Builds Salt wagon My first fj40 (build)

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Just got a Notification that my headliner from @Cruiser Corps has been delivered! Very excited to see it. I am going to be sad to put the hard top back on this week but at least I would be looking up at a nice fresh headliner. I will post pictures of the installation. wish me luck. I should be able to get started on it late this afternoon.

Almost forgot. I am a little bit unclear of the law In NC. But I did pick up a vintage NC 1964 tag for the land cruiser. I believe as long as I put the registered tag some where in the vehicle I can use the vintage one. this is the info on the law on this that I could find: "Any motor vehicle of the age of 35 years or more from the date of manufacture may bear the license plates of the year of manufacture instead of the current registration plates, if the current registration plates are maintained within the vehicle and produced upon the request of any person."

Does anyone have any input on this?
 
Just got a Notification that my headliner from @Cruiser Corps has been delivered! Very excited to see it. I am going to be sad to put the hard top back on this week but at least I would be looking up at a nice fresh headliner. I will post pictures of the installation. wish me luck. I should be able to get started on it late this afternoon.

Almost forgot. I am a little bit unclear of the law In NC. But I did pick up a vintage NC 1964 tag for the land cruiser. I believe as long as I put the registered tag some where in the vehicle I can use the vintage one. this is the info on the law on this that I could find: "Any motor vehicle of the age of 35 years or more from the date of manufacture may bear the license plates of the year of manufacture instead of the current registration plates, if the current registration plates are maintained within the vehicle and produced upon the request of any person."

Does anyone have any input on this?
For my mustang I run a 1966 vintage tag on the outside and just keep my registered tag and registration in the trunk of the car. A cop has never stopped me or asked to see my plates before. I believe as long as you keep your registered tag somewhere in the vehicle you will be fine.
 
For my mustang I run a 1966 vintage tag on the outside and just keep my registered tag and registration in the trunk of the car. A cop has never stopped me or asked to see my plates before. I believe as long as you keep your registered tag somewhere in the vehicle you will be fine.
Thats what I thought! thanks! I am pretty excited to put a vintage tag on it. I think it will look cool for sure.
 
This is the only picture I took. I am not 100% happy with how it turned out. the front part looks pretty good but the back is not great. I think the headliner was not made for the earlier tops. I am pretty sure they are taller. But the back corners of the headliner just did not fit right no matter how I adjusted it. I can live with it for now.

I was planning on putting the top back today on until I can afford to buy a soft top. but its too hot. I think I will try and put it all back together tomorrow. Ill take some pictures tomorrow of the headliner when every thing is installed.

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Random thoughts but I am kinda disappointed in toyota with the new land cruiser. With bronco and wranglers having a soft top option I think they missed a huge opportunity to tip into this market. Also this new land cruiser is really just a prado and the prado traditionally had the same front suspension as the 4runners and tundras..... They did bring a new 70 series but they did not bring it to the states :frown:
 
Random thoughts but I am kinda disappointed in toyota with the new land cruiser. With bronco and wranglers having a soft top option I think they missed a huge opportunity to tip into this market. Also this new land cruiser is really just a prado and the prado traditionally had the same front suspension as the 4runners and tundras..... They did bring a new 70 series but they did not bring it to the states :frown:
I'm really excited that Toyota brought the Land Cruiser back to the US and generally like it. However, I watched a lot of videos on it last night and there are some real head scratchers that I can't figure out. They say this is purpose built, but it has a lower standing height than the current 4Runner. It also could have been better on the approach and departure angles. The front bumper apparently has around a foot of space between the grill and the radiator. Some metal and some plastic "skid plates." Also, it's roughly the same size as the current 4Runner, so I'm curious to see what happens with the next gen 4Runner.
 
Random thoughts but I am kinda disappointed in toyota with the new land cruiser. With bronco and wranglers having a soft top option I think they missed a huge opportunity to tip into this market. Also this new land cruiser is really just a prado and the prado traditionally had the same front suspension as the 4runners and tundras..... They did bring a new 70 series but they did not bring it to the states :frown:
My biggest question with the new land cruiser is how easy is it to service and do routine maintenance on and will it have the reliability and simplicity we have all known to love about our old rigs. I know you can not compare a FJ40 to any modern vehicle but I wrench on every car I own and don't buy a car unless I can do the majority of the service and maintenance myself. I think adding a turbo and a hybrid system is just adding complexity and big repair bills down the road for these newer land cruisers.

I think we will just have to wait for the new 4runner to come out and see if it goes back to its roots with a removable top or not. It may end up being the real wrangler and bronco fighter we want.
 
Got the new ignition switch wired up today. the wiring under there was pretty atrocious. also the wiring in other places looks to be spliced with weird stuff. But I did manage to find the original wires and get them connected to the correct terminals for the ignition switch. Before anyone asks I did disconnect the battery before I started this.

those two weird splices I am guessing are from mice getting into it and somebody having to repair. they are not part of the ignition (at least I dont think) Let me know what you guys think about that.

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How’s your tire carrier doing with those bigger tires? I’m planning on getting 33’s on mine, but I’ve been told to get a new tire carrier that bolts to the frame like the 4plus one because the stock carrier can’t handle the weight.
My spare tire carrier is doing alright for now. I am not wheeling it hard, at most driving on the beach. I will say I would not put a 33x12.50 on the back of the fj40. It would be too Heavy I feel like. I have the kenda kevlars and they are 9.5 wide but still you need a spacer for the spare tire carrier. I love the kenda tires and highly recommend them but I actually think I want to eventually go back to bias plys (probably something close to a skinny 32inch tire) on the old 40. Ill probibly do this when I pull the 4 inch lift out and put a dobinsons 2 inch in there. You should check out what @wngrog uses on his builds. They look awesome.
 
@120mm Are you still liking those bias plys? You got sta traxions right? I went down the rabbit hole looking at tires when I dont need to haha.
I love the STA Traxions. They are cheap, super capable and have the cool factor. They do make some road noise and like any bias ply, will "hunt" at highway speeds, but I grew up with that so it's normal to me.

The best part tho is that they don't stress the suspension or spare swing out like a bigger tire would.

I just took them wheeling with @Thechief86 and they did very well.

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I love the STA Traxions. They are cheap, super capable and have the cool factor. They do make some road noise and like any bias ply, will "hunt" at highway speeds, but I grew up with that so it's normal to me.

The best part tho is that they don't stress the suspension or spare swing out like a bigger tire would.

I just took them wheeling with @Thechief86 and they did very well.

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Thats good to hear you are still liking them. I dont do any highway driving on mine. most I have done is 45 mph haha. They certainly look the vintage ( I am after). this may be the way I go in the future. I would actually love to put stock suspension components back on mine but dont believe that I cant find that stuff anywhere. the end long term goal is to have it look as factory as I can.
 
My spare tire carrier is doing alright for now. I am not wheeling it hard, at most driving on the beach. I will say I would not put a 33x12.50 on the back of the fj40. It would be too Heavy I feel like. I have the kenda kevlars and they are 9.5 wide but still you need a spacer for the spare tire carrier. I love the kenda tires and highly recommend them but I actually think I want to eventually go back to bias plys (probably something close to a skinny 32inch tire) on the old 40. Ill probibly do this when I pull the 4 inch lift out and put a dobinsons 2 inch in there. You should check out what @wngrog uses on his builds. They look awesome.
I’ve been a longtime follower of @wngrog on instagram and absolutely love what he does with these vehicles. As for Kendra’s, I have them on my Tundra and really like them. I’ll pry put a set on my 40 when I can find them in stock again.
 
Other than the fj40s and fj55 land cruisers. These volkswagen vans have always been a favorite. this really cool patina rig rolled up at work today. I would love one of these one day. I had to share!

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I know nothing about this setup or what he wants or shipping to you…. But saw this ad and thought of you today. Maybe we can organize a cross country mud relay to get this stuff to you…..
 
I know nothing about this setup or what he wants or shipping to you…. But saw this ad and thought of you today. Maybe we can organize a cross country mud relay to get this stuff to you…..
I am just emailed the guy how much he is asking for the engine just out of curiosity. If its a good deal I might need to make somthing happen. plus looks like it has all the important early parts on it. But it would be cool to get that to me that way! Ill post what I find out! That early land cruiser in the picture is a dream. its really cool.

Thanks for sending this my way.
 
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