Who else has an FJ40?

[BamaBleach]

I was wondering how many FJC owners also have an FJ40. I probably went the opposite direction from most and had an FJC before I purchased the 40. I always loved the look of the FJ40 and decided that's what I wanted when I decided to build a serious offroad vehicle.

I've been lurking over at Ih8mud for a little while and my head is still spinning from all of the info/opinions that I've seen. I'm totally confused on what mods I want to make.

Anyways, who else has around here has a FJ40?

[tlc4dr]

I Do !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[73Cruiser]

I have one. Although it is not stock.

1973 w/ 350 cid V-8, SM420 tranny, shackle revearsal, and power steering.

[BamaBleach]

73Cruiser previously said:

I have one. Although it is not stock.

1973 w/ 350 cid V-8, SM420 tranny, shackle revearsal, and power steering.

What kind of power steering setup did you go with?

That's the first mod I want to do.

[OffRoad Rage]

Not only do I have a 40, but I have two 55's too. My first 40 I had for 9 years, 6 as a DD.

Here's a fun picture, not too many FJC's pulling 55's.

[Sean K.]

My Dad's owned two. Currently only owns one after serious seller's regret about getting rid of the first one. The first one was a 67, the second a 76.

Most guys use saginaw power steering to convert in the 40's.....but you're only limited by your imagination really.

As for what mods you should make to it.....it depends on what kind of "serious offroading" you want to build it for. It could be very mildly built and work perfectly for what you have in mind, or you may need to ditch practically all of it in favor of stronger components depending on how extreme you get.

Either way....you have a classic. Fj40s are AWESOME!!

Sean

[BamaBleach]

Sean K. previously said:

My Dad's owned two. Currently only owns one after serious seller's regret about getting rid of the first one. The first one was a 67, the second a 76.

Most guys use saginaw power steering to convert in the 40's.....but you're only limited by your imagination really.

As for what mods you should make to it.....it depends on what kind of "serious offroading" you want to build it for. It could be very mildly built and work perfectly for what you have in mind, or you may need to ditch practically all of it in favor of stronger components depending on how extreme you get.

Either way....you have a classic. Fj40s are AWESOME!!

Sean

Mine is a '73 but has the 4 speed tranny. The guy who had it before me was a welder so the body was in good shape. He went through and took care of all the spots that had rust. He installed a new radiator and alternator. He also put a Weber carb on it and added electronic ignition.

Power steering is first priority and I've found an entire kit online for about $500. Seems pricey but that seems to be the going rate. Maybe hitting up a junkyard might be a better solution?

I'm torn on whether to do a Sping Over Axle (SOA) suspension mod. I want to lift but I'm not sure I want 5-6" because I don't wanna get too top heavy. I'm tossing around the idea of putting Super Swamper LTB in the 34x1050 size so it's not like I'm trying to cram 37's on it.

I'm thinking I probably want to go with an Aussie locker in the rear and an ARB up front. The ARB will be something I do on down the road a little bit because of the money.

Another thing I want to do is get some lower gears so I can crawl in the rocks with the bigger tires . I don't want to change out the ring gear & pinion because I'm already too low for highway riding (the bigger tires will help me there). So my gear reduction is going to be modded in the transfer case. I'd like to go with the Marlin Crawler Toy Box but the price tag is going to force me to wait. I'm not sure how much I'm going to want to drive the thing offroad with stock gearing and the 34" tires so I might simply go with lower gears in the transfer case.

Got any other suggestions?

[opg4759]

I too have a FJ-40. We got it after we bought the FJC as well.

Vehicle: 1965 Toyota Land Cruiser, Model FJ40.
Engine: 1974 Chevrolet, 4 bolt main, 350 C.I.
Aspiration: Edlebrock Performer manifold w/4bbl QuadraJet Carburetor.
Spark: HEI ignition w/Accel coil.
Exhaust: Hedman block hugger headers fed into 2 ½'" aluminum coated single exhaust system w/Turbo muffler.
Cooling: Howe two row aluminum cross-flow radiator with dual Spal cooling fans.
Transmission: SM465.
Transfer Case: Early model 3 speed (2.32 low range).
Axles/ Diff.: Stock front w/ARB Air Locker, Dana 60 rear w/ARB Air Locker & Summers Bro's Axles.
Ring & Pinion: 4.10:1.
Suspension: Spring over using stock springs, front shackles reversed. Rancho RS5000's all around.
Ramp Travel Index: 1007.
Tires/Rims: 35" Uniroyal Laredo M/T's on 10" Chrome Modulars.
Steering: Saginaw power steering(4 turn), High Steer conversion, tilt steering wheel.
Winch: Warn 8274, roller fairlead.
Electrical: Dual Optima Gel Cell Batteries, Halogen Headlamps, 55w Rock Lights.
On-board Air: Converted York compressor, air tanks under chassis and rear bumper.
Paint: Wedgewood Grey w/Purple flames, base coat/clear coat.
Odds 'n Ends: Custom front & rear bumpers, split swing-out tire carrier/fold down cooler rack, auxiliary fuel tank, custom dash, half doors, Alpine CD mounted in roll cage overhead, 300W Fosgate Amp, Sub-woofer, 40 channel CB, R&M Specialties on board shower, Air-powered Margarita mixer.

[Sean K.]

BamaBleach previously said:

Mine is a '73 but has the 2F engine and the 4 speed tranny. The guy who had it before me was a welder so the body was in good shape. He went through and took care of all the spots that had rust. He installed a new radiator and alternator. He also put a Weber carb on it and added electronic ignition.

Power steering is first priority and I've found an entire kit online for about $500. Seems pricey but that seems to be the going rate. Maybe hitting up a junkyard might be a better solution?

I'm torn on whether to do a Sping Over Axle (SOA) suspension mod. I want to lift but I'm not sure I want 5-6" because I don't wanna get too top heavy. I'm tossing around the idea of putting Super Swamper LTB in the 34x1050 size so it's not like I'm trying to cram 37's on it.

I'm thinking I probably want to go with an Aussie locker in the rear and an ARB up front. The ARB will be something I do on down the road a little bit because of the money.

Another thing I want to do is get some lower gears so I can crawl in the rocks with the bigger tires . I don't want to change out the ring gear & pinion because I'm already too low for highway riding (the bigger tires will help me there). So my gear reduction is going to be modded in the transfer case. I'd like to go with the Marlin Crawler Toy Box but the price tag is going to force me to wait. I'm not sure how much I'm going to want to drive the thing offroad with stock gearing and the 34" tires so I might simply go with lower gears in the transfer case.

Got any other suggestions?

Spring over is a fairly complicated modification....moreso than most people realize when they start. You have to take into consideration what caster angle you'll be at when you're done, if you want to do a shackle reversal at the same time, if you want to move the axle forward, how the steering geometry is all going to be worked out, whether to use leaves or coils or coilovers/air shocks, cutting and turning the knuckles for proper caster, etc.....the list is endless.

The number one thing I'd say to do first to increase off-road ability would be f/r lockers. Number two would be the Marlin ToyBox. Those two things will do the most for your vehicle's capability.

After those two things, it's really up to you. Power steering is definitely nice. What about carb'd engines? Will the 2F run at the angles you plan to drive? You could convert to run on 'pane, but that's not cheap either.

I'd suggest trying to find some locals with FJ40s and see what they run and how they're set up. Then tweak their proven designs into something you can call your own. Learn from their mistakes. And....keep in mind that it may seem forward of you to ask about someone's vehicle but most people can't/won't shut up once they start talking about them.

Take care,
Sean

[RonDeF]

There is one sitting in back of Lustine Toyota in Woodbridge, its in pretty rough shape. It has no tags and it may have been traded in on an FJ Cruiser.