Rebuilding my Dad's 1980 FJ40

[White Stripe]

I'm home sick with this stupid Corona virus. : / So I have plenty of time for aqualu questions if u got them. I really like my tub. My only regret is I didn't stretch the frame to make it a fj43 and use a aqualu fj43 tub. The extra interior room would be nice. Since mine is more offroad tilted of a build I had them do a custom quarter panel cut. I am very happy with the tub. But their are some little details that if u don't do will make for a lesser quality of outcome in the end.

 

[gr8fulabe]

I’ll have to ask him a few things. I think that’s the way I’m leaning.

buy this. Use what you need & sell the rest....

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/log-lane-village-1980-fj-40/7118583894.html

 

[rover67]

oh boy, that's a great idea.

 

[Connelly80FJ40]

buy this. Use what you need & sell the rest....

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/log-lane-village-1980-fj-40/7118583894.html

Nice! calling him in the am

 

[MDH33]

Nice! calling him in the am

So, did you score that 40 roller?

 

[Connelly80FJ40]

So, did you score that 40 roller?

I did! It’s super clean. Im going to pick it up Saturday with my trailer. Went yesterday and grabbed a ton of extra stuff he had to go with it. I ended up with all glass in great condition with gaskets and a clean windshield. Top is in pretty good shape. Also, many little misc parts in boxes I haven’t gone through yet. I will post pictures as soon as I get it home.

 

[rover67]

Oh man, that's awesome!!!!!!!!!!! Sometimes things just work out! Super happy for you, I honestly think this is the best route for you.

 

[Connelly80FJ40]

Oh man, that's awesome!!!!!!!!!!! Sometimes things just work out! Super happy for you, I honestly think this is the best route for you.

Thanks! It took some convincing to the wife to let me drain the account 😬, but I got it! The guy was super cool as well. Not a RS member or member of any other club, but he has had some really nice 40s and 60s. He still has 2 60s fully restored that he won’t part with. I invited him to the next in person meeting.

 

[DanTheMan]

That's great news! I'm really happy for you dude!

 

[Connelly80FJ40]

I forgot to mention that part of the deal with my wife was she gets a raised planter around the front porch if I get the 40 roller. I’ve never been more dedicated to making a planter box happen!

 

[Connelly80FJ40]

Got it home today. It’s in better shape then I was expecting. One small rust spot on the passenger inner wheel well that will be taken care of in short order. Other then that it’s great. Body lines are good. Ambulance doors are great and latch. Front Doors are complete minus skins, but windows work and they lock.

 

[scheefdog]

Is your plan to swap over your engine to this new frame and body? Assuming the body work is decent it looks like you really scored!

 

[Connelly80FJ40]

Is your plan to swap over your engine to this new frame and body? Assuming the body work is decent it looks like you really scored!

So, I’m still deciding what to do. The new body is in great shape and a definite score! The frame is also in great shape except has V8 motor mounts welded in and shackle reverse done. I know I don’t want the V8 mounts and looking around I could get some stock mounts and put them back in. Good thing is they didn’t do anything funny to that part of frame, so putting stock back should be an issue. As far as the shackle reversal goes. I’m not sure I want this build to have it?? Long story short I’m probably going to take my body off 100% clean and coat the frame. Put a new rear bumper and spring perches on that I already have and transplant the other body on to it. Good thing is I got permission from the wife to build the other with all the spare parts for a dedicated off-road rig! I got lucky with her!

 

[Notyourmomslx450]

Hell yeah.
when I had a Jeep the shackle reverse was great. Smoothed the ride out (or as smooth as a Jeep could ride).

 

[White Stripe]

I would probably keep the shackle reversal. Putting 2f mounts back in should be easy. With that lift and some skinny 33s on stock wheels it should look good.

 

[Connelly80FJ40]

This is today’s update. Truck is naked!

 

[simps80]

Your wife is a saint to live through that...
Mine put up with it for a long time..several times
3 car to a no car...
She understood the passion
Good on y’all for pushing through, the end result is very worth it!!

 

[Connelly80FJ40]

Your wife is a saint to live through that...
Mine put up with it for a long time..several times
3 car to a no car...
She understood the passion
Good on y’all for pushing through, the end result is very worth it!!

She’s really is awesome!

 

[Connelly80FJ40]

More done this week. Got the back part of the frame pulled off, wire wheels and primed a little. I’m planning on doing a little part of the frame each day. New metal started to show up, so that’s exciting. Crazy how bad the rear plates and perches where once I got them off.

 

[Connelly80FJ40]

I got tired of working on the 40 itself, so I decided to pull the winch apart clean it, pack some new grease in it, clean all electrical connectors and sand a paint. I’m thinking of using a gray/silver hammer paint for the exterior? All I got done today was the rust inhibitor on the drum.