I decided to start this thread to document my personal FJ40 journey..so here's the 'skinny'. Im 40, happily married to a retired Navy corpsman with a daughter. I have NO real mechanical experience. My only on hand experience for what Im undertaking is driving POS cars for many many years. I know when a car sounds right, and I know when it sounds wrong..especially if I turn the radio down!
As a female, you guys have got to know, I may not necessarily come to a conclusion the same way you do..but Ive got common sense and Im hard headed as hell.
Why do I want an FJ40? Metaphorically - I understand them. They bulky in all the right places, theyre tough and yet beautiful they take a licking and keep on going. Theyre stubborn and faithful. Theyre cranky on cold mornings.. In other words...they remind me..of me!
Im an old school tomboy, grew up fishing and hunting. I own my own weapons and I take pride in being self sufficient. So an FJ40 seems a reasonable choice..I learn anything easily and Im excellent at figuring things out. I need a hobby .. why not an FJ40? Jeeps are a dime a dozen. There's just something about FJs.
So as a woman, with no true experience - it might seem daunting to knowingly sign up for such an endeavor.
Join me. Ask questions. Share my search for MY FJ40 as I learn - and if youre a woman and interested - maybe what I learn along the way will help you. And if youre a man with a wife that doesnt get your FJ obssession ...well maybe Ill be able to help sway her opinion!
Ive always admired the FJ40 in particular..there arent too many around the coast of NC - but I saw a shiny red one with a white hardtop sitting in Swansboro and everytime I drove by, I could almost hear her telling me to pull over.
By the time I convinced myself to stop and look she was gone. Who knows? Up close she mightve been a bondo buggy with a crappy paint job..but in my mind..this old FJ was perfect.
So I started reading. Skulking around this forum..asking my well versed in mechanical knowledge husband random questions..."What do you think of those old landcruisers?"
Poor guy, he never saw it coming.
I finally joined this forum - (paid membership) started asking questions.. and found out how much in love with LC's you all are.
Here's where Im at. Im too much of a noob to do a complete restoration. The first FJ40 we looked at, my husband pointed out the almost completely crushed crossmembers on the frame. (Once you see really bad, you can recognize 'good') When the huz showed this to me, I immediately referenced this forum - and found what the frame SHOULD look like.
Ive learned from this that a solid frame is non negotiable. We cannot weld at my house.
I do not have a garage. So doing a complete rebuild of an FJ40 is out of the question.
A shiny paintjob is not even ON my list. A completely restored FJ40 is out of my price range, and Id be afraid of ever parking it anywhere and getting door dinged.
I want an FJ or BJ40 series that I can throw my gear in and go to the range.
I want an FJ40 that I can teach my daughter to drive stick in..just like I did...so when she gets older, she can drive just about anything..and fix it too.
I want an FJ40 that we can throw our dogs in and go camping or to put our tiny little boat in water.
The 2nd FJ40 I went to see was a complete rust ridden body..One of the ONSC guys actually met up with us to go see it. The frame looked pretty good? But again, way outside of what Id be capable of handling.
I spend a lot of my time looking for an FJ40, reading about them and discussing what Ive read, watched on youtube and discussed with mudders - with my poor patient husband. Luckily he loves talking about engines..and for once he gets to share his knowledge without me rolling my eyes.
Ive been researching why I would or would not want to do a power steering conversion on an older 40 (decided I would not, but have since decided this possibility needs further research as well)
Determining whether or not I would want a disc brake conversion (I would, and we'd do it ourselves)
Do I want to buy an FJ40 with a non toyota engine in it? (At original post, I thought no - but having seen some well done, a 2F is not a necessity- Id just prefer it)
Looking at other guys builds, what they encountered because it all factors in and plays a roll for me in my search..Finally read all the FAQs..well not ALL of them..
So this is probably the most Ill ever write in one sitting..Sorry if its too much. . Thats what happens when you let THIS woman get ta' talking..Help me find my first FJ40!
As a female, you guys have got to know, I may not necessarily come to a conclusion the same way you do..but Ive got common sense and Im hard headed as hell.Why do I want an FJ40? Metaphorically - I understand them. They bulky in all the right places, theyre tough and yet beautiful they take a licking and keep on going. Theyre stubborn and faithful. Theyre cranky on cold mornings.. In other words...they remind me..of me!
Im an old school tomboy, grew up fishing and hunting. I own my own weapons and I take pride in being self sufficient. So an FJ40 seems a reasonable choice..I learn anything easily and Im excellent at figuring things out. I need a hobby .. why not an FJ40? Jeeps are a dime a dozen. There's just something about FJs.
So as a woman, with no true experience - it might seem daunting to knowingly sign up for such an endeavor.
Join me. Ask questions. Share my search for MY FJ40 as I learn - and if youre a woman and interested - maybe what I learn along the way will help you. And if youre a man with a wife that doesnt get your FJ obssession ...well maybe Ill be able to help sway her opinion!
Ive always admired the FJ40 in particular..there arent too many around the coast of NC - but I saw a shiny red one with a white hardtop sitting in Swansboro and everytime I drove by, I could almost hear her telling me to pull over.
By the time I convinced myself to stop and look she was gone. Who knows? Up close she mightve been a bondo buggy with a crappy paint job..but in my mind..this old FJ was perfect.
So I started reading. Skulking around this forum..asking my well versed in mechanical knowledge husband random questions..."What do you think of those old landcruisers?"
Poor guy, he never saw it coming.
I finally joined this forum - (paid membership) started asking questions.. and found out how much in love with LC's you all are.
Here's where Im at. Im too much of a noob to do a complete restoration. The first FJ40 we looked at, my husband pointed out the almost completely crushed crossmembers on the frame. (Once you see really bad, you can recognize 'good') When the huz showed this to me, I immediately referenced this forum - and found what the frame SHOULD look like.
Ive learned from this that a solid frame is non negotiable. We cannot weld at my house.
I do not have a garage. So doing a complete rebuild of an FJ40 is out of the question.
A shiny paintjob is not even ON my list. A completely restored FJ40 is out of my price range, and Id be afraid of ever parking it anywhere and getting door dinged.
I want an FJ or BJ40 series that I can throw my gear in and go to the range.
I want an FJ40 that I can teach my daughter to drive stick in..just like I did...so when she gets older, she can drive just about anything..and fix it too.
I want an FJ40 that we can throw our dogs in and go camping or to put our tiny little boat in water.
The 2nd FJ40 I went to see was a complete rust ridden body..One of the ONSC guys actually met up with us to go see it. The frame looked pretty good? But again, way outside of what Id be capable of handling.
I spend a lot of my time looking for an FJ40, reading about them and discussing what Ive read, watched on youtube and discussed with mudders - with my poor patient husband. Luckily he loves talking about engines..and for once he gets to share his knowledge without me rolling my eyes.
Ive been researching why I would or would not want to do a power steering conversion on an older 40 (decided I would not, but have since decided this possibility needs further research as well)
Determining whether or not I would want a disc brake conversion (I would, and we'd do it ourselves)
Do I want to buy an FJ40 with a non toyota engine in it? (At original post, I thought no - but having seen some well done, a 2F is not a necessity- Id just prefer it)
Looking at other guys builds, what they encountered because it all factors in and plays a roll for me in my search..Finally read all the FAQs..well not ALL of them..
So this is probably the most Ill ever write in one sitting..Sorry if its too much. . Thats what happens when you let THIS woman get ta' talking..Help me find my first FJ40!
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Good point..
..I get what you mean and I appreciate the points..Ive worked hard all my life - now I have the time, the patience and pigheadedness to do this. 
