This started two years ago, I found a rusted out FJ45, and was looking into getting a glass body for it...before I bought it, I went to Mike Gozzard's (he's close by) to look at his stuff. I was very impressed, but wanted to see a complete truck, he put me on to another guy, 30 minutes away that had a glass body on a 1979 BJ40, B engine, 4 speed. I checked it out, liked what i saw, but before buying the 45, the guy with the 40 called, to tell me it was going up for sale, if I wanted first crack at it. I bought it on my birthday in 2006. I use it for running around, some light offroading, camping etc....maybe 5000 miles this year...
Things I've done...
Unfortunately the B motor died last winter when I dropped a valve seat...I found another 3B in excellent shape and installed it...it went from in the crate to driving in 10 hours...this was the plan from the beginning, just happened sooner than I thought.
I herculinered the glass interior,
Cut the family cage off, welded up a more original style cage,
Took out the bench seat in the back, and installed the original jump seats...with new seat covers...
Made up a stainless snorkle (see my post for pics)
Various normal things, clutch master and slave went, tie rods, installed headliner, rebuilt front end (seals.bearings), wiring issues,
...recently I rolled it, so i'm just getting it back together, in the one pic, the dash is apart, i needed to get to the door hinges, just wanted an interior pic.
Future plans, turboing the 3B, install PS (have most of the pieces), in progress of welding up a rack for the back to hold fuel cans, tire, jack etc, weld up front bumper, install a 24v winch...
I've gone through some difficult times, in the last while, and can honestly say that taking this truck out, breaking it and fixing it has kept me sane...I know you all understand that feeling of cruising with the top off : )
Thanks Mudders, for all the help when I do break it...enjoy the pics...
Things I've done...
Unfortunately the B motor died last winter when I dropped a valve seat...I found another 3B in excellent shape and installed it...it went from in the crate to driving in 10 hours...this was the plan from the beginning, just happened sooner than I thought.
I herculinered the glass interior,
Cut the family cage off, welded up a more original style cage,
Took out the bench seat in the back, and installed the original jump seats...with new seat covers...
Made up a stainless snorkle (see my post for pics)
Various normal things, clutch master and slave went, tie rods, installed headliner, rebuilt front end (seals.bearings), wiring issues,
...recently I rolled it, so i'm just getting it back together, in the one pic, the dash is apart, i needed to get to the door hinges, just wanted an interior pic.
Future plans, turboing the 3B, install PS (have most of the pieces), in progress of welding up a rack for the back to hold fuel cans, tire, jack etc, weld up front bumper, install a 24v winch...
I've gone through some difficult times, in the last while, and can honestly say that taking this truck out, breaking it and fixing it has kept me sane...I know you all understand that feeling of cruising with the top off : )
Thanks Mudders, for all the help when I do break it...enjoy the pics...
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