[Romer]

Boy, how did I end up after Landpimp.

I originally had a 1974 FJ40 I bought in 1979. I loved that truck and stupidly sold it in 1984. I almost bought another one in 1986, but didn’t have the funds and was about to get married and buy a house. I bought a Jeep Wrangler in 1993 because I missed the experience and wasn’t sure I wanted a 10 year old vehicle. Although the Wrangler was much better on the highway, I was disappointed in how it handled in bad weather and off-road and bought a GMC Jimmy to replace it. For years I would see an FJ40 on the road and talk about it while driving with my wife and kids. My wife got tired of hearing about it and told me to just go buy one, she didn’t think I would actually do it. I looked for about 2 months around the Denver area.

I bought my 1977 FJ40 in 2003 from what turned out to be an unreputable person. I bought it from John Napier. We agreed on what I thought was a good price of $4500 after test driving it. The selling point to me was minimal rust and a strong engine. Lots of other cruisers I drove had lots of rust, and you could tell the engines were tired. They wanted $8K to $10K and I had decided to spend no more than $5K because I figured I would be putting some more into the truck. When I bought my rig it was primer grey (Originally freeborn red by interior) and had diamond plate installed. I told John Napier that I wanted to take the Diamond Plate off, patch what rust was there and paint it red. He told me he could do that and we negotiated another price and 2 weeks. The waiting was long and drawn out and my and others story can be found using the thread linked below. I since found out that others had similar problems. After weeks of waiting I went up there and stood over him and helped him do the work for 2 days on my truck. Finally I brought it home.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/14007-john-napier-brighton-cruisers.html

The first thing I did was to go through the truck and fix what needed fixing and baseline all the fluids. Then I installed bigger tires (33x9.5x15 BFG AT’s) I picked these tires because I don’t have power steering and heard these were good tires for it. I have not been disappointed.

I next installed a Tuffy Center console and had to deal with the shifter banging and the rear heater hoses.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/6394-tuffy-ii-console-solution-issue.html

[Romer]

Next I installed a Skjacker 4 “ lift. I based my decision a lot on the following link and even used this thread to help me install it:

http://www.englandhouseplans.com/fj55/fj40.htm



It was during this I first meet a fellow cruiser head. Ige (Nuclearlemon) saw my ad giving away my old springs and came by to get them. She has become a pretty close friend since them and I have been grateful for her friendship.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/11378-lift-complete.html

[Romer]

I then recovered my seats using a kit I bought from Ron at Rocky Mountain Cruisers. Ron is a pretty good guy and a pleasure to deal with.

[Romer]

After researching soft tops I decided to buy the STC soft top. Matt Farr had written a great review in TT and that helped me a lot. The kicker was that I could zip out all the windows and drive it with just a canopy if I wanted. I have since also bought the 2 piece Soft doors to go with it. My hard top has been sitting in my shed for 18 months and I have no plans to put it back on. I do park the 40 in the garage and it is not my DD, but I think I would do the same even if it was.

[Romer]

Next upgrade was to add a DUI HEI distributor. I did not want to spend $300 and found a 1 year old one for $125 on Pirate (he went V8). I like it, but did not see a huge improvement. This is also were I screwed up big time and did not get the dizzy down all the way and ended up seizing my engine. Good thing for me, it turned out to be only the rod bearings. Found out my tcase had a crack that had been permitexed over and Ige gave me a tcase to replace it. This is where Ige and Shawn (Magoo) helped me out big time. It pays to have Cruiser Friends):

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/17597-i-may-not-fawked-afterall.html

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/18067-im-back-road-again-no-longer-fawked.html

Based on the pain and learning a lot about distributors and timing, I put together the following guide to share what I learned:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/18700-romers-guid-swapping-distributors.html

[Romer]

The next mod I installed was an Aussie Locker. I have been real happy with it and noticed the difference big time from one wheeling trip to the next. I took pictures of the process and created this following thread on how to install one:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/20530-my-aussie-locker-install.html

I have since learned that running heavier gear oil (90-140W) in the diff makes it a lot quieter.

Next up was learning about carb’s and how to adjust them to operate better. Using methods developed by Treeroot and IDave (and one update from me) I developed the following guide on how to adjust carbs:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/26635-carb-works-great.html

Last June, I learned to verify that the lug bolts are properly torqued when my wheel fell off after wheeling, fortunately 3 blocks from my house:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/52091-so-if-you-hear-noise-get-out-check-immediately.html

My last modification was to change the Hyrdo shocks I installed with my Skyjacker lift for Bilsteins. Boy what a difference. I would recommend these to anyone looking for shocks:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/55658-ooooohhhhh-baby-bilsteins-what-ride.html

Edit on 11/13 - Add link to Power Steering:

In October I installed the mini-truck Power Steering. Here is the link to that:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/65318-my-min-truck-power-sterring-install.html

[Romer]

Being involved in the Cruiser Community and really becoming addicted, I traded my 99 GMC in last year for a LX450 after searching for either an 80 or LX450. I have since built that up and now have a front bumper, sliders, OME 2.5” lift, Warn 12K winch, Slee rear bumper and a few other mods.

[Romer]

I took the LX450 to Moab last year and loved it, BUT I have no intention of selling my 40. They are both different and have different appeal. It’s nice on a summer day putting the top down and driving the 40. It’s also nice driving the 6 hours to Moab in an LX450. Both are capable off road vehicles.

[Romer]

I also bought my daughter (daughterofromer) a 99 4runner and we have partially built that up and she has taken it on two club runs. We now have a small stable of Toyotas.

[Romer]

My experience with my Land Cruiser has been a positive one even with the problems I have had. I have made some great friends and joined a club I really enjoy (Rising Sun). I never thought I would enjoy being part of a club and have been pleasantly surprised.

I also have greatly enjoyed my time here on Mud. It has always been there to help me when I have had a problem. I have tried to repay it by posting what I have learned as I have progressed. When I bought my 40, I hadn’t really worked on anything in about 18 years. Now, I would consider my self a 2 banana mechanic. You can do almost anything on a 40 at that level and an awful lot on an 80 (LX450).

My next mod to the 40 will be power steering and I hope to do that this coming winter.

I also have to again say thanks to Woody and all the others here who have helped me and given me a place to come where I can be among friends.

Ken Romer

[74fj40]

great thread romer! great lookin rig also. im kinda bummed out i didnt get to go to the rising sun meeting on wednesday, but ill be there next month. ill be lookin foward to seeing the 40

[IDave]

Nice review, Ken! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, eh?

And I have an electric Weed eater, too!

[bandy rooster]

hey can you get another shot of the back of that 40, like the seat. it looks sweet, nice ride

[wesintl]

Nice write up Ken! Love the cruisers!

[Romer]

Originally Posted by bandy rooster

hey can you get another shot of the back of that 40, like the seat. it looks sweet, nice ride

What are you looking for, I have pictures of the rear seat from the front and back. Give me a btter description.

[nuclearlemon]

i still love that pic of you with a cigar and a prybar

[bigndn]

SWEET RIDE ROMER!!!!! Nice stable, too!

[FJBen]

Nice cruisers Ken!

[2badfjs]

Bezel

[camcruiser13]

love the red baby

[missipboy]

yeah, nice fleet, romer. i was also wondering about that back seat. it looks like the con ferr without the storage underneath.

[Romer]

It is a Conferr without the storage.

[REZARF]

Romer-


Looks great! Nice write ups... I look forward to meeting you when I get to the rising sun meeting next month.

BTW, whose 45 is that in Yellow primer? Sweet rig too.

Rezarf <><

[Romer]

Originally Posted by REZARF

Romer-


Looks great! Nice write ups... I look forward to meeting you when I get to the rising sun meeting next month.

BTW, whose 45 is that in Yellow primer? Sweet rig too.

Rezarf <><

That's Ige's (Nuclearlemon). It was in her garage and she is hugging Shawn (Magoo). Thats were they both helped me out when my engine siezed.

[bandy rooster]

i just want a big shot of the tub inside rear area the seat and all you have going on...it looks sweet and nice write-up

[Romer]

Originally Posted by bandy rooster

i just want a big shot of the tub inside rear area the seat and all you have going on...it looks sweet and nice write-up

The first two are right after I bought it. The 3rd is after I added a CO2 system.

Thanks everyone for your nice comments

[nuclearlemon]

Originally Posted by REZARF

BTW, whose 45 is that in Yellow primer? Sweet rig too.

Rezarf <><

PRIMER!!! that's genuine krylon paint, my friend...only the best for my rigs

[freightdog]

Nice write up Ken - great pic's nice work on your rig!

Enjoyed it!

[Hossdog]

Looks great Romer.....wheres the gun rack???

[Landpimp]

Ken, very very nice

(but darn, I missed my chance to post up my hoard pics

John