Well fellas, I'll start from the beginning of my LC searches. I have only been addicted for a reasonably short time. I was doing a search a few years back and came across the FJ Cruiser concept. Thought it was okay but that's when I started looking for older models. I originally wanted a 40 and began my search. I had found one while I was still in northern cali. Found the 40 in the San Diego area. I wanted it but things didn't work out. So I continued my search. Once I moved to Texas I continued my search and looked at a few 40s but could never make up my mind on which I wanted or if I had the money for the one I wanted.
Then I started searching around this site more and more. That's when I found the fj55 Iron Pig Pres Society. I started looking more and more and really started to want the one of my own. So I began the search for my own lil Piggie. I actually found the link to Craigslist here. I was searching around and I was on like page 11 or something and came across my pig. I emailed the guy in Tuscon the same day. He only wanted an offer. I offered $650 I figured I'd go low and see what happened. The guy emailed me back and said he'd take $750 I agreed. I was in Santa Rosa NM working and had to try and figure out how to get it back to TX.
While still in contact with the owner I finished with the job in NM and went back to Midland Texas before returning to Victoria TX. Once in Midland I started looking for a shipper to move the Pig from Tuscon to Victoria. I once more went to Craigslist and got lucky. I found a guy that was actually on his way through TX in the next few days. I was able to buy a tow bar and get the other assorted items needed for the shipper to bring the LC to me. This shipper went beyond the call of helping out another mechanic with a project. He went to the guys house and picked up the tow bar and paid for it for me. He went to the parts store and picked up the tow lights and the hardware to mount the tow bar. He also got a friend of his to mount the tow bar. Yeah he charged me for all of this and his time to do it but how many shippers are going to go through the trouble.
Okay so I bought the pig for $750 and ended up paying $830 for shipping and all the above named items. I think it was worth it.
Since getting it home. Since the engine wasn't running and the PO was sure it was the pressure relief valve in the oil pump. Sure was and most of the main and front three rod bearings. So rather than keep the ole' pig down long enough for me to afford to rebuild the motor I went on the hunt for a newish motor. I found one from AGreekBoy here on mud. The motor was in SC but Zulu was able to help me out he just so happened to have a friend who was coming to TX. So I recently got the motor and dropped it in Yesterday. I'm sure most everyone has seen my build thread.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-iron-pig-preservation-society/221770-long-term-71-pig-build.html
Anyhow. Currently I'm trying to get the ole' piggy running under it's own power then the plans are to cut the the rear quarters off and do a rap around bumper in the rear. Re do the front bumper with a similar look to the rear. At some point I am going to chop the rear roof and move it forward, and fully enclose with the use of a wrecked mini truck. I already have my eyes on the mini truck and am hoping the guy at the salvage yard will hold on to it for me for a little longer. At some point when I'm rich and famous I want to lower the roof a few inches. Give it the low rider look. Have to save my money for the new windshield.
Current mods well other than getting it running I have non so the ole' pig is pretty much stock. Would really like to do some sort of lift but don't have much experience with lifts or shackles or any of that but I'm learning. I'll put a pic or two on my build that I took today after getting my engine in.
Then I started searching around this site more and more. That's when I found the fj55 Iron Pig Pres Society. I started looking more and more and really started to want the one of my own. So I began the search for my own lil Piggie. I actually found the link to Craigslist here. I was searching around and I was on like page 11 or something and came across my pig. I emailed the guy in Tuscon the same day. He only wanted an offer. I offered $650 I figured I'd go low and see what happened. The guy emailed me back and said he'd take $750 I agreed. I was in Santa Rosa NM working and had to try and figure out how to get it back to TX.
While still in contact with the owner I finished with the job in NM and went back to Midland Texas before returning to Victoria TX. Once in Midland I started looking for a shipper to move the Pig from Tuscon to Victoria. I once more went to Craigslist and got lucky. I found a guy that was actually on his way through TX in the next few days. I was able to buy a tow bar and get the other assorted items needed for the shipper to bring the LC to me. This shipper went beyond the call of helping out another mechanic with a project. He went to the guys house and picked up the tow bar and paid for it for me. He went to the parts store and picked up the tow lights and the hardware to mount the tow bar. He also got a friend of his to mount the tow bar. Yeah he charged me for all of this and his time to do it but how many shippers are going to go through the trouble.
Okay so I bought the pig for $750 and ended up paying $830 for shipping and all the above named items. I think it was worth it.
Since getting it home. Since the engine wasn't running and the PO was sure it was the pressure relief valve in the oil pump. Sure was and most of the main and front three rod bearings. So rather than keep the ole' pig down long enough for me to afford to rebuild the motor I went on the hunt for a newish motor. I found one from AGreekBoy here on mud. The motor was in SC but Zulu was able to help me out he just so happened to have a friend who was coming to TX. So I recently got the motor and dropped it in Yesterday. I'm sure most everyone has seen my build thread.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj55-iron-pig-preservation-society/221770-long-term-71-pig-build.html
Anyhow. Currently I'm trying to get the ole' piggy running under it's own power then the plans are to cut the the rear quarters off and do a rap around bumper in the rear. Re do the front bumper with a similar look to the rear. At some point I am going to chop the rear roof and move it forward, and fully enclose with the use of a wrecked mini truck. I already have my eyes on the mini truck and am hoping the guy at the salvage yard will hold on to it for me for a little longer. At some point when I'm rich and famous I want to lower the roof a few inches. Give it the low rider look. Have to save my money for the new windshield.
Current mods well other than getting it running I have non so the ole' pig is pretty much stock. Would really like to do some sort of lift but don't have much experience with lifts or shackles or any of that but I'm learning. I'll put a pic or two on my build that I took today after getting my engine in.
