Dean's 1968 FJ40 Cruiser

[tacomaJoe73]

Hello all, my name is Joseph Rajewski. I am close friends with our late friend Dean, and Natalie Baranski as well as Dave & Kirsten Armbruster (western-slopers now) & Steve & Suzie Crase, as we've all been friends for over 2 decades. With Deans passing we wanted to reach out to the family and gauge interest in acquiring Dean's FJ40. We're considering other avenues, but wanted to feel out the community first. We're in the process of collecting everything that belongs on the rig in one spot over the next week or so (hard top, winch, etc), stuff we'll need if we go to auction. We'd obviously prefer this family carry on his memory & legacy and keep her in a running state, on the trails, etc.

I personally have transitioned to a 2023 Tacoma & will be attending the January meeting to formally join (yes, I'm an expat of the Jeep world.. don't worry Dave & Dean have been in my ear for those 2 decades.. I look forward to meeting everyone more closely then.

You can reach out to any of us mentioned above, but feel free to call my cell or comment on this thread related to the FJ40. My cell is (303) 842-6041, my email is joe.rajewski@gmail.com & I'll we'll do our best to answer your questions. Natalie & I will be consolidating parts & getting photos/video to give more detail for those interested (I've included some of the photos from when he originally purchased it too).. forgive me if I'm not meeting all the forum requirements yet for this post, let me know how better to communicate this news.

 

[Crash]

Looks good Joe. Thank you for starting this thread.

 

[Crash]

That’s the first time I have seen a picture of the original owner Tibor. Not sure of the spelling. Very cool and Tibor saw Dean as a perfect steward to keep the 40 going. Now it’s time for the next steward to keep this truck moving. Feel like I’m talking myself into and out of buying it at the same time. The original and complete tool bag is a piece of history all by itself!

 

[tacomaJoe73]

That’s the first time I have seen a picture of the original owner Tibor. Not sure of the spelling. Very cool and Tibor saw Dean as a perfect steward to keep the 40 going. Now it’s time for the next steward to keep this truck moving. Feel like I’m talking myself into and out of buying it at the same time. The original and complete tool bag is a piece of history all by itself!

... so what's holding you back?

 

[Hulk]

I'm thinking about it as well. Dean was a friend for a long time and I haven't owned a 40 in a decade. Not sure if I have the blessing of @Mrs Hulk.

 

[Crash]

I'm thinking about it as well. Dean was a friend for a long time and I haven't owned a 40 in a decade. Not sure if I have the blessing of @Mrs Hulk.

If ever there was a clean survivor this is it. Clean in the sense that it hasn't been f***ed with and there will be no surprises to the new owner. It's a project truck, sheet metal-wise, that runs great as it is and will respond well to any input the new owner gives it. About as original as you will find in a 55 year old vehicle. Dean had accumulated lots of new parts he intended to install and it will be interesting to see what he had ready to go.

 

[Crash]

... so what's holding you back?

My first Cruiser was a pristine '67 40 that I bought from Stevinson Toyota when they were at 8th and Wadsworth when I first moved to Summit County in '73. It is a tempting thought but I think I'm done with 40s, having had four already.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Just to give everyone some food for thought and background. Dean fell into this in only a way it was meant for him. He bought it from the original owner, Tibor.

Dean used to tell about how Tibor related to him about being the only truck on the road in winter taking his wife, a nurse, to work in the winter all chained up. He loved that story.

When he got it the hood was wrong, from a later FJ40, due to a wreck Tibor had.

Dean found the correct '68 hood and trim. So the body is correct. It's got rear sill cancer that needs attention. The body needs love but it's not beyond repairable. Typical rust through on the fenders at the supports. Mostly it's what you'd expect.

Next caretaker is going to have to address the rear sill sooner rather than later, though. It's a delicate web of iron oxide keeping the rear half doors closed. Otherwise it could be triaged and driven fine. I don't think your seat or feet will go all Flintstones on ya.

He's got a soft top on it now with a nice fitting Pakistani canvas top and the full doors. He's got the hard top in storage.

It has a PTO winch and I found at least one, and maybe two if memory serves, Ramsey seal kits to rebuild it. The winch is not on the Cruiser right now, it seems like he intended to clean it up.

I found two rear heaters, one I think is the right vintage and the other looked to be later model.

If I remember my FJ40 stuff (and *that* is doubtful) I saw riveted rims and hubcaps for it.

Really, it's a well loved truck that's been used. It's mostly original, lots of neat details like the original tools like Steve says, owner's manual, glove box work light and stuff. It could be a really nice 1968 and Dean did a lot of work to track down correct bits.

 

[shellb]

I’m interested, but I never had the chance to meet Dean and don’t what to take away anything from the rest of the crew who knew him and can do a restoration justice!

 

[LARGEONE]

A few years ago I was picking up a period correct (or at least closer than the one that was on my 40) air intake from Dean. I took his 40 for a spin and it started right up and drove great! I can also add that all of the knobs were original if I remember correctly and his 40 was so original that it allowed me to understand how mine was “supposed to be”. I actually took a bunch of pictures of his ‘68 because there were so many things on my ‘67 that should have looked like his.

If I hadn’t already done all of the rust repair on mine, I would probably sell the ‘67 and buy this ‘68. Great old 40!!!

 

[Dangler]

She’s a beaut

 

[Hulk]

@Mrs Hulk is not enthusiastic about this so I will pass. We just don’t have the space needed for project vehicles. It's the problem with living in a suburban tract house with a two-car garage.

 

[Corbet]

First of foremost I’m very sorry to see that Dean passed. I only met him once long ago before moving down to Durango.

This is a cool truck and one I’m sure holds fond memories for both friends and family. I hope it stays in the club.

With the inventory of parts not complete and no price posted should we move this thread into chat or members only until a formal course of action can be decided upon.

 

[Crash]

First of foremost I’m very sorry to see that Dean passed. I only met him once long ago before moving down to Durango.

This is a cool truck and one I’m sure holds fond memories for both friends and family. I hope it stays in the club.

With the inventory of parts not complete and no price posted should we move this thread into chat or members only until a formal course of action can be decided upon.

I agree with Corbet and would defer to a Mod’s decision. Chat would give the truck a wider exposure and would be my preferred option. Joe thinks the same.

 

[Corbet]

Moved to Chat.

 

[Coyote]

This is an extremely touching post -- I never met the man but clearly his impact & loss will be felt by many for a long time.
I too share the hope this cruiser finds a special place in an RS Club member's stable, someone who knew and cared for Dean who can help carry on the great memories and create new ones.

 

[DanS]

Joseph:

Without talking to @SaintAgatha yet, if nobody in the club who was tighter with Dean steps up, I will say that I’d do a lot to ensure Dean’s 40 stays in the club family. No idea what its current state or approximate value is, but I’d figure something out.

Maybe sell a 1HZ or two, H55f, a coveted split case PTO gearbox—something. Dean’s truck needs to stay here, and not end up with a flipper. Dean and I weren’t BFFs or anything, but he and I probably spent a total of 30 hours over the years just cleaning up shot up TVs at the bottom of Argentine Pass back when shooting was still allowed there.

There were folks closer to Dean who may be interested, and I’d definitely defer to them. But I’m just saying, before the truck moves toward auction, I’ll bet something can be worked out. And if anyone closer to Dean is interested, but worried about storage for a bit—we can keep it at our place in Dumont.

Dean was a great guy, and “disposing” of his cruiser is a pretty solemn responsibility. I can’t imagine the mess I’m going to leave when I pass.

Dan

 

[timmbuck2]

I will volunteer to store his 40 and any parts for free at my garage workshop down in Bailey for as long as we need if it needs a place to live temporarily. I will also volunteer any 40 parts I have to the cause if it stays in the Rising Sun family. I have a 69 parts rig...

 

[SaintAgatha]

Joseph:

Without talking to @SaintAgatha yet, if nobody in the club who was tighter with Dean steps up, I will say that I’d do a lot to ensure Dean’s 40 stays in the club family. No idea what its current state or approximate value is, but I’d figure something out.

Maybe sell a 1HZ or two, H55f, a coveted split case PTO gearbox—something. Dean’s truck needs to stay here, and not end up with a flipper. Dean and I weren’t BFFs or anything, but he and I probably spent a total of 30 hours over the years just cleaning up shot up TVs at the bottom of Argentine Pass back when shooting was still allowed there.

There were folks closer to Dean who may be interested, and I’d definitely defer to them. But I’m just saying, before the truck moves toward auction, I’ll bet something can be worked out. And if anyone closer to Dean is interested, but worried about storage for a bit—we can keep it at our place in Dumont.

Dean was a great guy, and “disposing” of his cruiser is a pretty solemn responsibility. I can’t imagine the mess I’m going to leave when I pass.

Dan

Wifey approved acquisition, zero hesitation. I am sorry that I am too new to have met Dean but whatever we can do to take care of his 40, consider it done. ❤️

 

[wesintl]

I would interested. My son wants a 40 as his first vehicle. At 15 he's practically a luddite. Deans 68 goes well with my 64. He and I always talked 1 barrel carbs and Moon T hubcaps. I miss him already chatting about this. Not going to lie, Brings a tear to my eye.