Builds Project 2027: 1977 FJ40 Rebuild

[Jetlander]

I welded up a DOM cage because the OEM cage is basically a joke. Once welded up I drilled out where I wanted the belts to attach and sleeved it. I then put a Grade 8 bolt with nut in and welded the nut to the cage. I won’t be home for a couple days but I’d be happy to take a couple closeup pictures for you.

How did you secure the shoulders belts for the rear? I need to get on this in the winter as my girls wont be needing car seats anymore and i want them facing forward. @Jetlander

 

[Varty Yo]

Ok great! What 3 point belts did you go with? I couldnt tell if it was stock roll bar still or new. I was going to drill and sleeve mine like that also.

 

[Jetlander]

Ok great! What 3 point belts did you go with? I couldnt tell if it was stock roll bar still or new. I was going to drill and sleeve mine like that also.

Military Humvee Seat Belt Kit, 4 piece

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These are the belts I bought and if I remember correctly, they were very reasonably priced. They work great, but show they’re currently out of stock.

 

[DPV7070]

Another Humvee seat belt user and supporter here. They work great and are a great value!

 

[avicenna110]

Just started reading your build and was very happy to see your end goal set to driving the FJ40 to Ushuaia, you’ve inspired me! I did a similar trip in my late 20’s from South Carolina to Argentina (about 10 years ago) on my motorcycle and it was the best thing I’ve done in my life, and also probably the most challenging. I had to rebuild the engine in Colombia so I would advise knowing the car inside and out which you’re doing now anyways. For me the toughest part was from Panama to Colombia, and I chose the most adventurous way of making it to South America, there are no roads between the two countries so plan this part out well in advance. Anyways, imagining you driving on the panamericana put a big smile on my face and I wish you the best of luck. And you have a place to stay on your way in the SF Bay Area whenever you decide to do the trip. All the best!

 

[Varty Yo]

Military Humvee Seat Belt Kit, 4 piece

Sportsman's Guide carries top-quality discount Outdoor and Hunting Gear, Guns, Ammo, Fishing Supplies and more - all at great low prices!

www.sportsmansguide.com

These are the belts I bought and if I remember correctly, they were very reasonably priced. They work great, but show they’re currently out of stock.

Yes i upgraded to humvee belts for the front a few years ago they are really awesome!

 

[Jetlander]

Ran into a fellow Cruiserhead last night. A beautiful example of a ‘78 original survivor, and it’s a daily driver. He said he’s on Mud but for the life of me I can’t remember his username.

 

[Jetlander]

Ok great! What 3 point belts did you go with? I couldnt tell if it was stock roll bar still or new. I was going to drill and sleeve mine like that also.

Sorry for the delay. Absolutely swamped with life’s happenings right now. Anyways, I hope these closeups help.

 

[Varty Yo]

Looks great! How did you secure them to the floor?

I know how busy life gets haha. i was away from mud for 3 months lol

 

[Jetlander]

I made bases out of 3/16” plate and drilled them at the OE locations. I didn’t tie them into the frame, but may at some later date. For now I’ll enjoy my “stockish” rebuild, with pretty paint. Once there’s a significant ding or dent, Katy bar the door, cause then there be little to stop me from wheeling and making certain changes to do so.

 

[Jetlander]

Slow on updates because a lot has been going on, specifically the family and I moved from Houston to Idaho. I’m from the northwest and finally had had enough of the South Coast. Between taking a new job, selling and buying a home, it’s been an insane few months. The move back north was more or less uneventful. Put the 40 on a Uhaul and towed it behind the moving truck. Didn’t get a pic…

Anyways, the Land Cruiser finally is where it belongs. No longer in the endless concrete and asphalt swamps but in the mountains and trails of the Rocky Mountains.

Made it official today when I received my plates.

Still haven’t finished the top and doors so the season for driving is quickly coming to and end. Can’t wait for spring.

 

[Jetlander]

Have been busy with getting the family all settled in over the last month or so but I did manage to go out and get a few glamor shots before the snow fell. Sometimes you just know when something belongs, and it’s an undeniable truth that FJ40s belong in the mountain west.

 

[Jetlander]

And today I decided to initiate the girls into a northern rite of passage. Something that I had done as a kid and absolutely loved. I’m so glad to finally have them out of the concrete crime-infested sweat box. I was chatting with the wife earlier today and we realized we’ve spent more time outside in the last month than we typically would in an entire summer in Houston. This is living!

 

[cbmontgo]

Love it. I may have to come and visit you in Idaho one of these summers.

 

[Vossie]

just read through your whole thread, great build! and looks like a great decision too!

also, been going back and forth between a couple of colours for my own 45 and grey was in there, then saw your one and you have me convinced!

so this was Toyota cement grey? I'm sure I read a little while back that you tinted it darker? if so, do you remember how much?

 

[Jetlander]

just read through your whole thread, great build! and looks like a great decision too!

also, been going back and forth between a couple of colours for my own 45 and grey was in there, then saw your one and you have me convinced!

so this was Toyota cement grey? I'm sure I read a little while back that you tinted it darker? if so, do you remember how much?

It wasn’t cement grey. Instead what I did was take a can of Rustoleum Smoke Gray and had them match that. When I got it home I realized it was virtually the same color as the leather so I went back to the auto paint store and asked for a quart or pint (can’t remember) of pure black. I took that home, and just started adding a little black at a time until I came up with a color that was pleasing to my eye. All very simple. I can unequivocally say, the first time anyone sees the FJ40, the first comment is always about how much they love the color…car enthusiast or not.

What’s cool about it is that depending on the angle you’re viewing it from and the sun light, it’s either regular grey or light-blue with a hint of grey. That part was unintentional but the results are fantastic.

Hope that helps. Just don’t be afraid to experiment a bit.

 

[Vossie]

It wasn’t cement grey. Instead what I did was take a can of Rustoleum Smoke Gray and had them match that. When I got it home I realized it was virtually the same color as the leather so I went back to the auto paint store and asked for a quart or pint (can’t remember) of pure black. I took that home, and just started adding a little black at a time until I came up with a color that was pleasing to my eye. All very simple. I can unequivocally say, the first time anyone sees the FJ40, the first comment is always about how much they love the color…car enthusiast or not.

What’s cool about it is that depending on the angle you’re viewing it from and the sun light, it’s either regular grey or light-blue with a hint of grey. That part was unintentional but the results are fantastic.

Hope that helps. Just don’t be afraid to experiment a bit.

Awesome, so you ended up with really a unique colour. Nice!
So I guess the best play is to maybe start with a cement and go from there, tint it as I see fit

 

[Jetlander]

All has been quiet on the FJ40 front as of late. Wintertime in Idaho without a top means not a lot of driving except on the nicest of days, well that’s about to change.

I’ve been on the hunt for a good quality rust-free set of front doors for at least 2 years, with no luck. It’s the final piece needed to begin the restoration of the top. Well, I got on the Alibaba front door list very early and hoped the prospect of new doors would come to fruition. It did. I scored one of the 3 sets that became available. From what I’ve heard these things are high quality and a perfect replication of OEM doors. For the sake of the LC community I hope that turns out to be the case.

Anyways, looks like they’ll ship next week. I guess I now have some motivation to get cracking on metal work for the top and converting the barn doors into half doors.

More post to follow. Until then… Have a look at these beauties.

 

[zerotreedelta]

Those do look promising...I needed those about a year ago.

I'll be curious to see what "spec" they matched - the South American doors used a "newer" style weatherstrip for the glass.

 

[1MOA]

I know land cruiser restorations has a set of them and is building them now. I hope they are all people are saying about the initial impressions.
Maybe it will force the people foisting the South American “good enough” doors to either up their game or get out of the market.