What to do with it?

[crusty25]

So obviously im new here, new to FJS also. I recently bought a project Thinking i was buying a 40; did not know 25s existed. Anyways i think what i have is a 1959 body on a 40 frame. Its a total beater and missing a lot of stuff. Needs metalwork but its not the worst project i have taken on. After looking around and finding this forum its become apparent the 25s are quite rare and parts are scarce. I thought i was going to somewhat modernize this thing and drive it for fun but now im a bit conflicted. I did not plan on spending huge money on a project. Should the body be preserved as best as i can for saving it's sake, or does it really matter. Opinions welcome before i start on this one. The only pic i have at the moment is on my avatar. Ill try to get some to upload.

 

[nuclearlemon]

start by not calling them fjs they are 25s.
second, pictures would really help a lot. if the body is in excellent condition, please don't cut it up, especially if it's a factory softop (fst) body with the cj-5 style door cuts.
third, what kind of modernization did you want to do? keep it stock looking but add a modern f.i. powertrain?

if you don't care about the originality (which if it's not on the original frame, i wouldn't), i would sell the rare parts to people restoring and replace with aftermarket parts.

 

[crusty25]

Looks like it is a soft top body. Body is not excellent though. Front end and dash are good but tub corners are bad. Someone tried to repair the corners before. Engine is a 1f but does not match the body tag. Its locked up. 3speed on the tree. Appears all drivetrain is there. Tailgate is split type? Is that orig to a 25 or added? Pics are coming

 

[pardion]

Is there a frame number on it? It will be on the outside right front.

 

[crusty25]

Is there a frame number on it? It will be on the outside right front.

There is, but it starts with FJ40 so im sure its a frankenstein project from who knows when. Looks like it had not been touched in many years as i could not tell until bringing it home and scrubbing for numbers.

 

[crusty25]

start by not calling them fjs they are 25s.
second, pictures would really help a lot. if the body is in excellent condition, please don't cut it up, especially if it's a factory softop (fst) body with the cj-5 style door cuts.
third, what kind of modernization did you want to do? keep it stock looking but add a modern f.i. powertrain?

if you don't care about the originality (which if it's not on the original frame, i wouldn't), i would sell the rare parts to people restoring and replace with aftermarket parts.

Also what would be considered rare parts for one of these? If i was to modernize i would probably do a simple engine swap, maybe some guages and small suspension and or brake upgrades to make it a bit more driveable. I have always hated when people chop up rare stuff though.

 

[rick_d]

“please don't cut it up,”

Number one rule. If the base parts are nice enough pass along to complete a poor but complete truck. In this day in age 65+ year old parts are hard to find (they were hard at 40 year). I think at this point if you want anything other than a mostly original 25 move on to any 40 series that are easy to source.

 

[crusty25]

I know. I was not aware the 25s existed. Thought o was buying a beater 40 to hack on a bit until i started looking close. Excited to have it but also a bit sad. Had highway patrol look at it and verified its on a 71 40 chassis. They must have not been way to different because its hard to tell, at least the way it sits

 

[Unimogguy]

It’s your truck do whatever you want. I just love seeing them back on the road and being used. All the guys who originally purchased these trucks had no idea they were going to become so rare and collectors items. They bought them to use them for their intended purposes. As long as you’re using it for your intended purposes I feel like you’re keeping the spirit alive.

Got any pics to share? We all love pics!

I post any FJ-25 or early 40 trucks, parts and frames I find for sale while searching for parts I need here:

For Sale - Facebook/Craigslist finds

Not mine. Hope this helps someone. Boise, ID FJ-25 Frame with axles https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1940543126290180/ $2k OBO

forum.ih8mud.com

Depending on your plans there’s several guys here who might have a frame or the parts needed to restore this one.

 

[crusty25]

It’s your truck do whatever you want.

Got and pics to share? We all love pics!

I post any FJ-25 or early 40 trucks, parts and frames here that I find while searching for parts I need:

For Sale - Facebook/Craigslist finds

Not mine. Hope this helps someone. Boise, ID FJ-25 Frame with axles https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1940543126290180/ $2k OBO

forum.ih8mud.com

Heres some pictures. Very rough. I have some of the smaller parts in a box. The are more pics but it only allowed 5 files on my reply

 

[hdjtachtig]

That is an early example. No kick vents, early speedo bezel. 1958?

 

[tahoe40/45]

Yeah, looks like early FJ25 b-type body on an early 69 + frame, home made grill bars and FJ25 gas tank.
Fj40 parts added, 4hi/4low lever under the dash, three on the tree tranny cover, 3 speed transmission with column shifter , one hard top door hinge, parking brake, newer gages put in older cluster bezel.

 

[Unimogguy]

Awesome! Thanks for the pics! I see a couple rare parts still left (I think that is the large gas cap?). This one proceeds anything I have so I don’t know for sure.

Does it still have the centered rear diff?

I thought the early trucks were a full tailgate and not split. But again one of the experts here will know for sure and correct me if I’m wrong.

Do you know any of the history of it? Where’d you find it?

So what are your plans for it?

 

[EWheeler]

Heres some pictures. Very rough. I have some of the smaller parts in a box. The are more pics but it only allowed 5 files on my reply

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Sweet ride! That thing would be absolutely rad as a cruiser if you just saved the patina look and did a drivetrain upgrade. I'm in the area and have a few 40s if you need to put your eyes on complete trucks or get some ideas.

 

[rainingagain]

I zoomed in but still can't tell - what is this thing?

 

[pardion]

Cigar lighter

 

[sofj45]

I’d be pumped with that body. Agree with EWheeler id save the patina it tells a story. Lots of decisions to make as far as what you want to do with it. Seen a lot worse of start for a complete restoration also. But if your going for a beater to have fun cruising around agree with @nuclearlemon sell off the hard to find parts to the guys in here doing full restores replace with 40 parts and drive it. (Gas tank, gauge cluster, dash plates. Or shoot see if anyone has a 40 in close to same condition to do a trade with. What’s under the hood? Anymore hard to find parts.

 

[sofj45]

Wonder if this the one the other new guy was on here acouple weeks ago asking about restoring that no pictures ever showed up.

 

[sofj45]

25 gurus is the mesh behind the grill correct for 25s if so at what point did it change to the expanded metal style. My early 45s are the expanded metal style without the Toyota emblem. In center since both are landcruiser embossed bezels

 

[crusty25]

Heres a few more pics guys.