First off, thanks for having such a great resource for people like me! Coming from a Chevy background, it's been quite a learning curve trying to learn any and everything possible about FJ40s. I'm rapidly becoming a major fan of FJs and IH8MUD is a lot of that reason. If everything for the FJ just wasn't so expensive, I would seriously consider getting rid of my 74 K5 and switching over...before this project is over, that may yet happen.
When I was a kid, my dad had a 1970 FJ40 that was the first new vehicle he ever bought and eventually (as the family grew) he was forced to get rid of it. Fast forward over 40 years and he acquired a 1973 from a friend where it apparently had spent more than a few years being home to various flora and fauna.
About 3 weeks ago we finally got started on getting to work on this to see if we can get it put back together for him. What began as (optimistically) a short-term project has morphed into what is going to be a frame-off. If nothing else, to try and get all the "junk" out from everywhere.
This has forced me to learn a LOT about FJ40s (remember, I've been old-school Chevy for years) in a very short period of time. Initially we planned on using the F engine/3-speed but as the F engine is DOA, the cost of rebuilding it is basically more than converting to a small-block and, after talking to some of his friends, my dad is onboard with the conversion as well.
Now I'm rapidly trying to find out all there is to know (I know, futile isn't the word) about what would be a good conversion, what transmission to use, transfer case, etc. as well as which adapters to use, and on and on and on.
I guess the good news is that even with all the junk everywhere, the only really severe rust I have found thus far is the glove box. With that said, the fiberglass topper comes off tomorrow (it's free right now, I just didn't want to risk pulling it off solo and dropping it) and from an initial look while getting it loose, it appears that the gutter does not have corrosion issues to speak of. Of course the water was getting in to the glove box from somewhere so I'm more than a little apprehensive to see the bottom of the windshield cowl as I may yet find major damage.
I'm currently leaning towards an OME lift to improve the ride and give him a little more capability, but I'm open to any and all suggestions as to capable lifts that don't beat him to death driving down the highway.
At this point, he wants to use it as a hunting rig (mostly for getting to where he hunts more than as an off-road "blaze a trail" to hunt) type of rig as he IS 72 after all (I just hope I'm as active as he is when I'm 72!)
I guess the best part about this is that he has been saving and planning for this and it will truly be nice to be able to work on something without having to scrimp and save for everything. He's anxious to start buying all the parts so once we can make the final decisions, we can get moving more quickly. At this point, we're working on getting the tub stripped and off so it can head to the soda blaster or dipper along with the frame (albeit sandblasting on that one).
I found out today that I actually had not taken any photos of it prior to starting (other than the engine and some of the interior) but hopefully will add some as this thing progresses. Hopefully more quickly than I'm used too since the resources are available!
Anyway, I just wanted to not be such a "lurker" and thank everyone for all the information as there is definitely a learning curve associated with this project.
When I was a kid, my dad had a 1970 FJ40 that was the first new vehicle he ever bought and eventually (as the family grew) he was forced to get rid of it. Fast forward over 40 years and he acquired a 1973 from a friend where it apparently had spent more than a few years being home to various flora and fauna.
About 3 weeks ago we finally got started on getting to work on this to see if we can get it put back together for him. What began as (optimistically) a short-term project has morphed into what is going to be a frame-off. If nothing else, to try and get all the "junk" out from everywhere.
This has forced me to learn a LOT about FJ40s (remember, I've been old-school Chevy for years) in a very short period of time. Initially we planned on using the F engine/3-speed but as the F engine is DOA, the cost of rebuilding it is basically more than converting to a small-block and, after talking to some of his friends, my dad is onboard with the conversion as well.
Now I'm rapidly trying to find out all there is to know (I know, futile isn't the word) about what would be a good conversion, what transmission to use, transfer case, etc. as well as which adapters to use, and on and on and on.
I guess the good news is that even with all the junk everywhere, the only really severe rust I have found thus far is the glove box. With that said, the fiberglass topper comes off tomorrow (it's free right now, I just didn't want to risk pulling it off solo and dropping it) and from an initial look while getting it loose, it appears that the gutter does not have corrosion issues to speak of. Of course the water was getting in to the glove box from somewhere so I'm more than a little apprehensive to see the bottom of the windshield cowl as I may yet find major damage.
I'm currently leaning towards an OME lift to improve the ride and give him a little more capability, but I'm open to any and all suggestions as to capable lifts that don't beat him to death driving down the highway.
At this point, he wants to use it as a hunting rig (mostly for getting to where he hunts more than as an off-road "blaze a trail" to hunt) type of rig as he IS 72 after all (I just hope I'm as active as he is when I'm 72!)
I guess the best part about this is that he has been saving and planning for this and it will truly be nice to be able to work on something without having to scrimp and save for everything. He's anxious to start buying all the parts so once we can make the final decisions, we can get moving more quickly. At this point, we're working on getting the tub stripped and off so it can head to the soda blaster or dipper along with the frame (albeit sandblasting on that one).
I found out today that I actually had not taken any photos of it prior to starting (other than the engine and some of the interior) but hopefully will add some as this thing progresses. Hopefully more quickly than I'm used too since the resources are available!
Anyway, I just wanted to not be such a "lurker" and thank everyone for all the information as there is definitely a learning curve associated with this project.
The engine is a 400, but it's coming out and a Vortec to go in. I'm also not doing too bad as far as rust goes. I'll keep an eye on your build
