All you long-distance FJ40 drivers

[4WD Toyota Owner Magazine]

I'm thinking about building an FJ40 that is geared for long distances yet can wheel once it's there. Curious to learn how many people do this, or do most people trailer their 40s long distances to the trailhead.

Looking to see how many FJ40 owners drive their trucks long distances routinely--say, 75 miles or more trips on at least a weekly basis. (Not 75 miles per week, but trips of 75 miles or longer each way, every week).

If so, what tranny and diff gears do you use? And, are you happy with the combination while going long distance?

Dave

 

[mmw68]

David,
Iam not sure if I can answer your question about the wheeling part but here is my .02$.

I've driving my FJ40 on several weekend trips, 500+ miles round trip.

- 1977 FJ40 with stock gearing and a 4 speed - but with a 3FE engine.
- 4 inch skyjacker lift
- 33 inch BFG AT
- stock FJ62 chrome wheels
- No power Steering (YET!)

I have the hard top on the truck, and it's hot in the summer, and noisy on the high way. I could cruiser going 65-70 no problem with the 3FE, but on long trips I would where ear plugs.

This year I decided to go all out, get some body work done, and make it a nice daily driver.

- Dynomat in inside
- Carpet kit
- Vintage Air a/c
- all new weatherstripping and headliner
- Pull out the magnaflow muffler and go back to a OME style - I have seen no loss in power, or milage.

Now it's still a FJ40 noise wise, but I can have a conversation with my wife, have the radio on, and A/C, and it make for a great time long trips.

-Mark

 

[1911]

Looking to see how many FJ40 owners drive their trucks long distances routinely--say, 75 miles or more trips on at least a weekly basis. (Not 75 miles per week, but trips of 75 miles or longer each way, every week).

If so, what tranny and diff gears do you use? And, are you happy with the combination while going long distance?

I drive mine routinely for business, out to the oil field, usually 250+ miles one way. Not difficult 4WD after I get there, but off-road for sure. My 1980 is pretty stock; stock 4-speed tranny, stock 3.70 diffs, 33" tires, and a de-smogged 2F. It will go 60-65 mph all day long without complaint, and a little faster if it has to - but driving a 40 long distances is all about enjoying the journey, the sights, the smells, the small towns, and the back roads. It's not about getting there in a hurry. I love driving mine and never get tired of it, but it takes a different frame of mind and a willingness to slow down and take life easier.

 

[badass]

i drive mine about 150 miles per week atleast, but sometimes more, it just depends, i've been on many long road trips, longest was to the beach and back 750 round trip.

i just use regualar coastal gear oil in the diffs and tranny, and castrol 20-50 in the motor. Stock 2f, tbi, stock 4 speed with 4.88 gears.

 

[amaurer]

I drive mine those sort of distances all the time. Also just finished a 2500 mile road trip around the sierras and death valley.

31s + H41 + 4.11 elocker means I top out near 55mph (2750 rpm). A 3B doesn't have much left past that point without spiking the EGTs, so 55 is pretty much the max speed for the truck. It sounds like a pain in the ass, but its really something you just get used to quickly. My BJ42 is my only car, so everywhere I go is at 55 and it doesn't feel slow anymore at all.

 

[bikersmurf]

I have driven my fj40 for many long distance trips. I've got a"1974" fj40 with stock four speed, a 1969 350 Chevy with a Quadrajet Carb and RV cam, 33" tires, and 4.10 Gears.

My longest single trip was Phoenix, AZ to Vancouver, BC (apx 1600 miles) in a Total of 27 hours.

Things I would change for your goals would be 3.70 gears and possibly a NV 4500 Transmission. If you kept the stock motor the NV 4500 would be a must, although I prefer the gear Ratios in the TLC Transmission.

If you wanted to do Hard Core Crawling rather than just wheeling check out marlin Crawler's or Downey's low range Transfer cases at 4.0:1 ish.

Tire selection will be an area where you will need to compromise... TSL super Swampers may be great off road but I wouldn't recommend them off road. It's been close to ten years since I bought new tires so I can't really make any recommendations other than likely all terrains.

 

[CruiserStuff]

I've driven some long distances in stock 40's (factory running gears, mild lifts, 31-33" tires) and the freeway cruise speed depended on the gearing and tire size, anywhere from 55-65.

If you're driving by yourself, it is very enjoyable to "get in the zone" and like 1911 said, engoy the journey. If you're trying to have meaningful conversation with anyone though, it is tough because of the noise inside the truck.

The one thing that I think makes for a much better long-distance trip in a 40 is good, tight steering (preferably a good power steering setup)....driving for miles and miles with a white-knuckle grip on the steering wheel to control wander and rut-grabbing isn't exactly relaxing.

 

[Poser]

I'm thinking about building an FJ40 that is geared for long distances yet can wheel once it's there. Curious to learn how many people do this, or do most people trailer their 40s long distances to the trailhead.

Looking to see how many FJ40 owners drive their trucks long distances routinely--say, 75 miles or more trips on at least a weekly basis. (Not 75 miles per week, but trips of 75 miles or longer each way, every week).

If so, what tranny and diff gears do you use? And, are you happy with the combination while going long distance?

Dave

The type of wheeling you are going to be doing and your expectations for your vehicle off road will dictate how the vehicle is equipped which will also weigh heavily on the decision to road the truck or trailer it.

 

[Jacket]

I drove mine from Baton Rouge to Boulder when I bought it - 1100 miles or so in 2 days of rain, wind, sleet and snow. Man that was a lot of work.....

I'd say weatherstripping, rattleproofing and soundproofing would be near the top of the list. Plus good seats, fresh springs and shocks, and a radio decent enough to be heard over all the other noises. And a cupholder....

 

[Downey]

I find myself always 1,000 percent agreeing with Poser. I'm not convinced that anything that is highway managable (pleasant) will be a good rock crawler. Normally the better the rock rig, the more it needs to be trailered. When I had my great trail rig (FJ40), which was also used to tow my camping trailer to and from the runs, the rig was not much of a rock crawler at all (atleast by today's standards).

 

[pc4400]

Stock 1F with stock 3spd. Never had a problem driving accross country and wheeling once we're there. But I'd have to say a 4spd would be better.
Im currently reworking my doors (new door seals, window guides). I'm tired of wearing ear plugs when driving on the freeway.

 

[G-Cat]

1977 FJ-40
2f Bored .020 over w/ headers
H55F 5-Speed
35" BFG Mud Terrain KM
4.56 gears

 

[bigndn]

My specs are in my sig line, including 4.88 R&P. I don't mind driving it to the trail, in fact I enjoy it, I just put the earbuds of my MP3 player in and rock out and enjoy the drive. On the other hand, the and the kids prefer the comfort of my Dodge, so we trailer if they're going along.

 

[Exiled]

For long-distance FJ40 driving, look no further than Mark Algazi, the dude wrote the book on hauling long drives with an F engine.

Back in CM'00 or CM'01 the "Iron Butt" Award went to a couple of guys who had driven in an FJ40..wait for it...with no hard top...wait for it...from BOSTON! Hard core doesn't even begin to describe it.

I agree, how much wheeling and how hard the wheeling is will determine the feasibility of this project. I tried very hard to find the balance with my oft-modified and heavily used FJ62, but I was never able to hit the sweet spot.

 

[Box Rocket]

Dave, my FJ40 that was the cover truck a few months back fit your criteria for a long distance FJ40. I commuted 60+ miles each day, and routinely drove it farther than that. It was only trailered twice and that was from Utah to the Rubicon. I made many 4+ hour drives to Moab in it with my wife and kids in the truck with me. No complaints at all. And as you know it was wheeled a lot and wheeled hard.

The specs on my truck were a strong 2F, SM420 trans, 3sp tcase, 4.88's and 37's. Made for a great wheeling setup and worked fine on the highway but could be improved upon. I'm in the process of building another 40 and I will likely use the same drvietrain setup because I liked it that much and had very few complaints. But this 40 that is in the works will be more of a trail rig but will still be driven to the trails. However, if I was planning on driving longer distances the drivetrain I would use would be to swap in a 3FE, H55F, Orion case and 4.88's and continue to run 37's. I good friend has a setup close to this with a SM420 in place of the H55F and its a nice truck to drive but the 5th gear of the H55F would be nice. The extra power of the 3FE feels great in a 40.

As for suspension, a think a well built SOA would be the way to go. My 40 was still SUA and I used 5.5" Alcan springs and RS9000 shocks. I was able to get the Alcans dialed in really nicely for my truck and the extras I carried. For me it really worked well and was very comfortable. A couple extra things that really go a long way to provide comfort for a 40 driven long distances are good seats and power steering. A/C would have been nice but I enjoyed the top down experience and had a bikini top, soft top or hardtop depending on the weather conditions.

top down mode with doors, sitting at my office parking lot after one of those commutes.

bikini top, rear duster and soft doors. I would run this way (or with hard doors) if there was a chance of rain and I didn't want to hassle with the full softtop or hardtop. Was much easier to pull the bikini and duster and have the open top again.

Softtop mode with sides up

Full hardtop mode

These are the seats I ran. They were perfect for me. They are Procar Rally buckets. They are a little tight for "larger" people but I am 5'9" and ~160lb and they fit me perfect and were super comfortable. They were a big reason I was willing to drive long distances regularly in my 40.

In the truck with custom upholstery.

And yep it got wheeled and driven home every time.

 

[REZARF]

Here is what needs to be done and in what order to give you an enjoyable long distance wheeler:

1. Make peace with 55-60mph.
2. Make sure your 2f runs like a top.
3. Good seats.
4. Ear plugs/Good tunes.
5. Cup holder.

FWIW, mine is a 1976, 2f, 35s, PS, electronic ignition (fj60), with Saab seats, a tuffy console and a MP3 player sony cd player. An ARB fridge, and lots of stretching stops make my trips to Moab very doable!

 

[Eshu Elegua]

One day riding from home to the trail and back home again..

 

[Box Rocket]

Here is what needs to be done and in what order to give you an enjoyable long distance wheeler:

1. Make peace with 55-60mph.
2. Make sure your 2f runs like a top.
3. Good seats.
4. Ear plugs/Good tunes.
5. Cup holder.

FWIW, mine is a 1976, 2f, 35s, PS, electronic ignition (fj60), with Saab seats, a tuffy console and a MP3 player sony cd player. An ARB fridge, and lots of stretching stops make my trips to Moab very doable!

Good points although I don't know that you have to settle for 55-60mph. I could run at close to 70mph with the 4.88's and 37's right at about 3K rpm. Still wasn't what I'd call fast but was definitely a comfortable speed. And yes good tunes help to pass the time. The problem with tunes in a 40 is that a 40 is loud on the highway no matter how you slice it. So either using headphones or selective speaker placement is key. I built a simple overhead console for speakers in mine. Maybe wasn't the best for sound since it was all in the center but at least I could hear the tunes and pass the time.

 

[CruiserStuff]

don't mean to hijack, but Box Rocket, who did that roll cage for you? Is it a MetalTech? I'm looking for something like that.....

 

[Box Rocket]

don't mean to hijack, but Box Rocket, who did that roll cage for you? Is it a MetalTech? I'm looking for something like that.....

Nope, not MetalTech. Mine was a custom cage built by Cruiser Outfitters. I don't think Kurt is doing custom fab now.