it will be a "father-daughter" project and knows I appreciate his beliefs in restoration of these.

Finally to the question...how stupid am I getting into something like this? I've been doing as much reading as I can, doing as much research as I can and still find that the parts/support for the FJ-55 being much more challenging. I guess I'm just having some second guessing on the level of commitment we have in restoring and how much I have to learn about these vehicles.

Its my favorite of the breed, just ugly enough to be uber-cool. I'm also considering dropping a 3BT into it since I have a friend who has one "laying around" and I think that a diesel pig would be amazing.

Please convince me that I'm not stepping onto a very slippery slope with no hope of every catching my balance again...
 
55s are cool, but honestly, FJ60s are better in every way. They are also cheaper and less rust prone (though still rust prone). For your dtr...electronic ignition is better, Fj60s are better generally. Think carefully before you pull the trigger.

Remember, people swap FJ60 drivetrains into FJ55s, but no one swaps FJ55 drivetrains into FJ60s.
 
Ugly, rusted, and busted 55's are cooler than the 60 series (or 80 for that matter). IMHO ;)


However.............


If you get her a 60 or 62 you also won't have to worry about boys thinking she's "cool" ;D





POR 15. Full rust repair is a nightmare so make sure that "perfect" is a functional phrase and not a visual one and you will both be happy. my .02
 
take the fj55

:steer:go for the pig............look at cruiser_guys fj55 father daughter build:clap:; it is slow and tough + if you get her the pig...make it on her to pay for the gas:the expense will keep her close to home:idea:




Lou
 
weeboo said:
FJ55's are definitely man-magnets. Factor that in before putting your daughter in the driver seat of one :)
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True, but I could see some mown lawns and car labor possibly here. ;) Then again, the daughter might be mad that Dad is stealing her boy friends for a labor source. :frown:

On the original track: I think with patience most parts can be had or repaired at costs equal to or lower than almost any vehicle (go look at cost for a 1970's chevy truck even). But there are a few real sticklers like the rubber John mentioned. It is an easy $1000.00 plus. And what there is now may disappear soon enough because of the small market.

I think if your going to have a project then well, you are going to have a project.

40's are less expensive and parts readily available and I do love my 40, BUT a 55 is a 55...a big ugly duckling that just wakes you up to its beastly beauty.

Edit. If you choose to do it remember like anything: You will have to approach necessity first (of course), but then after that you will have to be an oppertunist. I have had things take quite a few steps back because I spent money on things I knew I rarely saw on the market (like the rubber) and decided "now" had to be the moment.
 
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Oh, Jeeez...not this kook again. A 55 can be built to be better than a 60 in every way. You're going to be adding disc brakes and power steering anyway, and a nice Scout/saginaw is way better than stock 60...and you can put just about any drivetrain that you want into it. Not so much with smog-controled 60s.
The 55 is just simpler, easier to understand, easier to diagnose, easier to fix. You don't have to worry about her getting speeding tickets. You don't have learn the alphabet of plastic valve thingies or a mile of vacuum hose under the hood.


Cruiserdrew said:
55s are cool, but honestly, FJ60s are better in every way. They are also cheaper and less rust prone (though still rust prone). For your dtr...electronic ignition is better, Fj60s are better generally. Think carefully before you pull the trigger.

Remember, people swap FJ60 drivetrains into FJ55s, but no one swaps FJ55 drivetrains into FJ60s.
Click to expand...
 
I agree with Pighead here...I have a 2F from a '84 FJ60 (desmogged) and all the common parts are way more expensive than the parts for the 40/55. FJ60's are cool and wonderful however I see it as a different option to a FJ55 and honestly not nearly as cool looking.
 
Thanks to everyone for the feedback. We will be checking it out in the morning.

I guess I misunderstood the window rubber issue in the "resources" thread. I thought someone had put together a bunch of cheap options, mostly from JC Whitney. I must have missed something there.

I've read the power steering and disc brake conversion threads and they both seem pretty straight forward. Just a matter of selecting the parts and installing them.

We have discussed the potential boyfriend labor issue also, she agrees that we should take advantage of that situation as much as possible.

I hope the rig is in the type of shape that we can work with, work together and make a nice rig out of it. Thanks again and I'll post up of I bring it home...
 
Pighead said:
Oh, Jeeez...not this kook again. A 55 can be built to be better than a 60 in every way. You're going to be adding disc brakes and power steering anyway, and a nice Scout/saginaw is way better than stock 60...and you can put just about any drivetrain that you want into it. Not so much with smog-controled 60s.
The 55 is just simpler, easier to understand, easier to diagnose, easier to fix. You don't have to worry about her getting speeding tickets. You don't have learn the alphabet of plastic valve thingies or a mile of vacuum hose under the hood.
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You're right on the smog issue, of course, at least in Cailifornia. I'm considering buying up a bunch of pre-smog titles just for building new trucks.

Still, 60 have a much stronger drivetrain, and are worth seeking out even if it's to swap into a 55.

Pighead-don't get me wrong. I like 55s and have looked at several to buy. But, the 60 series is more robust, has a better drivetrain, and has wider axles to boot. It doesn't LOOK as cool as a 55, but in the end, it's still a better truck.
 
I'm biased, naturally. I worked on my Mom's 60...I'll never own a 60.
 
Hi,

I would spend a good long time looking at it and write down everything you think you'll do. Also take loads of pictures so you can mull it over when you get home and think again. I would also drive it for a while to get the "feel" and "smell" of it. I do enjoy my pig, and if I were 16, I'd love driving it. But, it's got really low gears and they don't shift as fast as other cars do. It can be somewhat of a pain in town when people ride you bumper till you get up to speed.

You also post some pics on this forum and get input into what to do first, etc... You might want to do small things first, drive it a bit, and then tackle bigger things after awhile.

Good luck!!! :beer: ty
 
As long as you and your daughter are both planning on weekend projects on the Pig for the majority of your weekends, you will be fine.

If she (or you) are thinking you will put her in the Pig and she will be fully mobile that day I might re-think my plan.

If she is up for wrenching with Dad then this would be a great opportunity to make some last impressions on her before she is grown and gone.

Good luck!

What year Pig?
 
Sorry to report back that we did NOT join the Iron Pig Preservation Society, not buying the FJ-55 we looked at. In as much as it would be a great project vehicle, it was a bit too rough for us (me) in a first restoration project. It would be a great base for a decent restoration but I/we didn't have enough time/resources to take it on at this point in time.I have to say that all the feedback I received here helped make the decision and reality of what we would be getting into much more clear, thanks all.

However, we did find a very nice "rolling project" in a '71 FJ-40 in very near stock condition. It runs well, everything works the way it is supposed to, has the 1F engine w/weber carb on it, included original wheels (not on the vehicle), stock seats in good shape, jumper seats, hard top and a big pile of spare parts.

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In order to get it "road worthy", I have to troubleshoot an electrical issue (driver rear turn signal/brake light not functioning, headlights not working), install seat belts/upgrade to shoulder harness and put some tires on the original wheels. Once we get that tackled, we can start working on the rust spots, window rubber and all the "little things" to make it reliable daily driver.

Thanks again for all the input and help with our decision...
 
Congrats-Not a bad starter 40. If it's for your daughter, your first project should be to swap in FJ60 front brakes, since to be honest, no 16 year old girl is going to adjust their brakes every 3 months like it's needed.

WHere is the t-case shifter?
 
Cruiserdrew said:
Congrats-Not a bad starter 40. If it's for your daughter, your first project should be to swap in FJ60 front brakes, since to be honest, no 16 year old girl is going to adjust their brakes every 3 months like it's needed.

WHere is the t-case shifter?
Click to expand...

Thanks, I agree, not a bad starter.

Yup, that will be one of the first "upgrades" we perform as well as power steering.

The T-case shifter is in the "stock" position, but it had the tunnel changed and it ready to swap to floor shift position. That is a little further down the list but definitely in the top 5 of mods to be done.
 
Sorry you didn't get the 55 but I am still jealous of your 40.....one day I hope to get one....stay in touch, lots of 40 owners here who are more than willing to provide advice when needed.
 
Just beware of the Bezel Police in the 40's section...;)
 
TheBossHog said:
Just beware of the Bezel Police in the 40's section...;)
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It is now in our possession, took it for a good drive and all is good. As we walked around it, making our plan for the rust spots, I pointed out to her that the bezel was on correctly and if I caught her putting it on upside down, I get to repossess it to do what I want with it...
 
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