Started on the restoration of my FJ40 yesterday.

[JLPurcell]

Started the tear down of my 72 Land Cruiser yesterday, it is a pleasure to take a vehicle apart that is not rusted together at the nuts and bolts. So far sourcing parts looks to be much easier than it is for the Z. We will see as I get deeper into the project.

[siteunseen]

That's a fine damn site compared to the newer ones.

[ajmcforester]

Love it I bought a 2007, but I always wanted one of the older ones. I just never found one that wasn't all rusted up, or modified in a way that makes it hard to get it the way I wanted it. A lot of the times the front ends were changed out, the wheel well were overly cutout and/or they were more rust than steel.

I like how yours looks very simple and original like, and my favorite tire for my off-roading the BF Goodrich TA KOs

[JLPurcell]

I just got back in from the garage, in one full day I have: removed all of the front end up to the firewall, removed all of the interior, removed the back swing doors and swinging spare tire carrier, I have ran a tap in all of the threads to clean them out, removed the white portion of the top and drilled out all of the screws fastening down the aftermarket roof rack and rails. I will post some photos soon. I was originally looking for a Datsun Patrol and had the same issue with not being able to find a clean survivor to start with. While looking for a Patrol I found this FJ and it is completely rust free and all original. It came from Sonora county, CA and was a one owner vehicle until it was bought from the family for resale on ebay.

[JLPurcell]

Photos of the start of the project:

[ajmcforester]

It looks like you got a good one, your definitely lucky. The Patrols are so rare that it would be like restoring a 2000GT, you need to fabricate all most al the broken and missing parts. With the FJ40 you can buy almost everything new or used.

[JLPurcell]

The body is back and at the body shop. The body is rust free and that is priceless!

[djwarner]

After working on Rustprone Datsuns, this looks like a joy to work on. BTW Keith Martin mentioned in his latest blog about visiting Concours of America where a restored FJ sold for $68,750.

[JLPurcell]

Almost ready to close it up! Waiting for a few parts from powder coat and plating ;-)

[ajmcforester]

nice shell, not everyday do you find a body on anything that old in that shape and ever rarer on a 4x4 legendary vehicle.

[JLPurcell]

I am working to get the frame and drive-train caught up to the body so I have a place to sit the tub when the paint is complete!

[JLPurcell]

The frame is now ready for powder coat. I have mocked up, fabricated and installed all of the brackets etc... for the power steering upgrade. The front splash panel is modified for the new steering location. Goes to powder coat on Tuesday. I do have a few more small parts to blast prior to powder coat.