After much thought and consideration, I have finally realized that the time has come to part with my FJ40. We had great times together, at many TLCA events in Tellico, Moab, the Rubicon, and Black Hills, not to mention uncountable local runs. But, between the passing of my best friend and trail buddy, as well as the closing of Tellico, I've just lost that fire. The truck is listed on Ebay (item 281020819991). Here is a brief history as posted:
This fully built Rock Crawling FJ40 is the real deal. It's been featured in the Advance Adapters Catalog (page xx), and has appeared in numerous Toyota Trails magazine articles and the Venezuelan Rautas magazine. She has conquered the best of the best: Little Sluice, Big Sluice, and the entire Rubicon in both directions. In Moab, she made easy work of Pritchett Canyon, Hells Revenge, Mickey's Hot Tub, and Golden Spike. At the Black Hills Cruiser Classic in South Dakota, she proved her “rock surfing” prowess . Here in the east, she mastered the best that Tellico could offer including Helicopter Pad, Slick-rock, School Bus, Lower Two, and Guard Rail. If you're looking for a pretty-boy truck, you'd better check another auction, if you're looking for an incredibly capable off-road rig with a proven record that still turns heads in town on a Friday night, this classic FJ40 is your ticket.
I built her in 1995 with the best components that Toyota offered in the Land Cruiser line, starting with a rust free CA body and frame. The first step was a body off frame refinish, sandblasting the entire assembly and re-coating with top-of-the-line PPG epoxy primer and urethane top coat. For strength, the front fenders are constructed of 1-1/2" DOM tubing, then painted to match the body. The build progressed with a spring-over-axle suspension, Rancho RS9000 shocks, and rear anti-wrap bar. Axle housings from a 1979 FJ40 are fitted with ARB Air Lockers and CV Unlimited Newfield front axle joints. Differentials are the desirable 4.11 ratio fine-spline pinion variety, the front from a 1978 FJ40 and the rear from a 1994 FZJ80. The braking system has been upgraded to 4 wheel power disc brakes. She currently rides on 37x12.50x15 Goodyear MTR tires, easily controlled with a GM power steering conversion.
A Chevy 5.7L TBI motor provides power, which runs through a New Process NP435 transmission to a FJ40 transfer case with 2.3:1 low range. Tom Woods custom driveshafts carry power to the axles. With the 6.9 first gear in this transmission, this drivetrain results in a 65:1 crawl ratio. Cooling is handled by a new FJ40 radiator and Flex-a-lite Black Magic electric fan.
In the unlikely event that she gets stuck, recovery is quick and reliable with the venerable Warn 8274 winch (upgraded with a genuine Warn 4hp motor) and 4 frame mounted recovery shackles.
Inside, she has been fitted with a full family cage constructed of of 2”x.125 DOM tubing for safety, and Honda Prelude seats for comfort. Tunes are handled by Kenwood, and communications by Cobra 29LTD CB installed in a custom center console. A rear bench seat provides room for 4, and a rear storage box houses your spares and tools – complimented by a drop down tailgate with internal storage for recovery gear.
For weather protection, this package includes a factory hard top and doors, and a soft top with hard half -doors. When the weather is nice, she runs soft half-doors and a bikini top, or no top at all. That's 3 tops and 3 sets of doors.
This magnificent ride is not a garage queen. She has challenged and conquered some of the toughest rock crawling trails in the country. The body and frame are in great shape, but there are trail scars (or trophies) to show her experience. There are only 3 small spots of rust to show for the last 17 years of life, one on the LR fender and two at the rear corners of the body. All are easily repairable and in no way affect the structural integrity of the body.
As with all serious rigs, she comes supplied with trail spares: tie rod, drag link, tie rod ends, serpentine belt, fuel injection control components, and a complete transfer case.
This fully built Rock Crawling FJ40 is the real deal. It's been featured in the Advance Adapters Catalog (page xx), and has appeared in numerous Toyota Trails magazine articles and the Venezuelan Rautas magazine. She has conquered the best of the best: Little Sluice, Big Sluice, and the entire Rubicon in both directions. In Moab, she made easy work of Pritchett Canyon, Hells Revenge, Mickey's Hot Tub, and Golden Spike. At the Black Hills Cruiser Classic in South Dakota, she proved her “rock surfing” prowess . Here in the east, she mastered the best that Tellico could offer including Helicopter Pad, Slick-rock, School Bus, Lower Two, and Guard Rail. If you're looking for a pretty-boy truck, you'd better check another auction, if you're looking for an incredibly capable off-road rig with a proven record that still turns heads in town on a Friday night, this classic FJ40 is your ticket.
I built her in 1995 with the best components that Toyota offered in the Land Cruiser line, starting with a rust free CA body and frame. The first step was a body off frame refinish, sandblasting the entire assembly and re-coating with top-of-the-line PPG epoxy primer and urethane top coat. For strength, the front fenders are constructed of 1-1/2" DOM tubing, then painted to match the body. The build progressed with a spring-over-axle suspension, Rancho RS9000 shocks, and rear anti-wrap bar. Axle housings from a 1979 FJ40 are fitted with ARB Air Lockers and CV Unlimited Newfield front axle joints. Differentials are the desirable 4.11 ratio fine-spline pinion variety, the front from a 1978 FJ40 and the rear from a 1994 FZJ80. The braking system has been upgraded to 4 wheel power disc brakes. She currently rides on 37x12.50x15 Goodyear MTR tires, easily controlled with a GM power steering conversion.
A Chevy 5.7L TBI motor provides power, which runs through a New Process NP435 transmission to a FJ40 transfer case with 2.3:1 low range. Tom Woods custom driveshafts carry power to the axles. With the 6.9 first gear in this transmission, this drivetrain results in a 65:1 crawl ratio. Cooling is handled by a new FJ40 radiator and Flex-a-lite Black Magic electric fan.
In the unlikely event that she gets stuck, recovery is quick and reliable with the venerable Warn 8274 winch (upgraded with a genuine Warn 4hp motor) and 4 frame mounted recovery shackles.
Inside, she has been fitted with a full family cage constructed of of 2”x.125 DOM tubing for safety, and Honda Prelude seats for comfort. Tunes are handled by Kenwood, and communications by Cobra 29LTD CB installed in a custom center console. A rear bench seat provides room for 4, and a rear storage box houses your spares and tools – complimented by a drop down tailgate with internal storage for recovery gear.
For weather protection, this package includes a factory hard top and doors, and a soft top with hard half -doors. When the weather is nice, she runs soft half-doors and a bikini top, or no top at all. That's 3 tops and 3 sets of doors.
This magnificent ride is not a garage queen. She has challenged and conquered some of the toughest rock crawling trails in the country. The body and frame are in great shape, but there are trail scars (or trophies) to show her experience. There are only 3 small spots of rust to show for the last 17 years of life, one on the LR fender and two at the rear corners of the body. All are easily repairable and in no way affect the structural integrity of the body.
As with all serious rigs, she comes supplied with trail spares: tie rod, drag link, tie rod ends, serpentine belt, fuel injection control components, and a complete transfer case.
