Builds Tucker and Roma's 75 FJ40 Restore

[roma042987]

I was occupied on Sunday so Tucker got a head start and removed the seats and the fuel tank from the interior. Apparently the truck has been parked for the last 12 years and family of field mice had made it their home. The last registration showed the truck was registered in the state of Kansas in 2004. Prior to that the 40 lived in Mesa, Arizona. Yesterday we finally got to work

This is why I love having a welder

 

[roma042987]

Roughly 11 hours later the tub is fully stripped and removed and we are down to the frame.

 

[roma042987]

We arent really sure how the 16 split rims found there way onto this 40 but I sure do like the way they look. We will be reusing the original wheels from Tuckers first cruiser and these may find there way onto one of my cruisers Here is where it gets interesting both 40s had a build date of January 75 so last night we decided to check who close they were on the assembly line. 22 trucks apart!

 

[oldschool4wheeling]

Uuuuuuhhhhh WOW!! How cool is that 24 vehicles apart. Hell, they were probably made on the same day. If only they could talk and tell their story.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

that is one solid rig and starting point. Congratulations on the purchase and the new 40

 

[eman375]

And the transformation begins. Can't wait to see the progress!

 

[dad4x4]

WOW, what a great find...very solid cruiser to work with too. I look forward to seeing this build. Looking to be done by spring?

 

[roma042987]

Uuuuuuhhhhh WOW!! How cool is that 24 vehicles apart. Hell, they were probably made on the same day. If only they could talk and tell their story.

oh I know! This 40 has a lot of character. beautiful patina and a home made roof rack to boot as well as a home made rack of some kind that was on the roll bar. As bad as the front bumper is bent up I bet it probably lived on a farm. The frame is packed full of dirt but is perfectly solid. I made a typo they were actually 22 trucks apart not 24. the green one is 22 trucks newer fj40191724 and fj40191746 both January of 1975. Im sure the same people originally assembled both trucks. These rigs lived entirely differently lives. Who would have thought that one day they would be taken apart and turned into one truck once again.

that is one solid rig and starting point. Congratulations on the purchase and the new 40

Thank you. It is very solid, looks like the fuel tank area will need a little work for sure but other than that it is in great shape.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Im sure the same people originally assembled both trucks and both trucks.

Serendipity...I'm in

 

[roma042987]

WOW, what a great find...very solid cruiser to work with too. I look forward to seeing this build. Looking to be done by spring?

Spring is a little too ambitious but we are shooting for fall so we can take another stab at getting out to moab again which proved to be an epic fail last time around.

Tucker is anxious to get back behind the wheel so we will be reusing a lot of parts from the old rig but will be doing some upgrades as well. I really wanted to find a 1hz for the truck but despite my best efforts cant seem to find one so, we made an executive decision to stick with the f/h engine family so I called Toyota this morning and have an h55f on the way. (this transmission shares the same input shaft as f/2f engines as well as 2h/12ht diesel engines while the 1hz would have needed an h55f with a different input shaft). In the meantime I will be searching for a 12ht. The 2f was running really well but im pretty sure that Tucker is catching the diesel bug from me.

We are in desperate need of a late 40 series transmission cross member and frame brackets so if anyone knows of where some can be had please shoot me a pm. I REALLY don't want to make these parts but will if we cant find them. We will also be ditching the factory 40 power steering so this week im going to prep the frame for the 60 series steering box. I have an idea in mind for retaining the factory 40 shock towers so will see how that goes.

 

[TheHardWay]

FJ40 Life of Reilly - yeah!

 

[lcwizard]

Roma, if you give Cyclops ( I named the one eyed 40 ) a aux tank, I noticed on yours you set in a factory filler well. Just a suggestion....It's
only a little more work to raise it level with the main. It has less tendency to spill on a lean. Here's a pic. We section a piece of 5" diameter
tube ( .095~.120 is fine ) for the inside

 

[lcwizard]

If you do the same roof rack I'll send some cuttings for this outrigger on the rear. I'll let you weld them up so I don't take all the fun out of it

 

[davegonz]

I'm really digging those metal fender flares, Dave!

 

[roma042987]

Roma, if you give Cyclops ( I named the one eyed 40 ) a aux tank, I noticed on yours you set in a factory filler well. Just a suggestion....It's
only a little more work to raise it level with the main. It has less tendency to spill on a lean. Here's a pic. We section a piece of 5" diameter
tube ( .095~.120 is fine ) for the inside

I like Cyclops lol. Thanks for posting those photos, Tucker and I actually discussed that with the filler but weren't sure how to transition it through the wheel well so that definitely helps. We are actually going to get one of the aluminum 23 gallon tanks maf is selling, the filler pipe on it runs to the center of the tank to make it less susceptible to spilling but we wanted to move the filler up as well. I think we are going to do away with the interior tank all together and make a lockable storage box to fit under both seats. He hasn't quiet decided on the roof rack but those out riggers look bad ass. Looks like this build is headed a little further from factory and more toward better drivability and user comfort.

 

[handcannon]

Wow, you sure have several items there that make me drool. Several FJ40's, the Isuzu, and the 58 Chevy. Looks like the 40 you just picked up is a real good base for your project.

There is one item I saw in more than one pic, the "e-brake". Those chunks of railroad iron are very handy to have around, especially for the handyman's anvil.

Don

 

[roma042987]

Wow, you sure have several items there that make me drool. Several FJ40's, the Isuzu, and the 58 Chevy. Looks like the 40 you just picked up is a real good base for your project.

There is one item I saw in more than one pic, the "e-brake". Those chunks of railroad iron are very handy to have around, especially for the handyman's anvil.

Don

Thanks Don but the 58 chevy isn't ours. It belongs to the guy we bought the 40 from. The Isuzu I actually bought for single trip to rescue my broke down 60 from Canada and it has been a blessing so I sold my utility trailer and decided to keep it for hauling trucks and parts. Its hauled my 60 from Sweet Grass Montana made a trip to Telluride Colorado and another recent trip to Missouri and Dallas to pick up more parts, over 10k miles in just those three trips since October. The railroad iron is Tuckers and I believe belonged to his dad it has come in handy a couple of times.

 

[BRShap]

Looking good guys!

 

[shipmag]

Let me know when you want and transmision transfer case bypass hose for your new rig.

 

[roma042987]

Let me know when you want and transmision transfer case bypass hose for your new rig.

absolutely!