1971 FJ40

[warrenbij]

My wife just got me the best gift a man could ever ask for. I've been eyeing her uncle's FJ for years now, and finally it is mine. She purchased it from him and surprised me with it last week. Her uncle purchased it from a friend who purchased from a friend and so on. I have been figuring out a lot of what has been done to it on my own. I know it was converted with a 351 Ford SB.

I've changed all the fluids, air filter, spark plugs, oil cap (filled with mud), brake light switch, and tore out some nasty 1990's house speakers that were bolted to the wheel wells.

The clutch seems shot so my next move will probably be a clutch replacement. Her uncle suggested I convert it to an automatic for off-roading purposes, but I am torn on that. I am also considering a disc brake upgrade. I know it won't be anything close to original, but I plan on keeping it forever and using it for off-roading mostly. Thoughts are welcome.

 

[BretwithoneT]

Congrats on a great gift! Get it running and stopping and enjoy!

 

[Badi2d]

Congrats! Welcome to the FJ40 club. I also have a 71'.

Your wife will regret that decision! Mine asked me the other day, if I could pretend she was an FJ40 and buy something for her!

B.A'

 

[MIKKELSEN]

Congratulations that's an awesome gift to get. Have fun with it

 

[warrenbij]

Congrats! Welcome to the FJ40 club. I also have a 71'.

Your wife will regret that decision! Mine asked me the other day, if I could pretend she was an FJ40 and buy something for her!

B.A'

Haha ya, she's already realizing this.

 

[warrenbij]

Congratulations that's an awesome gift to get. Have fun with it

Thanks!

 

[65swb45]

Make sure steering and brakes are both up to snuff BEFORE you fix the engine/clutch. Safety first.

Welcome.

www.marksoffroad.net

 

[4Cruisers]

Welcome to MUD. What a great gift! I've also got a '71.

(<--- right side of photo)

 

[Disasterman]

Looks like a pretty nice truck, how about some more photos! Spend some time on these forums and you will quickly dismiss the automatic idea.

 

[Coolerman]

Welcome to the madness and to MUD!
The early trucks are the best in my totally biased opinion.
I have a 2/71 (!Oy) that's still scattered all over the garage after many years of work on him.
I have documented a lot of the work here.
If you need anything electrical for your new Toy, visit my wiring site. Link is in my signature line.

Congrats on the great wife!

 

[Downey]

Sorry I can't agree with Disasterman above, automatic transmissions provide:
(1) Torque multiplation at the torque converter.
(2) A 700R4 has a lower 1st. gear ratio, plus an overdrive gear.
(3) Drive train cushioning.
(4) Much better hill climbers, slippage in fluid lets tires slow down and get fresh bite.
(5) GM automatics used in vehicles much heavier than your FJ40.
Plus for gear hold back on steel hill sides you can get a sprag gear torque converter (which I never needed).

 

[Disasterman]

Do you have a thread on your modification? Sounds interesting.

 

[Coolerman]

For off-roading I too prefer an automatic. I have two Nissan Xterras. The 2012 has a 6 speed manual transmission with a locking rear diff and the 2000 has a three speed automatic and no locking diff. The 2000 is so much easier to drive off-road. Having driven both on the same trails, I can take it almost anywhere the 2012 will go but without all the drama of having to work the clutch.

However, for towing my camper I prefer the manual trans any day of the week! With 6 speeds there is always a gear that is just right for the terrain. I go to Colorado/Utah a lot and when you cross the mountains the 6 speed is perfect to compensate for the loss of power at high altitude. (Doesn't hurt that the 2012 has over a hundred more horse power!)

My FJ40 will not do much off-roading, so the 4 speed will stay in it...