Project Beach Cruiser | The 1971 FJ40 Patina RestoMod
I have always enjoyed driving from my house in Irvine down to Newport Beach for Saturday morning coffee. I usually drive my old '86 Toyota, but it doesn't seem to fit. I want a convertible classic. Since I'm a huge Toyota guy, the only logical choice was a Land Cruiser.
I had to look at a few to find the right one. Lucky, this one found me. One Saturday morning my friend and I were mountain biking in the Laguna Hills. On a decent he spotted this Cruiser. We ride around and looked at it. It was apparent it had been parked for some time, but the body was straight. We left a note and moved on.
Fast forward 6 weeks and he got a call on a Friday about this cruiser. The owner was in his 80's and had cancer. He wanted to clear out his shop, with plans to donate this cruiser. I made an offer and he accepted. My friend and I were there first thing Saturday morning with a car trailer to pick it up.
I'm looking to make this truck be a stock-ish restomod, that will be a lot of fun to drive around with the top and doors of. I don't want another built truck (I already have a super well built mini-truck). In fact, I doubt I will even wheel this truck very much (ok... maybe it will see a trail or two... I don't own a vehicle that doesn't see 4wd trails).
Its almost all original except for a rochester carb, wider wheels/tires, and a new distributor. It has 68000 orig miles on it. I'm pretty good at being patient, so I won't touch it until I have enough materials to do it right.
Here goes my first stab at building a 40.
Here are a few related threads:
Engine/trans/tc
Questions about swapping a 3fe/H42/split case/ newer axles into '71 Cruiser
What is the difference between 58-72 and 72-92 Water Temperature Sending Units?
Looking For Pictures of H42 or H55 & Split Case Transfer Case Shift Boots
2fe Bogs Just Off Idle
Holly In-Tank Fuel Module For 3fe
What Accessory Combination to Run On A 2FE?
Help me find a Fuel Filler Neck for my Auxiliary Fuel Tank
Wheels:
How to mount drum brake wheels on a disk brake axle
Wiring Harness:
Can I take some pictures of your FJ62 wiring harness?
Where to get a Water Temperature Switch Connector/Terminal
Paint (lack there-of) and Body
Keeping the Original Patina with CLR
Replacement Pin For Back Door
‘71 Carpet or Aussie Mat Options
Seized Tire Carrier- Ideas on how to get it free
What Color Is My 1971 FJ40?
Steering & Suspension
FJ60 Steering Box Frame Mount
I have always enjoyed driving from my house in Irvine down to Newport Beach for Saturday morning coffee. I usually drive my old '86 Toyota, but it doesn't seem to fit. I want a convertible classic. Since I'm a huge Toyota guy, the only logical choice was a Land Cruiser.
I had to look at a few to find the right one. Lucky, this one found me. One Saturday morning my friend and I were mountain biking in the Laguna Hills. On a decent he spotted this Cruiser. We ride around and looked at it. It was apparent it had been parked for some time, but the body was straight. We left a note and moved on.
Fast forward 6 weeks and he got a call on a Friday about this cruiser. The owner was in his 80's and had cancer. He wanted to clear out his shop, with plans to donate this cruiser. I made an offer and he accepted. My friend and I were there first thing Saturday morning with a car trailer to pick it up.
I'm looking to make this truck be a stock-ish restomod, that will be a lot of fun to drive around with the top and doors of. I don't want another built truck (I already have a super well built mini-truck). In fact, I doubt I will even wheel this truck very much (ok... maybe it will see a trail or two... I don't own a vehicle that doesn't see 4wd trails).
Its almost all original except for a rochester carb, wider wheels/tires, and a new distributor. It has 68000 orig miles on it. I'm pretty good at being patient, so I won't touch it until I have enough materials to do it right.
Here goes my first stab at building a 40.
Here are a few related threads:
Engine/trans/tc
Questions about swapping a 3fe/H42/split case/ newer axles into '71 Cruiser
What is the difference between 58-72 and 72-92 Water Temperature Sending Units?
Looking For Pictures of H42 or H55 & Split Case Transfer Case Shift Boots
2fe Bogs Just Off Idle
Holly In-Tank Fuel Module For 3fe
What Accessory Combination to Run On A 2FE?
Help me find a Fuel Filler Neck for my Auxiliary Fuel Tank
Wheels:
How to mount drum brake wheels on a disk brake axle
Wiring Harness:
Can I take some pictures of your FJ62 wiring harness?
Where to get a Water Temperature Switch Connector/Terminal
Paint (lack there-of) and Body
Keeping the Original Patina with CLR
Replacement Pin For Back Door
‘71 Carpet or Aussie Mat Options
Seized Tire Carrier- Ideas on how to get it free
What Color Is My 1971 FJ40?
Steering & Suspension
FJ60 Steering Box Frame Mount
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