Daily driver...NO.Gas...Yikes.Comfort...There's comfort in knowing it isn't gonna let you down.I'll never sell mine.I want to be buried in it with the hubs locked.Drive my butt straight back from the depths when it gets too hot.
FJ40 as daily driver? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter MTBGUY
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Poser said:
No not 25... but better than 9 I get......
ive done it best i ever got was 17 in a 40 down hill
im always worried about my cruiser getting ripped off ive stoped it more than once.insurance always for me dirt cheap maybe the cheapest ive ever had.but are you good at wrenching my freind no matter how good cruisers are they brake down and 80% of the time parts have to be ordered.would i do it again sure im doing it now with a 62 and i would trade for a good 40 in a heartbeat
im always worried about my cruiser getting ripped off ive stoped it more than once.insurance always for me dirt cheap maybe the cheapest ive ever had.but are you good at wrenching my freind no matter how good cruisers are they brake down and 80% of the time parts have to be ordered.would i do it again sure im doing it now with a 62 and i would trade for a good 40 in a heartbeat
Just got an 82 FJ40 and would drive it every day if it weren't raining all day every day. It rides so much better than any of the older 40's that I have driven or ridden in that it isn't even funny. I love this rig!!!! Compared to heeps that I have been in it is also fairly quiet at 65 mph.
DavidW said:
Man....send some of that rain my way...we need it bad in the 512 area code...
I think it's great that you DD's suck up the bumps and deal with shifting gears in traffic the noise and etc. I'm no pussy I ride a Ducati and know what wind, rain, traffic jams, and rough roads are all about but to be frank, I love it--ONLY when it's on my terms and not all of the time.
I think I would keep a cheap little UJC (univeral japenese car) as a DD and enjoy a 40 when you want to and not have to deal with the quirks of driving a 30year old truck all of the time.
The gas mileage thing baffles the s*** out me. I get a kick out of people how spend thousands of dollars to try and get 2 or 3 MPG, even if you could get 20MPG, HOW MUCH $$$$ DID IT COST YOU? You'd be better off paying a little extra at the pump and buy some other crap.
BTW we have some of the cheapest fuel in the world, suck it up or by a bicycle, better yet buy a motorcycle. My duke gets 50 MPG+ and my Triumph 60 MPG, save the world and buy a motorcycle. You will save money at the pump and spend less time and money on therapy!
I think I would keep a cheap little UJC (univeral japenese car) as a DD and enjoy a 40 when you want to and not have to deal with the quirks of driving a 30year old truck all of the time.
The gas mileage thing baffles the s*** out me. I get a kick out of people how spend thousands of dollars to try and get 2 or 3 MPG, even if you could get 20MPG, HOW MUCH $$$$ DID IT COST YOU? You'd be better off paying a little extra at the pump and buy some other crap.
BTW we have some of the cheapest fuel in the world, suck it up or by a bicycle, better yet buy a motorcycle. My duke gets 50 MPG+ and my Triumph 60 MPG, save the world and buy a motorcycle. You will save money at the pump and spend less time and money on therapy!
F-junker said:
LOL...X2
People are running out and paying $5K+ premiums for hybrids that sometimes get maybe 5-10 mpg more than their stable mates...Unless you drive a zillion miles per day it is going to take you a LONG time to recoup that $5K+ premium. And I'm still not convinced about the long term reliability of hybrids, especially the battery packs that WILL have to be replaced down the road.
Don't get me wrong, I think hybrids are a nice start in the right direction but I think the auto makers have missed the boat so far in concentrating on cars and light weight SUVs (recently) for their hybrid offerings. Why not put some effort into trucks and large SUVs that typically get crappy gas mileage? Wouldn't we all just LOVE a big truck or SUV that we can load up with camping gear and pull our toys while still getting 25-30 mpg? Yeah, I know you can buy a diesel and get close but I'd like to see a hybrid. Some makers are starting to offer vehicles with "cylinder deactivation" to eek out an extra couple mpg if you're lucky but you can bet those cylinders aren't deactivating when you are sucking down the gas pulling one of your 'toys'. My DD (not a FJ40) gets 12.5 mpg pretty much no matter what I do. Double that and I would be a happy clam!
As for the security issue...I'm going with one of these on my FJ40:
http://tinyurl.com/adq7v
I figure if the frickin' thief can't steer it he/she (have to PC you know
) is going to have a hell of a time stealing it. Unless they use a trailer or dolly or ???
okie said:
grant5127 said:
Poser said:
Wow... I didn't realize they were getting that much... unless I misunderstood the quotes here... lol
Scott
Should you use a 40 for a daily driver? I guess it really depends on your tolerance for pain . j/k.
1) I can't really answer your reliability questions, as I've only started driving mine recently. In fact, today is the first day I've put more than 75 miles on in one day, half of that was off-road. But judging by their reputation, the 40 seems to be fairly reliable. Of course, this varies from one vehicle to the next, but if you were to compare cars of similar vintage, it is probably above average. I don't know how they'd compare to newer cars though.
2) I'm getting around 10-13, about what I expected for a stock 2F. Since you're coming from and 80 (which I assume isn't very fuel efficient either), you're probably used to poor gas milage, so it won't be a major shock for you. If you did get a 40, you'd probably want to install a bigger fuel tank, unless you like stoping at every gas station along the way.
3) I have no data on how common thefts are, but I worry about mine more than any of my other cars. There are ways of increasing the security, but if you're prone to worrying about theft, owning one might be a little stressful. They seem to attract a lot of attention, good and bad.
The only thing I have to add is, comfort is not one of their strong points. Bouncy, bad handling, hot, loud, rough, tiring, and most of all, fun. If you really love the FJ40's, you can overlook a LOT of discomfort while you're driving. But you really, really, REALLY have to love driving it. Owning a 40 is almost like having an ugly child, with a really good personality.
Oh yeah, I don't know where you live, but if it's in a warmer climate, an A/C would be at the top of my list of things to get. Your joy (and your passenger's tolerance) of driving in one will be greatly increased. You're almost inclined to forget that sharp pain in your kidneys while rattling your fillings out as you're going deaf. Seriously, if you want one, get it and see how it is. You have nothing to lose, since you always have another car to fall back on if you don't like it.
. j/k. 1) I can't really answer your reliability questions, as I've only started driving mine recently. In fact, today is the first day I've put more than 75 miles on in one day, half of that was off-road. But judging by their reputation, the 40 seems to be fairly reliable. Of course, this varies from one vehicle to the next, but if you were to compare cars of similar vintage, it is probably above average. I don't know how they'd compare to newer cars though.
2) I'm getting around 10-13, about what I expected for a stock 2F. Since you're coming from and 80 (which I assume isn't very fuel efficient either), you're probably used to poor gas milage, so it won't be a major shock for you. If you did get a 40, you'd probably want to install a bigger fuel tank, unless you like stoping at every gas station along the way.
3) I have no data on how common thefts are, but I worry about mine more than any of my other cars. There are ways of increasing the security, but if you're prone to worrying about theft, owning one might be a little stressful. They seem to attract a lot of attention, good and bad.
The only thing I have to add is, comfort is not one of their strong points. Bouncy, bad handling, hot, loud, rough, tiring, and most of all, fun. If you really love the FJ40's, you can overlook a LOT of discomfort while you're driving. But you really, really, REALLY have to love driving it. Owning a 40 is almost like having an ugly child, with a really good personality.
Oh yeah, I don't know where you live, but if it's in a warmer climate, an A/C would be at the top of my list of things to get. Your joy (and your passenger's tolerance) of driving in one will be greatly increased. You're almost inclined to forget that sharp pain in your kidneys while rattling your fillings out as you're going deaf. Seriously, if you want one, get it and see how it is. You have nothing to lose, since you always have another car to fall back on if you don't like it.
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Well said.
Pretty much what I and others have said. There are guys who simply LOVE the FJ40 no matter what. But I stand by my statement: 40's are lousy daily drivers if you are talking about day in day out city, highway, commuting, grocery getting driving. To my mind FJ40's are too cool to put them through this kind of mundane work. Save the mileage for stuff they were designed to do. They will last longer and you you will enjoy them more if most of the driving you do in them is for fun...
Max
Pretty much what I and others have said. There are guys who simply LOVE the FJ40 no matter what. But I stand by my statement: 40's are lousy daily drivers if you are talking about day in day out city, highway, commuting, grocery getting driving. To my mind FJ40's are too cool to put them through this kind of mundane work. Save the mileage for stuff they were designed to do. They will last longer and you you will enjoy them more if most of the driving you do in them is for fun...
Max
Well If your job is close You could maybe have it as a dd. But that was my plan Have it stock and Ill Drive it to school. Oooh did that change. Really not go as for a dd. To high. breakage. I been think of making a trailer queen, But Ill would drive it to school some few times
My 40 has a 350, auto tranny, power brakes, and power steering. If it didn't have swampers it would probably quite decent to drive every day...as long as I didn't look at the fuel bill.
Not a whole lot to add here, but the 40 is not a good daily driver for any substantial commute. It sucks gas and it is LOUD. It is fun as a weekend warrior.
My 40 has a three-on-the-tree, so I doubt too many people even know how to drive it. Hell, if I removed the glove box shift pattern placard no one would figure it out. I call it my built-in theft deterrent. Most thieves are opportunists, so a little prevention goes a long way.
My 40 has a three-on-the-tree, so I doubt too many people even know how to drive it. Hell, if I removed the glove box shift pattern placard no one would figure it out. I call it my built-in theft deterrent. Most thieves are opportunists, so a little prevention goes a long way.
I had one, many, many years ago, for a short time. It was a diesel, nice truck, but as a daily driver, it sucked for all the reasons previously mentioned. I think you have to be really, really hardcore to enjoy a 40 as a DD. They are nothing like a modern car or even a 60 or 80 series, both of which I've driven, and now own an HDJ81 which is a vehicle that really can do everything. I really think you'd be better off with a car for commuting AND a nice, mint 40.
ducktapeguy said:
LOL...
I think you reversed the two though...I think a 40 is more akin to having a beautiful child with a sometimes ugly personality...
FJ40 makes an awesome daily for me anyways.
Drive it and wheel it because you can and that's really the best reason to do it.
Drive it and wheel it because you can and that's really the best reason to do it.
An FJ40 has been my daily driver for nearly 20 years beginning with a '71 from '87 til about '95, a '77 from about '95 til '02, and a '76 from '95 til now. My daily drive is a mile back and forth to my office and maybe another mile or two to the grocery, all city streets. All three have gotten about 10-12 mpg in town but without a working odometer who knows for sure, but I don't care anyway! Have they left me stranded?... yeah a couple of times...the '71 with a broken fuel pump about 2 blocks from home and the '76 with a flake of silicone blocking the main jet (don't ask me how it got in there, duh). Insurance is about $325 per year for liability, $250 ded collision, comprehensive.
Is it a good daily driver? For me it is. Do I worry about someone opening their door into me in the parking lot? No, they'll hurt their door worse that they'll hurt mine, or hurt an '80 worse than a '40.! I have a bull bar/grill protector on her and do I worry about jaywalkers or bicycles crossing the street in front of me (I live near and work on a university campus)...nope, in fact bicyclists actually are known to yield well in advance, and college students actually step back up on the curb when they see me coming. Would it be my daily driver for a mile or more on the highway? No, rides too rough on our lousy rutted asphalt interstates (even with OME Dakar springs), too noisy, too gas thirsty.
Going from your '80 to a '40 would be like going from my current-ride Road King to my first Harley, a magneto-ignitioned, kick-start, 6 volt generator elctric system with no turn signals, '59 XLCH (apart in my basement waiting for a restore) or my '76 FXE SuperGlide which my son rides but he's 20 years younger, as far as ride and comfort and ease of operation. But I love 'em all!
Pete
Is it a good daily driver? For me it is. Do I worry about someone opening their door into me in the parking lot? No, they'll hurt their door worse that they'll hurt mine, or hurt an '80 worse than a '40.! I have a bull bar/grill protector on her and do I worry about jaywalkers or bicycles crossing the street in front of me (I live near and work on a university campus)...nope, in fact bicyclists actually are known to yield well in advance, and college students actually step back up on the curb when they see me coming. Would it be my daily driver for a mile or more on the highway? No, rides too rough on our lousy rutted asphalt interstates (even with OME Dakar springs), too noisy, too gas thirsty.
Going from your '80 to a '40 would be like going from my current-ride Road King to my first Harley, a magneto-ignitioned, kick-start, 6 volt generator elctric system with no turn signals, '59 XLCH (apart in my basement waiting for a restore) or my '76 FXE SuperGlide which my son rides but he's 20 years younger, as far as ride and comfort and ease of operation. But I love 'em all!
Pete
food for thought, today when i needed my rig the most she was there. bad rear end (not the cruisers fault
) bad birf seals
,alternater not doing well now.got into a money bind and had to do alot of running.long distance running .now keep in mind all listed above is wrong.my girl ran 80 miles an hour for some time .im proud of the old blue.you can drive a crippled cruiser if in need.but again you must know some wrenching to get along.
) bad birf seals ,alternater not doing well now.got into a money bind and had to do alot of running.long distance running .now keep in mind all listed above is wrong.my girl ran 80 miles an hour for some time .im proud of the old blue.you can drive a crippled cruiser if in need.but again you must know some wrenching to get along.
Poser said:
they guy im having these mods done by had one. so i think he knows.
its pure logic. you rebuild the motor back to stock with a stock car tuned to factory settings and all you get 15 mpg give or take a few
1. you add a overdrive wich lowers the rpms ( in turn saves gas and improves economy by a few more mpg)
2. you add fuel injection wich gives the truck a better cleaner air/ fuel mixture resulting in more power without having to stomp on the gas.
pure logic. plus i know people that drive freeway speeds with the stock motor and carby and get about 15 to 17.
