2nd Gen Tacoma guy gets a new Toyota he'd rather not have

I grew up riding in the back of my Dad's old FJ40 (see pic of FJ with trailer, this was it). I can distinctly remember the high-pitch whine of the manual transmission sitting in the jump seats in the back and hanging from the roll bar like a monkey. Even in the 80's it was a unique truck. My Dad eventually sold the FJ40 to get a more practical pickup truck that could haul more gear and his kids. Part of his love of FJ's I'm sure stemmed from his time in Japan during Vietnam. Even when he owned his Chevy, he had an affinity for FJ's after selling his.
In 2012 after retiring my Dad bought a used '78 FJ40 and had it refurbished. It was his retirement present to himself. He loved it. He was a frugal man but spared no expense on it. My plan was to eventually get an old FJ40 of my own so I could follow his example and perhaps we could bond over FJ talk and the restoration process. My brother even bought one too.
A couple of years ago I went to CruiserFest in Utah, a huge Land Cruiser convention/museum. It was a great trip seeing all these old FJ's and newly refurbished FJ's. It was a special trip with him. One I will never forget.
Flash forward to 2016 and my Dad, seemingly very healthy, especially for his age, is diagnosed with cancer. I was devastated. All of us kids were. He was given maybe 3 months to a year, but it took him down very rapidly.
In his final weeks, he told me he wanted me to have his FJ. I was glad he wanted to give it to me but in all honestly it was the last thing I cared about at that point but it was really important that he give it to me. It gave him comfort knowing I would have it. He told me this much.
He has been gone a bit more than a month now and I am finally taking custody of his baby. To be honest I am at the point where I feel almost sick whenever I see it in my garage. Every time I climb in the seat I think it should be in his garage and not mine. He only got 4 years with it and I hate that. It was his sweat equity that went into it, not mine, and he got so little time with it.
In time I know I will learn to enjoy it. He would want me to. Right now though, it is too difficult for me to appreciate it to it's potential.
I like to think wherever he is now, he is driving an FJ around just like old times. What brings me comfort is that I know one day I will be with him. It sounds cliche but our time on this planet is very short. One positive thing about his passing is that it has made me realize that even more. I miss you, Dad.

 

Heartfelt post.

In time the pain will pass - he wanted you to have it because he treasured it, and he treasured you. Drive it, care for it, and enjoy the good memories.

 

He's right there with you

 

Just remember every time you drive it that you're rolling with him. It's going to be tough for a while but every time you think about him smile, don't be sad. Your memories with him in the FJ were good and that's how you should remember him.

 

And hopefully, you will have someone to pass it on to, so they can enjoy the memories of good times. I have lost several very close friends and Family members, and know the feeling...

 

Thank you for sharing. I'm sure your Dad is listening to the high pitch whine of the manual right now with a big grin on his face. Sorry for your loss and in time the hurt will pass. Thinking about you and yours.

 

Sorry for your loss. The 40's are a great rig, and your dad had great taste. I say drive it and think of him. I know that is tough right now, but maybe in time it will be easier. He turned all those bolts and put it back together and that connects you two, past to present. When you fix something on there, its something he touched and wanted you to have, and to appreciate. Kind of reminds me of a Country song by Lee Brice "I drive your truck". Its about the same emotions you are going through right now.

 

Be happy with those amazing memories you have with your dad and your bonding. It sounds like your dad finally got the FJ he wanted, and shared amazing moments with you. I've been searching for a way to bond with my dad for 42 years and still come up blank even though we now both have Tacomas. Thank you for sharing this.

 

thanks for posting and sharing a great story about your family!

 

Thank you for sharing. My Dad and I share a special bond through vehicles as well. He had a 1969 Nova in High School, and though I never rode with him, or even saw the car in person, I fell in love with them. He and I built a 1966 Nova when I was in high school, and I still have the car. It has been crashed and rebuilt, sold, and repurchased.

You and your father have created a special unbreakable bond. Cherish that forever, as I'm certain you will. Thanks again for sharing.

 

Love the elk on the top of the FJ

 

My condolences on the loss of your father. I lost mine suddenly 15 years ago and miss him everyday. It's good that he chose you to care for his FJ.

 

Prayers coming your way brother. Sorry for your loss

 

Thanks guys. Appreciate the kind comments.

 

I'm sorry you lost your dad. It's only been a month, and you're still hurtin'. I know, I just got through something like that a couple of years ago with my grandpa. It will take time for the sadness to pass. When you're ready to go and wheel the crap out of that FJ, you'll know.

He wanted the FJ to get used, not sit in a garage or be a museum piece. I'm figuring he knew that in time, you'd use the hell out of it. It's too soon now, maybe. But it won't always be that way. Sit on it, get through what you have to get through. The old girl will be waiting for you when you're ready.

 

So sorry to hear about the loss of your Father, enjoy the FJ as he would have wanted.

 

Lost my father 2 years ago. I still have my moments..........

 

Sorry for your loss.

 

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your father. I lost both of my parents several years ago and miss them. Last night I had a dream about being a teenager and I had gotten into trouble and had to call my Dad to come pick me up. Here he comes in his 75 Impala, with the large dent in the passenger side door thanks to my non driving brother, with my Mom. They were just as I remembered them. The whole dream was as real to me as sitting on this couch having coffee. Love the memory of your Dad, enjoy the truck, both will be with you for a long time.

 

This was such a wonderful and sad story. I too bonded with my father over our vehicles, particularly his prized '75 Nova. That car would have gone to his little girl (had my younger brother not wrecked it for me). -- My heart goes out to you, Jon. I know that had to have been so painful to write. These memories will be treasured and passed down, becoming just as important, or moreso, than the tangible objects that were part of them.