The Long Slow Build - 1980 FJ40

[gcrump01]

And just for fun, I'm rebuilding a Warn 8274 to mount to the front bumper. That thread is in the Winching & Recovery section.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/my-old-8274-rebuild.839033/

 

[gcrump01]

Mocked up the front bumper with the mount for the Warn 8274. And played with driving/fog light placement. I like the outer edge of the driving/fog light to line up with the inner edge of the headlight when possible. I know that's picky and even OCD, but it is what it is. Winch mounting plate slipped a little, but it will be straight when welded.

 

[gcrump01]

I know it will help to see the whole thing together with hood, front fenders, etc., but do y'all think there will be too much going on (too cluttered) with the lights & winch? Starting to rethink this a little.

 

[Bambi Girl]

Hi
Re do you think it's to cluttered?
I had the same thoughts on my build and I put this thought down to the hundreds of photos of other people's builds I have looked at while assembling my truck.
The photos I was interested in are 40 series undergoing a total rebuild and in particular those being built to show room condition.
Needless to say my build was going to be as close to show room as possible. Original bumper , seats , colour , engine and so on.
Then I woke up!
I'm not building this forty series to show I'm building this truck to drive .
I then went out and brought an ARB bar some Light Force spots a chunky UHF antenna and a Warn Winch.
I removed the OEM bumper and fitted this a ray of goodies. I stood back and admired my work.
Looks a bit cluttered I thought and I might have to give this a rethink.
My Toyota now did not look like the Toyota in the photos but it is practical and these accessories are there for a purpose.

So to answer your question does it look cluttered?
If it's going to be a show pony may be.
If your going to drive the Forty as Mr Toyota intended no way leave them on and Tuffen the truck Up.
I have not taken a photo of the Bar and Accessories but it's growing on me.
Snap on a similar colour . Love that Freeborn Red
.

Cheers






...via IH8MUD app

 

[gcrump01]

Thanks for your input. I'm back & forth on the cluttered thoughts. I had the driving light sitting in the innermost hole for the bumper mount so really simple to drop in another bumper bolt instead. I'm going to go ahead & finish welding the bumper and winch mount, then get it powder coated.

Still dreaming of the day mine is actually painted. Soon I hope. Just can't wait to see it in shiny Freeborn Red.

Your truck looks great.

 

[JohnnyC]

naaaa not too cluttered at all... ive seen way worse.... mine for example LOL:

 

[Weber Sarge]

Honestly , even the Aussie's usual combination of bull bars , brush/fender guards , antenna's and such doesn't look out of place in my opinion . It's about taking a super-capable base and making it what you need , nothing more . The Cruiser is still a super-simple vehicle that is rugged and basic but will last a long time . They are built to be outfitted to me and I see nothing wrong with that as long as the basic lines of the truck are kept , which isn't hard .
Sarge

 

[gcrump01]

Went ahead with the tires. Just love the look of these wheels and tires.

 

[gcrump01]

Mounted the tires. If I had the body on this damned thing we'd be in business!

 

[gcrump01]

And rec'd the winch bumper back from powder coating. Not perfect but it looks pretty good. We plugged a lot of holes.

 

[gcrump01]

Rear quarter panels molded in. Getting there, slowly, but at least there is some progress. Passenger side is done also.

 

[gcrump01]

DS rocker panel repaired. PS was replaced when we did the floor pans. And a little rust repair on the cowl. Baby steps but at least there is progress.

 

[gcrump01]

Went by shop today, a little more progress. Even some primer finally. Stay tuned for some pictures later this evening.

 

[gcrump01]

First section in primer - Putty wiped and primed to keep from flash rusting while we tackle the next section.

 

[vegasfj40]

This is a great thread! Nice detailed pics! So did this 40 run when you bought it? Did you rebuild the engine/trans/transcase?

 

[vegasfj40]

Nevermind. Just saw the post that you did rebuild the engine etc.

 

[gcrump01]

It did not run when I bought it. It would turn over when you hit the starter.

I really enjoy working on this truck. No way I could have gotten this far without this forum. Thanks for everyone's help along the way. To be continued.

 

[gcrump01]

Spent the day cleaning the garage and adding a new shelf. No cruiser progress.

 

[gcrump01]

While the tub sits at my friend's shop I find little things to work on at home.

Built a tailgate out of some old barn doors. I'm just learning to weld so don't laugh. Required a little more grinding than I expected to get welds to look pretty good. Made a bracket for the license plate and welded up the hole on other side where license plate mount used to be. I did test fit it before welding it solid. Fits pretty nicely, about 1/4" gap all the way around.

 

[gcrump01]

Getting a little frustrated with this build. Just can't seem to get anything done. Friend that is helping with the body work just doesn't seem to have any time for mine with all his other work. I keep thinking - I'll just part it out and use the money to buy a finished FJ40.

Frustrated!!