FJ40 long range use?

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hairy_apple

hairy_apple

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Grass Valley, CA
Anyone here build an "expo" 40? I've pretty much wanted to drive mine across the country on back roads since I bought it. That was actually the idea when I bought it... exploring.

Then most of my friends were into crawling, and the cruiser club I got into was also into crawling and my cruiser got built with that in mind more then exploring dirt roads.

Now I'm finding more and more I want to do some long range multiday stuff. My wife and I love the desert and exploring Nevada and I just want to do it for real finally.

Just wondering if anyone has any cool pictures of how they've set up a 40 for such things.

Once I catch up on a few things, I am going to start a storage area in my 40 and if anyone has any cool ideas/pictures that would be awesome.
 
Do what backpackers and motorcyclists do. Get everything you want to take, spread it out and look at it carefully.......Then divide it in half. I've done long 3 - 4 week trips with my FJ40, the biggest thing is be organized and realistic as to what you need and want.
 
Im not saying you should get one, but the FJ40's I have seen in DV and the SW all had RTT's.
When talking to the owners they say it it makes life easier due to the limited space. One of these rigs also had a 20 gal water tank on the front end and it blended in so well that I did not notice it......
 
Just thinking, but wouldn't a 40 with a RTT, be extremely top heavy. My old 40 was SOA and scarie sometimes. I think the trailer would be a better idea.
 
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A dual tank from northwest metal products, Scat procar seats with their seat bracket (extends an extra 3-inches back from stock), and pack like you are going backpacking and you will be fine.

Have Mark A. or Jim C. tune your carb and make sure you have the carb dialed in after install (14.5 in Hg vacuum and timing set for your altitude). You should get around 14.5 mpg.
 
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I've thought about a RTT but also worry that it might be a bit too top heavy with one. I'm SOA and it's not too bad as it is, but adding weight up high isn't something I would love. I've also thought about a roof rack for light stuff light sleeping bags and whatnot.

I used to have a box in the back that I would have tools and spare parts and such in, with camping gear on top of the box. It worked out well. I am going to build another one out of metal this time so it doesn't rot away like the last one did. Might even put drawers on this one.

I am planning on building a trailer for the times I want to take mores stuff then I can pack into the 40... but I just was wondering what other things people have come up with to get lots of crap into a pretty tiny truck. I'm not always going to want to have a trailer, and am trying to come up with storage ideas for the cruiser it's self.

A long range tank is for sure going to happen, I've been wanting to for a while, even on paved roads that tank is pretty small. I drove my cruiser to Oregon a few years ago and it was annoying how much we had to stop for fuel! Bad mpg, plus small tank is not cool for long drives. I really like the saddle tanks.

I like the idea of a water storage tank, it was something I had wanted to do before I started building it for crawling. A small RV water tank would fit nicely in the back area where a lot of people have the aux fuel tank.

Anyone have any pictures of their 40 during longer trips?
 
Not what you want to hear, but...

Of course an FJ40 can do multi-day long range trips. I've had mine to Death Valley several times for a week and it's possible. It just isn't very good. It's a bit better with the hard top on. It's still too small, too loud, and too rough.

On short trips, the loud rough ride is fine. But when you're travelling day after day, over rough dirt roads, the 40 will wear on you. It's just the nature of it. And that's not to mention the limited space, the cramped leg room, and the inability to sleep inside during bad weather.

A wagon is better at this sort of travel. The longer wheelbase is more comfortable, the extra cargo room is great, and amenities like air conditioning, weather tight interior and adequate heat are hard to beat. The biggest advantage if you like desert travel, is that on the nights the wind comes up and blows 40 mph for 12 hours straight, you will be glad you can sleep inside. Experience this a few times, and you will realize this is not a small advantage.

For long range trips wagons are just better. Not to say you can't have a ton of fun in a 40, but you will enjoy a wagon more.
 
No, I actually kind of am torn between keeping my 55 stock which was the plan, or making it the long range truck and keeping the 40 for harder stuff closer to home.

I am just trying to figure out some kind of a game plan for all these cruisers sitting around that I need to do something with.

The drive up to Oregon a few years ago was one of the most fun things I've done with my cruiser and it just made me think I might love to do more of that and less Rubicon/Fordyce stuff someday.

I do think the wagon would be a lot more practical in a lot of ways, but my 40 is already built and running and driving and the 55 I had wanted to keep stock... and would need a lot of love to get it ready for longer drives.

We'll see... just kicking around ideas.
 
I do with my 40 just what you are wanting to do. For me it would not work with 2 people in the truck but just me it works fine.

In May of this year me and 3 other trucks did a 9 day round trip on the Old Immigrant Trail across Nv into Utah, Idaho & back thru Nv on the old Pony Express Trail. Aprox 1800 miles, 400 on road and aprox 1400 off road...epic for sure.

Never ate in a restaurant, never slept in a tent or motel. Low temps in camp at night ranged from a low of 18 to a high of 32. Slept in a down bag in the front pass seat with my legs under the steering wheel and/or the driver leg room area. Certainly not the best sleeping arrangement...but doable. All my buddies did the same, one was even in a 2 door Rubi. Which actually is better suited for sleeping as the front pass seat reclines.

Obviously you must pack expertly. I carry a TON of gear, tools, parts etc. Have a large wooden box on dr side rear with tools/parts, ARB 40 qt on pass side rear, removed pass side rear jump seat & have a Con Fer box there. Numerous Army bags hanging onto the rear roll bar w/even more 'stuff'.

Con Fer rack on top w/2nd spare and other light stuff, Con Fer gas tank along w/OEM main tank.

If you are able/willing to sleep like that it can work. The same group is planning to do the Old Santa Fe Trail across Az and into NM this next May.

Now would a 60 or 55 be better ? Of course it would. But right now, like you my 40 is better equipped for this type of off road travel. Nxt year will be in the 40 also, but after that trip I plan to get the 60 ready for that type of travel...but the 40 CAN work if you plan and adjust accordingly.

Do it !

Thanks, John
 
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I used to run my 40 much like your describing. I was younger and did not mind the "charm" of the 40's ride qualities. It was easy to get everything two people needed for a week. Only bikes on the roof.

I pulled the rear jump seats. At the time I used a 60qt cooler and a pair of small action packers. One action packer held my dry food goods the other all my cooking gear and other misc stuff. That made for a pretty level layer of gear. Clothes, tent, & sleeping bags on top. Stove and water fit here and there. Everything was pretty stable. I had a Con-a-fer long range tank and it sat on 33's with a OME 2.5" with a SR. It rode good for what it was. Longest trip I took was from SLC to the Canadian boarder.

All through life I've determined you'll fill what ever space you have with crap. If you choose to overland with a 40 you'll adjust to what you really only need. If you go the wagon route you'll just take more stuff you may or may not really need.

I can't see my wife ever choosing to go on a long trip in the 40. But when I get around to rebuilding it, I look forward to some Father/Son long weekends out on the trail with minimal gear.
 
John... that sounds like an amazing trip. Exactly the kind of thing I'm wanting to do. Can't say I'd be too excited about sleeping in he seat though. I've done it a few times.. not a fan. A small tent isn't a large item.. I'm not too worried about the tent.

I just think about how insanely packed and full my cruiser is for Rubicon trips with two people and the bare minimum camping stuff... and if I'm going farther I'd want even more. Plus.. I have a dog now too! haha.

My 7 hour drive to Oregon a few years ago was enough to convince me my cruiser would be... er.. interesting.. on a long tip. Actually, although it was all highway until we got there, it was the most fun I've ever had on a long drive. Ever since then I've just been wanting to do it again only maybe a little more dirt along the way. It was a pretty epic trip even with all the pavement. Learned that a plastic bag will untie it's self if it's flapping in the wind for long enough and your clothes will be spread across highway 5 for God knows how many miles... but man the stars were awesome going over Shasta at midnight with no top.... one of those things I'll never forget.
 
Hairy_Apple, yep it can be done, but for me at least it would be very hard with 2 people. A tent would be a must. On the trip I described, I even brought along a pop up, but never used it. Just didn't want to mess with it. We were always out of camp by 7-7:30 am each day.

With only one in the truck you CAN utilize every square inch. The Army bags are a big help, bags on the roll bar...on both sides. The big box on the driver rear was packed with spare parts and the tools I wanted to have 'just in case' but I was unlikely to need to open up. So on top of that box I packed my every day stuff, like cooking items, water, stove etc. This gave me a sturdy flat surface and fortunately I never had to get into the box.

Rack on top is a big help, but except for the 2nd spare I only used it for the light stuff. On it I placed the pop up tent I never used, bag full super warm clothes & that kind of stuff. I really have to be careful w/top rack as my 40 can get tippy in a hurry. Expert packing is the key to success.

Even w/great packing I don't know how doable this would be with 2 people. By yourself you can really pack & stuff every square inch. Remember that article in the Trails mag a few years back, when Mark told how he removed the front seat of his 45 and stretched full out there ? Be selective of what you bring...and pack it well.

These type of trips are really an adventure & for many, it's the reason we have these rigs. Much more of a challenge with two people, but contrary to what I just said above...select your gear right & pack it right & it can be done & done enjoyably.

John
 
She thinks she's a lap dog... but she's 70lbs. haha. Yeah, I really SHOULD build the clean 55 for this... it makes more sense in a lot of ways.

Part of me is also feeling like I want to keep the 40 safer then it is as a crawler. Almost had a bad flop a few weeks ago and it got me thinking how upset I'd be to destroy me 40 wheeling it hard. I've had it since HS and am pretty attached to it. I have a rusty POS 55 that would be a great start to a wheeler that I could trash and not care about damage and retire the 40 back to dirt road exploring.

We'll see. I've got some longer trips coming up and we'll see if we can work out a system to make the 40 work. If not, I'll start seriously thinking about putting the 2FE I'm putting together for the 40 into the clean 55 instead.
 
John McVicker said:
These type of trips are really an adventure & for many, it's the reason we have these rigs.

John
Click to expand...

Exactly what I've been thinking lately... I need some good adventure in my life! I think driving a 45 year old truck 1000's of miles sounds like it fits that description to me. :)
 
I've been down this road a lot, over many years, with 2 week trips to Utah, Death Valley and similar. A good wagon makes it possible.

I did meet a guy once who took out the passenger seat on his 40, then built a platform so he had a 6 foot long space to put his sleeping bag and sleep out of the weather. It can work.

There's also Radio Dave, who has a nice 40 with a roof top tent and he makes that work on extended trips. That's your best option if you are determined to use your 40 on extended adventures.

For me, I like to go to Utah every year, and Death Valley every year, and for that, a wagon just fits my needs better. I can even bring my medium sized (45 pound) springer spaniel. That would be tough in a 40. Why not try it and see how it works out? Then you'll understand more than you do now, and it might work for you just fine.
 
Yep. Like I said, we are going to try a few longer trips in the 40 in the next few months and either we'll figure out a system to make it work, or we'll come home from the first one and start tearing into the 55!
 
I don't see how you'll safely contain a 70lb dog plus gear in a 40. Build the 55.

<<<Porter is 90lbs, he generally rides in the cargo area of the 80 along with the fridge. I can then put gear in the middle. I've done the opposite too where I loaded the gear in the back up to the ceiling then let Porter have the back seat. I have a platform built for him so heavy stuff like tools and recovery gear is safely stowed below him. I can get my two small action packers under there too. Generally I don't carry a lot of spare parts. I simply try to keep the truck very well maintained rather than guess what I might break.
 
Wow, I totally forgot that my dad drove his 40 from San Jose to Alaska... I should talk to him about what he did for storage and how they got all they needed in there. That's a pretty long haul in a cruiser... granted, his cruiser was only 7 or 8 years old when he did it.. but still.
 
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