DTSkyCop
SILVER Star
Oh, I thought you could get "units" down there... Thinking more than one type of thing... I did not realize someone was selling one. Love the pictures Esmeralda... Wow, your guy is doing some nice work there...
Restoring 1983 FJ40 Esmeralda in Colombia comments needed
- Thread starter CHAS404
- Start date
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Looks good Chas, it's coming along, some questions : why they welded on the left rear side of the new tub ??? Didn't it make the fit to the original top?
It seems that the left front fender isn't original , did you replace that one also or was it already like that ?
Grtz Eric
It seems that the left front fender isn't original , did you replace that one also or was it already like that ?
Grtz Eric
- Thread starter
- #63
man you guys are good. Not sure on the tub but they did spend ALOT of time adjusting it with the top sides on which I liked. I looked at one before for sale that was 'restored' and the top did not fit right. Per the driver's side fender???? I remember it had some surface rust on the bottom. I thought they just cleaned it I don't think he changed it out.
Once I saw the condition of the body I kinda backed off the shop owner and deferred to his experience. I feel that he is doing a great job. i am a VERY detail oriented guy from restoring about 10 houses or so myself, but at some point you have to let go and let the craftsmen do their thing! will post more photos.
Once I saw the condition of the body I kinda backed off the shop owner and deferred to his experience. I feel that he is doing a great job. i am a VERY detail oriented guy from restoring about 10 houses or so myself, but at some point you have to let go and let the craftsmen do their thing! will post more photos.
- Thread starter
- #64
Some photos... remember we are only 3 wks in and will be painting 2 top coats soon by next week. I am already working on the interior with the interior guy today. Big decision I am doing 2 bucket seats with headrests USA spec style but then omitting the roll bar but keeping the twin 2 man benches. So she will be a 6 passenger FJ40. This gives the US buyer the option of changing to a US spec and buying a used rollbar or making a custom roll bar for the twin 2 man seats or just going as a hardtop. I really wanted the twin buckets bec they look better and are more comfortable for a 6 foot 3 guy like me. I may sneak the frames back 1 or 2 inchs too.
Hey wait! I thought those floors had rust patches. Looks like good work.
Hey wait! I thought those floors had rust patches. Looks like good work.
- Thread starter
- #65
Turns out Esmeralda has a twin. Another 1983 FJ40 government model in green ( and yucky vinyl). Actually in good shape. I was so happy bec the 31s look great on stock suspension and it had speakers hidden under the dash to give me an idea how to do mine. The locals love the govt green ones for their reputation of good long term maintenance.
Hi Charlie, i am from Medelín Colombia, I would like to offer my two cents...
Be carefull with these government vehicles as they are work rigs that where in business everyday during the las 30 years, you should consider buying 40´s for local people that may have had the cruiser for many years without all the mileage these trucks got and everything else that goes with the Colombian Geography.
These rigs where bought in the 70 and 80´s by EPM Empresas Publicas de Medellín, they bought hundreds of them so they could build and maintain all the public services grid.
Using the term restoring can not necessarily mean building it, you will get across people that would like a restored truck and they are going to ask for it.
Go trough the FAQ section on the forum, tons of TLC wisdom
Good luck.
Juan
Be carefull with these government vehicles as they are work rigs that where in business everyday during the las 30 years, you should consider buying 40´s for local people that may have had the cruiser for many years without all the mileage these trucks got and everything else that goes with the Colombian Geography.
These rigs where bought in the 70 and 80´s by EPM Empresas Publicas de Medellín, they bought hundreds of them so they could build and maintain all the public services grid.
Using the term restoring can not necessarily mean building it, you will get across people that would like a restored truck and they are going to ask for it.
Go trough the FAQ section on the forum, tons of TLC wisdom
Good luck.
Juan
- Thread starter
- #67
Thanks Juan we should get together some time. I almost bought a local privately owned FJ40 but in the end even a perfectly cared for one had the wrong paint and was not a body off frame restoration (granted it did not need it). Yes the EPM ones such as this one are high miles but have the reputation for good maintenance. In the end I paid good money for an above average late model year FJ40 with strong mechanicals and then we are adding back the high quality body work and interior work. The other benefit to the EPM trucks is that they have the metal hard tops not the fiberglass ones. I am anxious to finish this one and maybe do an FJ43 we will see.
- Thread starter
- #68
couple photos from today...
MUD member Chamba made mention of the tub bottom corners not matching with the curved doors! Will check thanks!
Does this AC look OK? I had a lead on a nippon denso old unit but I cant seem to find it now. I like this one. I saw one the other day I hated it. This one looks OK (smaller and CCOT looking).
This is the neighbor truck has nicely detailed engine bay.
MUD member Chamba made mention of the tub bottom corners not matching with the curved doors! Will check thanks!
Does this AC look OK? I had a lead on a nippon denso old unit but I cant seem to find it now. I like this one. I saw one the other day I hated it. This one looks OK (smaller and CCOT looking).
This is the neighbor truck has nicely detailed engine bay.
- Thread starter
- #69
FYI that AC unit not as shiny in the photos. It was due to the flash. Might be OK option if I cant find the original.
- Thread starter
- #70
can't get the original heaters down here but maybe the AC units. I am now tempted to do an original heater installed in the US and do this new AC unit down here.
I live in Florida so I think the AC a big deal if Esmeralda becomes a beach cruiser.
I live in Florida so I think the AC a big deal if Esmeralda becomes a beach cruiser.
- Thread starter
- #71
Checked on the work today. This is indeed an earlier series tub that my guy ordered. He then added back a few details to make it an 79 and later tub. I had him add a curve to the bottom of each side and a lip like the old original tub had (we have the original still laying there in his shop). The doors were prefit though and it looks tight.
I do think these changes will make it look more original and thanks to member Chamba for catching it.
FYI though today I saw another 1982 that was originally a hard top with the small half barn doors. It had a different sill than the original Esmeralda.
These details are frustrating me somewhat but we are so close it is worth the effort to do the best we can.
Also better to catch them now before we paint!
FYI will post photos later but I saw 3 FJ40's today 3 FJ43's and a super nice restored little Daihatsu 4x4. This is the land of classic 4x4s.
I do think these changes will make it look more original and thanks to member Chamba for catching it.
FYI though today I saw another 1982 that was originally a hard top with the small half barn doors. It had a different sill than the original Esmeralda.
These details are frustrating me somewhat but we are so close it is worth the effort to do the best we can.
Also better to catch them now before we paint!
FYI will post photos later but I saw 3 FJ40's today 3 FJ43's and a super nice restored little Daihatsu 4x4. This is the land of classic 4x4s.
- Thread starter
- #72
Man I really like these little Daihatsus. I even fit it in it! 6 foot 3 and let's just say husky.
My driver says there are geared strongly for the mountains. the come in 4 cyl diesel and gas.
This one all restored and getting new interior. I love that funky military green.
Would make a great beach cruiser in the US.
This guy does incredible interior customizations.
I cant wait until mine is done!
My driver says there are geared strongly for the mountains. the come in 4 cyl diesel and gas.
This one all restored and getting new interior. I love that funky military green.
Would make a great beach cruiser in the US.
This guy does incredible interior customizations.
I cant wait until mine is done!
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
Toyota Blizzard is a rebadged daihatsu ... Cool looking trucks for sure... There is some info on mud about them 
- Thread starter
- #74
Aah heck I just bought 5 BFG ATs 31 inch. Tried to save a few bucks and get the General Grabbers (with same tread) but really wanted the old school look! They are NOT cheap down here but they install for free and it will be DONE.
Lots of chinese tires down here. FYI those on that daihatsu are chinese mud tires no idea the brand but they looked great.
Lots of chinese tires down here. FYI those on that daihatsu are chinese mud tires no idea the brand but they looked great.
- Thread starter
- #75
I will look up that toyota blizzard.
they have the tiny FJ too that was made in Filipines. The decia I think?? Toyota gave them the design as part of war reparations.
I guess in the end all these cool trucks just cant make it in the USA bec of our 70mph highways. For here they are geared perfectly as top speed is not an issue.
when I drove Esmeralda up the hill with the 4.11 gearing felt super strong and easy to pass other cars.
in fourth with 31 inch tires in Florida maybe not so much!
I can do the 5th speed trans swap but did not want to on this original style one.
How could would that little daihatsu be with a little diesel in? probably 20mpg plus bee bop machine.
they have the tiny FJ too that was made in Filipines. The decia I think?? Toyota gave them the design as part of war reparations.
I guess in the end all these cool trucks just cant make it in the USA bec of our 70mph highways. For here they are geared perfectly as top speed is not an issue.
when I drove Esmeralda up the hill with the 4.11 gearing felt super strong and easy to pass other cars.
in fourth with 31 inch tires in Florida maybe not so much!
I can do the 5th speed trans swap but did not want to on this original style one.
How could would that little daihatsu be with a little diesel in? probably 20mpg plus bee bop machine.
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
The tiny fj's are the Delta Mini Cruisers... A few threads on Mud about them as well
jsaltlick here on mud had a Blizzard in Massachusetts I think it was a diesel even... Pm him for more info.. He even had a thread about his lil rig.
jsaltlick here on mud had a Blizzard in Massachusetts I think it was a diesel even... Pm him for more info.. He even had a thread about his lil rig.
- Thread starter
- #77
oh yea deltas. They have all the parts down here bec they still use them. super cool little rig.
chas404,,,,,,,,,,,,Great thread!!! Really like your cruiser. Is that "camo" yours also? That Daihatsu is cool also. Very nice thread. Now that I know where it is I will follow your progress.
- Thread starter
- #79
Thanks. The camo vinyl one was getting its trans worked on. i think my guy did the interior paint and the engine detail which i will copy. the vinyl is super yucko but to each his own. Oh the 'denim' interior is cool too.
I am doing more of an original resto.
here come some more photos we paint GREEN in a few days.
Fixed the tub detail thanks to member CHAMBA!
I am doing more of an original resto.
here come some more photos we paint GREEN in a few days.
Fixed the tub detail thanks to member CHAMBA!
- Thread starter
- #80
Worker scrubbed all the factory yucko paint off the tub so we can put down fresh anti corrosion primer.
We reused the gas filler area off the old tub and a few details. I think this tub had too much extra work. I am sourcing a correct 1979 or later for the next project from another source.
Although hard to say because I saw a 1982 FJ40 that was factory soft top with a different tub detail on the sill.
Anyhow I am very pleased with the bodywork given this was my first shot at this. Any comments or corrections or suggestions please have at it.
I think we have reached the point where we paint.
We reused the gas filler area off the old tub and a few details. I think this tub had too much extra work. I am sourcing a correct 1979 or later for the next project from another source.
Although hard to say because I saw a 1982 FJ40 that was factory soft top with a different tub detail on the sill.
Anyhow I am very pleased with the bodywork given this was my first shot at this. Any comments or corrections or suggestions please have at it.
I think we have reached the point where we paint.
