FJ40 thread....

[Ketzer]

Thought I would share a project I'm working on for my wife, and ask anybody else with an FJ to join in and post up.

I have been offering to build my wife a hot rod of her own for years and she has always been partial to Broncos, Land Rovers, and FJs. I've always steered her away from them because they are so basic, zero insulation, minimal interiors, manual everything... "...but you can fix that can't you?"

Our '79 as we received it. Older cosmetic restoration, basically a nice driver...




" I don't like the gray. What can we do about all the gray painted stuff...?"




Making choices for what is to come...




Ok honey, no more gray...




Starting to test ideas on the interior...




Getting the upholstery under way...





Hoping to get the interior wrapped up this summer so I can be ready for the
winter swap...

[WSSix]

Cool ride. There's a company down this way called ACC that specializes in vintage Toyotas like this. They bring out some of their LS swapped rides to Caffeine and Octane. They do great work and really make me want to get one. Good luck with your truck. Glad to see you posting a thread on it.

[Sheck44]

Holy crap !! Jeff, are you kidding me ,.... more details !!
This thing is awesome

I have so many questions
Steve

[Ketzer]

Originally Posted by WSSix

Cool ride. There's a company down this way called ACC that specializes in vintage Toyotas like this. They bring out some of their LS swapped rides to Caffeine and Octane. They do great work and really make me want to get one. Good luck with your truck. Glad to see you posting a thread on it.

Thanks! I didn't know about them. Another source if I get in trouble!

Originally Posted by Sheck44

Holy crap !! Jeff, are you kidding me ,.... more details !!
This thing is awesome

I have so many questions
Steve

Well get to asking...

[Sheck44]

Ok, first off what suspension and steering setup are you going with ?
I'm looking at a couple of different options as I want to drive mine a lot and don't want to break any teeth in the process

Steve

[Ketzer]

A little disclaimer first. This thing will probably never see so much as a dirt road, much less trails (just like 99% of the giant 4x4s on the road) which is a shame 'cause even bone stock they are very capable.

Our '79 came factory with power steering and it is all mechanically fresh so for steering, we are sticking with it. If it was manual, I would be looking into one of the FJ60 conversions. I've read over on the IH8Mud forum that some have even adapted S10 boxes.

Suspension wise, wanted to keep the semi-factory look so no 4 links or 3 links. I talked to the guys at FJ Company while I was at SEMA and they use OME (OldManEmu) on most all their builds. I bought the 2.5" kit with the Nitro shocks. I definitely did not want more lift, she has to get a running start to get in it as it is... The OME is supposed to have the best ride you can get from leafs and you get poly bushings in everything along with greasable joints. The install was pretty straightforward and the parts seem high quality.

I have not driven it yet with the new parts, waiting on the carb to come back from rebuild (due today I hope!!)

[fleetus macmullitz]

Cool project.

Subscribed.

[214Chevy]

This thing is awesome Jeff. I love the old FJ's too. By the way, damn good choice on the bronze/brown wheels.

[Ketzer]

Originally Posted by 214Chevelle

This thing is awesome Jeff. I love the old FJ's too. By the way, damn good choice on the bronze/brown wheels.

Thanks!!
I was getting envelopes from Prismatic Powders every few days until she finally agreed on a color. I think we went through 20 samples! It was either too dark for me or too light for her and I was determined it would have some real pop out in the sunlight. The color is a two-coat (of course) that starts with Ink Black and then gets a topcoat they call Frosted Tangerine...

Like most colors, pics really don't do it justice or show the real color.







My first attempt at building an off-road bumper...

[ErikLS2]

Cool FJ! I remember rebuilding those carbs when I worked at a Toyota dealer, and the rear main seals sucked!