Where to start '74 or '75 FJ40

[Brunswick]

I'll start out by saying thank you to everyone that I've spoke to so far for all the help and parts! Jon was nice enough to cruise by and show off his rig, which helped out a lot.

Well I have a choice to make. I bought a '74 from NC Jeff about a month ago who I have to say is a great guy. I got to buying parts for it and came across a deal on '75 that I couldn't pass up. I'll post pics and a list of what I have and ask for suggestions as my "better half" is telling me to make some serious progress while she and the kids are out of town for 2 weeks starting Friday.

Here goes:

For the '74 with a 350 SBC
The '74 runs great, but I need to do some repair work in the floorpans and the main support beam, which I've found for $350 online or was told to weld in a 3' 1/2 or 4'' piece of square tubing. I have the following for it. The frame does need some attention in the rear,but I bought a perfect frame a few weeks ago that I can swap or rob parts from. The new frame is from a '72 so the rear bumper is different and the bumper on the '74 is in need of attention, sorry no pics of that on this computer. I want to repaint the body so sand/soda blasting is a must.

Current list of parts

1)New fenders and qtrs
2)New inner and out rockers
3)New Bed support channel
4)New New mid bed support that I may not need
5)Picking up a new hardtop next week that should fix the rain gutter isssue
6)New hardtop has amb doors and bracket so I'll install on the '74
7)New driver and pass floor pans
8)Used powder coated jump seat brackets
9)Running boards and brackets
10)Emblems
11)Spare tire carrier
12)New rear support channels if needed
13)New front seat covers (black)
14)New OEM visors
15)New OEM mirrors
16)Complete set of new bolts that I bought from FAQ board, most seem to fit ok
17)OEM tailgate and some homemade job that fits pretty well
18)Probably more in boxes that are packed in the back.
19)Extra set of front doors

 

[Brunswick]

The '75 needs a lot of work. It has the 2F, 4 spd and power steering, but b/c of the stage it's in I may be ahead of the '74 as far as start times. The floor and cowl are in great shape as well as the rear tub, although the same main support beam needs help. The wheel wells are in desperate need of replacement due to all of the rot in them. The qtrs have been removed and the PO cut the support channel off that was above the qtr so now I have to realign and weld that back on. The rear sill will need to be replaced, but the frame is in excellent condition front to back.Every door for it has rot in the bottom channel, but each has the CCOT replacement bottom inner and outer that can be welded on to fix the problem. The hood is worthless in my opinion b/c of all the dents and warping so anyone with a hood please PM me. The hardtop fiberglass and gutter are very good, but the bottom of the sides are rusted through where the channel bolts to the rear qtrs. It can be repaired, but I may swap some sides as I will have 6 after next weekend. Below is a list of parts that was sent to me from the PO as he inventoried most and some pics that he sent me. I can take more this weekend.

I welcome any and all help as beer and food will always be available. I have plenty of parts that will eventually be traded, sold or passed on. If anyone ever wants to take a look or make a suggestion please feel free! This will be my second and third attempts to build up. I had a '72 a few years ago that I had to abandon.

'75 partial parts list
The PO apparently called CCOT and said he wanted his truck to look exactly like one of the ones on the website so they and SOR had a field day selling him parts. He made it to the sandblasting phase then ran out of steam.

2 New fenders
New front and rear bumper/ new front bumper guard
New dash pd cover
new side quarter panels
new window channels
all new additional body panels in prime/ fiber glass top (FACTORY)
new battery box/new battery hold down
all new emblems
all new seals for whole vehicle & heater hoses
new center console
2 new shocks with boots
new chrome headlight bezzle/new head and tail lights/parking, reverse, blinkers, lisence plate lights
4 new hood latches
remote winch with hook
2 new outer mirrors
new rear view mirror
new muffler / new chrome exhaust tip
new sunvisors
4 new door pins
chrome rear hatch door handle
inside window cranks
2 new chrome out door handles
2 new wiperblades
new spark plugs
distributor cap
hose wires
chrome oil cap
rotar button
new fuel filter
new antenna cable
new plastic cylinder cap
chrome billet door lock knobs
shackle bracket
chrome door hinges
factory seats 2 front and bench seat for back
all new carpets and mats black
ALLLLL washers nuts bolts and screws to asymble car

Things with part #'s

(4) 11-71-136-31 clip
(2) w/s 108-07 pole tab gasket
(5) door rod snaps 136-53
(2) escutcheons 136/21
peddle pad 31-17-21-173
door knob lock 69388/9300
(2) covers 81-690-9300
grummott 58276/9300
(4) shackle bolts 102-2a-u
(12) shock washers 10227a
(2) top corner pads 10804
oil plug w/gasket
new clutch & brake pads
u controler 136-750
raditor shim 112/22
rubber shifter cover antenna mount 167033
(2) side hood pad 112-21
(4) grill grommetts 112-25
right hand door pin 136-19dis
(4) bolts 10802a
grommett 10045a-116-16d
cool cruiser fender kit
chrome window handle 735-1174
bosch wire set
K & N air filter
distributor rotor
drain plug
chrom door molding
valve cover gasket
pad 75462-6010
braided radiator hose 60786
(4) ws/roof gasket (top) 63161611
(2) run glass 681059-9300
radiator in prime with black screen cover
dust proof boot 5828-903-05
plate shifter bracket 58274-9300
gear lever loot 58273-9300
poly bushings (16) 289-405
new sunvisor brackets 69451-90320
inner pull handle KoA-4019
(6) pins 124-35
radiator cap
billett oil filter
dana 44 dip cover (2) with gaskets
side panel w/s 108068
heater hose 46268
wiper motor cover gasket
front driver side wind 6816-9300
lisence plate bracket

 

[S4Cruiser]

Holy mother of parts!!

My first question would be do you intend to end up with 2 completed trucks or one finshed one and left over parts, etc? If you only want one then start with the one that has the least amount of rust, body and frame.

If you want 2 trucks in the end, then that's a tough call. Seeing the 74, the frame needs some attention in the rear that's going to be tough to work on without removing the tub (if you even keep the current frame).

Without seeing the 75, but considering all the parts you listed, you'd have a much nicer truck in the end but may take longer to get there.

Either way you have some work ahead of you, fun for sure but don't let the think she'll come home to a masterpeice.

BTW - I could make a trip down there next weekend and lend a hand if you want, just shoot me a PM.

 

[77cruiser]

Couldnt have said it better than Jon just did.
Sounds like you want to get to the point that the 75 is in now with the other before you build it up. if its got a 2f, and ps already thats a big plus and you get a ton of stuff along with it.

with those parts lists, you could have 2 pretty awesome trucks. Make sure to sign up for a HAMOM sometime. maybe all lend a hand

 

[southerncruiser62]

Good to see that Jeff's truck went to another local and stayed in the club. Let us know whenever we can lend a hand. We have a great group that is willing to always help other members.

 

[Brunswick]

If anyone has some pics of a stock or mostly stock '75 2F I'd greatly appreciate a couple of photos to use as a reference. When the "rebuild" was done by the PO they painted everything black and no hoses are connected. It's a pretty good mess under the hood to say the least. Any photos you have please email to bbowden4@ec.rr.com

Thanks,

Brandon

 

[S4Cruiser]

Spector Offroad has some good diagrams in the parts section that I use all the time for reference. You might start there until somone posts up some pics.

Anything in particular you looking for? I could take some of my 78 2F which should be the same...

 

[n2hcky]

I went near Nashville and looked at the 75 you got.
There were a lot of parts but it didn't look like enough to do a complete truck.
Good luck with the engine compartment........I didn't like how they blasted everything black either.

Would you mind if I asked what you ended up giving for it...$$$

 

[Brunswick]

The '74 went into the shop yesterday to start the body work. They're going to repair the floorpans, rockers, and hang the qtrs to start things out. Once that is done it will probably come off the frame and I'll make a decision on keeping this frame or putting it on the '72 frame that I have.

Does anyone know if it would be a problem swapping frames, i.e. rear tubular crossmember, bumper, or the fact that I have a titled '74 going on a different frame?