FJ-40 Project
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1976
(Sept 75)
Toyota LandCruiser
FJ-40 |
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This is how it looked when we purchased it, about 7 years ago. It is wet, so the
red primer does not look as dull and faded as it does when it is dry. Items of
note include the humongous 'kangaroo catcher' brush bar, that the white top has
also been painted over with dull red primer, and the fogged windows (moisture on
the inside) after the rain shower. What isn't noticeable is the badly worn out
tires, bad wiring, and a rusty gas tank. While the vehicle hadn't been too well
cared for (owner maintenance type items), it was very sound, ran good and had
little rust.
Details: Basically stock, basically complete, a 350 Chevy motor, and a
little lift provided by extended shackles (uncorrected).
Initial work focused mostly on fixing problems. Fixing some very poor
previous owner wiring nightmares, having the gas tank de-rusted and sealed, new
master cylinder, and a good cleaning (underneath, etc.) after years of neglect
and caked mud. To the previous owner, this was a 'hunting truck', and therefore
did not require regular maintenance. He admitted to not having even changed the
oil in the 5 years he'd owned it. If something broke, it was only fixed if it
caused the vehicle to not run, otherwise it stayed broke or fell off.
Near Future Modifications:
| Roll Cage Kit (Essentially Off-Road) |
On Hand |
| Snorkel Kit (Tennessee Off-Road) |
On Hand |
| 2 1/2" Rancho Suspension Lift |
On Hand |
| Revolver Shackles (4" collapsed, 10"
extended) |
On Hand |
| Heckthorn Shocks (for 4" lift) |
On Hand |
| Lock-Rite Locker (Rear) |
On Hand |
| Front End Rebuild (Danny Warden Tie Rod End Kit) |
On Hand |
| HEI Distributor |
On Hand |
| Roof Rack |
On Hand |
| SOR Bikini Extreme Top (top removed) |
On Hand |
| Toyota Celica GTS Seats |
On Hand |
| Marine CB Radio (Weather Proof) |
On Hand |
| Warn 8000lb Winch |
On Hand |
| Dual Battery System (Optima Red/Yellow) |
On Hand |
| 140 Amp Police Alternator |
On Hand |
| Black Rock Crawler Rims |
Installed |
| P78-15 Buckshot Mudders |
Installed |
| Off-Road Lights |
Installed |
| Underneath Rock Crawler Lights |
Installed |
| PowerTank CO2 Air System |
Installed |
| 5 Point Race Harnesses |
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| OME Steering Stabilizer |
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Distant Future Modifications
| Power Steering |
| Rear Disk Brakes |
| Storage Bin/Drawer in Bed |
| Marine Radio/CD Player (Weather Proof) |
| Pusher Electric Fan (if needed) |
| Paint to Original Paint Code (Olive Brown) |
Cruiser sitting in my very spacious and well equipped
'garage'. Yes, it does snow in Alabama, occasionally.
Though you can't really tell it in the photo above, we
have:
| - Removed top, side doors and ambulance doors |
| - Fabricated rear diamond tread 'tailgate' |
| - Disposed of bald big tires and warped, rusted rims |
| - Installed stock sized rims, tires and shocks |
| - Installed rear single tube bumper |
| - Steam cleaned inside, outside and underneath |
| - Installed angle iron 'rock sliders' |
| - New brake master cylinder, new alternator, new
starter, new water pump |
| - Installed fan shroud (to help LC radiator cool 350
motor) |
| - Replaced engine compartment hoses, belts and filters |
| - Sanded and primered with 'hot rod' black primer |
| - Installed minor parts (pedal pads, xmission/xfer
boots, cracked lenses, etc.) |
| - Mounted hi-lift jack to rollbar |
| - Replaced puny 13" aftermarket steering wheel
with a real, stock TLC unit |
|
| ****** While pulling the valve
covers off to replace with new ones, we discovered one broken
and one bent pushrod, and one broken rocker arm. We knew we had
problems, but figured they were all related to a bad distributor (which
will be replaced with the HEI one). So, before we go any further with
the stuff listed as 'on hand' above, we need to get some engine work
done. ****** |
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