79 FJ40 Built

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Location
United States
2-14-10: Off the market....




1979 FJ40. The Smurf. I’ve had this truck for over 11 years. It was a completely stock cream puff when I bought it. It’s changed a little over the years. Here’s how it stands now…

Body:
Very clean body and frame. It’s a Texas truck although it did spend a couple of years in Illinois. There are some small rust spots in the rear corners that I bondo’d. The body and paint work on the tub is a 10-footer. I’d give it a 7 out of 10. Rear wheel wells cut and front fenders are cut. Herculined floors. Rear TJ flares. Includes excellent condition hard top and doors – no rust – very nice. Older Kayline fasttrac soft top with two piece doors. Full family cage bikini top.
Very stout step/sliders. Rear bumper/tire carrier by JKCustoms.

Interior:
Front seats from a MR2 – very good condition and very comfortable. Even match the truck! Rear bench from a jeep TJ. Tuffy center console with CB. Coustic pull-out CD head unit. Dash, dashpad, original floor mat in excellent condition. Full family cage by JKCustoms. 3point seatbelts in the rear and 4 point RCI harnesses in the front.

Drivetrain:
Very strong original 2F straight six. Showing 167K on the odo. Previous owner said it was rebuilt at 100K, but I have no documentation of that. Motorcraft 2bbl carb (freshly rebuilt), new header. SM420 tranny mated to an early (’70) Cruiser 3spd case. T-case saver. 4.11’s from a 78 Cruiser (fine spline pinions). Full Detroit rear locker and ARB front locker (both almost brand new). Rear driveshaft is a long slip with CV. Longfields.
York on-board air with air tank. GM one-wire alternator. New battery, water pump, belts and hoses.

Suspension/Steering:
Spring over with stock FJ40 springs – rears reversed with military wrap at fixed end. No shackle reversal. Knuckles were cut and turned – running 3 degrees caster. Traction bar by JKCustoms. RS9000 shocks.
Scout power steering. 4x4 Labs hi-steer (tie rod behind axle). Large pattern knuckles. One-ton GM tie rods – ¼” wall DOM steering rods.

Tires:
Almost brand new 37x12.50x15 Super Swamper IROK Radials mounted on 2.5” backspaced 15x10 steel wheels. Tires have maybe 4000 road miles and 3 or 4 wheeling trips on them. Matching spare is brand new.

What does it need?
The SM420 could use a rebuild or replacement. The 4th gear synchro is gone and it's starting to make a knocking noise. I double clutch into 4th which works fine. Also the input seal on the tranny leaks a little. Not enough to drip but it always has a fine layer of gear oil under it. I'm still driving it and it still works. I may have a line on a 'new' tranny - I'll update if I can find one. The wiring under the hood is ugly, but everything works fine.

This Cruiser just plain works. It’ll run any trail you’ve got the guts for and it’ll run 70+ down the highway with one finger on the wheel. I recently drove it over 1200 miles round trip to Big Bend.

Includes a roof rack that mounts to the rear bumper and sliders. Will work over any top or with no top. I never put the mounts on the rig so you’ll have to finish that project.

$12,000

I'm in McKinney, Texas.

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WTF, why are you selling the smurf?
 
Many reasons. Part of which is that I really only go wheeling a couple of times a year and most of what I do can be done in a built 80. So to reduce debt and simplify things we're going back to two cars. Possibly two 80's. :D

We'll see. If no one is interested in the smurf, I'll happily keep it.
 
Jason, sad to see you selling this. Coming from someone who has sold a 40 that I was extremely attached to, it was the right move at the time, so I can't regret it, but I've missed it ever since.

I'm working on getting another 40 right now. I would buy yours in a second but it's a bit pricey for what I can do right now. Good luck with the sale.
 
Hmm, wonder if I might just come steal the hardtop and doors...

Rig is as advertised...bump.
 
You know what, I thought of you when I was listing this and figured I'd post a seperate price without the top.

If someone wants to make a deal without the hardtop and doors (or other stuff), we can work something out. :D
 
I'll give you my pig for the top and 4 hard doors...seriousely.
 
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