Basic Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40: Beginner's Build

[eddievedder]

Roof needs to be painted. I need to detail the black around the windows but I did not want to use the shiny decals that come with the body.

With the battery and body on, the ride height wasn't perfect so I re-installed the stiffer yellow springs. She's sitting where I want now.

[Reflektr]

A Satan pistachio FJ with trail-docs and Yota axles!?




That's just nuts!





Mr. Vedder... You're alright.

[BigSki]

So glad to see you getting back into building rigs.

[eddievedder]

Originally Posted by Reflektr

A Satan pistachio FJ with trail-docs and Yota axles!?




That's just nuts!





Mr. Vedder... You're alright.

Haha thank you

Originally Posted by BigSki

So glad to see you getting back into building rigs.

Im glad to be back. Thanks!

[Big Bill]

Back to basics, I love it the front end shot it is now my screen saver. Thanks

[eddievedder]

Ok so I finally got around to painting the rear flares and roof. Im not 100% on going with hubs or not?

Thoughts?



And the white pops too much on the wheels so maybe Ill go grey to match, or weather the white ones and get them nice and rusty?

Anyway here is how it sits now. Nice, simple runner. I tested in the garage and it wheels pretty well. Aint gonna win no comp or nuthin'

[martin_b]

Very Nice..

Brings back memories of 1979 bouncing round the Sahara in FJ40's on an Oil exploration crew.

Martin (oldgit)

[VR6 BeelzeDub]

awesome build and love the r32 poster.
also your from LI? lol are there any crawler events or anything out here?

[eddievedder]

Originally Posted by martin_b

Very Nice..

Brings back memories of 1979 bouncing round the Sahara in FJ40's on an Oil exploration crew.

Martin (oldgit)

That must have been an adventure! Thanks!

Originally Posted by VR6 BeelzeDub

awesome build and love the r32 poster.
also your from LI? lol are there any crawler events or anything out here?

Thank you. The poster came with my R32. It's numbered 1612 of 5000. As far as places to go, there is a good spot out in Sag Harbor. Check the Long Island thread.

[VR6 BeelzeDub]

thanks, annnd i think you should weather the white wheels...

[eddievedder]

After toying with different wheel options, I got frustrated with the white steelies. I splurged and bought these SDI 4x4 raw steel 6 lug beadlock wheels and they are AWESOME. My only complaint was the inner ring (white) was too small and so hard to manage to get the beadlock to seat correctly. I found the (black) rings which were slightly larger in my spare parts bin.I have no idea where I got them but they worked perfectly.





I finished weathering the 40 and mounted the HiLift jack. It is a runner and I am calling it done for now. Maybe future plans of a partial interior…

Here it is. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions to help get it right.







And a comparison of the 40 with and without hubcaps. I think I like it both ways. The raw steelies are sweet and the hubs add that 40 flavor. Ill run it both ways on and off…

[cutlaSS]

wow, a simple build but the FJ came out killer. I like the weathered paint and steelies with the center caps

[eddievedder]

Originally Posted by cutlaSS

wow, a simple build but the FJ came out killer. I like the weathered paint and steelies with the center caps

Thank you my friend. I'm glad I gambled with the SDI wheels. I just wasnt feeling the white Gmade steelies. Plus the hub caps look much better (appear less big) with the deeper wheel.

[Scaler Ascender]

That's one cool looking FJ, The hub caps are a lovely little touch instead of leaving the wheel nuts exposed. I think you've got the stance exactly right on the build too

[eddievedder]

I swapped the short Tamiya shocks for some RC4WD scaler shock with partial droop so it still sits low.



I fabbed up some raw steel rocker guards/sliders that tuck just inside the body’s side steps. It helps keep the flexible Lexan body from, well, flexing and slides over the rocks nicely.


Testing the steel rockers. Fun little rig.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[1BadJeepBruiser]

we gotta get together and tiny truck it

[JatoTheRipper]

That's a bad ass looking rig! The wheels are perfect.

And yes, I like you better because you're Eddie Vedder.

[eddievedder]

Originally Posted by 1BadJeepBruiser

we gotta get together and tiny truck it

Oh man, yes! I’ve been tinkering here and there and have a shelf full of runners. Let’s goooo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[eddievedder]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

That's a bad ass looking rig! The wheels are perfect.

And yes, I like you better because you're Eddie Vedder.

Hahahaha thanks! Preesh


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hoyt]

It's alive

Nice to see an older build getting some work and still going strong.
Very nice.