Top Ten FJ40 MUD Buildouts... your opinion counts!

[hecrod]

The updated reading list!

1. Here we go (FJ-40 getting a 3B/Turbo/H55f)...
2. First FJ40 build in a long time
3. fj40 1/2 xtra cab build (long)
4. 1HZ install into a 1978 FJ40
5. FZJ40
6. Tucker and Roma's 75 FJ40 Restore
7. Chicago builds a 40

 

[hecrod]

1964 FJ40 Build... another excellent build. An "oldie"... from 2006! Wonder how it looks now... the thread has gone silent for a few years.

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[hecrod]

A new member to the "Top Ten" list! Travelling Cruisers. A spectacular expedition-type build, with even more spectacular uses! What a build... engineering marvel... from Germany!

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[hecrod]

Updated List (20DEC15):

1. Type: 1965 45LV. Where: Minnesota USA. 1965 FJ45lv build up/resto thread by buckroseau Why?? Out of this world! A 10-year old thread, but as good as it gets. You won't find a more detailed build anywhere... certainly not with respect to body work. Extremely thorough... This one, and the LWB below could be read as a book... but start with the LV!
   • 3 days and 3300 miles later by buckroseau Why? The rot! And the skill to bring a basically dead LWB to life! A master at his craft...
2. Type: 1978 40 Where: Malawi, Africa. Blue Mule resto in Malawi by M5driver Why? Shipping parts into Southern Africa... somewhat inept help... revolution... the Wild... will it make it back to the States in one piece? Great story!!!
3. Type: 1983 BJ42 LX Where: South Africa, Africa. Intro: Ugly Betty(so far) by tmarx Why? LX... Shipped from Australia into South Africa... ultra high-quality work. Sensible updates, truly useful in nature. And epic trips to boot! Great photography. I'm impressed...
4. Type: 1979 HJ47 Where: Germany. Travelling Cruisers. A spectacular expedition-type build, with even more spectacular uses! What a build... engineering marvel...
5. Type: 1978 40 Where: Alabama, USA. Roma's 78 fj40 gets a refurb by roma042987 Why? Great build and awesome adventures in Western USA National Parks... great pictures!
6. Type: 1962 40 Where: Utah, USA. Help needed FJFJFJ / 1962 FJ40 44K ORIGINAL MILES by fjfjfj Why? 1962 corrugated top barn find... to Museum piece... literally. Very good story, to include some eBay drama right at the end! Likely the most "correct" restoration of an early 40.
7. Type: 1964 40 Where: Oregon, USA. destins 1964 fj40 FST restore thread by destin Why? Excellent well-documented (and long!) restoration. Some nice trips right at the end of the piece... where are you now Destin???
8. Type: 1976 UZJ40! Where: Nevada, USA. My UZJ40 Build - 2UZ iForce V8 and a750f 5spd auto by jetranger Why? The ICON has got nothing on it... not quite completed yet (a wedding may get in the way)... but already deserves to be here! We're not worthy... Nasty good...
9. Type: Phantom! Where: Islamabad, Pakistan. Building A Four Door FJ40 by FouadHafeez... Why? In the words of Fouad... "It isn't very detailed or technically correct...it doesn't chronicle every last item done on the vehicle...it isn't hugely informative. What I hope it DOES offer is a perspective on Land Cruisers (and life in general) from pretty much the other side of the world, for most people" And it is! Great vision, good skills, great story... and a lesson in life from the perspective of "the Other Side" that we should all learn from.
10. Type: 1977 40 Where: California, USA. ANTFJ 77 Build.. by antFJ Why? Make-shift garage... 21 YO student. Current AF Pilot? From a rust bucket to... see for yourself! The before and after are just stunning. Persistence and patience pays.

Ongoing very good threads (these ones may be in the Top Ten once completed!):

• Saving The Old Rustbucket--My 1982 FJ40 Tale by Sea Knight This would have been #1... if it only had been completed. Maybe it is being completed and we just don't know about it? What a turn of events that would be! The storytelling is impeccable. Frankly, better than a book. Seriously!
• 1968 fj40 resto by JADCRUISER Slow build, but... OMG! Some people are excellent body guys, others are excellent mechanics, then there's Jadcruiser... a master model builder let loose on a 68 40. Wow!
• 1st FJ40, '76 - SMOKEY - What next? Build Details by Vae Victus. Excellent very detailed thread underway here. Check it out!

Honorary Mention:

1. 81 BJ42 - I have to bring it home and pass inspection by Awl_TEQ... a good read... may be one of the very best if the frame-off actually takes place. An awesome initial drive... and some off-roading in MOAB too!
2. Burnttoast Build Post by burnttoastburgos. Another inspirational build! From a '76 with a 350 to a highly modified unit with an LS3! It's a piece of art. Active thread!
3. Mission Impossible......My 74 Build up by a Top Gun Land Cruiser builder by apeterson Why? Hunting, Building, Drinking, Floods, 2 year build, curses galore, and then… noooo!
4. My ICON by CLK Foxhall. Documenting a significant portion of the building of the ICON!
5. My 75 FJ40 build up thread... this build took almost 8 years! From a truly rusted out 75 to a stretch out beauty! Can you say 6.5L turbo diesel??? Amazing skills... and persistence! Kudos to you Kevin... @kcustom73
6. My 1976 FJ40 "Kit Car" by FJSeattle Why? You start with a placard (literally)... and end up with a jewel! All piece-meal one purchased / procured part at a time! Very good read... mad skills.
7. Project LandROC by Mcgyver24. A marriage between a '74 40 and a Z28 IROC Z! Another example of great skills and an amazing final product.
8. The Great Gazoo from 1972! Yet another cool build! Excellent build... and excellent story... going from this (a $300.05 parts lot from eBay). This rig was flipped right at the end... In a way I am tempted to say that it is too bad that it was "flipped" (see this thread), but fact is those "flippers" are creating a sophisticated market for our rigs. So, it is too bad that the original owner was not able to get full money, but I am glad the 40 eventually went for the right price!
9. Twistys Aussie HJ45 Buildup/Resto by Twisty... gag-inducing work right here. Can you say all-around disc brakes, turbo, and timber board custom bed? Yeah... I knew you could!
10. Uglina's (78 FJ40) Fix-up Thread by TEQ. An older CCOT restoration (circa 1993) is restored again (2006)! Wonderful multi-year thread with multiple tech tips, some body work, off-roading trips, kids growing up, hunting sceneries... and more. It's now sold, residing in Texas!

 

[hecrod]

building a landcruiser for overland expedition... fun build. Ingenious... useful! Awesome long hauls. Great read!

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[AlaskanWheeler]

MONYP1T build thread @Box Rocket, is a very nice build. I'm not sure @allan man has a build thread here, I thought for sure he had one.

 

[78fj40mg]

building a landcruiser for overland expedition... fun build. Ingenious... useful! Awesome long hauls. Great read!

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Very nice thread!

 

[caper]

this is a great thread