Where to begin - Inherited my Aunt's 77 FJ40

[NellieFJ40]

Fitchstos thanks so much for your kind thoughts!

Thanks for the confirmation about the engine number. Confirms that it appears to be the original engine as the truck was built in Oct 76.

 

[mossman40]

Looking good on those license plate lights ! Small steps are fine. I have a list of things and I slowly check them off as I go along. Have some major items I want to take care of, but they mean not driving my 40 and that is a hard thing to do. Keep up the good work.

 

[subzali]

2F Engine serial number thread is in the sticky section...


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[NellieFJ40]

Thought I would update the thread. I've made the decision to take nellie up to poser to have it gone through and repaired. Im excited to get it up there and see where the vehicle stands. Hoping repairs are minimal but happy to know that ill have an expert evaluating its condition and making any needed repairs.

Im bringing up the vehicle on the 9th of may so will update the thread following that.

Just a quick question. Why do people like to lift these trucks? Id kinda like 33 by either 10.5 or 9.5 tires but understand that I would need to lift the vehicle a couple inches for clearance issues. Are there other benefits of installing a lift?

 

[DSRTRDR]

the other benefit of a new lift is that you get new springs - as opposed to worn-out or saggy stock springs

 

[shipmag]

If you still have all the smog components on it would you take some pics of all the smog components and vacuum tube connections. I am resmogging my 76 FJ40 and could use the pictures to help put it back together. I can send you my email i you would be willing to do that.

 

[NellieFJ40]

Of course I would, but you'll have to point out to me where im taking pictures though. ..im a total noob!

 

[NellieFJ40]

Well bad news regarding the body work. But unexpected I suppose. I brought the truk in yesterday to get a rough estimate of what the body woek might cost. This shop has worked on 25-30 of these so they are pretty knowledgeable. They said it would need new:

Rh and lh front fenders
rh and lh rocker panels
rh and lh full quarter panels
inner and outer sill panels below rear doors
lh and rh inner rear wheel housings
rear floor pan
driver and passenger floor pan

to fit all those panels and paint the vehicle they said they'd be around 12.5k without the parts. Hey suggested factoring in another 10-20% for surprises as well. So basically 15k plus parts.

what are people's thoughts? I have no idea. are floor panels available? What might be my best source for parts?

 

[subzali]

What is the name of the shop? Almost sounds like a whole new tub would be easier. But if you search around on this site you will find many people that brought worse bodies back to life with patch panels, either bought or fabricated.

Whole new panels are easier/faster for the shop but aren't the only answer.


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[mossman40]

Sounds like a whole tub would be your best bet. Check the classifieds. Found one for you recently listed and in TN. Is that close to Iowa ? LOL ! Only wants $3500.00 for the thing.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/19...rear-seats-new-3500-firm.801745/#post-9154381

 

[NellieFJ40]

This shop is local here in des moines and was recommended to me by greg overton. Greg has used the shop for a number of his restorations.

I guess I need to get an idea on pricing all those parts above then ill have a better idea. The tub does sound intriguing though. Too bad its in Tennessee! What would it not include that I listed above? Just the front fenders?

 

[winnie]

if you didn't want to go the refurbishing route re your tub, or buying a used one, an Aqualu aluminum tub is an option, so is a 3/4 steel tub from EBI ... both are in Canada ... BC definitely for Aqualu, and I think EBI is in BC too ...

 

[Island Hopper]

So that was 15k without paint? Yeah I'd go with a new body, just my opinion though.

http://www.aqualu.com/land-cruisers.html

Approximately $3,300 + shipping.

 

[subzali]

Only problem with Aqualu is that it loses all the factory ribbing and detailing that are so well preserved (for the most part) with this particular specimen.

Some inspiration:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1965-fj45lv-build-up-resto-thread.39575/

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/3-days-and-3300-miles-later.104821/

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/81-bj42-i-have-to-bring-it-home-and-pass-inspection.604934/

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/bumps-on-my-78’s-rear-tub-fenders.235482/

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/which-truck-to-put-13bt-into.60600/ (starting with post #237)

 

[NellieFJ40]

15k was with paint but no body panels. Included a couple thousand for surprises.

I do like the idea of an all new 3/4 body. I talked to the body shop and they said they could work with aluminum but prefer steel. Anyone make a steel 3/4 tub?

Said using a tub might save a bit of money in labor. Maybe 1,000 or so.

 

[NellieFJ40]

So Subzali you're saying that since this landcruiser is in its original form (albeit rusty) you'd be inclined to not do a replacement tub?

 

[subzali]

So Subzali you're saying that since this landcruiser is in its original form (albeit rusty) you'd be inclined to not do a replacement tub?

I would be inclined to try and salvage what's there. But I've never attempted something like that myself only seen what others have done. You gotta choose for yourself what works for you.


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[NellieFJ40]

Understood. Its certainly not in the cards for me to do the work myself which means having a shop do it. Thus I need to balance cost, saving as much of the original vehicle as possible, and preserving the vehicle for its next 37 years.

 

[SteveH]

So basically 15k plus parts.

Just the welding and panel replacement labor is $15K? Plus parts? Hello?

Unless I'm missing a huge amount of rust-out, the driver's side fender seen in your first posting could be repaired with a patch. I understand why the body shop doesn't want to mess with anything other than full panel replacement, but that's why your estimate is $15K+. I'd want to see pix of both front floors and the entire rear floor, but a reasonably skilled guy with a welder can rehab the sort of rust seen on your truck without total panel replacement. Given some of the ghastly panels being sold, there's something to be said for retaining all the Toyota you can.

For the repair $$ specified, you could buy a very nice welder, some classes at a community college, and replacement panels and steel to your heart's content. You could then pocket the remaining $10K. You may not want to do bodywork for other reasons, but you might consider it for financial ones.

 

[NellieFJ40]

Thanks SteveH. Some food for thought for sure. I guess I didn't know that the estimate was that "off". I've gone to this shop due to their experience with fj40's but maybe I would be better off getting some other estimates?

What are people's thoughts...how much does having working on other fj40's help a shop? Or is the thought pretty much body work is body work in which case I could shop around a bit?