Anybody know anything about this 40?
- Thread starter EricG
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- #3
I've been toying with the idea of getting a 40 ... I don't have quite enough projects stacked up 
The rust on this one doesn't look *to* bad - but not great either.
Not sure If I want one that old though. Maybe I'll go look at it after the Shubart run on Sat.
The rust on this one doesn't look *to* bad - but not great either.Not sure If I want one that old though. Maybe I'll go look at it after the Shubart run on Sat.
I've been toying with the idea of getting a 40 ... I don't have quite enough projects stacked up
Not sure If I want one that old though. Maybe I'll go look at it after the Shubart run on Sat.
Definitely look at it...it's an older model with the newer 2F engine that's a plus, not sure about the 3 gear tranny, I like my 4 gear tranny but have been looking for a H55F so I can have that 5th gear on the HWY.
Wish it had photos...could give you a much better perspective of what you are considering buying.
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- #5
Definitely look at it...it's an older model with the newer 2F engine that's a plus, not sure about the 3 gear tranny, I like my 4 gear tranny but have been looking for a H55F so I can have that 5th gear on the HWY.
Wish it had photos...could give you a much better perspective of what you are considering buying.
Here are a few pics of the rust - the rear sill is gone, rear fender wells are pretty bad and the back/bottom of the quarter panels. I've seen worse. The rest looks very clean, all things considered.
As I understand it, the 3 speed transmission doesn't have syncros? Never driven one of those before - how do you do it
The rust is about "average" for the year. Do the sill and patch the quarters. I would look at the rest, (front fenders, rockers, floors) closely though. Usually one with the sill that bad will have issues other places. Just look for mud, etc close.
My 78 "looks" better than that one rust wise, but it is GONE! It is all bondo, screen, mesh, aluminum, fiberglass, etc. You can tell someone from Indianapolis did the body work. But for what is going to happen to it soon, it is perfect for me.
Shifting the 3 speed is not a problem. If it doesn't have a on the floor conversion, I would probably have one for cheap. Even on the column wasn't bad though. 465's are not synchroed in 1st and reverse either. And I don't think the 420's were at all. If you wanted to leave it somewhat stock, I would go for the 4 speed. (Norm has proven those are tuff when he used one, and he shifted that thing FAST) Or I would use one of my H55F's. But I am not worried about stock.
I "think" the front axle would have the old ball and claw joints, but not sure. The year break would be in the FAQ for 40's.
My 78 "looks" better than that one rust wise, but it is GONE! It is all bondo, screen, mesh, aluminum, fiberglass, etc. You can tell someone from Indianapolis did the body work. But for what is going to happen to it soon, it is perfect for me.
Shifting the 3 speed is not a problem. If it doesn't have a on the floor conversion, I would probably have one for cheap. Even on the column wasn't bad though. 465's are not synchroed in 1st and reverse either. And I don't think the 420's were at all. If you wanted to leave it somewhat stock, I would go for the 4 speed. (Norm has proven those are tuff when he used one, and he shifted that thing FAST) Or I would use one of my H55F's. But I am not worried about stock.
I "think" the front axle would have the old ball and claw joints, but not sure. The year break would be in the FAQ for 40's.
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- #7
Yea, I'll have my magnet and calibrated knuckles along for sure! Have to do some more reading on 40s
My sill is gone also, we need to do a sill party...
Don, do you know how to do a H55F conversion? With the fine spline?
Silly putty?
my rear sill is Toast too, im going to redo it with some 2x2 Square Tube one of these days
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My sill is gone also, we need to do a sill party...
You will need a special top plate for the H55F that is specific to 40's. You will also need a 19 spline t-case that came in late 1985 + FJ60's. You will also need to have your driveshafts lengthened/shortened. You might also need a bellhousing from a later model FJ60/FJ62 as well, not entirely sure.
Oh, and a money tree will help as well.
...Oh said:All of the sudden I feel very happy with my 4 gears...
I just got it.
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- #15
Nope, 68 is the first year for the birfields and 30 spline axles!
40 Series Specific Information - Trucks 4x4 @ Off-Road.com
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- #17
Oik, I was catching up on my 40 series reading some more last night. The seller has indicated that the brakes are marginal & fiddly - probably about normal for the 4 wheel drum setup. It seems that one of the big mods everybody does on the earlier trucks is a disc brake conversion - at least on the front axles. This sounds relatively straight forward for the late 1970 truck and up, but is a much bigger deal on the 68 & 69 trucks - basically replacing the entire brake system - booster, master cylinder, proportioning valve, lines, possibly firewall modification to fit the booster and such. Does anybody have any experience with this?
No experience with the disc brake system changeover on an early Cruiser, but please invite me if there is going to be a rear sill party. Mine has cancer, as well. I converted my 75 to a front disc axle. Let me know if you need info on purchasing a proportioning valve. I still have the original packaging and literature for the one I purchased.
Vic
Vic
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- #19
Found out tonight that it's an early 68 and does actually have the ball & claw front axle. Think I'm going to pass on this one.
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- #20
Can't make up my mind - I'm going to go look at it after the run tomorrow. Anybody want to come along?