For a year, Ric searched through e-Bay, & the Autotrader for a suitable FJ40 Cruiser. Since these vehicle are scarce, it was hard to locate a suitable vehicle.
In Dec. 2004, Ric found what he "thought" was a suitable truck, a beige Nov. 1977 FJ40. Originally from Nova Scotia where it was in the coal mines, an Armed Forces gentleman purchased it, had some body work & painting done to it & moved it to Trenton where he was posted. Having seen it from a distance & finding that it was for sale, Ric purchased it for $6000.
Over the winter, a winch, mags, 33" Durango mudders, headers, rear Lockright locker, differential rebuild, new aluminum tailgate & a few stainless steel latches, 1/2 doors, longer shackles, bikini top were added & Ric went offroading.
Besides nunerous local excursions to Batawa, Brighton, the Cruzr ventured to Lingham, Whitefish Lake, Killer Trail, Hell's Trail. Finally it was entered in a major offroad event known as Phil Factor, north near Bobcaygeon. It was at this event Ric saw the limitations of the setup. It was also here that the writer/editor/owner of 4WD Magazine, Albert Vandeverlde, saw Ric's Cruzr.
Over the following winter the Cruzr required a new tub since the original's body fill was falling off faster than the mud. Since it was going to be dismantled to do that, the list of work became much larger. Simplified it included:
- the new aluminum tub, hippo lined top & bottom, aluminum windshield frame + new glass to go with the aluminum tailgate, aluminum steps
- new 4 core radiator/hose/thermostat
-new brake liines ( later moved ABOVE the frame for better protection), pads/shoes, master & wheel cylinders as well as a new parking brake.
-new turn signals front & rear & a new rear wiring harness
- seats from an Acura Vigor
- new clutch, pilot & throwout bearing
- new battery & cables
- differential gears changed to 4:56 front/rear
- chrome/moly strengthened front axles & birfields (Longfields)
- 35"x15x15 Super Swampers with 12" wide rims & 2" wheel spacers for better turning/clearance
-ARB air locker for the front with an onboard air compressor
- fresh Toyota "olive" green/brown paint comtrasted with beige
- 2 removeable "belted" rear seats from a Lumina
- new smaller steering wheel
- new tierod ends, shocks
- 2" body lift - special poly spacers
- custom brush bar to match the front architecture
2007
- Weber carburetor
- inner "snorkel" into the glove compartment
- complete engine rebuild ... I dismantled it while Doug Forbes of Wooler assembled it.
- new stereo & antenna & speakers
- new console between the seats
- 12000 lb winch with synthetic cable
- hard top & 4 doors completely refinished.
- replaced steering box & power steering pump
- rocksliders
2008
- 35"x12.5x15 Dick Cepak Mud Terrain tires
- 2nd roll bar for family bikini top
- hard top & front doors painted
- GM power steering pump, steering cooler
2009
- completion of rear ambulance doors
- improved spare tire mount
