'69 and highway speed

[John Spies]

What is the top speed of a 1969 FJ40? I know you don't know the rig, condition, etc. but what is a general speed? Along those lines, what can be done to improve the highway capability of a stock one?
I wont' be driving much on the highway but I'm sure the occasion will arise where I'll need it to get to at least 65mph.

If it's virtually impossible, I'd rather know now....and, I don't want to spend a bunch to get it there either. In that case, I'd just save some more money and get a newer model.

thanks much, John

 

[MtnClimber]

They boasted 85 MPH back in the day, but that's running the piss out of the engine. IIRC, the rpms at 65 were ~2800. Still quite high for my taste. You could swap your stock 4.11 gears with post '80 gears (3.7?). I'm sure someone has the post '80 gears that would swap you for your 4.11s. You could get a larger diameter tire as well. Those seem like the more easily doable and cheaper routs to go. After that, your talking tranny w/ OD swap.

 

[Walton]

I run my '67 60 mph tops because I'm nice to it, and in return I'm hoping it will be nice to me.

 

[steenh]

I run my 67 at 65 and can get to 70+, stock F with a single bbl carb. That's on the flats. Up hills it goes considerably slower. Engine isn't the biggest issue with higher speeds... stability is and when I got the Saginaw installed, that made a world of difference. Tracks perfect at any speed.

Now of course I do realize that at 65... or 45 for that matter, if something goes wrong like a blowout, or the need for evasive driving, I'm toast, so I don't really like cruising highways with a lot of traffic.

 

[77TLCFJ40]

'77 40 with the 2F, H42, 4spd TCase, 4.11s and 35" tires. I don't like anything over 62 mph.

 

[lc69hunter]

I have a 69, with a tuned and balanced 2F out of a 77. I am running a Holley carb, DUI, and headers. I have 33X9.50 tires on it, and CAN run 75mph (GPS calibrated) all day long.

However, as mentioned before, with a high center of gravity and short wheelbase, it is not necessarily wise. I usually run 65 on the freeway.

Now the Piggy is a different story. The engine hasn't been tweaked like in the 40, but with the longer, wider stance, I can run 70mph, though not as easily.

 

[Living in the Past]

Sorry to hear about the 79 but I would still hold out to get a 79 or later for what you want. I have both a 68 and 79. On the road the 79 is much nicer ride. Off road the 68 is tank compared to the 79. I put the 79 into low range and double check to make sure in low range. I run a four speed in my 68 so the low range is lower and the 4:11s make a noticeable difference. But on the road the 79 is better ride. Plus I picked up power steering that will just bolt in the 79. There is no bolt on power steering for the 69. Then the difference be the F145 and 2f helps on the highway.

 

[fj404life]

My 69 is happiest idling along in 4 low. But it did see 60 once on my gps...that was enough for me.

 

[workingdog]

If I get my '66 to 60 I'm really happy - and that's with 33's.

Peter

 

[Brian in Oregon]

My FJ40 seems to like to run at 62 mph. It takes a lot more gas to run it at 65 mph. But that is probably just coming up on the limits of the small primaries on my carb (Quadrajet on a SBC). Larger tires will help a bit (I'm running 1250x33x15) but the suggestion to swap the 4.11 gears out for 3.70's makes the most sense. With the price of fuel I'm almost tempted to do that myself, but want to check into possible gears for low range to make up for that.

 

[WoodyCreature]

Top speed for me: 82mph clocked with GPS... . . .had a slight tailwind.

 

[splitshot]

I purposely plan on trips that don't involve the interstate.

It's not what the rig was designed for..

 

[my69FJ]

2800 rpm gets me 65mph with 31-10.5 tires. 3000+ rpm 70mph. I drove Samurais for a long time so short wheel base and speed not that big an issue. Of course speed didn't really happen with the samurai.

 

[sloanstavern]

My '74 40 with new 33X10.5X15 BFGs, new tie rods, and old crapy brakes will do 70+ But I wont let it for more than seconds at a time. The few times I take the freeway are with light traffic and I am happiest 55-60 mph

 

[pappy]

70-75 all day, no problem. Of course, that's with a H55F and a 2FE.

 

[texfj40]

What the heck are you guys discussing....highway speeds in an FJ40? These trucks were designed and built like tanks for offroad, the toughest ever built, just a tough today as they were decades ago. It is like taking a Cadillac offroad! Yup it can be done, but you risk busting it up...taking an FJ40 at highway speeds can kill you, like throwing trying to throw a brick at a baseball bat. Get wise and be safe; around town o.k., but highways?????

 

[pappy]

I have no issues on the highway, until I try to pass a semi at 85. Then it's spooky.

 

[splitshot]

I have no issues on the highway, until I try to pass a semi at 85. Then it's spooky.

I distinctly remember a thread of someone's winshield gasket giving out close to that speed..

 

[MtnClimber]

I distinctly remember a thread of someone's winshield gasket giving out close to that speed..

Pardon my language, but that would make me s*** :whoops:

 

[brian]

I distinctly remember a thread of someone's winshield gasket giving out close to that speed..

i recall that, and i believe it also involved a plastic or plexiglass shield, not a glass window.