Posted: 6/14/2016 11:13:27 AM EDT
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So I had a cobra build going on here, but just couldn't get into the car so i decided it was time to move on, put it back to stock and sold it off. So the search continued for something to play with. Ive always liked FJ40's and wanted one eventually but they were out of my price range. This one was priced decently low and the pictures made it look like it had no quarter panels at all but i went to look at it anyway and what i found was it was in much better shape than the pictures showed and already had a lot done that i would have eventually wanted to do so i bought it and hauled it home. I feel like i got a really good deal on the price.
Looks like the frame has been coated and the axles, engine, transmission and transfer case have all been freshly rebuilt. Car had a huge folder of paper work shoved under boxes of parts stored in it. It has a 350 swap that was done by a toyota dealer in the late 80's which i have all the receipts for. Here are the pics 
Started working away at it to figure out what i still need and got to ordering parts. Previous owner left some items in the glovebox 
Bought a set of used tires 33x12.5 goodyears 
Test fitted my new wheels to make sure they will work before i have the tires put on. they fit perfect. 
Pulled of the front end to access the motor, have been chipping away at it. Slowly getting ready to start 
Ready for the radiator. Which came from Champion and is not square at all, pretty disappointed with them so far but im sure i can make it work. Got the ignition system all hooked up and re-painted the valve covers. 
I have no ash tray so im going to make a panel in the opening for some gauges. Will also have a oil psi gauge at some point just not sure where i will mount it for now since i wont be cutting the dash at all. 
Lastly i picked up the material for the headliner and some temp seat covers im having made until i can have the seats re-done 
So thats where im currently at. Trying to get something small done everyday on it and hope to start it up soon! |
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Thanks guys! Im slowly making progress. Im ok with the SBC for now. Its freshly rebuilt and so im going to run it as is. Its a factory 4 speed manual behind it that is also freshly rebuilt. It uses an adapter bell housing to all fit together. Hoping the brakes will be done tomorrow with all new lines and master cylinder. It also has a rear disk conversion on it.
Got my tires mounted. 
Threw one on to see how they will look. After the brakes are all sorted il get them all bolted up. 
Carb is all cleaned up and installed. new everything pretty much. almost ready to fire it up. 
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My buddy is working on a '78 he picked up 2 years ago. It is in such bad shape, that it has literally taken him those 2 years to do bodywork on the tub....still hasn't touched the grill, doors, or window frame. The rear 1/3 of the frame was literally gone and had to be rebuilt. Body mounts have to be re-made, spring perches, shackles & hangers....
When he picked it up, you could literally look through the entire vehicle and see daylight on the other side from nearly any angle. You could shake the body, and the body would move while the chassis stayed still... Consider yourself lucky! She looks good...can't wait to see more! |
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Yeah the rust could have been a lot worse!! someone has already done all the hard work and removed the rusted areas and treated them with por15. I will start patching panels once its running and on the road.
I found out that with my new radiator setup the 350's factory fan blade was going to hit my lower radiator hose so I went and picked up a taurus fan assembly which is a common upgrade on these and got it all mounted last night, Now to start on all the wiring. 
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