Pig stuff
Thanks!
The main problem with 55's is the nearly hard to get stuff. The biggest hassle is rubber. The rubber around the tailgate, the rubber around the doors and windows are very hard to find. The tailgate is also an issue. Spend some time with yours and learn how it works and get it running well. Most of the problems with the tailgate motor is easy. Usually it is the plastic gear that is still available for under $30. The rest of the 55 is the same as the FJ40: motor, axles, runner gear etc is all the same as the 40. The 55 has much more in common with the FJ40 than it does with the FJ60. In a way I think of the 55 as a compromise between the 60 and the 40. . If you can, keep all the body panels intact. Lots of guys take a 55 and turn it into a buggy. That's a shame, there are lots of rigs better suited to that course of action. A 55 with rocker and quarter panel protection, lower gearing, lockers and power steering is a formidable rig on the trail and a great rig for exploration, camping, dogs, hiking, kayaking etc. There is so much more room in a 55 when compared to a 40 and no carpet to worry about like a 60 has. Some trails the longer wheelbase is better than the 40 as well. It depends on where you live. I live in the PNW and like to wheel on on the very tight trails we have here. Trees and tight twisty trails are the deal here, not going slow over huge rocks. For that reason I got a 40 that I built as my primary trail rig. I am glad I did because I can pick and choose where I decide to take my 55, thus better preserving that rare sheet metal...
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