Best year FJ40

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stevenorth

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Ok, I am pretty new to TLCs, but I have always loved the looks... kind of a Jeep on roids.

My question is this... what is the best year FJ40 to buy, and why? Also, does anyone know where I can find the changes made to this awesome rig from production year to year?

Thanks!
 
I am biased, but IMOP, the 8/80+ fj40 are the best of the bread.....or at least the most modern, also they sell for the most $ . but they do have thinner sheet metal, more rust prone, 3.73 gears(great for a driver, not as good of road) and some dont like the sqaure bezel.....me I love it.

next 79-7/80

next 78(by just a tad over the 77-76)

next 76-77

nothing wrong with pre 76, just not as refined, but do have thicker metal.

but really, the best one is the one with the least rust
 
I am looking for a rig that I can drive daily, but still crawl all over the mountains with. I live within a few miles of my work, so I don't have to put up with a long highway commute.

Thanks for the fast reply!
 
Ok, i wouldnt recomendgetting a cruiser older than 64 or 65 cause of the lack of parts. Unless you are into fabricating some yourself. Im guessing you don't care about original. If you are. years 1967 to like 1973 have the windsheild wipers up top, toolbox under original driver seat ( but your not supposed to know that :doh: ) , bench seat and long style jump seats, swing out doors instead of ambulence doors. The later models have rear ambulence doors, bucket seats, short jump seats no wing windows, no underseat storage box. Anyway i could go on forever. Do a google search on FJ40. They take a strong patience and dedication over the years to get it to where you want it to be. The earlier ones up to 78 i think dont have power steering. From 78 on up they should have power steering, front dick brakes. 2f motor ( sort of more powerfull) Lots to consider. Make sure you get the right year for you, because your going to fall in love with it and not want to get rid of it. Then it sucks when you cant because youve grown too attached. lol. Anyway good luck. btw i have a june 1970, with a 1977 2f motor, disc brake conversion.
 
i'm biased towards the early models. better thicker steel, doors with vent windows, cool toolbox under the seat and it's easy to find some rust out pos 78 to pull the disc front end off and swap underneath.
 
I am with LandPimp -

Oddly enough the first Cruiser advice I ever got was from Mushro - and he said buy a 79/80!

Credit where credit is due...

Love my 79!
 
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71 of course! What a silly question! :flipoff2:
 
71's good :)

first one I thought about buying was a 69 they wanted $8k for it though, just couldnt see it, was a nice one but.. had a chevy, orange peel, painted black, etc.

mostly liked it cause it was as old as me


in retrospect maybe should have traded my pickup on it, since about a month or two later the tranny blew :rolleyes:
 
Late '75 has disc brakes and power steering was ALWAYS an option on late models so it's not good to say "From 78 on up they should have power steering" 'cause it ain't necessarily so.
 
I vote for the '76.....bacause I have one!!!!!! Awesome!!
 
stevenorth said:
kind of a Jeep on roids
Click to expand...

There are allot of Land Cruiser fanatics that may take offens to having our beloved Toyotas refererred to as Heeps, no matter how flattering the comparison. learn up Newb. :)
 
Look at getting at least a '77. They are festooned with some of the more modern conveniences such as front dick, er I mean disk brakes :) as well as the 2F engine. Many of the parts are available from the dealer. They don't however, have power steering which can be added without a lot of cost or trouble.

Good luck! ;)
 
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