40 purists opnions needed (others welcome too!)

[trekker]

If you had a 1968, rust free, 94.5% stock FJ-40 that had a thrown a rod, what would you do?

A. Fix the engine assuming that it is indeed “fixable”?
B. Drop in a snappy reconditioned 1F that has been built by a mechanic with a solid background in Toyota engines with all new Toyota fixin’s?
C. Replace the 1F with squeaky clean rebuilt 2F from MAF?
D. Other?

What would you do if you had a $3k budget? I’ll pull and install the engine no matter what route I choose. I have a pile of stuff on my plate right now and don’t really feel like piddlin’ around and doing a DIY job of rebuilding so I’ll farm out the rebuilding work of option “A” above.

I’m a “purist” or hover around “purist” status. I’d like to retain that snapshot in time look of the ’68. However I do have realist tendencies and acknowledge the plusses by dropping in a 2F. After all it was the lack-o-lube of the F that started this all in the first place imo.

I plan on keeping the 40 for a while. If I do sell it, would the fact that the engine was replaced with a 2F matter for a collector? This won’t be a trail rig for a long time…

Thank you all in advance for your pearls of wisdom. Here's a pic of my junk to refresh memories.

 

[D'Animal]

You forgot to add the poll.

After seeing GreenFox's 1F in his rig wind up to 6,000 and bark the tires hitting second, I'm a believer.

I would go with "B".

 

[tucker74]

Drop in a later model 2F and be done with it, it's stock enough for all but the most anal purest and it will be much nicer to drive.

My $.02

Tucker

 

[Landpimp]

I'd stick with the same model motor that it came with, so rebuild yours or go wtih the rebuild F but also don't have a issue with installing a 2F, better motor all the way around really, but down the road the 2f "might" effect value somewhat depending on the buyer.

not much help eh?

thats a sweet 40 you got

 

[greytandy]

Drop in a later model 2F and be done with it, it's stock enough for all but the most anal purest and it will be much nicer to drive.

My $.02

Tucker

Why would a 2F be nicer to drive? I tend to "B".

 

[Coolerman]

Beautiful Cruiser! Keep it original. A or B

 

[mikealeus]

WOW!

Haven't seen that one before , what a beauty. I'd probably go with the 2F. Toyota changed from the 1F for a reason, more power and better oiling system. Off the subject, what are those black pieces bolted to the front bumper?

 

[D'Animal]

Off the subject, what are those black pieces bolted to the front bumper?

They are for a Stowmaster tow bar.

 

[FJBen]

How purist are ya?


I'd go for a sweet 1F stroker build!

 

[LI FJ40]

beautiful truck.

I might be in the minority here, but to an absolute collector or"purist"

the vechicle should be "numbers matching" or as close to original as

possible, that is why I think you should stay with the 1F

 

[timbercruiser]

People who buy 40s use them off-road, so resale *shouldn't* change much-if at all. Besides, you need to keep it forever. Do what will best suit your needs.

 

[yotamotive]

The solution is obvious, use the mechanic in B to fix option A, the original engine. There are plenty of hack job 40s out there for modifying. All original is getting harder and harder to find. Good luck!!

 

[MDH33]

Stick with the F. You'll be able to reuse a lot of your F parts on a newly rebuilt F block while keeping it original.

 

[79fj40moneypit]

A and B is the only solution for a original! Very nice 40!

 

[tucker74]

Why would a 2F be nicer to drive? I tend to "B".

See post #7 - it's just an all around better engine, I'd even go with a '79+

beautiful truck.

I might be in the minority here, but to an absolute collector or"purist"

the vechicle should be "numbers matching" or as close to original as

possible, that is why I think you should stay with the 1F

No such thing with Cruisers - it would have the correct "year" engine if it was original, but there is no such number "matching" like domestics. Keep in mind Toyota refined and improved on these engines every year or two for 30 years.

I also made my initial comment having owned and driven many miles with both a F155 and a 2F -

My opinion of course

Tucker

 

[tucker74]

I'd stick with the same model motor that it came with, so rebuild yours or go wtih the rebuild F but also don't have a issue with installing a 2F, better motor all the way around really, but down the road the 2f "might" effect value somewhat depending on the buyer.

not much help eh?

thats a sweet 40 you got

I believe you went with a 2F in your 45lwb didn't you? Even though you kept the original large window single barrel for that uber-cool retro touch

Tucker

 

[Zekester]

I had a similar dilemma with '66 Fairlane, mildy damaged 289...

I put in a triple two barrel 390, and oiled and bagged the old 289, when I sold it, the new owner was quite happy that he had the original engine, albiet in a bag,

So put in the new 2F for your enjoyment, keep the old engine for the new owner (if and when you sell)

 

[Rigger]

Trekker, what a nice rig you have there! You certainly have high-class problems!

I suggest you drop in the motor of choice and keep the old one in a crate in your shed. Then, if you sell the truck, you can haul out the crate and say here's the original motor, complete with the original thrown rod and it goes with the truck.

 

[trekker]

Thanks all for your pearls of wisdom. I'm not gonna do anything until Junk posts up though.

Good idea setting the engine aside. It's got a couple of cool features like the early California emissions controls.

 

[1973Guppie]

People who buy 40s use them off-road, so resale *shouldn't* change much-if at all. Besides, you need to keep it forever. Do what will best suit your needs.

I disagree, I see 40's off road less and less nowadays, more and more they are being turned into museum pieces, rightly so, as their resale value has gone WAY up in the past 10 years.

That is a beautiful truck, if it were me I would have the engine that is in there rebuilt. That way you can take pics of how things are connected etc and it will be an easy swap to do.

Noah