Hi, I have been looking at this FJ ,can I get some of your opinions on this rig? I think from what I can tell it was a frame off resto. I am thinking of trading my 2005 jeep rubicon/sahara, which is a limited production jeep with only 1000 being made. It is lifted and all dressed out. Am I making a mistake I need help with deciding. This cruiser does not have power steering or brakes, but it sure looks sharp. Please give me your ideas. Check the cruiser out here. http://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/3923975007.html
1978 FJ 40 opinions?
- Thread starter Scriddle
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A little surprised it does not have power brakes, do not know much about the value of those high end rigs but it is one seriously nice looking fj40 other then the bib being painted to match the truck, not sure why you would do such a nice job on everything else then paint the bib the same color. It looks like a top notch restoration to me.
I have a fantastic FJ40, but it's a stinky old truck that I can't haul my baby girl around in until she's older. I've tossed around the idea of a new Jeep for years because Toyota doesn't make anything new that I'm interested in, and Jeep has been paying attention to their customers and really pushing the envelope as far as what they offer. Now they even have a diesel JK on the way! I've worked with all of the new Jeeps and built several, but every time I think about it I take a look at my FJ40 and slap myself.
The newer Jeeps are awesome (and yours in one of the best ever made in my opinion) but there is something about a Land Cruiser that is just more fun. They're heavy and tough as nails and easy to work on, and this FJ40 you're looking at will still be running strong long after your fuel injected plastic clad Jeep has died. They're funky and old and full of some really good ideas that Toyota experimented with throughout the years (some not very good, but that's part of the fun). Unless you swap the transmission out the only way you will be able to go faster than 70mph is off a cliff. In order to make this FJ40 as capable as your Jeep you'll want to do an Orion swap and install some ARB's, and power steering and an axle shaft upgrades for the front are a must. You will forever be scouring the globe for parts and will constantly be hopping on Craigslist or 'Mud looking for used parts, but it's worth it. Other Land Cruiser people will wave at you. People will always be asking how much it would take for you will sell your Land Cruiser to them, and if your stinky old truck breaks down in an intersection because of the failure of some 35 year old part every dude within site will run out to help push you out of the way. One of them might have some old FJ40 parts in his garage and will offer you a beer and the opportunity to rummage around in his parts bin for something you need. You'll never get that with your Jeep.
I solved my dilemma by purchasing a plastic clad, fuel injected FZJ80 with 120k miles on it to haul my baby around in and kept my FJ40, and it too will still be ticking away long after all of the new Jeeps have gone to the scrapyard.
1978 is generally regarded as one of the best year FJ40's. I say do it!
The newer Jeeps are awesome (and yours in one of the best ever made in my opinion) but there is something about a Land Cruiser that is just more fun. They're heavy and tough as nails and easy to work on, and this FJ40 you're looking at will still be running strong long after your fuel injected plastic clad Jeep has died. They're funky and old and full of some really good ideas that Toyota experimented with throughout the years (some not very good, but that's part of the fun). Unless you swap the transmission out the only way you will be able to go faster than 70mph is off a cliff. In order to make this FJ40 as capable as your Jeep you'll want to do an Orion swap and install some ARB's, and power steering and an axle shaft upgrades for the front are a must. You will forever be scouring the globe for parts and will constantly be hopping on Craigslist or 'Mud looking for used parts, but it's worth it. Other Land Cruiser people will wave at you. People will always be asking how much it would take for you will sell your Land Cruiser to them, and if your stinky old truck breaks down in an intersection because of the failure of some 35 year old part every dude within site will run out to help push you out of the way. One of them might have some old FJ40 parts in his garage and will offer you a beer and the opportunity to rummage around in his parts bin for something you need. You'll never get that with your Jeep.
I solved my dilemma by purchasing a plastic clad, fuel injected FZJ80 with 120k miles on it to haul my baby around in and kept my FJ40, and it too will still be ticking away long after all of the new Jeeps have gone to the scrapyard.
1978 is generally regarded as one of the best year FJ40's. I say do it!
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It should have power brakes but not power steering.
Just remember every year the value of the jeep will go down even if you do not drive it, the value of the fj40 should remain relatively constant as long as you keep it in that condition whether you drive it or not.
Just remember every year the value of the jeep will go down even if you do not drive it, the value of the fj40 should remain relatively constant as long as you keep it in that condition whether you drive it or not.
If your Jeep is your only daily driver, you may find that after two weeks of daily-driving an '40, it gets kinda old. I say this having owned my 1978 FJ40 for 23 years and having used it on and off as a DD. The FJ40 will feel stone-age compared to your Jeep, but that's why most of us like it.
You also might not want to subject such a nice/pretty FJ40 to daily driver use. Consider getting a nice Camry for bombing around town and save the FJ40 for what it's best suited for.
You also might not want to subject such a nice/pretty FJ40 to daily driver use. Consider getting a nice Camry for bombing around town and save the FJ40 for what it's best suited for.
That seems pretty expensive even for a super cherry restored 40. If you do swap be prepared for a big downgrade in creature comforts and road manners. That being said there aint nothin' much cooler than a nice restored fj 40. When I drive my 78 around people are always checking it out and asking questions at the store, gas station, ect......
As an owner of a 78 FJ40 for almost 25 years, I can say there is passion that happens about owning one of these beasts. Up until about 7 years ago, it was my daily driver as it was the only vehicle I owned or cared to drive. It is not an SUV, it is a UV, nothing sport about it. It is not a freeway commuter. At 70 you are red lined and taking up your entire lane. But as an offroad vehicle, I put 3/4 of my first 75,000 miles I owned it in low four and only got the shovel out twice and a tow rope once. If extreme offroading is your bag of tea, then I would do just what Atlas Suspension says to do but I'd add the Weber 38/32 carb for a little more umph.
As for the one you have posted. It is rare to see such a beautiful machine like that anymore. If you look through E-bay and CCOT, you'll find them for $10k or more than that one is priced at for similar condition. With my experience there are three things to look at: the brakes tend to leak, they tend to go through water pumps and starters. I'd say take it for a long test drive, some highway, some city, and if the owner will let you some mild offroading. If you like how it handles, go for it.
As for the one you have posted. It is rare to see such a beautiful machine like that anymore. If you look through E-bay and CCOT, you'll find them for $10k or more than that one is priced at for similar condition. With my experience there are three things to look at: the brakes tend to leak, they tend to go through water pumps and starters. I'd say take it for a long test drive, some highway, some city, and if the owner will let you some mild offroading. If you like how it handles, go for it.
a deal compared to this, lol.
http://www.legendarymotorcar.com/site2/listing/1972-toyota-fj40/
always refreshing to hear jeep guys trade UP for fj40's.
+1 on everyone's comments. my canadian 40 has been through a lot with a dozen owners over 35 years. frame still good, she's all still there, just needing tinkering and decent maintenance once in a while. shop around and take your time. agreed, that one looks too nice for dd and hard wheelin use!
gluck with the decision!
http://www.legendarymotorcar.com/site2/listing/1972-toyota-fj40/
always refreshing to hear jeep guys trade UP for fj40's.
+1 on everyone's comments. my canadian 40 has been through a lot with a dozen owners over 35 years. frame still good, she's all still there, just needing tinkering and decent maintenance once in a while. shop around and take your time. agreed, that one looks too nice for dd and hard wheelin use!
gluck with the decision!
Chamba
Too short. Too long. Just right: the 43
As my wife would say, they are an acquired taste. I'm fortunate in that I grew up with them so never had to acquire the taste for driving a Cruiser. Once acquired though, you'll never want to drive anything else. When I drive my dodge I'm bored silly.
Just make sure you really have the desire to make this your only rig. Drive one for a day before you leap. Then prepare for the addiction.
As an aside, I've never had a water pump or starter go out on me, but I do tend to replace my water pump every 100,000 miles.
Just make sure you really have the desire to make this your only rig. Drive one for a day before you leap. Then prepare for the addiction.
As an aside, I've never had a water pump or starter go out on me, but I do tend to replace my water pump every 100,000 miles.
That's really nice.
My only advice is that you get some realistic appraisals of the FJ40 (maybe a local MUD member or club could help), and make sure your trade makes sense $$$ wise. If you hated driving it (you might) could you sell it for enough to buy just as nice of a Jeep as the one you're trading?
You could always just buy a $5k FJ40 and enjoy the heck out of it on the weekends.
$.02, good luck.
My only advice is that you get some realistic appraisals of the FJ40 (maybe a local MUD member or club could help), and make sure your trade makes sense $$$ wise. If you hated driving it (you might) could you sell it for enough to buy just as nice of a Jeep as the one you're trading?
You could always just buy a $5k FJ40 and enjoy the heck out of it on the weekends.
$.02, good luck.
- Thread starter
- #14
Thanks to everyone who responded. My daily driver is a truck, so like my jeep this would stay put up in the garage except for nice weather and such. It's hard letting go of somthing you spend so much time on, and I am really confused on which way to go, but it sounds to me like 10 or 15 years down the road the fj would be worth having. Guess I will sleep on it some more. Thanks again for all the advise so far.
I know I can't stop smiling driving my 40 around town. Makes me happy to just drive around town and do chores.
pb4ugo
SILVER Star
What's your j**p going to look like when it's 35 yrs old? Does the seller have pics of what it looked like b4 the restoration?
Chamba
Too short. Too long. Just right: the 43
Scriddle said:
The Cruiser will be worth having now and in 10 to 15 years. The Jeep? Not so much.
Wait a second while I put on my flame suit. Okay. Now...I feel very fortunate to have both a '70 FJ40 and an '07 JK Unlimited Rubicon. IMO the Jeep beats out the 40 in almost every way. It's better on the trail with its PS, 4:1 xfer case, F&R lockers and sway bar disco. It's better on the street with overdrive, PS, 4Wdisc w/anti lock, and better gas mileage. It will run 75-80mph for hours with no complaints. Drives straight as an arrow. It's safer in both worlds due to the air bags, roll bars and unibody w/ engineered crumple zones. It's quieter. The soft top is very quick and easy to use. It has air conditioning. It is really the multi-tool of vehicles in my opinion. It does almost everything really well. I wheel the crap out of mine on the trail with my wife and two kids and drive home at 70 mph with the A/C pumping. What's not to love, right? Well...it is a disposable vehicle. It's plastic and cheap. Chrysler dropped the ball on the '07-'11 JK's engine wise. The 3.8 mini-van motor is a dog power-wise and durability is sub par. The JK will not age well. The TJ like yours is a better vehicle than the JK IMO but they both are plastic fantastic ho-hum vehicles and everybody and their brother has one. There is a certain something missing that the FJ40 has. I love my 40 for all of its flaws and shortcomings and to me there is nothing better than dialing the clock back to 1970 by taking a drive in my LC. It is a loud, slow, hard riding, smelly sweatbox of a truck that was built for one purpose...to get you there (wherever there is...creeks, mountains, rocks, mud, etc.) and get you back home every time. It never disappoints...and the "cool factor" is just totally off the chart. I love my Jeep and my 40. I wouldn't ever want to have only one or the other. It's like choosing a favorite child. I just can't do it. Besides, it's just wrong.
