FJ 40 3 speed trans question

[Colorado Boy-74-FJ40]

My bone stock 74 3 spd will go about 60 tops. Anything more than that I think the pistons are going to end up on my lap. I like side road driving, kinda relaxing. Quiet too, at top speed my 74 howls like a son-of-a-gun!

 

[mdjohnsen]

I have an SM465 and I was flying at 90 the other day. I have 35s.

 

[honk]

My '65 still has the 3 speed and the engine runs good. But it's got non boosted brakes that really take a push to make work. The steering is squirrely and the racket in the cab from body noise and driveline howling keep me slowed down.
It doesn't feel safe to go much over fifty but that's not to say that it can't. It just says that I'm chicken to do it.

Maybe that's what your seller is getting at.

 

[Coolerman]

My '65 still has the 3 speed and the engine runs good. But it's got non boosted brakes that really take a push to make work. The steering is squirrely and the racket in the cab from body noise and driveline howling keep me slowed down.
It doesn't feel safe to go much over fifty but that's not to say that it can't. It just says that I'm chicken to do it.

Maybe that's what your seller is getting at.

Now THAT is an honest statement about the condition of ones FJ and how an owner drives it! Cudos Honk!

 

[IDave]

Yup. Not about the 3speed, it's about steering and brakes that should keep you on the backroads until you have confidence.

 

[Kayaker]

When I got my 72 FJ40 (in 1972) I ran it at 75 mph on my commute to and from college and still had peddle left to pass. She is still stock (engine and transmission) and neither have had any work done on them other than tune ups. I've seen 85 on the speedo, even when I was running the old stock Dunlop bias belted tires (for you youngsters, that's pre radials) that it came with. Now that she's 34 years old, I don't push her much past 70 mph, but that speed is pretty comfortable now that I run radials. I second IDave above, it's the brakes that should limit your speed.

 

[WES1977]

Welcome.


Toyota stated that it could cruise at 80mph all day long in liturature printed back in the 60's....

Depending on the tire size, you should not have any problems running at 60mph.


FYI- Swapping in a four speed will only gain you a lower first gear, as fourth gear remains 1:1...no overdrive.

not sure of year but it has 1964 in the name

 

[lc69hunter]

I'm running a rebuilt (balanced and different cam) 2F in my 69FJ40 with a three on the tree (It's still tight). I have no trouble running at 3200 rpm, which gives me 75 mph.

As others have mentioned, with either a 3 or 4 speed, you are still running 1:1 in high gear.

The issue is the rest of the vehicle; steering, brakes, engine etc.