Best FJ40 Upgrade Ever

[FloridaLife]

Yes the mini truck power steering is the 79-83. When I first bought my 40 in 08, I wanted to add the front discs and power steering. I was fortunate to find a rusted out 79 pickup for $400. I took the front discs, power steering, drive train and junked the rest. Sold the drive train. There was even a CB40 in there that I sold (stupid). Mini trucks were not a thing yet.

If you disc parts from a 79, they are different than the later years.

Did the power steering conversion require and welding of fabrication?

Lucky me, my FJ40 is a 71, and if the build date was just 7 months newer lots of things would be easier. For example, if 7 months newer I could get 1 piece formed / molded window seals instead of of having to buy a roll and cut to fit. Or, on my steering there is no rag joint, it is just a straight shaft to the gear box, which greatly limits options without a lot of fabrication and welding.

 

[Engineer8000]

For the 73 the power steering upgrade is easy. There are kits for sale. You would have to figure out how to install a later column with rag joint.

 

[cruisermatt]

For the 73 the power steering upgrade is easy. There are kits for sale. You would have to figure out how to install a later column with rag joint.

Way, waaaay easier ways than that to add PS to a pre-73

 

[FloridaLife]

Way, waaaay easier ways than that to add PS to a pre-73

Indeed! If you scroll up in this thread you will see where I was telling what a great conversion you do! Very nice!

 

[pb4ugo]

My 72 had a 1 piece box and column. I broke the box and adapted a later box and column with a rag joint with minimal alterations. Later on i went to sag p/s.
If you go to disc brakes you should use Toyota parts from a donor frt end or adapt a complete unit. Imo, aftermarket kits are inferior.

 

[FloridaLife]

My 72 had a 1 piece box and column. I broke the box and adapted a later box and column with a rag joint with minimal alterations. Later on i went to sag p/s.
If you go to disc brakes you should use Toyota parts from a donor frt end or adapt a complete unit. Imo, aftermarket kits are inferior.

That is really good information to know. What years & models would make for a good donor and easy to install? Something like the '79-'85 Toyota 4WD Pickup and/or 4Runner? Or something else?

 

[Living in the Past]

Yes the mini truck power steering is the 79-83. When I first bought my 40 in 08, I wanted to add the front discs and power steering. I was fortunate to find a rusted out 79 pickup for $400. I took the front discs, power steering, drive train and junked the rest. Sold the drive train. There was even a CB40 in there that I sold (stupid). Mini trucks were not a thing yet.

If you get disc parts from a 79, they are different than the later years.

I never seen to sell anything. Years ago I b ought what I believe is a 84 mini truck front axle for $100. Say 84 because of the welded bracing to the bottom of the long side of the housing. I have a couple mini truck power steering boxes which I thought went to 85. 86 started the independent suspension on the front axle.

 

[pb4ugo]

Yes, FJ40 disc brakes started in 76. 76 to 78 they used small pattern knuckles, 79 and later 40s, 60s and mini truck uses larger pattern knuckles. You'll want the fine spline birfs and lockouts too. Or a complete 40 disc frt end. Parts would be something like this.

 

[FloridaLife]

Yes, FJ40 disc brakes started in 76. 76 to 78 they used small pattern knuckles, 79 and later 40s, 60s and mini truck uses larger pattern knuckles. You'll want the fine spline birfs and lockouts too. Or a complete 40 disc frt end. Parts would be something like this.
View attachment 3720753

Well those look very interesting! So, I need to find some of those.... Hmmm....

 

[FloridaLife]

I never seen to sell anything. Years ago I b ought what I believe is a 84 mini truck front axle for $100. Say 84 because of the welded bracing to the bottom of the long side of the housing. I have a couple mini truck power steering boxes which I thought went to 85. 86 started the independent suspension on the front axle.

So, if you never seem to get rid of anything, does that mean you have some parts for sale?

 

[jim land]

Yes, FJ40 disc brakes started in 76. 76 to 78 they used small pattern knuckles, 79 and later 40s, 60s and mini truck uses larger pattern knuckles. You'll want the fine spline birfs and lockouts too. Or a complete 40 disc frt end. Parts would be something like this.
View attachment 3720753

Even better with aisin locking hubs for 79 and later

 

[hobbes]

I think everyone answered most of the questions you had about my post. I have a 1976 brake master and proportion valve from City Racer to balance the front/rear bias. Original booster. City Racer now offers an adjustable prop valve, I'd probably lean towards that.

For street driving, closer to stock height is better. I put on the lowest Dobinson springs (Australian company with a distributor in Miami) and 33" tires. I went there from 31" tires. I'm happy with them and would do it again. No hills in FL. You can see the stance in my avatar. 33's are as big as you'd want to go with a mini-power steering setup, tho. Factory springs are NLA.

I'll add to my list again:
5. Quick hinges from @69LC. Love being able to take off the doors easily. Hard top stays on for the rain and shade here in FL. (In AZ I'd run a bikini top.)
6. Intermittent wipers from a @Engineer8000 (pretty handy here in FL).
7. If you haven't replaced your trans/xfer case seal, then hit up @shipmag for a trans/xfer case bypass hose for safety.
8. Speaking of safety, adding new seat belts with the shoulder belts included is important. I originally had just lap belts.

Quik Hinges available

The hinges are back into production and ready for shipment. updated Pricing below: $215.50 for the Regular Set $345.00 for the Super Set $126.50 for the Door Half set Shipping in the US is included. *International and US territories will require custom shipping at an additional cost Here's...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[jim land]

Living in eastern canada, gozzard tub on my 40 and 42 is one of the best mod , done 20 yrs ago

 

[hobbes]

So, if you never seem to get rid of anything, does that mean you have some parts for sale?

It means he sleeps upright in a chair with a shotgun in his lap.

 

[FloridaLife]

It means he sleeps upright in a chair with a shotgun in his lap.

LOL!

 

[FloridaLife]

1. Front disc brakes if not installed.
2. Power steering.
3. In the south, a/c.

PM sent.

 

[FloridaLife]

I I.ke that list of what to do…. I have Saginaw power steering and fuel injection
Doing the front steering g knuckles and disk brake option this upcoming week
Suspension in the fall and then ….it done

I don’t like the literal 1 finger ease of the power steering. I’d like to tone it down a bit like my Silverado pickup, really easy but firm

Let me know how the steering knuckles and disc brake conversion goes. Are you doing just the front brakes, or all 4?

 

[Living in the Past]

It means he sleeps upright in a chair with a shotgun in his lap.

Shotgun is locked up in the safe. It's my wife who doesn't sleep worrying about what to do if I die.

 

[FloridaLife]

Cup Holders!!
Holding onto Coffee takes some serious juggling with 3 on the tree and no power steering.

Oh yeah, hot coffee while trying to steer with no power steering at the same time you're shifting gears would be rough!

I remember back in the 70's and 80's they had those plastic cup holders that you slide down between your window glass and the door.

Here's a 2 pack on Amazon for $5 Amazon.com - https://www.amazon.com/Custom-Accessories-92206-Black-Holder/dp/B009IKAAI0/ref=sr_1_8?crid=1BD1ZCKRHKN4C&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.e4plXZwW5UpOoLY800BvBnc43obJ5nWyjzOFp0qlXnklXVodhSO2nTJxjucLh5A8y_U3nyGvZ-HeKZCAGw1UQEr32ICr-gWCiKFPO7d9Syv7WxHMtRxUuuGOaTPL4BOwtjw8uklzg8BZ8jEWB-cmICHOvINKhaA1YLb9YAwgnxNY4lQw23uywkKI3U9YDCzLo_p1pylp5Rb457HDKRVt5VW3FuY6EMyU2XHvg4iGrIUA5jKOL8WjHnAr4WAFiasu5Zjw8TcrparQbEQ6eEsrnneeHWQNjvjqI34y9PISRAM.nPWOP8Nrmn6tIuymLl6oNzkrJ5RoiC77bFVxfN-3r5k&dib_tag=se&keywords=automotive+cup+holder&qid=1725803818&sprefix=automotive+cup+holder%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-8

 

[knuckle47]

Shotgun is locked up in the safe. It's my wife who doesn't sleep worrying about what to do if I die.
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This is an illness…I had it for 3 decades with antique motorcycle parts…the only known cure is marrying the wrong woman !!