last week, I surprised Cub #2 by having an FJ40 delivered to our driveway!
Here is the background info for all this to make sense. Cub#2 decided that the best rock crawling machine on the planet was an FJ so naturally he wanted one.
He went to Texas for the summer to visit family so I got to work making a deal on this little beauty.
It is definitely a project but currently it is a very solid platform to begin with.
All the parts are with the vehicle, just some in better shape than others. The hood needs to be replaced or welded back together which is beyond me.
The top fiberglass needs a new frame or to be replaced totally. We have the rear hatch, but already have a deal for some Amby doors!
Of coarse the kid threw me a curveball once seeing the FJ being dropped off. instead of a trail rig, he now wants to build this so that he can drive it to school and back as well as to the trails. I can't say that I blame him, but there goes my ideas I had to possibly link it, and throw a dana 60 under the front to match the 14 bolt I have sitting on the side of the house.
I would be remissed, if I didn't mention that Cub #3 took all the photos…not bad for an 8 year old huh?
As a matter of fact…They prefer it!! they are step children to begin with, and they love the fact that I consider them mine and include them in my hobby's etc. That I am around and spend time with them. They refer to themselves as cub 1,2,and 3 with PRIDE!
and the wife, introduces herself to other respectable TTORA members as Momma Bear! If she is at a TTORA run she is on the C.B with her handle, or in a group, that is what she prefers as well!
I refer to the kids as the cubs because I do not want their names on the internet! Got any more issues with me carring the theme throughout my family? Hell the wife even named the latest puppy addition "sugar bear" I guess we are all just idiots in your eyes correct?
ford 5.0L 302 ci. EFI with a C4 behind it. Not sure on the gears in the transfer case yet, but thinking something in the range of 6:1 or whatever is close to that.
The motor selection made Momma Bear mad as she wanted me to put that motor in a mustang for her.
But it is on hand (read as:free) and should provide plenty of bottom end tork! Besides I have another 5.0 on it's way so I'll have a back up for the Mustang project if we ever find the right shell for it.
When I was driving domestics, I preferred Fords over chevies. I know people say chevies are easier and cheaper to work on, but I like the characteristics of Ford motors. (if I had to choose between a domestic)
I had a 5.0 '88 Mustang GT and stock that thing was awesome so I figured it was a good choice for this project.
I wanted something with a good low end, the 2F or even the 1F motor that came stock in the LC's would be good for that, but I also like to have something that will move you quick out of the way of an on-coming semi if need be, and the "f" motors are just not quick.
AS the vehicle sits…it is "our FJ" (mine and the cubs) But once Cub #2 starts showing more maturity, and desire (asking to work on it, buying some of the parts etc)and does things to "earn" it, I told him that it would be his. So with that said, I don't want something so quick it will get him killed.
Good buy. Looks like a sweet project for a young driver. What year is that tub? Looks like a '69 or early 70's? Not the most in demand, but the earlier ones are less prone to rust. If you've got a line on the ambulance doors, that's awsome. I like the see-through diff with invisible gears....was that extra? I'd have to say though, I'm with Squid on using a Toy engine, especially for a dd...., but we all have grand ideas for other peoples $$$, don't we.
Good buy. Looks like a sweet project for a young driver. What year is that tub? Looks like a '69 or early 70's? Not the most in demand, but the earlier ones are less prone to rust. If you've got a line on the ambulance doors, that's awsome. I like the see-through diff with invisible gears....was that extra? I'd have to say though, I'm with Squid on using a Toy engine, especially for a dd...., but we all have grand ideas for other peoples $$$, don't we.
Good eye! the p.o told me it was built in 9/71. So I am guessing that makes it a '72. I was looking for a pre '74 as my research showed that the earlier ones, as you said were built with thicker sheet metal thus less rust issues.
the "open diff" was a bonus, got that one as a freebie I just need to stuff it! It is an cruiser axle, but it is centered which I like.
Originally I was going to shove a 14 bolt I have under the rear with a mated dana 60. But Cub #2 threw me a curve ball. He always talked about an FJ for a trail rig, but when I brought this home, he decided he wants it on the road to drive to school. so I am down scaling our plans for this one.
Largest tire size that is going on it will be 35" so the one ton's won't be necessary.
Sorry about the motor, but as I told Sar...It is what I already have on hand so the price is right for the power I anticipate out of it.
hmm if was ur son i would have wanted a bitchen crawler but thats me.
haha my first car was my 1988 ford mustang 5.0 gt that i got when i was 15 but yeah i was the cool kid on the block haha. but now i wish i would have gotten a truck sonner so i guess ur son is freakin lucky.
I think everyone first car should be some type of beater. But that is just me. I watched my sister beat the hell out of her first car, '67 mustang coupe. And I know how I ran my 72' thunderbird with a 460 into the ground. so I am sure this one will come back to me so that I'll have something to cannibalize into a crawler for myself.
I had an 88 Gt myself after I got out of college. it was nothing special as I never did anything to it! Sold it stock! But that car was great! even after it being stolen and wrecked, and me sliding into two seperate retaining walls two seperate times. (damn thing was super rear end light, slightest parcipitation and it was always wanting to swap ends)
man! This project is something that is meant to be finished over time!
I have been able to put a tarp over it to protect it some.
We also went and picked up a "new" hood for it, nothing specticular.
I have to finish my rear suspension on the taco, but a motor in the bmw, all before I can even look at the FJ. Fj is going to be a winter project at best
shhhhh, I am already considering another deal on a mustang! Just trying to figure out if I have enough room for it! trying to decide if I am going to kick a kid out of one of their rooms so I can start putting all my "projects" inside.
I have resigned to the fact you can never have too many "projects"
Oh! I forgot to tell you, the stang I am considering is an '89 similar to yours and definitely a possible twin to my ole '88!
The wife told me the other night we need to find a smaller house (she is tired of cleaning) with a larger garage/pole barn. Doesn't seem like such a bad idea actually!
I got a friend that has a 1800 square foot Pole barn! Lucky bastard! he can fit probably 10 to eleven cars inside if need be! The damn barn is bigger than his transmission shop!
yeah i like the grey better than my red but im over it
that thing looks sick with the black rims
i have a pair of racing slicks with black rims and my car looks nice
first thing i would do is take out the fog lights and make a custom brake venting only costed me like 50$ compared to the 150$ and it helps alot
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