Yet Another '77 FJ40 Project

[FJ404345]

The date of manufacture is Jan. 1977. I presume that is a 1977 model.


I live in Spring Hill, which is just south of Nashville. Milan is about 130 miles away from me.

I have a friend who welds, and he's going to teach me how to MIG weld so that will save some $$ over time.

If it's electrical, I can do it. I'm a fair carpenter. I'm willing to learn and I'm not afraid to get dirty.

My CFO (wife) won't let me be lazy and throw money at problems that can be solved with work and creativity. Thus a $500 project truck.

Sometimes FJ40's and CFO's don't match, it can be fun to bring it back to it's old glory with a lot sweat equity, but also Landcruisers die !!

CFO's can be adorable, lovable and heart warming, but having knowledge of financials of 40's is another ballgame.

The rust can be to extensive, and looking at the picture it's seems twisted, maybe even rolled over, so don't be lazy and make a realistic long list as well of time and financials before you even start, believe me lots of us have been there and know a lot of people that started and didn't finish.



Welcome to the madness !!

 

[dad4x4]

I'm not ready to give up on this truck. I'm going to watch the classifieds and craigslist for possible replacement frames.

I have a rust free solid frame. PM me if you are interested.

 

[Tachyon]

I'm talking to @dad4x4 about his (extra) frame.

My wife asked me three times this weekend if I was going to give up. I think she was surprised that I said nope.

 

[TheHardWay]

Three times, eh? Uh oh.....

 

[Tachyon]

I'm buying a frame and axles from @dad4x4. This looks like it's going to be a frame-off rebuild. I'm going to check with @Vae Victus or @Rainman to see if they recommend someone to blast and powder coat the new frame. Do any other Middle Tennessee members have a suggestion for that?

 

[Tachyon]

I broke down and got a SILVER Star so I'm not freeloading.

 

[Tachyon]

It's worst side

• Tachyon
• Feb 4, 2015

Driver's Seat

• Tachyon
• Feb 4, 2015

 

[MrMoMo]

That rig is awesome. Make it safe, make it run, and drive it like that!

 

[sggoat]

Do something to save the seat foam now--you'll be glad you did when you get the new seat covers. That floor mat does not look bad at all.
As for the color--well, it's, ahh- different--actually, I kinda like it.
The rear sill and top crossbar don't look that bad either--
I think you have a very restorable rig here(can't see underneath, though)
I can see it now--the rig is called "Speckle"--in deference to it's origin-it's got refurbed frame, lockers, the diffs, knuckles,tx are rebuilt, 33s, the engine runs like a Singer, the body has new metal---on and on----What a project!---we need more pics!

 

[ColoradoFJ40]

I restored my 77...and it was bad. I replaced all steel from the cowl back and left no bolt untouched. All I can say is yes it was worth it..I learned tons. But it requires buckets of money and hundreds of hours on mud to do it right. Oh and be prepared to have it down for some time unless you can work on it all the time. Welcome to the club.

 

[Tachyon]

I was thinking about calling her "Haggis" because nobody really wants to know what she started out as.

 

[Tachyon]

A few more pictures.

1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

• Tachyon
• Feb 5, 2015

1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

• Tachyon
• Feb 5, 2015

1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

• Tachyon
• Feb 5, 2015

1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

• Tachyon
• Feb 5, 2015

1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

• Tachyon
• Feb 5, 2015

1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

• Tachyon
• Feb 5, 2015

1977 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

• Tachyon
• Feb 5, 2015

I'll try to get undercarriage and engine compartment pictures this weekend.

 

[TheHardWay]

You are a kind man, to attempt such a rescue.

 

[Weber Sarge]

I'm gonna go give mine a hug , thanks for making it look good .
Don't give up , lot of good metal there yet and we have seen much worse come back to life .
Sarge

 

[Tachyon]

Does anyone know what the PO might have been trying to do with the turn signals and taillights? They aren't a stock configuration for any FJ40 I can identify, and the taillights in the bumperettes don't look like anything I've ever seen.

Based on research, it looks like I'm going to be going with a mild resto-mod instead of a pure restoration. My finances just won't stretch to a pure restoration.

 

[Tachyon]

It seems that my CFO is going to get her way. I received a letter yesterday from my doctor. I have an acoustic neuroma (tumor ) that I'm going to have to have surgery to remove. My next several months to a year are going to be spent dealing with that, and since I can't keep the project truck at home, I'm going to sell my FJ40.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Well , that took a turn in the wrong direction - sorry to hear that . Keep in mind - these things don't seem to care if they are stored for long periods , hang onto it if you can and let it wait - get better first . Without health , you have nothing ...
Sarge

 

[Tachyon]

I've been paying to store the FJ40 for the past couple of months, but a friend has some space on their farm where I can store her and visit her on weekends. I may fix little stuff here and there for a while until I have the time and money to work on her more extensively. I'm watching the CCoT website for their price on the 3/4 tub when they announce it.

 

[ginmtb]

Hopefully it helps you in your recovery. I know despite the headaches that these things can bring they provide lots of joy! Glad to hear you can keep it!

 

[Tachyon]

I'm glad, too. I may sneak in a little more work now and then when time, balance and energy allow.