OT My FJ40 Restoration

[Scott R]

Since we are all car guys I thought some of you might appreciate this. I dragged home two Land Cruisers three years ago, one had a bent frame and serious cancer, I parted it and cut in up with a plasma cutter. The other was a 1972 factory soft top, which also had severe cancer, but a good frame. The main issue with the 72' was that it had a Chevy 283 straight six mated to a three speed Toyota transmission.

Stripped it down, blasted the frame and repainted, then I started the next year of cutting out the cancer and making new panels.



I moved on to paint a year and a half later, this was after new rear panels, new rockers, and new floors up front. The PO was a Bondo magician.









Fast forward to this weekend, this FJ40 has a worked over 350TBI, Toyota four speed transmission mated to a three speed t-case, new discs brakes all around and retrofitted GM Saginaw power steering. Complete re-wire using an EZ kit, Chevy Rams Horns headers and a custom exhaust done by me with a Magnaflow.




Little Youtube fun here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjPkLnULtCM

Now I can get off my a$$ and get my 911 engine back in.

[gprsh924]

Wow. That is really really cool. I love those old FJ's. The only thing I like better are the Defenders

[Dan in Pasadena]

Nice job Scott, I've always loved Landcruisers but....uh...er....there is no such thing as a "Chevy 283 straight six". A 283 is the 2nd iteration of Chevy small block and a great little engine. The most common Chevy straight six in cars were 235's but there were some STRONG later GM sixes, like the 292 and a GMC model in a low 300 cu. in size. They were very heavy but at leastthe GMC one was the basis for some Bonneville record holders. Neverthless, the 350 must make this thing a strong runner, huh? Nice paint color!

[Joeaksa]

Another old FJ lover. Nice job!

[The Gaijin]

Very cool. Very, very cool.

[Scott R]

Originally posted by Dan in Pasadena
Nice job Scott, I've always loved Landcruisers but....uh...er....there is no such thing as a "Chevy 283 straight six". A 283 is the 2nd iteration of Chevy small block and a great little engine. The most common Chevy straight six in cars were 235's but there were some STRONG later GM sixes, like the 292 and a GMC model in a low 300 cu. in size. They were very heavy but at leastthe GMC one was the basis for some Bonneville record holders. Neverthless, the 350 must make this thing a strong runner, huh? Nice paint color!

You're correct it was a 292, it's been so long I forgot. I actually sold the 292 on Ebay, it was about dead, sounded like a sick tractor, but a guy in Florida needed a core.

The 350 probably has too much power for the car, I can light the tires pretty easily. This is a pic I took after the engine and driveline was fitted, it really just welds onto the frame with some fitting and measuring

[Scott R]

Originally posted by Dan in Pasadena
Nice job Scott, I've always loved Landcruisers but....uh...er....there is no such thing as a "Chevy 283 straight six". A 283 is the 2nd iteration of Chevy small block and a great little engine. The most common Chevy straight six in cars were 235's but there were some STRONG later GM sixes, like the 292 and a GMC model in a low 300 cu. in size. They were very heavy but at leastthe GMC one was the basis for some Bonneville record holders. Neverthless, the 350 must make this thing a strong runner, huh? Nice paint color!

You're correct it was a 292, it's been so long I forgot. I actually sold the 292 on Ebay, it was about dead, sounded like a sick tractor, but a guy in Florida needed a core.

The 350 probably has too much power for the car, I can light the tires pretty easily. This is a pic I took after the engine and driveline was fitted, it really just welds onto the frame with some fitting and measuring

[Seahawk]

Originally posted by gprsh924
Wow. That is really really cool. I love those old FJ's. The only thing I like better are the Defenders

Not if you've owned one

The FJ is next on my list...

[Tishabet]

Very cool project, nice work on the body and paint!

[notfarnow]

Great color! A friend of mine is after a BJ45 or HJ45, but they are a rare bird.

[stevepaa]

Nice job. My son and I did one. Could never quite get the hood lined up as good as yours.

Are you considering doing a shackle reversal on the front? Does the stock radiator provide enough cooling?

He has a FJ45 in storage to be restored later.

[cbeers]

Way to go! I did one of these too, frame up. It helped that I worked in a custom LC shop, back then called BTB products. I think the company has since gone belly up, but the name might still be out there.......

What are your plans for this? I would HIGHLY recommend the Advanced front end steering correction kit (Stevepaa beat me to it!). It will swap your shackle to the rear of the front spring and make for a FAR superior ride/control on the road. I would also recommend Ubolt skid plates if you are taking that off road. These rigs are STOUT. Your rear diff cover is leaking too

When I did mine, it had a Chevy 327 (fat radiator needed too), headers, 4 speed with a torque splitter (like an overdrive that works in any gear) and the three speed transfer (lower gearing). Full Rancho suspension (new spring all around) shocks, shackles, trimmed fenders and rocker panels, cage etc. It was one of the most fun vehicles I have ever had and got a LOT of attention. I took it to bare metal inside and out (like you) and sprayed a darkish blue. My next plan was the 420 gearbox for the crawler gear, but never got that far before college came along.


Wish I had another!


-Chris

[Scott R]

Originally posted by stevepaa
Nice job. My son and I did one. Could never quite get the hood lined up as good as yours.

Are you considering doing a shackle reversal on the front? Does the stock radiator provide enough cooling?

He has a FJ45 in storage to be restored later.

The stock radiator is doing well so far, it sprung a leak the first time I started everything up, but I was able to solder it shut. As far as the shackle reversal, I don't plan on it. I have a GM Saginaw steering box mounted to the front frame and it's covering the shackle area, if I had wanted to do that the time has passed.

[craigster59]

I've been looking for a decent FJ45 to restore but they're getting harder to come by. Also the last thing I need is another project vehicle. Those LC's can get under your skin like P-cars. Nice work!

[Scott R]

Originally posted by cbeers
Way to go! I did one of these too, frame up. It helped that I worked in a custom LC shop, back then called BTB products. I think the company has since gone belly up, but the name might still be out there.......

What are your plans for this? I would HIGHLY recommend the Advanced front end steering correction kit (Stevepaa beat me to it!). It will swap your shackle to the rear of the front spring and make for a FAR superior ride/control on the road. I would also recommend Ubolt skid plates if you are taking that off road. These rigs are STOUT. Your rear diff cover is leaking too

When I did mine, it had a Chevy 327 (fat radiator needed too), headers, 4 speed with a torque splitter (like an overdrive that works in any gear) and the three speed transfer (lower gearing). Full Rancho suspension (new spring all around) shocks, shackles, trimmed fenders and rocker panels, cage etc. It was one of the most fun vehicles I have ever had and got a LOT of attention. I took it to bare metal inside and out (like you) and sprayed a darkish blue. My next plan was the 420 gearbox for the crawler gear, but never got that far before college came along.


Wish I had another!


-Chris

That rear diff is #2 in the project, the first was blasted and coated, however I should have had it x-rayed as it has a serious crack in tube. The diff that's on there now is a second coarse splined diff from the parted 73'. I installed it to make sure it worked before I tore it down and painted it as well (also need to transfer the locker). but rest assured it will look like the front diff by next weekend.

As far as the steering goes all of the equipment up front is new, steering arms, joints, rebuilt Birfields Saginaw box, pump. With the power steering conversion and corrected caster I can travel at 85 with no issues, the ride is tolerable as well. If I change the suspension it's going to be a spring over with 4x4 labs steering arms. That's IF I don't sell it first, which is my track record for projects.

[cbeers]

I had the GM power steering and the Advanced kit on mine, one finger at any speed

Sounds like you have it nailed too though. When I was into them, spring overs were still dicey. They made for wandering on the roads etc. but were awesome off road.

I spent my time on the boulders in the Sierra (Rubicon, Barrett Lake etc.) and that FJ was one amazing vehicle.......

BTW - I ran 35 BFG Mud Terrains and could smoke them easily with the 327, but I would never say it was too much engine, those FJs are tanks!


-Chris

[ERH]

Another FJ40 fan here.... drove mine to work today and since that does not involve anything more challenging than driving over the curb in front of the coffee shop a bit of a waste.

350 ci Chevy and yes it is too much (not sure I mean that) but we don't have to be reasonable.

Wish I had the time and your skill to have done it myself.

Great toy.

Ed

[Hugh R]

That's just flat out cool.