Best year for a 40?

[Gazzo]

I have an 84 hj47, and it has factory air con and factory 5 speed removed from fj40 and it is great for the occasional drive
But i must say that i have a 72 fj45 farm car converted to H diesel, 4 speed box and it is a beast of a car. It has massive mud tires on it and plenty of power, i have never got stuck in it.

 

[40mania]

Probly a 78. Fine spline & 4.11s. If you really want 3.73s, you can probably pick them for pretty darn cheap as all the 60 owners have switched out theirs for higher ratios. 79+ simply just gets expensive.

'40 differentials(carriers) with 3:73 gears are only about $500.00 per axle partwise (used)... add another $375.00 labor (per axle) in any reputable shop you want touching your Cruiser. So in reality if $900.00 to $1,100.00 per axle is "pretty cheap" then go for it. Do your research in the market first!

 

[40mania]

Surprised at "comfort" being the main focus on the fj40 question. I have a '70, '72, '73 and HAD a '74. Drove the '70 for 40 years! Raced its 4-speed butt down the rocky riverbed at full throttle, climbed inclines with it that I couldn't climb up on foot (did it with ease). Daily driven and pretty serious off-roaded 40 years and NEVER broke an axle, a t-case or trans. NOTHING IN FJ40 IS "TOUGHER" THAN PRE-'75. I never broke a hard part in 40 years of abuse in use. Get a "Hog". Go pre-75 for the best results for a car. Go post '75 for a comfortable car. Savvy?

 

[40mania]

You are in California so smog is a huge issue. There has been a 30 year rolling exemption from smog testing so a '74 would be exempt. A 2F motor has enough going for it that I would go at least '75 to get that. You can always convert the axles to disc parts-it's easy. 76-78 are all very similar. The '78 does have a fine spline pinion, but you'll probably swap gears anyway so that isn't a big issue. THe draw back to the 76-78 is the "non-standard" birfield. They are different from all the later birfs used in minitrucks, later 40's and all 60-62's.

My best advice would be to get the best body you can, and make sure the frame is not rusted. You will have to spend lots of cash to get trail ready anyway. The best FJ40 is usually the one you have, so buy one, be happy, and modify it the way you want.

This is better than my advice! I second this motion. Well said!

 

[Pskhaat]

So in reality if $900.00 to $1,100.00 per axle is "pretty cheap" then go for it. Do your research in the market first!

Dude, I wrote that almost 18 years ago. Lots has changed price wise since then!