Who has the oldest/earliest FJ40? (FAQ)

[CHAS404]

1961 FJ40L. Colombian spec. Been on my back burner but hope to frame off restore it soon. Has original F engine. FJ40L-12354. Mostly complete and all rust free. We had to source the metal doors. Many of the accessories will need to be sourced including the interior. Frame is super straight. Plan is to rebuild the F engine but the drivetrain will be 1982 axles and probably disc brakes and 4 speed or 5 speed. Paint will be Yosemite Yellow and we will do the traditional soft top, black rims and moon repro hubcaps. So an original theme but with some driveability added back. Interestingly this truck was registered and still running on its original F engine 50 plus year later. It was owned by farmer/country Colombian and by no means led an easy life. Solid and straight but heavily used. Testament to the strength of the FJ40s.

 

[CHAS404]

Truck is much further along than this now.

 

[CHAS404]

Fixed the stereo cut out in the dash. That big info plate under the dash is cool. Has all the transfer case info in Spanish. These early models need to be saved.

 

[Central Ca Cruiser]

Noobie here, but I think I might be in the top 5 oldest 40's. I've got VIN 1-FJ40-10206 just picked up over the Thanksgiving holiday. It belonged to my wife's uncle who passed away earlier this year - found behind the barn, last registered in 1985! Currently has a 327 Corvette engine under the hood, but we also found the original straight six and transmission in the barn.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Too cool! We need more pics ASAP

 

[Central Ca Cruiser]

 

[Central Ca Cruiser]

 

[pardion]

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Welcome to IH8MUD Nice family heirloom! Where are you located in Calif.? I'd like to see this. Thank's, John Pardi, Camino, Ca.

 

[White Stripe]

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Wow this would be sweet re-done back to original. Not in too bad of shape either.

 

[whitey45]

What a gem! Lots of original parts intact! Location? John and I want to check her out!

 

[FJ404345]

Fantastic !!

 

[Living in the Past]

Original bumper after all these years, that's great. Is the original transfer case still attached to transmission? Does it have a PTO attached? Surviving PTOs are hard to come by.

Like others have said lot of original parts there. Do not throw anything away. Take you time removing. Even things like the reflectors. It's possible you replace the lens. The correct metal housings are hard to come by.

I have two 61 hard tops. One is just four numbers lower than yours but in no way as great a shape. Hope you keep it and restore it. I'm guessing I'm as old as your father if not older and wish there would have been a car guy in the family I could have been passed a gem like on to me.

 

[winnie]

welcome to Mud ... amazing 40 ... nice patina on the hood and fender ... glad he kept he the original drivetrain so that you have a choice ...

 

[Central Ca Cruiser]

Thanks for the compliments, it does seem pretty complete and I will take care with all of the parts and keep everyone updated. As much as I have entertained the idea of scaring the purists with tales of how I plan to heavily modify this rig, I just can't (I have a '71 for that!) - I am definitely planning to keep it as original as possible. Biggest thing I noticed missing right away is the column shifter, the internal linkage seems to be there but no shift handle. A hole was cut in the floor for a 3 speed behind the 327. Will I be able to find the shift handle or is it unobtanium?

The biggest question around my house lately is whether to "preserve" or "restore" Obviously much work is required either way, but I have heard quite a few comments similar to "winnie" about the patina which makes me hesitate a little to paint.

As far as location, I live in San Luis Obispo County but I'm working on the road for the next couple of months, unfortunately I won't even really get to dive in and explore this thing until sometime in the spring.

 

[treerootCO]

1 FJ40 10127

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/little-sister-1961-fj40-fst.845367/

 

[Alexander3721]

My wife's 1961 FJ40. Don't laugh at least she lets me work on it and drive it.

 

[Alexander3721]

She mostly let's me work on it..

 

[brian]

not much on that says '61....mid to late 70's.

 

[Alexander3721]

Found the VIN on the firewall.

 

[JohnnyC]

@Alexander3721

You have a South American cruiser

What is your frame number ? It is located on the front left side frame horn ... Above where the shackle mounts about