I have $1500 dollars to spend on my stock 71 fj40. It is all stock 1F 3 speed on floor. Stock pto winch, plenty of rust. I want to start being able to drive it around town and then work to off road. Where should I start? In what order should I do the rest of things?
What upgrades to do for $1500 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter poopboy
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Pics? new shoes if it needs them is always a good start. Do you want to keep it stock? if not P/S or maybe front disc. or a lift.
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- #5
where is the best place to get stuff. I have looked at the different links to vendors that support this site but is there a preferrence?
I think that doing the safety stuff is a top priority: roll cage, steering, brakes, turning lights, etc... Then do the mechanical if it's not a critical thing: engine, carb, etc... Fun stuff can be last: top, paint, etc...
just my 2 cents, ty
just my 2 cents, ty
- Thread starter
- #7
Currently the brakes are the only thing that seem to work okay.
Awesome truck! You must have pulled it right out of the swamp!
Nice PTO Winch.
I agree - spend the $1500 to make it safe and reliable. You will burn through a lot more than $1500 getting it to be a reliable driver, IMHO.
Good find!
Nice PTO Winch.
I agree - spend the $1500 to make it safe and reliable. You will burn through a lot more than $1500 getting it to be a reliable driver, IMHO.
Good find!
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There is no way I would trust the brakes or steering looking at those pics.
Brakes should be priority! At a minimum I would rebuild the wheel cylinders, replace all soft brake lines, and rebuild or toss a new master cylinder on. Then I would start on the steering components. It is NOT a good feeling to push the brakes and have none!
Brakes should be priority! At a minimum I would rebuild the wheel cylinders, replace all soft brake lines, and rebuild or toss a new master cylinder on. Then I would start on the steering components. It is NOT a good feeling to push the brakes and have none!
My 71 already had a dual circuit system.
Downey
SILVER Star
Everyone is right about steering and brakes, they control the vehicle, and they are the first thing your insurance company would like you to fix. After that, send your $1500 to me and let me make some decisions for you!!!
- Thread starter
- #13
It looks bad but the guy I got it from had it on the road in 2000. It was parked at the end of 2000. He said he just went through the brakes when the motor had a miss. I pulled it out from under a bunch of pine trees. But I will go through the brakes and double check his work. It does have the dual cylinders which is good. Thanks for the info.
BDSeff1fitty
1987 Toyota 4Runner
steering i would go ahead and do a saginaw conversion. and do brakes like everyone has said. if any money is left over, maybe a small lift
Yes, start with the brakes and steering. You can do a saginaw swap for about $300-500 if you build a kit yourself. Also, disc brake swap for $300 or so. Check and replace any bad wiring also.
disc brakes,
steering,
Save the rest for things that will break.
steering,
Save the rest for things that will break.
Best thing you can do is buy a star. Cheap a $20 and support Mud. Next get it running and safe.
I agree, buy a Star and read, read, read!
Perform (or have performed) a complete vehicle Safety Inspcetion. The results will guide your direction from there. Good luck and enjoy the journey!
Perform (or have performed) a complete vehicle Safety Inspcetion. The results will guide your direction from there. Good luck and enjoy the journey!
Josie'sLandCruiser
Stop calling it a "FJ."
Yup x 3 on brakes, steering, and rust
with $1500 I might defer driving it for a short time and go for the rust and see how much I can get done then do the brakes and steering as regular "out of pocket" jobs
About $9500 or so to go after that
Sounds like you want to just fix it up and drive for a while rather than diving into a frame off though, is that right? I dont blame you wish I had got to drive mine a little before tearing it down a year ago!
with $1500 I might defer driving it for a short time and go for the rust and see how much I can get done then do the brakes and steering as regular "out of pocket" jobs
About $9500 or so to go after that
Sounds like you want to just fix it up and drive for a while rather than diving into a frame off though, is that right? I dont blame you wish I had got to drive mine a little before tearing it down a year ago!
