Builds Salt wagon My first fj40 (build)

[Chilkoot]

Gotta keep the 40 without a doubt. A 55 would be cool but as others have said they’re few and far between and the bodies are usually beyond rough. I also have a soft spot for westfalia camper vans. Those have plenty of body rust issues too but parts are cheaper. You can always swap a Subaru boxer engine in the water cooled ones as well. Whatever you do. Keep the 40

 

[svsisu]

Beach day earleir (took the top off to do the windsheild after and clean up a few things.
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Any time you think of selling the salt wagon, look at this photo. It is every and all reasons to not sell it, ever.

photo added for clarity

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Any time you think of selling the salt wagon, look at this photo. It is every and all reasons to not sell it, ever.

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photo added for clarity

Its why I drove it with the top fully off Sunday. its all I needed to get a kick in the pants to tackle a few more projects on it and keep the 40.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Since I finally bought new screws fo the windshield frame hinges I decided it was time to tackle the old screws and holy crap! this was the most difficult time I have ever had with a fastener wether that be bolt or screw. Had to bust out the air drill and air hammer. Welded on a nut on one of them and it still would not budge. I broke the bits on my impact screw diver even. what should only take a few minutes took me 2 hours of drilling and air hammering!

These little buggers were tuff!

Lots of crusties to repair and paint under there!

Its really frustrating that toyota designed it this way because there is no real access to the back side of the screws. I guess If I needed to I would have to cut into the bottom of the frame? I guess they didn't think somebody would take the hinges off in 60 years haha. I doubt these have been off in that time frame.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Out of curiosity what do I need to install a 2b diesel into a fj40? I found one it does not have a bell housing and probbly needs a few things but it would be cool to have a diesel in the salt wagon.

 

[svsisu]

Out of curiosity what do I need to install a 2b diesel into a fj40? I found one it does not have a bell housing and probbly needs a few things but it would be cool to have a diesel in the salt wagon.

That's one way to solve your electrical issues.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

That's one way to solve your electrical issues.

I think I actually figured the electrical out. seemed to be a combo of things. But yeah it would be a fun way to solve it 100% haha.

 

[FJBen]

Out of curiosity what do I need to install a 2b diesel into a fj40? I found one it does not have a bell housing and probbly needs a few things but it would be cool to have a diesel in the salt wagon.

Unless it was free, hard pass from me. It would also have to be in good running shape.

Rebuilding the injector pump and injectors (Probabaly needed) will run you about $2k plus today.
Heads/precups tend to crack on these, which if it’s running good, you are OK, but finding a good used head is near impossible. They will pretty much all be cracked, whether it’s an issue or not….You *might* be able to source a chinesium head if they are still making those.

They are slooooow. F or 2F is a straight rocket compared to a 2B. Turbo is not a great option on these old IDI engines.

As I said, if you got one for near free or cheap and it was is great running condition, then I suppose it would be a project, but personally I wouldn’t do it.

If you would have said newer 3BII or 1hz, I would said go for it as parts availability is good, and excellent for a 1HZ.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Unless it was free, hard pass from me. It would also have to be in good running shape.

Rebuilding the injector pump and injectors (Probabaly needed) will run you about $2k plus today.
Heads/precups tend to crack on these, which if it’s running good, you are OK, but finding a good used head is near impossible. They will pretty much all be cracked, whether it’s an issue or not….You *might* be able to source a chinesium head if they are still making those.

They are slooooow. F or 2F is a straight rocket compared to a 2B. Turbo is not a great option on these old IDI engines.

As I said, if you got one for near free or cheap and it was is great running condition, then I suppose it would be a project, but personally I wouldn’t do it.

If you would have said newer 3BII or 1hz, I would said go for it as parts availability is good, and excellent for a 1HZ.

all of this was kinda what I figured. Just like the idea of a diesel 40. I dont think I will pick up the 2b. The owner is now saying it spun a bearing because of a bad oil pump anyway.... Not wanting to open that can of worms

 

[FJBen]

all of this was kinda what I figured. Just like the idea of a diesel 40. I dont think I will pick up the 2b. The owner is now saying it spun a bearing because of a bad oil pump anyway.... Not wanting to open that can of worms

Oh yeah, wouldn’t touch that one. If it was free and you wanted to use it in your school for a rebuild, then yeah that would be fun.

I can tell you I rebuilt my 13bt in 2019. I had $1,800 in just machine shop work. $1,600 in IP pump and injector refresh. So $3,500.

That doesn’t count the rebuild kit and pistons which my friend bought before which was I think over $1k.

So pushing $5k. Not too mention for me a turbo rebuild $550, replacement gaskets OEM and extra parts I had to get to redo some previous not so great work, hoses, miscellaneous things and yeah…I’m not adding it up anymore!


Nowhere near as cool, but I could have got a used LS and swapped it by myself for about the same or cheaper

 

[onemanarmy]

keep the 40 and the awesome pics coming!

 

[Roastchestnuts]

keep the 40 and the awesome pics coming!

Yeah I have decided I am keeping the 40. plus there are still some things I really want to get done on the fj40. I still want to put old school bias ply super traxions 750 r16s with the city racer rims, I also still want to do shocks and a few other things. hell who knows I might do another engine swap if I get bored. I am going to pick up some sort of other project too though. I have been thinking about either a Volkswagen bus, willys or even a vintage 60s vespa to fix up. what ever pops up in my price range.

 

[onemanarmy]

sweet!

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Now hear me out... What If my next project is a diesel swap for the salt wagon? is that too soon? am I crazy?

 

[RevISK]

Now hear me out... What If my next project is a diesel swap for the salt wagon? is that too soon? am I crazy?

Make it amphibious if you really want to impress us.

 

[charliemeyer007]

I have a soft spot for multi fuelers.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Make it amphibious if you really want to impress us.

There is that one fj40 that crossed a channel or something!

 

[Roastchestnuts]

So I think my new goal with the fj40 is to make it something unique compared to other fj40s. I was talking with @svsisu about this. but At this point in the fj40s 60 year life every mechanical thing on it is not original other than maybe the front and rear axles. Transmission and transfercase was swapped by Jonathan and his dad because the one it came with failed. I swapped in the 2f engine from the sbc, flywheel, drive shafts, leaf springs, shackles, vacuum 4x4 actuator, bell housing, steering box, all steering components, and shift linkage, out. I am thinking some sort of diesel with either a 4speed or 5speed. The diesel and 4 or 5 speed is the long term goal (3 to 5 year plan). then I would probibly keep the 2f and drive train for a future project. I do still have a 4speed and transfercase thats disassembled that I could fix up.


I might think about clearing or doing some paint work soon as I dont want it to get get rusty. I will change out the rims and tires eventually. the rims are stable rustwise but are pitted. Will buy some bilistine shocks this summer as the old white procomps or ranchos or whatever they are kinda suck. will probbly do the birfs this summer too as they are starting to ooz ever-so slightly (its time)

some other updates my voltage regulator from fjparts came in. honestly a good experience. the voltage regulator is a toyota part, payed only 20 buckeroos for it. the one thts in the 40 was a part that was from a certain vintage part store. and I dont remember it having the denso toyota sticker on it. Unfortunulty I bought the small dizzy cap and I need the larger one... ugh I should have looked at the part numbers. Just repurchased one on cruiserteq. I also picked up an oil dip stick. just thought it would be nice to have the yellow handle. there is a difference in size on them. only a couple of mms. its better made than the one that came with the 2f. the one I had was a floppy thin metal dip stick and this one is ridged. Ill post a picture of it when I get home today. I remember seeing a thread on it though.

 

[FJBen]

not to send you into the weeds, but it’s your cruiser absolutely do what you want. A diesel swap would be cool no doubt but definitely get the right engine as there are definitely ones that are more trouble than worth.

I fully understand originality and where that line is on an old modified vehicle. My BJ74 is technically “mostly original”. original drivetrain, axles, interior, snorkel, heck in Australia you could order them with the ARB from dealer. On the flip side it’s lifted, upgraded turbo, bigger tires, soft top kit, and a few other trinkets that only came on different models. Makes it more desirable for most people but fully original? No.

Find a diesel that someone is getting rid of for cheap. Look into the Mercedes OM617 or OM variations. It would be awesome with an OM617. There are some swaps here. As you also know @theglobb used a 4bd1t from an Isuzu, excellent engine with a crap ton of spare parts. You can find those old Isuzu cab overs all the time for cheap.


I’d love someday to get a rig like this. Right up your alley for a surf/beach rig. The only downside being your legs ARE the crumple zone

 

[RevISK]

not to send you into the weeds, but it’s your cruiser absolutely do what you want. A diesel swap would be cool no doubt but definitely get the right engine as there are definitely ones that are more trouble than worth.

I fully understand originality and where that line is on an old modified vehicle. My BJ74 is technically “mostly original”. original drivetrain, axles, interior, snorkel, heck in Australia you could order them with the ARB from dealer. On the flip side it’s lifted, upgraded turbo, bigger tires, soft top kit, and a few other trinkets that only came on different models. Makes it more desirable for most people but fully original? No.

Find a diesel that someone is getting rid of for cheap. Look into the Mercedes OM617 or OM variations. It would be awesome with an OM617. There are some swaps here. As you also know @theglobb used a 4bd1t from an Isuzu, excellent engine with a crap ton of spare parts. You can find those old Isuzu cab overs all the time for cheap.


I’d love someday to get a rig like this. Right up your alley for a surf/beach rig. The only downside being your legs ARE the crumple zone

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Awesome truck. Makes my kidneys hurt just thinking about riding in it.