Hi all,
There was always a special place in my heart for 40s ever since I was a kid. My best friend's dad had an import auto repair shop in North Arlington, NJ. It was called E.G. Automotive, I later found out that the E.G. stood for "Extra Good"
. He had an FJ40 as a plow truck for his lot and I spent a lot of fun times in it. Looking back it had to be a 60s or early 70s model with a "three on the tree". It was completely rotted out to the point where you could see the snow and slush below you, but it still ran like a champ.
I didn't appreciate it too much at the time, but whenever I came across one it brought back memories of how tough and fun that truck was to drive. Well in late 2016 I was contemplating getting one as a project but decided that an 80 series would be more reasonable and something that I could use as a DD. I'm starting this thread because I regret not creating one for my 80 since I put a lot of work into it. By the way, that truck was on life support when I bought it and this site is the only reason that truck is alive today. It has been my DD for the past 14 months with zero issues and 260k on the clock. I appreciate all the time and effort mudders put in to document their knowledge.
Unfortunately the 80 didn't come close to getting the 40 out of my brain. I monitored craigslist nationally, this site as well as ebay for months. I even made some offers on a few but for one reason or another they didn't pan out. I finally came across a (early) 1970 located out in New Mexico. It pretty much spent the last decade sitting in Arizona; although, it spent some of its life in Colorado. It drew me in because it is complete for the most part - original front seats (a mess but all there), rear long jump seats, hardtop, original frame and engine. Cool looking patina too
Pros:
Cons:
My plan(s):
Original plan "Just get it rolling...safely" - Carb rebuild, new hoses, tune up, gaskets, new rear sill, quarter panel patch panels, brakes (discs, booster, dual circuit master), tall and skinny tires and rims (welded), reupholster seats and clean up some of the surface rust on the body and frame.
Alternate plan "My OCD is kicking in" - I just want to tear the thing down! I already started emailing sand blasters to have the body blasted and primed. Once the body is off I will have complete access to the frame which will allow me to blast it myself and make it look brand spankin' new.
I'm really not sure what to do. I can go either way on this. If anybody has been in this position and has any advice, I'd appreciate it. Originally I just wanted to drive a rolling relic but now I'm getting an urge to do a bit of a restoration.
In the meantime I'm just going to continue cleaning up the engine and fuel system, getting it sorted out and running. I will be sure to post the good, bad and ugly.
As I mentioned in the "Patina Appreciation" thread, this photo has been censored due to the indecency of the bezel.
-Rob
There was always a special place in my heart for 40s ever since I was a kid. My best friend's dad had an import auto repair shop in North Arlington, NJ. It was called E.G. Automotive, I later found out that the E.G. stood for "Extra Good"
. He had an FJ40 as a plow truck for his lot and I spent a lot of fun times in it. Looking back it had to be a 60s or early 70s model with a "three on the tree". It was completely rotted out to the point where you could see the snow and slush below you, but it still ran like a champ. I didn't appreciate it too much at the time, but whenever I came across one it brought back memories of how tough and fun that truck was to drive. Well in late 2016 I was contemplating getting one as a project but decided that an 80 series would be more reasonable and something that I could use as a DD. I'm starting this thread because I regret not creating one for my 80 since I put a lot of work into it. By the way, that truck was on life support when I bought it and this site is the only reason that truck is alive today. It has been my DD for the past 14 months with zero issues and 260k on the clock. I appreciate all the time and effort mudders put in to document their knowledge.
Unfortunately the 80 didn't come close to getting the 40 out of my brain. I monitored craigslist nationally, this site as well as ebay for months. I even made some offers on a few but for one reason or another they didn't pan out. I finally came across a (early) 1970 located out in New Mexico. It pretty much spent the last decade sitting in Arizona; although, it spent some of its life in Colorado. It drew me in because it is complete for the most part - original front seats (a mess but all there), rear long jump seats, hardtop, original frame and engine. Cool looking patina too
Pros:
Pretty much complete (missing original rear lights and bumperettes)
Good Compression across all cylinders
Minimal rust - frame is really solid and floors, doors are good.
Good Compression across all cylinders
Minimal rust - frame is really solid and floors, doors are good.
Cons:
Rear sill is rusted - will probably do patch panels for the rear quarters too
Not running...yet (need a carb rebuild, fuel system gone through since it's been sitting for a long time)
Need a complete brake overhaul
Not running...yet (need a carb rebuild, fuel system gone through since it's been sitting for a long time)
Need a complete brake overhaul
My plan(s):
Original plan "Just get it rolling...safely" - Carb rebuild, new hoses, tune up, gaskets, new rear sill, quarter panel patch panels, brakes (discs, booster, dual circuit master), tall and skinny tires and rims (welded), reupholster seats and clean up some of the surface rust on the body and frame.
Alternate plan "My OCD is kicking in" - I just want to tear the thing down! I already started emailing sand blasters to have the body blasted and primed. Once the body is off I will have complete access to the frame which will allow me to blast it myself and make it look brand spankin' new.
I'm really not sure what to do. I can go either way on this. If anybody has been in this position and has any advice, I'd appreciate it. Originally I just wanted to drive a rolling relic but now I'm getting an urge to do a bit of a restoration.
In the meantime I'm just going to continue cleaning up the engine and fuel system, getting it sorted out and running. I will be sure to post the good, bad and ugly.
As I mentioned in the "Patina Appreciation" thread, this photo has been censored due to the indecency of the bezel.
-Rob
Welcome. And we are going to need a lot more photos. We also want to hear about all of the prior owner mods you have to fix.
