Well, since I gave my $10 to Peggy, I guess that I should at least say hello. For some reason, I see myself standing up in front of the group of TLA(Toyota Landcruisers Anayamous) and saying…. “Hi, my name is Kelly, and I have an addiction to FJ’s.”
For me it started back in high school when I rebuilt a carb on someone’s FJ40. I did it as a rush job for a guy, and he was hounding me until I finished it. The FJ had over 250k miles on this original 2F engine, and he desperately wanted it back. So, when I finished, I finally asked what the rush was… He told me he was going off to Alaska that day in the FJ. At the time, I had a 77 Toyota T2C engine (if memory is correct) on my dd, not only did it survive about 10 people learning stick, I also tried everything a 16 year old could do to destroy that engine. At any rate, I learned how bulletproof these engines are.
So, fast forward almost 20 years later, after 7 years of looking and watching, I finally bought a decently rust free 75’ FJ40 to do a frame off on. Erik was a great consultant during my decision about purchasing this FJ -- and for his time I still need to buy him some suds. I have done restorations before, but not with such a community of support and information. This makes it so much more exciting to have a group like this with a wealth of knowledge. My plan is to build the 75 to be an alternative dd first, and then I also have a 74’ that I want to make a climbing beater toy out of.
I am an accountant here in Lenexa, KS and my wife and I have two kids (3 and 5). I have been a woodworker since birth, and a gear-head later, so don’t be surprised if I add some woody half doors for the summertime. Not the typical accountant, but I am what I am.
I hope to meet more of you during events in the coming years, and share with you my progress. Also if there are any passanger seats open this year during our events, I would love to ride along.
I want to apologize for all the questions now, and let everyone know the beer is always cold if you stop by the garage.
Kelly
For me it started back in high school when I rebuilt a carb on someone’s FJ40. I did it as a rush job for a guy, and he was hounding me until I finished it. The FJ had over 250k miles on this original 2F engine, and he desperately wanted it back. So, when I finished, I finally asked what the rush was… He told me he was going off to Alaska that day in the FJ. At the time, I had a 77 Toyota T2C engine (if memory is correct) on my dd, not only did it survive about 10 people learning stick, I also tried everything a 16 year old could do to destroy that engine. At any rate, I learned how bulletproof these engines are.
So, fast forward almost 20 years later, after 7 years of looking and watching, I finally bought a decently rust free 75’ FJ40 to do a frame off on. Erik was a great consultant during my decision about purchasing this FJ -- and for his time I still need to buy him some suds. I have done restorations before, but not with such a community of support and information. This makes it so much more exciting to have a group like this with a wealth of knowledge. My plan is to build the 75 to be an alternative dd first, and then I also have a 74’ that I want to make a climbing beater toy out of.
I am an accountant here in Lenexa, KS and my wife and I have two kids (3 and 5). I have been a woodworker since birth, and a gear-head later, so don’t be surprised if I add some woody half doors for the summertime. Not the typical accountant, but I am what I am.
I hope to meet more of you during events in the coming years, and share with you my progress. Also if there are any passanger seats open this year during our events, I would love to ride along.
I want to apologize for all the questions now, and let everyone know the beer is always cold if you stop by the garage.
Kelly
