Build Stretched 1-Ton FJ40
- Thread starter Mike Shull
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #1,822
I’m ready. I linked it in the previous post.
Hi Mike, Connecting here…SUPER cool build! Thank you for sharing your work and your videos!
Ditcherman
SILVER Star
Take my money!
I’ll make fun of Etsy stores later.
I’ll make fun of Etsy stores later.
- Thread starter
- #1,825
Hi Bill. Thanks for connecting here and for the comments on YouTube. Those really help tell YT to circulate the videos.
Thanks for the order, Matt!
- Thread starter
- #1,826
Not a lot happening to the Cruiser but a lot going on with the new Land Cruiser store. I still don’t have t-shirts as I am not satisfied yet with my creations but I am very happy with the latest ghost town calendar.
Use CRUISER5 for a 5% discount at inlowgear.com
I’m planning to order some DEI sound deadening and heat shield in the next couple of weeks so that I can install before taking the Cruiser in to have the upholstery done. I can’t wait.
Use CRUISER5 for a 5% discount at inlowgear.com
I’m planning to order some DEI sound deadening and heat shield in the next couple of weeks so that I can install before taking the Cruiser in to have the upholstery done. I can’t wait.
That stock looking linked 40 in your avatar photo looks interesting....I think I can even make out rear coilovers?!? Share some details! Mike doesn't mind the thread jack, I promise.
- Thread starter
- #1,828
I charge one coffee mug per hijack. Ha! Just kidding. Don’t buy any mugs. You are giving me some good ideas for a t-shirt though…
I totally did not notice the coilovers. Please do hijack and show us what you’ve got under there. We need some excitement.
Mike…That AI drawing is so cool!
Here is the story about my ‘68 FJ40:
Like Mike, I grew up in the back of this FJ40, learned to drive in it, and it was formally handed down to me in 1990 as a college graduation present. I should have left it alone, but I dropped in a very tired 327 / SM420 in the late ‘80s, had Danny Warden do a spring over, put in a ‘76 front axle for disk brakes, and did a rear disk brake conversion with Toyota Celica disks.
The 327 gave out, and I had to park the FJ40 in the mid-90s. Family, an intense job, and many other things always seemed to get in the way of getting it running again. My little brother passed away in May 2023, and I realized I would never get it done on my own.
I reached out to several shops here in NorCal and they were not too interested. On a whim, I contacted Jonathan Ward. He quickly got back to me and agreed to do their first FJ40 Derelict. My goal, and Jonathan’s, was to keep the body as stock as possible, but put in the modern drivetrain and suspension. I wanted it to look exactly as it did to the extent possible, be comfortable on-road, and performs well off road. I don’t plan on using it for extreme rock crawling given what it means to my family.
I’ve had it back for about a year and have nearly 5k miles on it. Most people think it is an old FJ40 at first glance, and don’t know what it really is. Eagle-eyed Mud members figure it out pretty quick, however!
Here are a few pics of my old Land Cruiser on Mud Lake Rd last summer:
Sorry for the hijack, Mike!
Here is the story about my ‘68 FJ40:
Like Mike, I grew up in the back of this FJ40, learned to drive in it, and it was formally handed down to me in 1990 as a college graduation present. I should have left it alone, but I dropped in a very tired 327 / SM420 in the late ‘80s, had Danny Warden do a spring over, put in a ‘76 front axle for disk brakes, and did a rear disk brake conversion with Toyota Celica disks.
The 327 gave out, and I had to park the FJ40 in the mid-90s. Family, an intense job, and many other things always seemed to get in the way of getting it running again. My little brother passed away in May 2023, and I realized I would never get it done on my own.
I reached out to several shops here in NorCal and they were not too interested. On a whim, I contacted Jonathan Ward. He quickly got back to me and agreed to do their first FJ40 Derelict. My goal, and Jonathan’s, was to keep the body as stock as possible, but put in the modern drivetrain and suspension. I wanted it to look exactly as it did to the extent possible, be comfortable on-road, and performs well off road. I don’t plan on using it for extreme rock crawling given what it means to my family.
I’ve had it back for about a year and have nearly 5k miles on it. Most people think it is an old FJ40 at first glance, and don’t know what it really is. Eagle-eyed Mud members figure it out pretty quick, however!
Here are a few pics of my old Land Cruiser on Mud Lake Rd last summer:
Sorry for the hijack, Mike!
- Thread starter
- #1,830
Hijack away. I’m not doing anything in here, but soon I will have some updates on the interior.
This is a bittersweet story. I watched that episode on YT but I didn’t put it together that this was your Cruiser until you commented on this thread. Thanks for sharing and I hope that I get to see it in person.
This is a bittersweet story. I watched that episode on YT but I didn’t put it together that this was your Cruiser until you commented on this thread. Thanks for sharing and I hope that I get to see it in person.
Wow, wasn't expecting an Icon build response!!! What a treat, thanks for sharing.
What is your opinion on the truck setup after 5k miles as far as on road and off road manners? Is it a good balance of comfort and capable?
Ditcherman
SILVER Star
Just finished the video.
Great story, great work to preserve the heritage and remember what brought you to the place you’re at now.
Really cool that Jonathan answered the call.
What a great community.
It is very well balanced. On road, it can hit 70+ mph with that 5th gear, but it really needs to be kept under 65 with the short wheelbase. It handles well on canyon roads, and the brakes are really good. It’s still a 1968 FJ40, and so it is not quiet on the road but that is expected.
It worked very well off road, too, albeit on a mild trail. Really like the fuel injected LS when going up to higher altitudes and going off camber. Much better experience than the old carbureted 327.
If there is interest, I may create a separate thread about the backstory and build of my FJ40? Let me know and I can give it a shot. If I do, should it go into the 40 forum? Or this hardcore forum?
(Mike: I ordered a camp mug from your store as penance for jumping into your thread…super cool mug and I would have gotten it anyway!)
I vote yes: build thread in the 40 section. Beautiful and I'd love to see more pics.
Super cool story, it’s to bad johnathan kept interrupting you instead of letting you tell your story.
Everyone here always loves new content, especially when it has the backstory and caliber of build of your 40. I watched the whole video, that rig is so cool with the exterior patina (my favorite look on any 40) and the work done by Icon. Love everything about the truck! The 40 section will get way more eyes on it and engagement, I'd say start a thread there, if you're comfortable doing so.
- Thread starter
- #1,837
I agree with Evan and Richard and I’d also love to see a thread about this. I am serious about putting your Cruiser on t-shirt, @Bill6840. I just need some better quality images and your permission. The cartoon is cool but I think this one needs some sort of vintage filter applied to make that patina pop. The cartoon filter will almost always try to “fix” patina. Let me know if you are interested and what you want to see.
Hi Mike, I’ll send you a couple of pics directly for you to consider.
Apologies for the delayed response: I’ve been travelling and came down with a cold/flu. I will post up a build thread to share with all of you. Thanks for the feedback!
Apologies for the delayed response: I’ve been travelling and came down with a cold/flu. I will post up a build thread to share with all of you. Thanks for the feedback!
- Thread starter
- #1,839
This should be a nice surprise for Bill when he logs in next. Thanks for the extra pictures, Bill!
@Bill6840
@Bill6840
Just take me to see the moooose!