Well I didn’t know how bad I needed it till I saw it. Introducing my new to me 1981 FJ45 Troopy. Thanks @wytrooper
I’ve had a 40 for a few years and love it to death, even have a 12HT/H55/splitcase ready to drop in, but something was nagging me about it being a bit tight in the rear seat for both my boys and our full size dog, so enter the solution! When I bought our 40, we only had one kid, and now there’s two!
This truck is in really really nice and very original shape. Initial impressions are very good. The 2F runs very well. You can tell it has about 15 more hp than my 1F, though the absolute game changer is the H41 transmission. Wow. Synchro first gear and gear spacing that actually suits a low powered engine! It’s transformative!
For now I’m not sure what if anything other than driving it is in the cards. I really thought I’d immediately want to drop in my 12HT, but I’m not so sure. It just seems a shame to pull such a good running motor. And the transmissions seriously makes all the difference in the world. It’s awesome buying this basically having a practice run with my 40 knowing what works and what’s not worth it.
Currently has drums all around, and I’m sure I’ll eventually swap to discs. I’ve never driven a full drum vehicle and I’m impressed with the stopping power. I have hydroboost on my 40, and I’d challenge anyone to find a better stopping 40, but it was a real headache to get setup right and is probably overkill.
Manual steering is likely the first thing to change. Overall it steers nice, but man it’s been a while since I drove a manual steering 40 series and parking lots are a workout! Can’t even imagine what wheels will be like on a slow tight trail. I did 80 series on my 40 and it’s fantastic.split between that or spending the $ to keep it original and finding an OEM setup.
Also probably looking at bucket seats upfront. The bench is in solid shape, but I’m 6’3 and would really appreciate some more legroom. Plus I love the locking console and armrest in my 40.
Final upgrade I’m thinking about is the rear axle. I have a full float rear with locking hubs in my 40, including a cable locker. I want to wheel this, so a locker is a must, but I also plan to flat tow it behind my camper and the locking hubs are a dream for that, if not totally necessary. Looking at the conversion setup from front range Offroad, and then doing an e locker, and maybe a matching one on the front. We’ll see!
Also undecided what I’ll do with my 40. Likely will sell it as I just don’t see it getting much use now that this is here and fits us so much better. Not in a rush thankfully.
I’ve had a 40 for a few years and love it to death, even have a 12HT/H55/splitcase ready to drop in, but something was nagging me about it being a bit tight in the rear seat for both my boys and our full size dog, so enter the solution! When I bought our 40, we only had one kid, and now there’s two!
This truck is in really really nice and very original shape. Initial impressions are very good. The 2F runs very well. You can tell it has about 15 more hp than my 1F, though the absolute game changer is the H41 transmission. Wow. Synchro first gear and gear spacing that actually suits a low powered engine! It’s transformative!
For now I’m not sure what if anything other than driving it is in the cards. I really thought I’d immediately want to drop in my 12HT, but I’m not so sure. It just seems a shame to pull such a good running motor. And the transmissions seriously makes all the difference in the world. It’s awesome buying this basically having a practice run with my 40 knowing what works and what’s not worth it.
Currently has drums all around, and I’m sure I’ll eventually swap to discs. I’ve never driven a full drum vehicle and I’m impressed with the stopping power. I have hydroboost on my 40, and I’d challenge anyone to find a better stopping 40, but it was a real headache to get setup right and is probably overkill.
Manual steering is likely the first thing to change. Overall it steers nice, but man it’s been a while since I drove a manual steering 40 series and parking lots are a workout! Can’t even imagine what wheels will be like on a slow tight trail. I did 80 series on my 40 and it’s fantastic.split between that or spending the $ to keep it original and finding an OEM setup.
Also probably looking at bucket seats upfront. The bench is in solid shape, but I’m 6’3 and would really appreciate some more legroom. Plus I love the locking console and armrest in my 40.
Final upgrade I’m thinking about is the rear axle. I have a full float rear with locking hubs in my 40, including a cable locker. I want to wheel this, so a locker is a must, but I also plan to flat tow it behind my camper and the locking hubs are a dream for that, if not totally necessary. Looking at the conversion setup from front range Offroad, and then doing an e locker, and maybe a matching one on the front. We’ll see!
Also undecided what I’ll do with my 40. Likely will sell it as I just don’t see it getting much use now that this is here and fits us so much better. Not in a rush thankfully.
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