My free but not so free FJ40

[blupaddler]

While I do hope to someday own a FJ55 and a Troopy, I had the opportunity to start adding to my Landcruiser stable about a month ago, a 1970 FJ40.

Here is the background... About a month ago I received a message from Kevin (Boston Mangler) about a FJ40 that someone wanted to get rid of and was local...
http://forum.ih8mud.com/********-chat-section/220611-1970-fj40-rescue-please.html
I emailed her, and by the grace of God, she emailed me back.

Apparently the FJ40 had been sitting for a while, and the neighbors were starting to grow restless... They had owned it for probably twenty years, were emotionally attached and didn't want to send it to a junkyard grave.

I went up to check out the FJ40, which had been sitting for 10 years or more, so long there is lichen on the roof. The FJ40 was at least on a trailer, but there was still weeds and bushes growing all around, and in some cases through this thing. We spent close to three hours removing weeds and clearing brush. The trailer/FJ combo sat about 30 yards off the road in a patch of ice plant. So, I managed to hook up the trailer to my 80 and pull it out to the road.

Unfortunately the trailer wasn't very road worthy, so it was off to Uhaul I went. About eight hours later, this thing was sitting in my driveway...


More bad news... the wonderful California DMV doesn't like when you try and transfer ownership of a vehicle if you don't have the original title. So, after four trips to the DMV (a thread here-thanks) and a LOT of help from the original owner, I am, as of today the legal owner of a:

1970 FJ40


There is some rust, mostly on the drivers side (floorboard, underneath the door, rear quarter under the hard top, and the bottom corner of the hardtop)

The FJ40 also did not come with an engine, tranny, or transfer case. Or so I thought... I found a 3spd tranny and transfer case today while cleaning out the interior.







Anyway, as any thread is useless without pics... Here are some for now... All when I brought her home.
:rally_guys:

 

[blupaddler]

So... my goal with this?

I have visions of Ed & Jonathan's FJ40's dancing in my head.
I have also contemplated tearing it down to the frame, and halfway restoring her. (I am still searching for a name)

But I am leaning towards a 4spd (h41/h42), not sure which one, and a 3B diesel. A five speed would be super cool, but I have heard there are difficulties with installing one. Kinda a, what are people calling it, a resto-mod. Restore but with modern driveAnd then just drive the heck out of it...








:Mechanic:
:arabia:

 

[kcowyo]

At long last.... nice to see it finally.

A blue 40 for blupaddler. Coincidence? I think not. :REOutArchery02:

Glad you got the title fiasco straightened out. So much potential... Diesel... gas... whatever works. Looking forward to how this one shakes out.

:lurk:

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Very cool, I hope to see many updates!

 

[p1michaud]

New to you cruiser...

I had the opportunity to start adding to my Landcruiser stable about a month ago, a 1970 FJ40.

Well done! :clapsmile

Can't wait to see what you end up doing...:lurk:

 

[Jacket]

Very nice. Should provide you with years of "entertainment."

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Congrats!

Here is a great powerplant for you:
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15416

Then get yourself and H55F (5 speed) and a split transfer case out of an 80-90' Land Cruiser and your in business

 

[Hltoppr]

She looks like she's all there! Definitely a project, but one that should turn out pretty darn nicely, even if you just stick to the basics of rust prevention and cleaning her up!

Great find!!!!

-H-

 

[lowenbrau]

That looks like a good find. Especially for the money.

At risk of seeming like a troll, your comment about a 3B and Kurt's about a H55f made me think I should throw this option out there.

I'm selling my old BJ70 and it has a good running 3B, H55f (needs a rebuild) and splitcase. It also has really good axles with the parking brake on the rear drums and discs on the front. The truck has nearly 600,000km on it but the motor has been swapped and its age is unknown.

I've been reluctant to advertise this on the net because it really is something you should see in person. I grow very weary of the multitude of questions the sale of a rig like this bring such as "What would it take to get into showroom condition?', "Will it make it to Peru?" and "Will that engine drop right into a Lada Niva?"

It has all the dysfunctional stuff you'd expect in a rig this beaten.

Body rust (frame is pretty good)
Totally worn suspension bushings
Tranny jumps out of fifth occasionally
EDIC controller shot
Windshield has 20 years worth of stone chips
DS window regulator shot
20 lbs of dog hair
A number of coolant leaks
Alternator brushes have intermittent connectivity.
PS windshield wiper missing.
Suspension seats need a refurb. They only damp the initial entry to the truck of my 220 lb butt. No suspension thereafter.

Runs and drives fine and I have no concerns driving it long distances.

$2000 or interesting expedition or hunting related (importable) trades

 

[ChuckB]

Congrats Robb!!

PS - Let me know when you want to buy my 55, it comes with a engine too!!

 

[rusty_tlc]

So... my goal with this?

I have visions of Ed & Jonathan's FJ40's dancing in my head.
I have also contemplated tearing it down to the frame, and halfway restoring her. (I am still searching for a name)

But I am leaning towards a 4spd (h41/h42), not sure which one, and a 3B diesel. A five speed would be super cool, but I have heard there are difficulties with installing one. Kinda a, what are people calling it, a resto-mod. Restore but with modern driveAnd then just drive the heck out of it...








:Mechanic:
:arabia:

Great luck!!! Free thirty three is my favorite price.

The only issue I know of with the five speed case is it's length. It's a bit longer than the H41/42. I run a Toy box which creates combo that is a bit longer than the H55 IIRC. I had to flip my rear springs and get a double cardon rear DS.


Any idea how you plan to use the rig? It makes a huge difference in how you go about the project.

 

[blupaddler]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions...



Plans for use:
*Fun in the sun SoCal rig (topless, the fj not me)
*Light expedition/camping use
*Light rock-crawling (I am thinking of 33x9.5 tires eventually) - So no hard core stuff





I was under the impression that the h55f couldn't be done without extensive fabrication/welding/etc.

Also, does anyone know how difficult it is to repair rust on a hard top?
I am still trying to figure out a bunch of this "40" stuff.

Thanks in advance...
:victory:

 

[ChuckB]

I don't want to speak for Kurt, but I'm pretty sure he told me that he had an h55f in his 40. He should be able to tell you everything you need to know.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I don't want to speak for Kurt, but I'm pretty sure he told me that he had an h55f in his 40. He should be able to tell you everything you need to know.

Yup, 2F/H55F/34mm Split T-Case. I've set up a half-dozen or so 5spds into FJ40's. While it does take some custom mods, nothing that is too difficult. The biggest hurdle IMO is the park-brake situation. I'd be happy to go into detail if anyone so desires

 

[Mlachica]

You lucky dog! You scored yourself a sweet project. And you get to build it how YOU want it, that's awesome. I can't wait to see how this unfolds...:safari-rig: