My FJ40 sold, :( What are the most important things to look at on a 55? I've found two around me that I'm contemplating. Both are 1969's, one has a replaced 2F I'm told and the other has a 350, but the rest it stock.

At what point should I run away from the rust beast? I have some pics of one I will post. The prices are $500 and $1,200 for the one with a V8. Getting both is not an option as the wife would strangle me.

Just looking for some pointers on getting one. Going to make this a trail beast, but would like a decent platform to start on.

$500 piggie:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid83/pa1f8bc5f61cddf90d7b0e8afd244e056/fad6517d.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid83/pc8c6edfe7c35f54c7e4f63e68b894f40/fad65166.jpg



http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid83/pb35737b49d372a5fb4fa50dddda48b07/fad642ae.jpg

get the 500 $ one !!! cut it & build it!!! I have a awsum 55 chevy 350 ,465 trans203,205 xcase , dana 60 rear, locker , cruiser front axle ,longs,arb, waggoneer rear springs ,38s tsl, dents all over !!! only way to wheel a pig !! 55guy out !!

I think the places to look for rot are the rocker panels, front and rear fenders, floors, and roof... if that's what you're asking ?

I'm just looking for any info or opinions on where the rust is the worst to deal with on these. And is $500 worth a 350 and maybe less rust? The whole bottom of the $500 pig is surface coated, fenders toast, some in rocker, floor boards rusted, a little hole through them.

I've tried to find some info on the net about the 55's but it's a little hard to find stuff on them. Any links or anything would be awesome.

Thx

the worst is rockers (can be cut and replaces with some stonger stuff, though), floors, and roof... the fenders don't have much structural role anyway, so I guess it's not as bad... and the quarters can be cut as well... unfortunately I have no real world experience about this.

you may want to check the FJ55 list archive at birfield.com , and there were a couple 55 threads on here as well IIRC... good luck :D

If it's going to be a trail rig...who cares about the rust, you're going to cut/beat it up anyway. Go for the $500.00 one. V8's are over rated and most V8 conversions I've seen are "farmer'd", so if you want to put in a V8, your better off doing it yourself than trying to figure out what the last guy was thinking.

Rust, back lower part of front fenders is usually bubbling or rusted through, lower part of the tail gate and below the tail gate.

I wish I was able to have a 55 as well, I've always liked them but people want too much for them... someday. Besides, I don't have the space for it.

get the $500 one.

Nice, congrats, which one is which?

Anywhoo, the best place to search is actually here! For the last 6+ months I've been restoring my FJ55. The pics are scattered but are all limited to these folders if you want to take a look. At some point I hope to put a comprehensive site together explaining it all...

You can peruse through these. Also if you search you'll find a couple of my old threads. I searched myself for you but a lot of the pictures from all of us no longer exist in their original locations on the web hence them not displaying any more... There is a great shot from someone (sorry I can't remember who) which explains why the front fenders rot out - because of an inner channel in it. Basically rust spots seem to be front and rear, in both locations both after tires. Also the rear door, the 'famous' roof rot (you'll see pics) which they believe is due to the OEM headliner and no ventilation through it, and of course the rear tailgate. Unfortunately 55s just seem prone to rust :(

Here are my folders:
1. Before pics http://www.collegeinternetsolutions.com/cisautoweb/dtlc/fj55/
2. Getting it home, pulling the engine...
http://www.collegeinternetsolutions.com/cisautoweb/dtlc/fj55_2/
3. Body work...
http://www.collegeinternetsolutions.com/cisautoweb/dtlc/fj55_3/
4. Where she stands today, except it's got a mini axle in the rear and has been lowered in the rear too...
http://www.collegeinternetsolutions.com/cisautoweb/fj55/pics_oct0103/

Others, my power steering conversion (there's a thread about that too): http://www.collegeinternetsolutions.com/cisautoweb/fj55/pics_oct0103/

Morgan's site, all about FJ55s, AWESOME source and tons o' pics
http://www.birfield.com/~morgan/

Make sure you check out his mods, see his rock sliders section which IMO is the best way to make rock sliders for a 55 if you don't mind hacking it up (still can look clean)...

Hope it helps, good luck...

I'd start with either but a Chevy 350 conversion already done will probably save you a lot more $$ later and is much more 'pleasurable' than a '69 F engine (dog with horrible milage). Getting nickel and dimed to death in a conversion sucks, ask me how I know :(

the light blue is the v8 right ??? its in washington or something ? i looked buyin that one its A/A stuff if i remember right i would get it its worth it for the adapters

I paid 1600$ for a 4"lifted 73' 55 with a hacked in 350 and 33x 9:50's. It has minimal rust but was previously bondo'ed so I am builiding it for the trail. I am not impressed with a 350, as the F or 2F has the same low rpm torque and is probably more reliable. I say get the 500$ one and make it what you want for less!

rocker panel rust solution: http://www.yankeetoys.org/black900rr/joes55/MVC-086S.JPG