Sadly we are selling our fj40. This cruiser has a great heritage, it was Kurt Williams' (of Cruiser Outfitters fame) first cruiser he built with his dad many moons ago. When it was Kurt's he converted it to a 4-speed on the floor and a rebuilt 2F. He also designed the awesome scalloped multi-color paint job 
Not sure how many miles since then, but it was 15 or more years ago. He sold it to a local kid who later sold it to a guy who took it to his farm in Idaho. Then Jim of portaltek axles bought it and brought it back to Utah. It probably sat about 5 years not running. I picked it up about 5 years ago and poured a lot of money into her to get her where she is today. All work since I've had it has been done at the Cruiser Barn by Jake and Tom (Alaska60 and Uglyoinker), who are impeccable cruiser artisans
This cruiser runs great and has all the right upgrades. Just about everything is Toyota except for the Trollhole Carb, which runs like a champ. It is the perfect cruiser: early model year for better steel, but later drive-train (I think from a 76). In many states it's old enough to not need safety and emissions.
-2F (rebuilt about 15 years ago, and probably 15,000 miles ago, but that's a guess since the odometer doesn't work)
-4 speed shifter on the floor
-fj55 axles with disc brakes front and rear (Jake)
-Brake booster (modified firewall, lots of work and expertly done) (Jake)
-Power Steering (this is SOOO nice!) (Tom)
-Trollhole Carb
-Steering wheel moved up and forward for big boys (I'm 6' and a really big guy and I fit in the 40 great, which is saying something)
-Extended clutch pedal for easier shifting (my wife really appreciates this; it's still stiff but much more doable)
-Shoulder belts in front and one in rear
-Rear forward-facing bench (I still have one of the side long benches)
-New headers
-Newish fuel pump
-Newish alternator
-33x10.50 bfg's, about 6 years old, good shape
-2 inch lift
-Bull bar (visible in pics with trailer)
I have been told by many this is one of the smoothest running fj40s they've been in. It runs like a "sewing machine" and starts up every time. It also passes safety and emissions every year, we usually just have to adjust the throttle. Transfer case and gear box have been taken apart and inspected and are in great shape. Many other upgrades I'm forgetting, it really does run great. It will cruise at 70mph just fine on the freeway and the upgraded steering is a dream, it does not drive like a typical 40. Brakes are awesome, easy to stop safely. If you have driven older 40's this does not drive like one of them, it really is fun and easy to drive, no pulled shoulders or torn ligaments (or sketchy stops). Signals, lights, and wipers work (and spray nozzle). The odometer doesn't work and the fuel gauge is from another 40 and reads accurately to half a tank, then it stops there and it's a guess. So I always fill when it gets to about half a tank.
To make this cruiser perfect I would replace seals and gaskets, it has some small drips but nothing major. Axles could be rebuilt. Body is in pretty good shape. The only rust-through is on the rear quarter behind the spare tire, there is a spot bubbling that should be cut out. Rear sill is great. There is some surface rust but it's in pretty good shape. When Kurt had it he rhino-lined the interior and had the body redone and it's held up well. There is some surface rust, and a spot on the right front fender where it was tipped in the street many years ago. All electrical works. Wired for towing and hitch welded into bumper, but it has only towed my military trailer a few times (which it does great by the way, I've taken it to Southern Utah and the 40 pulls like a little train). The gas tank could be cleaned, I change the fuel filter often and rust from the tank gets captured there. When we took the top off last summer there was some rust around top edge of the body where it connects with the top. The fiberglass also has a crack on the top but it hasn't come through, just trying to describe all the little things.
Located in Provo, UT (now in Denver). Jake and Tom really have put a lot of sweat and tears into this and it shows, all work has been quality and top notch. The body looks rough because we focused on the mechanicals. I was going to repaint but I work at an art museum and every time I take artists for a drive in the 40 they make me promise to keep the body as-is, they all love it. Plus I get thumbs up from random people, grinning kids, and occasionally get chased down, it is a blast to drive, especially with the top off
Not sure how many miles since then, but it was 15 or more years ago. He sold it to a local kid who later sold it to a guy who took it to his farm in Idaho. Then Jim of portaltek axles bought it and brought it back to Utah. It probably sat about 5 years not running. I picked it up about 5 years ago and poured a lot of money into her to get her where she is today. All work since I've had it has been done at the Cruiser Barn by Jake and Tom (Alaska60 and Uglyoinker), who are impeccable cruiser artisans This cruiser runs great and has all the right upgrades. Just about everything is Toyota except for the Trollhole Carb, which runs like a champ. It is the perfect cruiser: early model year for better steel, but later drive-train (I think from a 76). In many states it's old enough to not need safety and emissions.
-2F (rebuilt about 15 years ago, and probably 15,000 miles ago, but that's a guess since the odometer doesn't work)
-4 speed shifter on the floor
-fj55 axles with disc brakes front and rear (Jake)
-Brake booster (modified firewall, lots of work and expertly done) (Jake)
-Power Steering (this is SOOO nice!) (Tom)
-Trollhole Carb
-Steering wheel moved up and forward for big boys (I'm 6' and a really big guy and I fit in the 40 great, which is saying something)
-Extended clutch pedal for easier shifting (my wife really appreciates this; it's still stiff but much more doable)
-Shoulder belts in front and one in rear
-Rear forward-facing bench (I still have one of the side long benches)
-New headers
-Newish fuel pump
-Newish alternator
-33x10.50 bfg's, about 6 years old, good shape
-2 inch lift
-Bull bar (visible in pics with trailer)
I have been told by many this is one of the smoothest running fj40s they've been in. It runs like a "sewing machine" and starts up every time. It also passes safety and emissions every year, we usually just have to adjust the throttle. Transfer case and gear box have been taken apart and inspected and are in great shape. Many other upgrades I'm forgetting, it really does run great. It will cruise at 70mph just fine on the freeway and the upgraded steering is a dream, it does not drive like a typical 40. Brakes are awesome, easy to stop safely. If you have driven older 40's this does not drive like one of them, it really is fun and easy to drive, no pulled shoulders or torn ligaments (or sketchy stops). Signals, lights, and wipers work (and spray nozzle). The odometer doesn't work and the fuel gauge is from another 40 and reads accurately to half a tank, then it stops there and it's a guess. So I always fill when it gets to about half a tank.
To make this cruiser perfect I would replace seals and gaskets, it has some small drips but nothing major. Axles could be rebuilt. Body is in pretty good shape. The only rust-through is on the rear quarter behind the spare tire, there is a spot bubbling that should be cut out. Rear sill is great. There is some surface rust but it's in pretty good shape. When Kurt had it he rhino-lined the interior and had the body redone and it's held up well. There is some surface rust, and a spot on the right front fender where it was tipped in the street many years ago. All electrical works. Wired for towing and hitch welded into bumper, but it has only towed my military trailer a few times (which it does great by the way, I've taken it to Southern Utah and the 40 pulls like a little train). The gas tank could be cleaned, I change the fuel filter often and rust from the tank gets captured there. When we took the top off last summer there was some rust around top edge of the body where it connects with the top. The fiberglass also has a crack on the top but it hasn't come through, just trying to describe all the little things.
Located in Provo, UT (now in Denver). Jake and Tom really have put a lot of sweat and tears into this and it shows, all work has been quality and top notch. The body looks rough because we focused on the mechanicals. I was going to repaint but I work at an art museum and every time I take artists for a drive in the 40 they make me promise to keep the body as-is, they all love it. Plus I get thumbs up from random people, grinning kids, and occasionally get chased down, it is a blast to drive, especially with the top off
Last edited:
