Best FJ40 Upgrade Ever (3 Viewers)

[pb4ugo]

Adapting a box and column with a rag joint might be a good idea, so in the future the box could be rebuilt or replaced. @wngrog may have used a 1 piece box with electric steering in the past. I know he's done several retrofits.

 

[fireflyr]

Hope the e-power steering works for you, it looked like an easy option. I went Saginaw and love it but still feel the 4 wheel disc brake conversion is my favorite mod. Unfortunately, for the early FJ40’s power steering conversions are never plug and play. Hell, nothing is.

 

[miller]

7.00x15. I was going to start that last post with- not to derail your project lol. Ive done a couple rigs now I would just get it on the road driving then see what u want to do.

 

[FloridaLife]

Hope the e-power steering works for you, it looked like an easy option. I went Saginaw and love it but still feel the 4 wheel disc brake conversion is my favorite mod. Unfortunately, for the early FJ40’s power steering conversions are never plug and play. Hell, nothing is.

Yeah, being new to the FJ40 scene, I didn't realize having an FJ40 built in December of 1970 was far more difficult that '73 or later.

 

[wngrog]

Adapting a box and column with a rag joint might be a good idea, so in the future the box could be rebuilt or replaced. @wngrog may have used a 1 piece box with electric steering in the past. I know he's done several retrofits.

Not I.

 

[FloridaLife]

Not I.

WOW... is it possible that out of millions of FJ40 owners, I might be THE FIRST to do this????

 

[fireflyr]

WOW... is it possible that out of millions of FJ40 owners, I might be THE FIRST to do this????

Haha, being told you’re the first to try something ranks right up there with an older, more experienced pilot telling me ‘watch this!’
We crashed.

 

[FloridaLife]

WOW... is it possible that out of millions of FJ40 owners, I might be THE FIRST to do this????

AND... I know I am a "The cup is half full" type of guy, but if I have to cut this steering column & shaft, possibly in more than 1 place to install this thing, then it seems to me that this project just got WAY WAY easier! Instead of unbolting the steering box and all of that, cut it out, graft in the new, and save a bunch of time.

 

[FloridaLife]

Haha, being told you’re the first to try something ranks right up there with an older, more experienced pilot telling me ‘watch this!’
We crashed.

LOL. I've flown since back when my uncle had to stack phone books for me to sit on to see over the dash, and I've walked away from every landing so far.

 

[wngrog]

I know @ClemsonCruiser has done one.

 

[fireflyr]

Just get in there and start cutting. If your steering shaft is the same as a ‘67 then I can send you this one if you mess up.

 

[FloridaLife]

Just get in there and start cutting. If your steering shaft is the same as a ‘67 then I can send you this one if you mess up. View attachment 3723383

Thank you. I might take you up on that. Like the John Deer by the way!

Did you ever hear the Paul Harvey "The Rest of the Story" radio broadcast about John Deer?

 

[fireflyr]

I haven’t.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Not that they will loose any sleep over it but I'll never buy a new Dear John - that you can't work on yourself

 

[navydivedoc]

JP @ClemsonCruiser did one on a 67. I recall him saying it was an ordeal, might want to touch base with him.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Steve is correct I installed one a few years back on a ‘67 and it was a massive PITA. It was such a frustrating and time consuming experience that I still have nightmares about it .

From memory I had to make major modifications under the dash to make the motor fit, I had to cut, weld, reshape the brake pedal. Had to modify the brace behind the dash, the turn signal stalk, and a bunch more I’m forgetting.

It certainly can be done and maybe you will have an easier time than I did but for me personally I’d rather do a mini truck or FJ60 PS conversion all day any day.

Good luck.
JP

 

[1911]

View attachment 3723338Best FJ40 upgrade ever ……Ear plugs

I used those for years for motorcycle riding, until they invented the little expanding foam ones that work much better.

I have been known to use in-ear phones to listen to music while I drive my 40 on a road trip; probably not legal in many places.

 

[1911]

If your not putting big tires on it wont need it. This truck easy to steer with these skinnys. I get it not the look for everyone but easy to steer.

I would say the same for up to 33x15x10.5 tires. Mine got much easier to steer when I went to this size from the 12.5"-wide tires the previous owner had on it. Personally, I just don't feel the need for power steering on my truck, but YMMV.

 

[FloridaLife]

Steve is correct I installed one a few years back on a ‘67 and it was a massive PITA. It was such a frustrating and time consuming experience that I still have nightmares about it .

From memory I had to make major modifications under the dash to make the motor fit, I had to cut, weld, reshape the brake pedal. Had to modify the brace behind the dash, the turn signal stalk, and a bunch more I’m forgetting.

It certainly can be done and maybe you will have an easier time than I did but for me personally I’d rather do a mini truck or FJ60 PS conversion all day any day.

Good luck.
JP

Fun fun.

 

[FloridaLife]

I would say the same for up to 33x15x10.5 tires. Mine got much easier to steer when I went to this size from the 12.5"-wide tires the previous owner had on it. Personally, I just don't feel the need for power steering on my truck, but YMMV.

You are probably right. My wife was pushing it, and now I've already paid for the EPS kit. I hope I don't end up regretting it.