1978 FJ40 - New to the Scene

[dexterk]

Been eyeing up an FJ for a while, finally pulled the trigger on this one last week.

I'm sure I'll be reading a lot of the threads on here to figure out what I need/want, but finally have a cool little weekend truck! Couple little things I'd like to change out like the wheels and Kayliner but otherwise go to go!

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Been eyeing up an FJ for a while, finally pulled the trigger on this one last week.

I'm sure I'll be reading a lot of the threads on here to figure out what I need/want, but finally have a cool little weekend truck! Couple little things I'd like to change out like the wheels and Kayliner but otherwise go to go!

View attachment 4141422

Hi dexterk
welcome to the Mud/Mad, your new home!
Great looking US market Cruiser, congrats!
...and yes, I concur with you, it needs some new rims. OEM perhaps?

PS. 15 inch are still available at the dealership and 16 inch are at City Racer's, CA, to find...

 

[Pighead]

That is a good looking 40, maybe too much chrome though.

 

[Living in the Past]

That rim style was used on early 4Runners/mini trucks and the 91/92 80 series Land Cruiser in the US market. LC had an offset of 10 while others were offset 8. Very rare offset 0. All require wheel spacers on stock 40 series front axles. LC used a different lug nut and have a steel insert. Rims are not quite period correct. Personally seen a lot of other wheels I like less. My 73 FST currently has the LC style but only as rollers.

 

[dexterk]

Hi dexterk
welcome to the Mud/Mad, your new home!
Great looking US market Cruiser, congrats!
...and yes, I concur with you, it needs some new rims. OEM perhaps?

PS. 15 inch are still available at the dealership and 16 inch are at City Racer's, CA, to find...

Yes I need to go get the 15" stocks!

 

[dexterk]

Hi dexterk
welcome to the Mud/Mad, your new home!
Great looking US market Cruiser, congrats!
...and yes, I concur with you, it needs some new rims. OEM perhaps?

PS. 15 inch are still available at the dealership and 16 inch are at City Racer's, CA, to find...

Also thank you for the welcome! Super pumped!

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

You're welcome @dexterk!
Needless to say we would like to see some more pics and hear the story of your Cruiser...

Greetings from Greece!
PS. Our best man lives (for half a century now) in Houston, TX: during holidays here he assumes the duties of the 2nd operator in my BJ42...

 

[TEakins]

Welcome to our house. A place of madness. There is no cure for The Fever. You will never be the same.

 

[igotta40]

Nice looking truck! I’m near Ellington/Clear Lake, where are you?

 

[dexterk]

Nice looking truck! I’m near Ellington/Clear Lake, where are you?

Thank you! I'm in the memorial area, west of town, but grew up in Clear Lake!

 

[Rigger]

Welcome! Nice looking ‘40!

Agree that those rims have got to go.

 

[TwelveGravity]

Yes I need to go get the 15" stocks!

Welcome!
Keep your eyes on the classified section. That's where I found mine. Looking forward to seeing more pictures. Is that California plated?

 

[BullHab]

Yes I need to go get the 15" stocks!

My suggestion is to run whatever makes you happy and like the looks of. Stock is fine, so is anything else you like. Enjoy a nice looking rig!!

 

[Pighead]

Yes I need to go get the 15" stocks!

Run them with AND without hubcaps for a totally different look.

 

[Rigger]

In my opinion, FJ40's look best with the following rims:

Stock steel rims with stock hubcaps, the total factory look. Always a winner.
Stock steel rims with no hubcaps, the utilitarian look. There's something about the gray steel rim look that just fits.
Widened stock steel rims in either the hubcap or the no hubcap look - this really looks sweet, especially with some fatso tires.
Eight spoke steel rims get the nod from me, they're a "period correct" customization. (Extra points if they're Jackmans!)

Also, no self-respecting FJ40 should have its back end higher than its front end.

And, finally, and I know I'll get some blowback on this one, no raised white letter tires!

 

[Rigger]

Having said all of that, I actually took my rims in a bit of a hybridized direction.

I took the white 8 spokers that came with it, and I powder-coated them gray.

 

[Pighead]

And, finally, and I know I'll get some blowback on this one, no raised white letter tires!

Is raised rainbow-colored letters ok?

 

[igotta40]

Been eyeing up an FJ for a while, finally pulled the trigger on this one last week.

I'm sure I'll be reading a lot of the threads on here to figure out what I need/want, but finally have a cool little weekend truck! Couple little things I'd like to change out like the wheels and Kayliner but otherwise go to go!

View attachment 4141422

I think the Kayline top isn’t the best look on a 40 but definitely the easiest and fastest to raise and lower. I went from a Kayline to the OEM look and it’s such a pain in the neck to remove.

 

[dexterk]

I think the Kayline top isn’t the best look on a 40 but definitely the easiest and fastest to raise and lower. I went from a Kayline to the OEM look and it’s such a pain in the neck to remove.

Agree on it not looking the best. But I live in Houston so it's basically hot and hotter, just going to put a bikini on the top to keep my ears from burning as mine didn't come with a hardtop. Someone told me people look for the Kayliners but I haven't figured that piece of it out yet.

 

[knuckle47]

@igotta40 That raises a question…. Is there a consensus about which manufacturers top look good and is simpler to pull down and put up?

In the last year I have seen 2 I think look nice but it’s been a while and don’t remember whose they were