40 Series Differences

[Living in the Past]

Wondering, can 1974 rear quarter panels fit a 1977?

If your in the US market the bracket to support the spare tire will be on the right for 74 and left for 77. 74 would either have barn doors or tailgate if a soft top model. 77 in the US market the 77 would have ambulance doors. 74 tub will not be notched so ambulance doors will not fit flush. This is the hardest thing to convert. Catch for the doors in the bottom will be different as well but not a big a deal to modify.

 

[Living in the Past]

It also depends on the market where it was to be sold. My November 1978 Australian delivered FJ40 has no power steering, no air-conditioning, no radio, no dash pads, front heater only, no rear jump seats, no bucket seats, dual under seat fuel tanks, no front discs and 4.11 diff. It does have rear ambulance doors and unusual for local delivered vehicles, the oval air cleaner instead of the more usual drum. Seems the Toyota distributor/importer didn't tick too many of the options boxes.

As far as I know power steering and A/C started 1/79. Upper dash pad believe started 10/81 (82 model) with the insert dash which started a year early in the RHD models. But only had the upper pad. US had upper and lower since the 68 model. Radio was always an option. Rear heater was an option as well. Bucket seats were the only ones imported to the US. Most markets continued getting a bench seat. US had front disc brake since the 76 model. These was a safety requirement not an option. Australian didn't get disc brake inlet 10/82 (83 model). 4.11:1 diff gear were the standard. Our 3.70:1 was to help the miles per gallon. Most place I seen 3.70:1 out the US market were on diesels with better low end torque and a lower peak RPM. Until the US Australia had more options as for models. Barn doors and hatch was still available as well as the ambulance doors hard top which was only option here. I have seen another 40 series in Australia with the oval air cleaner. That does seem odd. No jump seats more than forty years later could just be removed. The dual tanks is something I've never seen as a option and would be interested in seeing the setup. Could be stock or added later. About 50% of the 40 series I've bought over the years had a second tank added. All those were behind the rear axle. There is a long range option that replaces the under the seat style for one large tank. Never seen a section smaller one.

 

[lions66]

As far as I know power steering and A/C started 1/79. Upper dash pad believe started 10/81 (82 model) with the insert dash which started a year early in the RHD models. But only had the upper pad. US had upper and lower since the 68 model. Radio was always an option. Rear heater was an option as well. Bucket seats were the only ones imported to the US. Most markets continued getting a bench seat. US had front disc brake since the 76 model. These was a safety requirement not an option. Australian didn't get disc brake inlet 10/82 (83 model). 4.11:1 diff gear were the standard. Our 3.70:1 was to help the miles per gallon. Most place I seen 3.70:1 out the US market were on diesels with better low end torque and a lower peak RPM. Until the US Australia had more options as for models. Barn doors and hatch was still available as well as the ambulance doors hard top which was only option here. I have seen another 40 series in Australia with the oval air cleaner. That does seem odd. No jump seats more than forty years later could just be removed. The dual tanks is something I've never seen as a option and would be interested in seeing the setup. Could be stock or added later. About 50% of the 40 series I've bought over the years had a second tank added. All those were behind the rear axle. There is a long range option that replaces the under the seat style for one large tank. Never seen a section smaller one.

 

[lions66]

Your knowledge of Australian cruisers is strong. The second tank is under the bench seat. About 40 litres enclosed in a metal box painted in the same beige. I have fuel fillers on both sides which makes it difficult when most pump hoses are now not long enough without turning around. Their is a valve between the tanks activated by a small knob on the dash to switch between tanks. Still uses the stock mechanical fuel pump. The second tank has no gauge so best to use it first. No history on the Installation - it was there 38 years ago. Jump seats were not there then nor is any hardware. The original registration says 3 passengers only.

 

[WeThePeople]

What about suspension? What are the changes thru the years?

 

[Fbascou]

Hi everyone! I'm new here, and looking for some good advice. I'm looking to buy a 1977 BJ40, it was restored in 2009, got some upgrades at that time like Hilux hydraulic steering and disc brakes on all corners.
I want it to be my daily driver, comfort and gas milage is not an issue, my current DD is a 1980 VW beetle on 31" tires.....
What consideration do I have to take?
Read @Chamba s article, it's a great source of information, but it only talks about FJs....does the BJ evolution follow the same line?
At the same time I could get a 1981 BJ40 as a parts donor, but i'm concerned if everything would be interchangeable. This one has some nice extras like factory PTO winch, ARB lockes front and rear.

Thanks in advance, and hope to hear from you!

Fernando.

 

[charliemeyer007]

No actual experience. But I recall reading head gaskets for B's were rare. There is a diesel section, worth finding and start reading. I like PTO's and the lockers could be a real plus for rock crawling.
Good luck and welcome

 

[Chamba]

Hi everyone! I'm new here, and looking for some good advice. I'm looking to buy a 1977 BJ40, it was restored in 2009, got some upgrades at that time like Hilux hydraulic steering and disc brakes on all corners.
I want it to be my daily driver, comfort and gas milage is not an issue, my current DD is a 1980 VW beetle on 31" tires.....
What consideration do I have to take?
Read @Chamba s article, it's a great source of information, but it only talks about FJs....does the BJ evolution follow the same line?
At the same time I could get a 1981 BJ40 as a parts donor, but i'm concerned if everything would be interchangeable. This one has some nice extras like factory PTO winch, ARB lockes front and rear.

Thanks in advance, and hope to hear from you!

Fernando.

The B was a similar evolution, but diesel engines evolved drastically during the same time.
The B, like the 3B is an indirect injected diesel. As such, it's much more 'ancient ' than it's newer direct injected brethren.
The B is a fully mechanical engine and is very reliable. It's also as slow as a wet week. It will not lend itself as well to being turboed as the 3B. However, all of the B family uses the same engine mounts, so swapping in a 3B or even a 13B or 13BT (direct injected) will be much easier.
But like the petrol 40, 81 was really the magical year as far as creature comforts: larger spring eyes, split transfer case, transmission cradle, handbrake on the rear axle in most markets, passing flashers for the headlights by pulling aft on the turn signal stalk and numerous other improvements made for a much more civilised 40. In the diesel, the 3B 4 cyl/2H 6 cyl was born. In the petrol the 2F got a lighter valve spring and slightly different cam which brought the peak torque band down the rpm range a bit and made it rev up a bit more quickly for better manners on the road.
Overall, as a daily driver, I would always look at an 81 or newer 40. But in Uruguay this may be less relevant as traffic doesn't move as it does in the US, Europe or Australia.
For more rural or remote use, the B will be very servicable. It was used widely in forklifts, etc, so parts will likely be available for years to come.
I would look for a 3B/H55 to rebuild though to put in it one day. I would not waste the money or effort to rebuild a B personally.
In most markets an 81 like you mention would have the 3B and thus be a BJ42. South America does tend to have vastly different market changes than other markets though.

 

[Fbascou]

The B was a similar evolution, but diesel engines evolved drastically during the same time.
The B, like the 3B is an indirect injected diesel. As such, it's much more 'ancient ' than it's newer direct injected brethren.
The B is a fully mechanical engine and is very reliable. It's also as slow as a wet week. It will not lend itself as well to being turboed as the 3B. However, all of the B family uses the same engine mounts, so swapping in a 3B or even a 13B or 13BT (direct injected) will be much easier.
But like the petrol 40, 81 was really the magical year as far as creature comforts: larger spring eyes, split transfer case, transmission cradle, handbrake on the rear axle in most markets, passing flashers for the headlights by pulling aft on the turn signal stalk and numerous other improvements made for a much more civilised 40. In the diesel, the 3B 4 cyl/2H 6 cyl was born. In the petrol the 2F got a lighter valve spring and slightly different cam which brought the peak torque band down the rpm range a bit and made it rev up a bit more quickly for better manners on the road.
Overall, as a daily driver, I would always look at an 81 or newer 40. But in Uruguay this may be less relevant as traffic doesn't move as it does in the US, Europe or Australia.
For more rural or remote use, the B will be very servicable. It was used widely in forklifts, etc, so parts will likely be available for years to come.
I would look for a 3B/H55 to rebuild though to put in it one day. I would not waste the money or effort to rebuild a B personally.
In most markets an 81 like you mention would have the 3B and thus be a BJ42. South America does tend to have vastly different market changes than other markets though.

Thanks for the input!!
The 81 donor has a B engine, H41 gearbox and K082 (as per is readable on the data plate) transfer case.
Some ideas and questions:
- Is it possible to use '81 larger eye springs on a '77 model, or are the mounts on the chasis also different?
- Can I install the PTO winch on a '77 model without changing the gearbox/transfercase? And is a PTO winch really an upgrade against an electric, and does it worth the work to install it? Or it's a matter of likes?
- If bought, I would like to install 35" tires for a bit of off road use, would the tire carrier hold the weight?
- Are the 3rd members of the '81 model a direct swap to the '77? (81 has arb installed).
-Is it possible to switch easily from hard top to soft top between seasons? A complete un used SOR soft top is available together with the '81 donor.

Thanks again for all the help and info!

PD.: the '81 bj40 still has the 3 piece rear door configuration

Fernando.

 

[Living in the Past]

Thanks for the input!!
The 81 donor has a B engine, H41 gearbox and K082 (as per is readable on the data plate) transfer case.
Some ideas and questions:
- Is it possible to use '81 larger eye springs on a '77 model, or are the mounts on the chasis also different?
- Can I install the PTO winch on a '77 model without changing the gearbox/transfercase? And is a PTO winch really an upgrade against an electric, and does it worth the work to install it? Or it's a matter of likes?
- If bought, I would like to install 35" tires for a bit of off road use, would the tire carrier hold the weight?
- Are the 3rd members of the '81 model a direct swap to the '77? (81 has arb installed).
-Is it possible to switch easily from hard top to soft top between seasons? A complete un used SOR soft top is available together with the '81 donor.

Thanks again for all the help and info!

PD.: the '81 bj40 still has the 3 piece rear door configuration

Fernando.

Few things will determine if you can run a PTO. Does the H41 behind the B engine have a split transfer case or the one piece transfer case? Next is the PTO gear installed in the transfer case. If not you need to take the transfer off the transmission to install one. The two styles of transfer cases use a different PTO. The later split case PTO changed in 11/84. The 60 series and the new 70 series used a single direction PTO. The winch itself needs to match the PTO. Get an winch for the two direction PTO and mate to the single direction PTO all forward gears in the transmission will cable out and only reverse will cable in. That's backwards. At least with a B engine your exhaust runs on the opposite side as the PTO driveshaft and will not interfere with the routing.

 

[Chamba]

Thanks for the input!!
The 81 donor has a B engine, H41 gearbox and K082 (as per is readable on the data plate) transfer case.
Some ideas and questions:
- Is it possible to use '81 larger eye springs on a '77 model, or are the mounts on the chasis also different?
- Can I install the PTO winch on a '77 model without changing the gearbox/transfercase? And is a PTO winch really an upgrade against an electric, and does it worth the work to install it? Or it's a matter of likes?
- If bought, I would like to install 35" tires for a bit of off road use, would the tire carrier hold the weight?
- Are the 3rd members of the '81 model a direct swap to the '77? (81 has arb installed).
-Is it possible to switch easily from hard top to soft top between seasons? A complete un used SOR soft top is available together with the '81 donor.

Thanks again for all the help and info!

PD.: the '81 bj40 still has the 3 piece rear door configuration

Fernando.

Living in The Past has answered the transfer case: verify its not a split case. If the gear box has a cradle then it's most likely a split case. I would swap the whole transmission and transfer case myself if it's a split as the gear box is a bit stronger and the transfer case is far stronger.

The springs will fit with bushings for the frame which have the smaller OD for the frame- side '80 and older spring eyes and larger ID for the post '81 shackles. OME only offers newer style springs, then the kit has the appropriate bushings.
Given your rig is SA spec, you could very well have the older bushings still in '81.
Look to see whether the spring pin has two screws holding it to the flange or just 1. Just 1 is post-'81.
Differential: should fit, however it *could* have 3.73 gears rather than 4:11, so count teeth.
The locker itself will fit either way, so you may have to simply swap that in to your 3rd member.
35" rubber is going to render that B diesel VERY slow. You'll certainly want to swap out the gearing to deal with the larger diameter 35".
Swapping tops is easy, so long as you have help. 4 guys is ideal.
Your factory rack will hold that 35, but you'll wear out the bushings pretty quickly.