First off thanks for reading and appreciate the thoughts. Have a decent 1975 that has been redone in pretty good shape. Original 2-F that has one cylinder not great on the leak down test. So my dilema is this. I will be sending this to my home in Puerto Vallarta MX as my DD. The roads are absolute garbage and the mechanics and parts supply are even worse. I will be taking it up to the Sierra Madres for light off road but nothing to wild but it will be put through its paces for sure. Do i resto mod it up with all modern amenities L3, coilovers, lockers, etc. Or rebuild the engine, upgrade the suspension and keep it original. I am not handy at all so will be hiring to pros with the rebuild either way. Getting parts and supplies there require pretty much me bringing it from the states or playing russian rulette with shipping. Any experinced guys would love to get your thoughts. Many thanks. Enjoy the photos, she looks good and drives well.
TORN!!! KEEP IT ORIGINAL OR RESTOMOD FOR MEXICO
- Thread starter FishonMX
- Start date
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Nice truck! I’d rebuild the engine, upgrade suspension, and keep it original otherwise. These trucks are bulletproof and dependable in relative stock form. Once you go the restomod route there’s no guarantee you won’t be chasing reliability issues.
So is #5 cylinder that's bad? If so check your brake booster - it's/was leaking.
It's your rig and your money - do what makes you happy.
How are the tranny, transfer and pumpkins? People run them out of lube - perhaps a different tranny like NV4500 to get a lower low and an overdrive; maybe a (used) small block chevy would be cheaper than to rebuild the 2F.
IMHO research your vendor's and machine shop/mechanic's carefully - there seems to be no shortage of places asking premium prices for sub-standard stuff. A good place to start Classifieds - https://forum.ih8mud.com/forums/classifieds.4/ and Bad Sellers - Buyer Beware - https://forum.ih8mud.com/forums/bad-sellers-buyer-beware.352/
Go read some build threads and see what people have done to meet their needs in a rig.
It's your rig and your money - do what makes you happy.
How are the tranny, transfer and pumpkins? People run them out of lube - perhaps a different tranny like NV4500 to get a lower low and an overdrive; maybe a (used) small block chevy would be cheaper than to rebuild the 2F.
IMHO research your vendor's and machine shop/mechanic's carefully - there seems to be no shortage of places asking premium prices for sub-standard stuff. A good place to start Classifieds - https://forum.ih8mud.com/forums/classifieds.4/ and Bad Sellers - Buyer Beware - https://forum.ih8mud.com/forums/bad-sellers-buyer-beware.352/
Go read some build threads and see what people have done to meet their needs in a rig.
mattressking
10 digits to freedom
Leave it as is, resto-modding pretty much is the demise for 99% of trucks, most can’t finish and you find them for sale. Drive, maintain, enjoy.
Plus most folks then sell after ‘resto-modding’ because they are bummed how much they spent and usually have trouble recouping because guess what, original holds value the best.
Plus most folks then sell after ‘resto-modding’ because they are bummed how much they spent and usually have trouble recouping because guess what, original holds value the best.
Build to the environment you're going to be driving it. Keep it simple. Leaf springs, carb and an engine that runs on crap gas. I'd want an engine that has local parts availability. Maybe it's a stk 2f, sbc, ls. I'd want at a minimum frt stk disc brakes. Personally I'd want 4 wheel disc using the normal upgrade to the gm caliper setup in the rear.
I’d vote for keeping it stock. Any local mechanic could work on a stock 2F with a carb. Start getting fancy with fuel injection and computers and all bets are off. Stay with a good leaf spring suspension and maybe add lockers front and rear. Also a winch might be a good addition.
1MOA
SILVER Star
Fix the stock engine. "Spring" for a new OME med suspension and bushings add power steering and a rear ARB locker and drive it.
A November 1975 Build date is a 1976 Model Year. Im guessing it has factory front disc brakes. 76 is one of the best, if not the best model years of all because it was before a lot of the emissions were put on, and it has front discs.
DO NOT RESTOMOD!
DO NOT RESTOMOD!
I know what I would do with this Land Cruiser but you have to do what is right for you.
I'd keep it as original as you can. '76 is a great model year.
I'm looking at possibly pulling the engine for a rebuild next year. I too live in a small town with little resources nearby by.
You live and learn amigo, don't be afraid to work on these things. Mud is a great resource, and plenty of guys have started with less.
Your truck is the closet relative of mine I've seen to date.
I'm looking at possibly pulling the engine for a rebuild next year. I too live in a small town with little resources nearby by.
You live and learn amigo, don't be afraid to work on these things. Mud is a great resource, and plenty of guys have started with less.
Your truck is the closet relative of mine I've seen to date.
I will have to agree/w Samutalich. I wanted to ask the same question, what are the compression numbers? Have you adjusted the valves?. This engine is work horse, easy to maintain and easy to work on. The biggest problem I see is the intake/exhaust leak. The intak/exhaust set is too long. Aluminum/castiron cool down at different rates causing it warp when large amounts water hits it. I say install splash guards at the frame rail if they are missing replace them. It will keep water from splashing up into the intake/exhaust. Get all switches working, get spares on hard to find items.
I have driven a 82 fj40 10 hours into Mexico from the Texas border. I did take extra gas tank incase i got lost, etc. (Ended up not using it). Anyhow, on the way down maybe 3 hours from Aaguascalientes, the military police pull me over. Just a couple young soldiers wanting to see the fj40. I did not know that. They ask more questions about the forty than about where I was headed and why i was there country. I felt very uncomfortable but soon calmed down. The Cartel is much worse....they will ask for money or worse take tools etc. I have heard people l loosing there transportation....so be nice and cooperate....and hope for the best.
I will keep it original, figure out why you have low number on cylinder #5. I would try to get at least 31" or 32 tire to get that overdrive feel. Maybe get a overdrive gear in the transfer case. (May have to get a split tcase if go this route) Not sure how all that works have not looked into it.
Don't worry about parts, you get them shipped to you....it's just not convenient if you are not used to waiting or in a hurry to get it running. Add inline gas filter and carry extras. The biggest concern I have is I worry about someone taking it the 40 just because they want it. Always remove tools before you go to bed. I know It's something you don't want to hear. If you travel long trips try do it in groups.
I have driven a 82 fj40 10 hours into Mexico from the Texas border. I did take extra gas tank incase i got lost, etc. (Ended up not using it). Anyhow, on the way down maybe 3 hours from Aaguascalientes, the military police pull me over. Just a couple young soldiers wanting to see the fj40. I did not know that. They ask more questions about the forty than about where I was headed and why i was there country. I felt very uncomfortable but soon calmed down. The Cartel is much worse....they will ask for money or worse take tools etc. I have heard people l loosing there transportation....so be nice and cooperate....and hope for the best.
I will keep it original, figure out why you have low number on cylinder #5. I would try to get at least 31" or 32 tire to get that overdrive feel. Maybe get a overdrive gear in the transfer case. (May have to get a split tcase if go this route) Not sure how all that works have not looked into it.
Don't worry about parts, you get them shipped to you....it's just not convenient if you are not used to waiting or in a hurry to get it running. Add inline gas filter and carry extras. The biggest concern I have is I worry about someone taking it the 40 just because they want it. Always remove tools before you go to bed. I know It's something you don't want to hear. If you travel long trips try do it in groups.
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Such a great looking rig congrats! I Would baseline it and get all dialed in. keep it stock. I have only seen one other FJ40 in PV. down by the Walmart area.
then there will be yours. hope to see you around in PV sometime.
then there will be yours. hope to see you around in PV sometime.
Unless you have friends to wheel with, I'd focus on what gets you home when you're wheeling without the luxury of AAA towing.
A winch , lockers, storage solutions for emergencies like blankets, ice chest, water, spare parts and fuel.
A winch , lockers, storage solutions for emergencies like blankets, ice chest, water, spare parts and fuel.
Great ideas on storage. There is Mexican mud member who had a hidden built compartment. I thought that was a great idea. I have a tuffy console but I wish I also had hidden compartment as well. A 4plus cooler basket would nice too.
RevISK
SILVER Star
You already did it!
I guess you are right! Now if I could just get my hands on an FJ45 wagon…You already did it!