FJ40 as daily driver?

[Cruiserdrew]

pure logic. plus i know people that drive freeway speeds with the stock motor and carby and get about 15 to 17.

These people you know are lying to you! It really is pointless to discuss Land Cruisers and fuel efficiency, gasoline ones, anyway. They are all bad, that's normal.

I drive a 5 speed 2F powered Land Cruiser all the time, and at best gets 14 or so.

 

[okie]

These people you know are lying to you! It really is pointless to discuss Land Cruisers and fuel efficiency, gasoline ones, anyway. They are all bad, that's normal.

I drive a 5 speed 2F powered Land Cruiser all the time, and at best gets 14 or so.

thats cool because around town without the 5 speed i get about the same.I have a stock rebuilt carby and a 77 2f

just depends on how well everything runs i guess. It truly is a joy to drive these things everyday though. I love how short mine is and how it just zips around. very cool.

Lets all let the man find out for himself shall we?

 

[Brian in Oregon]

I'd have to answer with a qualified "maybe".

The noise doesn't bother me. My 71 pickup is louder, and I used to daily drive a 69 Cobra that drowned out nearly everything else on the road.

The stiff ride doesn't bother me. In fact, it really isn't that harsh at all, unless you go over something like a speed bump. Yeah, the driver's seat ain't a lumbar seat. I admit you can get spoiled on those in a hurry if you have lumbar disc problems (which I do).

The gas mileage is subjective. It would depend on how far the commute is. If short, then no sweat. If long, well, I think it wouldn't be long before I'd be driving something more economical.

Clutch. I don't mind shifting, but I'd rather do it off road. I just don't like the wear and tear that commuting puts on a clutch. If I was driving an FJ40 as a daily driver, I'd prefer it to have an automatic.

Exposure to other vehicles, theft, etc. As mentioned in a far earlier post, this is a very real consideration. The more you drive, the greater your risk of being hit. So you simply increase the chance of the 40 getting hit. If a short commute, I wouldn't worry.

General wear and tear. Would you rather be wheelin' or fixin'?

Ideally, I think if you are going to drive a long commute in an FJ40, it's best to have two - an urban 40 set up for maximum economy (which still ain't a whopping lot) and a 40 set up for offroading.

 

[brian]

The 40 was designed more for off-road use: the early models were never designed to go 70MPH and they never really got that refined.
Max

early ads, dating back to fj25 claimed "80mph all day long".

i also do not beleive that the 40 was designed more for off road than on. it just happened to be better off road than just about anything else of the time.
the 40 was designed merely along the lines of trucks of the day(late 50's early 60's), heavy duty and with bare and simple interiors.
i see it more as a work truck, that happens to be 4wd.
in it's day it would run on the road just as good as anything else there. in the 60's and 70's how fast did people drive? i was'nt there but i doubt that 80 was the normal, as it seems to be today.

 

[okie]

early ads, dating back to fj25 claimed "80mph all day long".

i also do not beleive that the 40 was designed more for off road than on. it just happened to be better off road than just about anything else of the time.
the 40 was designed merely along the lines of trucks of the day(late 50's early 60's), heavy duty and with bare and simple interiors.
i see it more as a work truck, that happens to be 4wd.
in it's day it would run on the road just as good as anything else there. in the 60's and 70's how fast did people drive? i was'nt there but i doubt that 80 was the normal, as it seems to be today.

yea the 40 in the day was actually more luxury than the average truck and mroe expensive because of all its options. they definatly were meant to be used as a work truck. they are tough

 

[Diescipel]

You may get a lot of differing responses to this one.

But, IMHO, the FJ40 makes a poor daily driver.

* They are simple trucks but constant daily use is going to wear stuff out.
* They are not great on the highway as a commuter: poor mileage, bouncy handling, lousy aerodynamics and very noisy. Forget listing to the stereo at highway speeds.
* They are not great in city traffic.
* They could become a target for thieves if they are out and about everywhere. They are easy to break into.
* They are just not that comfortable to sit in for long periods or constant use. It gets worse the taller you are.

But, IMHO, the FJ40 makes a GREAT second or third car!

* Nice to drive around in the summer with the top off.
* Great 4x4 off-road rig, perhaps the best ever made.
* Great rig to take camping, fishing etc.
* Are more fun when driven recreationally. All the negatives I listed don't seem that bad when you are having fun.
* Superb platform if you desire to build a serious wheeling truck.

In the end it is hard to build a 40 that is great on the highway, is comfortable, is quiet, and excels on the trail. Its possible to get close but it takes cash and effort. Most 40 owners make up their mind and face the choice: is the truck going to be mainly a serious 4x4 off-road rig or is it going to be comfortable, tarmac friendly show piece that hardly ever sees any low range off-road use?

The 40 was designed more for off-road use: the early models were never designed to go 70MPH and they never really got that refined. Gas prices are already way high but they could go way higher. So, for daily driving or commuting I would buy something else. If you really want a 40 then try to mainly use it for fun: you will enjoy it way more...

Cheers,

Max

I didn't read the whole thread but this is the first link I agreed with/was very thorough, so I will x2 it.

Things are a little different with a BJ42 as I get well over 20 mpg. My parabolic springs are gradually breaking in, and while they are not as forgiving as the ride on my old FJ60, it's a huge improvement over stock. I have done very long drives and as long as I wear earplugs and get out and walk around every couple hours it's ok. For short commutes it's fine. And yes I can listen to the radio on the freeway thanks to some custom insulation, even though it is a diesel.

.02


B

 

[TRAILTOYZ]

"Owning a 40 is almost like having an ugly child, with a really good personality."

 

[spdwaver]

Mine is driven every day.

However: It is like owning a bi-plane with an open cockpit as opposed to a leer-jet. Or, it is like riding a Harley vs. a Honda Goldwing.


I will stick with my bi-plane.

 

[Blackhawkdesign]

Having driven mine as a daily driver for 10 years, I can say this. If more than 8 people you know have seen you broken down on the side of the road... not good. That said, as I am sure everyone will attest to... it depends on the vehicle, what condition it is in when you get it, what you plan to do to it, and what your miles are. My commute was 45 mins each way. Most of my issues were electrical as you are dealing with a wiring harness that is 35 years old, ... old rubber and copper. Retired it as a daily driver and got a commuter car, now I can focus on a rebuild

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

5 year thread bump ftl.

 

[antFJ]

drive mine almost every day... i can say that after a fresh frame off i can see its value deteriorate almost every day.. whether its that chip in the paint from the truck in front of me.. or that one day i get caught in the rain. but i built it to drive it so thats what i do

i would argue that if you want one to be a DD you will probably spend the same amount of money on gas and general up keep of a 30 year vehicle as you would on new car payments on some fuel efficient car

 

[Roboosfj40s]

Interesting subject indeed. I am 57 years old and my 40 is our only vehicle. No A/C, does have Saginaw, no radio, leaks like a siv when it rains which it is monsoon season now. 2F stock, 3 speed on the floor. Don't have a clue about MPG or KPL and could care less. It is our daily driver and it sits on a 4" lift with 33's. All I know is yes it is a bitch to drive in heavy traffic and the traffic here is the worst I have ever seen around cities and I have lived in 6 countries. But all in all when the s*** hits the fan here I can go and get in it within common sense reasoning of course, don't intend to drive into a volcano lol! What I learned in life is; It is what you make it. If you wanna complain and bitch about ride and comfort then you will. If you wanna accept whatever gets thrown at you then you can I am an old Army Airborne Paratrooper and Vietnam Veteran. My rig is a lot like me, old a little rusty, loud, hot, stands out in a crowd, remember average height here is 5'-2" haa haa I'm 6'-2". Everything works and is much easier and less costly to repair than my 2006 Toyota Pre-runner I had in the states that had every available bell and whistle on it. You know, I don't really miss the comfort and regardless what I do I can depend on it. It boils down to what you want to put up with in anything you do. I have had the big houses, new 4x4 trucks every two to three years. New cars for the ex and money in the bank. Now? I have my wife and my 40 and could never be happier. Oooppppss drifted off the main subject, sorry. I vote 40's for DD's depending where you live and your accustomed life style oh and gas here is about $2.52 a gallon for premium . Floods, typhoons and earth quakes are common here so my 40 will most likely out last me coz she gets a lot more maintenance and attention lol! and drive on!

 

[shelfboy1]

fj40s have been my dd for 40 years i geuss i dont know any better.to me they have no issues.but i live in a small town.

 

[jmdaniel]

You may get a lot of differing responses to this one.

But, IMHO, the FJ40 makes a poor daily driver.

* They are simple trucks but constant daily use is going to wear stuff out.
* They are not great on the highway as a commuter: poor mileage, bouncy handling, lousy aerodynamics and very noisy. Forget listing to the stereo at highway speeds.
* They are not great in city traffic.
* They could become a target for thieves if they are out and about everywhere. They are easy to break into.
* They are just not that comfortable to sit in for long periods or constant use. It gets worse the taller you are.

But, IMHO, the FJ40 makes a GREAT second or third car!

* Nice to drive around in the summer with the top off.
* Great 4x4 off-road rig, perhaps the best ever made.
* Great rig to take camping, fishing etc.
* Are more fun when driven recreationally. All the negatives I listed don't seem that bad when you are having fun.
* Superb platform if you desire to build a serious wheeling truck.

In the end it is hard to build a 40 that is great on the highway, is comfortable, is quiet, and excels on the trail. Its possible to get close but it takes cash and effort. Most 40 owners make up their mind and face the choice: is the truck going to be mainly a serious 4x4 off-road rig or is it going to be comfortable, tarmac friendly show piece that hardly ever sees any low range off-road use?

The 40 was designed more for off-road use: the early models were never designed to go 70MPH and they never really got that refined. Gas prices are already way high but they could go way higher. So, for daily driving or commuting I would buy something else. If you really want a 40 then try to mainly use it for fun: you will enjoy it way more...

Cheers,

Max

Great advice!

 

[jmdaniel]

Seems like a big variable (besides personal taste) is how far you drive every day, and in what kind of conditions?

Exactly. Mine is a great DD, because I work out of the house!

 

[Tboner]

I've been DD mine for 7 months now at least when it's not raining. It's got the original 2F, and original Aisin carb. It gets about 12 mpg. I put 50 + - miles a day on it. It's a noisy vehicle for sure perticularly without the top on. But I don't give a rats ass about noise. That's part of the 40's coolness. As far as a being able to hear the stereo...well you just got to have enough stereo.

 

[weagle99]

5 year thread bump ftl.

I concur.

 

[mustardfj40]

My FJ40 was the daily driver for most of the Summer last year, this Summer I only drive it a few day a week.

- Insurance is inexpensive
- Gas MPG is lousy, I think I got about 10 or less.
- It's loud. Max speed is about 60mph.
- Handling is crap compared to my Nissan Z

But, I got people come and strike a conversation with me all the times, couple weeks back a dude ask if I want to sell it. Little and big kids love it.

It has it own parking spot:

 

[Pighead]

No. FJ40s suck as daily drivers.
An FJ55, on the other hand, makes a great daily driver.

 

[antFJ]

My FJ40 was the daily driver for most of the Summer last year, this Summer I only drive it a few day a week.

- Insurance is inexpensive
- Gas MPG is lousy, I think I got about 10 or less.
- It's loud. Max speed is about 60mph.
- Handling is crap compared to my Nissan Z

But, I got people come and strike a conversation with me all the times, couple weeks back a dude ask if I want to sell it. Little and big kids love it.

It has it own parking spot:

its funny you say the handling sucks comapred to your nissan.. i think its the other way around for me.. i hate the way my nissan handles but love the 40's stock steering