Fj40 Steering etc....

[Buffchief]

I just wanted to post my view on my Fj40 steering etc... apposed to what I've read over time.....
I've read many post about people having an issue with their Fj40 steering issues from wobbles, to drifting , scared to drive it over 50 , dangerous etc...
I was concerned with all the different views I've read and heard while restoring my 40. I was optimistically concerned that after dumping so much $$$$ into it that I wouldn't be happy and all would be wasted. Seems like many people absolutely have a fear of driving it far or at highway speeds 55-75 for long distances if at all!?
With me, I have completed rebuilt my steering knuckles/axles , tie rods, power steering gear box, pump, adjusted the slack in the box, aligned/centered the steering wheel, new bushing and bearings in the column, aligned the front end after my lift with the correct angles shims front and rear , caster, toe in, bushings in the leaf springs, axle U-bolts , u joints etc.... running BFG 33x10.50x15 MUDs KM3's on the original steelies. I'm here to tell you, this thing drives straight and true with absolutely zero wobble, drifting and I have zero concern with driving it on the Interstate with traffic. I do stay in the right lane because I don't try and keep up with the normal 70-90 mph drivers around here but I absolutely have no concern with driving it. I can take my hand off the wheel and it tracks straight and true. It's a bit loud at highway speeds and I'm not fully sure I don't have a pinion bearing going bad (seams loud and a bit grumbly at 60+) will work that next to sort it out.
My point, I think that many people are just fixing parts a little at a time or not at all or possibly incorrectly and not according to the FSM etc ... All these little things add up and if not corrected add up to a lot of play that can and will cause the cruiser to be non enjoyable to drive and definitely a concern on the highway. I had failed to put the corrective shims on my front axle after installing a 4" HFS lift and 33's and drive it and it scared the she-at out of me at anything above 40 mph. Digging around here on mud inlightened me and my failures with corrective actions.
I love it and enjoying the ride!!
That's my 2¢ worth
On to the pinion,........

 

[JMZ400]

I just wanted to post my view on my Fj40 steering etc... apposed to what I've read over time.....
I've read many post about people having an issue with their Fj40 steering issues from wobbles, to drifting , scared to drive it over 50 , dangerous etc...
I was concerned with all the different views I've read and heard while restoring my 40. I was optimistically concerned that after dumping so much $$$$ into it that I wouldn't be happy and all would be wasted. Seems like many people absolutely have a fear of driving it far or at highway speeds 55-75 for long distances if at all!?
With me, I have completed rebuilt my steering knuckles/axles , tie rods, power steering gear box, pump, adjusted the slack in the box, aligned/centered the steering wheel, new bushing and bearings in the column, aligned the front end after my lift with the correct angles shims front and rear , caster, toe in, bushings in the leaf springs, axle U-bolts , u joints etc.... running BFG 33x10.50x15 MUDs KM3's on the original steelies. I'm here to tell you, this thing drives straight and true with absolutely zero wobble, drifting and I have zero concern with driving it on the Interstate with traffic. I do stay in the right lane because I don't try and keep up with the normal 70-90 mph drivers around here but I absolutely have no concern with driving it. I can take my hand off the wheel and it tracks straight and true. It's a bit loud at highway speeds and I'm not fully sure I don't have a pinion bearing going bad (seams loud and a bit grumbly at 60+) will work that next to sort it out.
My point, I think that many people are just fixing parts a little at a time or not at all or possibly incorrectly and not according to the FSM etc ... All these little things add up and if not corrected add up to a lot of play that can and will cause the cruiser to be non enjoyable to drive and definitely a concern on the highway. I had failed to put the corrective shims on my front axle after installing a 4" HFS lift and 33's and drive it and it scared the she-at out of me at anything above 40 mph. Digging around here on mud inlightened me and my failures with corrective actions.
I love it and enjoying the ride!!
That's my 2¢ worth
On to the pinion,........

View attachment 4044748

That's great to hear. I just rebuilt my leaking power steering box. I'd say I still have about the same amount of play, but I can't reach the adjustment screw because of the exhaust. I haven't tackled any of the remaining steering components so I'm not tweaking anything else just yet. Mine too tracks straight as an arrow despite having been in an accident prior to my ownership. So straight that it has me scared to take anything apart or install the 2.5" lift I've been sitting on for about 4 years for fear of messing something up.

 

[EWheeler]

I just wanted to post my view on my Fj40 steering etc... apposed to what I've read over time.....
I've read many post about people having an issue with their Fj40 steering issues from wobbles, to drifting , scared to drive it over 50 , dangerous etc...
I was concerned with all the different views I've read and heard while restoring my 40. I was optimistically concerned that after dumping so much $$$$ into it that I wouldn't be happy and all would be wasted. Seems like many people absolutely have a fear of driving it far or at highway speeds 55-75 for long distances if at all!?
With me, I have completed rebuilt my steering knuckles/axles , tie rods, power steering gear box, pump, adjusted the slack in the box, aligned/centered the steering wheel, new bushing and bearings in the column, aligned the front end after my lift with the correct angles shims front and rear , caster, toe in, bushings in the leaf springs, axle U-bolts , u joints etc.... running BFG 33x10.50x15 MUDs KM3's on the original steelies. I'm here to tell you, this thing drives straight and true with absolutely zero wobble, drifting and I have zero concern with driving it on the Interstate with traffic. I do stay in the right lane because I don't try and keep up with the normal 70-90 mph drivers around here but I absolutely have no concern with driving it. I can take my hand off the wheel and it tracks straight and true. It's a bit loud at highway speeds and I'm not fully sure I don't have a pinion bearing going bad (seams loud and a bit grumbly at 60+) will work that next to sort it out.
My point, I think that many people are just fixing parts a little at a time or not at all or possibly incorrectly and not according to the FSM etc ... All these little things add up and if not corrected add up to a lot of play that can and will cause the cruiser to be non enjoyable to drive and definitely a concern on the highway. I had failed to put the corrective shims on my front axle after installing a 4" HFS lift and 33's and drive it and it scared the she-at out of me at anything above 40 mph. Digging around here on mud inlightened me and my failures with corrective actions.
I love it and enjoying the ride!!
That's my 2¢ worth
On to the pinion,........

View attachment 4044748

BEAUTIFUL 40.

 

[fjwagon]

In my opinion,,the steering system is designed in a such way that the steering wheel does not take off on its own when you run into a deep rut or side-swap a huge rock while rock crawling. Seems to behave similar to a fulcrum which at the end, the steering wheel does not take off and bust your knuckles. They were not design to drive 65 mph on the highway but that is what has happened. The fj60 is more geared for highway driving including the steering system. But both are designed and are capable to absorb awkward situations while in the trails.

 

[pbgbottle]

Mine drives straight as an arrow also. But I have Saginaw box up front and addressed all know issues and went with a custom highsteer setup from 4x4 labs. Lost of the slop comes from bumps steer because of the drag link not being level after a lift and also after a lift if you rock the steering wheel back and forth you can see the tiered try to rotate around on the draglink which causes excessive slop and wondering. When the tie rod and draglink are parallel. They do not try to rotate around each other which then gives a tighter more responsive feel to the steering wheel. I think that’s what everything is called. Haha been awhile since I looked up the names of the steering rods.

 

[DangerNoodle]

Toyota gave these a about .0002° of caster. Some shims or a cut and turn, along with new rod ends can do amazing things.

 

[Skreddy]

I have a 40 and a 60. I’ve had my 40 to 90 mph with 1 loose hand on the wheel. I pass people on the freeway in my daily driver 60 (granted I need run up room), but gps shows well over the speed limit and 1 hand on the wheel. I see so many posts about how these things are a chore to drive, weekends only, not cut out for DD duty, etc.

A properly configured 40 or 60, driven where it wants and not shifted at 2000 rpm will not disappoint. When these were new, people drove them across the country or wherever they needed to go, same as mustangs, Camaros, F100’s etc.

Your 40 looks fantastic @Buffchief! I’m really glad you aren’t disappointed because you shouldn’t be! And it’s probably my favorite 40 green! This, coming from a “Blue” guy.

 

[Buffchief]

BEAUTIFUL 40.

Thank you!

 

[Buffchief]

In my opinion,,the steering system is designed in a such way that the steering wheel does not take off on its own when you run into a deep rut or side-swap a huge rock while rock crawling. Seems to behave similar to a fulcrum which at the end, the steering wheel does not take off and bust your knuckles. They were not design to drive 65 mph on the highway but that is what has happened. The fj60 is more geared for highway driving including the steering system. But both are designed and are capable to absorb awkward situations while in the trails.

I get it, it's not designed to be nor do I want a speed demon but it will easily get up to 60-65 and work its way to 75+ if I desire to but common sense to me is it's not happy at that high RPM with I believe 4:11's in the axle. But my point is it's very stable even up at that speed even over some of the crazy pumper roads in Louisiana!! Yeah she's somewhat stiff and a bit bouncy with the short wheel base but really no different than my 88 Jeep I had new with a lift and 35's before they got all fancy and stretched with friggin ducks on the dash!

 

[Buffchief]

I have a 40 and a 60. I’ve had my 40 to 90 mph with 1 loose hand on the wheel. I pass people on the freeway in my daily driver 60 (granted I need run up room), but gps shows well over the speed limit and 1 hand on the wheel. I see so many posts about how these things are a chore to drive, weekends only, not cut out for DD duty, etc.

A properly configured 40 or 60, driven where it wants and not shifted at 2000 rpm will not disappoint. When these were new, people drove them across the country or wherever they needed to go, same as mustangs, Camaros, F100’s etc.

Your 40 looks fantastic @Buffchief! I’m really glad you aren’t disappointed because you shouldn’t be! And it’s probably my favorite 40 green! This, coming from a “Blue” guy.

Thank you, I wanted something a bit different than what I usually see if and when I see one around these parts. Red or Tan. I love those colors (actually all of them) but needed a stand alone plus the wife loves it!

 

[charliemeyer007]

You know the airdynamics for an FJ-40 has a lot in common with a brick. Have you heard of vortex shedding? Galloping Gertie aka the Tacoma Narrows Bridge is a great video.

Way back in the late 1990's early 2000's I did some design work to put a clip on extended front end on so I could fly a wing about 5' in front of the bumper to help the gas mileage/stability. I also did electric an electric turret because of well, the joy of design.

 

[fjwagon]

If properly maintained, they do handle very well, too many components for some people. It is easy to over look something or diagnose the wrong part. Don't blame them for modifying it. I have a 45 and it handles like a tractor, I'm in 3rd gear by the time I get done making a turn at an intersection. It handles well on the highway. I once had 74 40, it felt like driving like a tractor too. The speed limit was 55 when I got a hold of them. The 82 was my daily driver. It handled well on the highway driving 65-70 but I usually kept it around 65 with 5 speed tranny. I do remember one time when I purchased a 76 40 and It came with a bunch spare parts. I found a factory steering stabilizer and I was curious as to why it was in the box of stuff. So I removed and replaced it with the spare on a 75 with 33's. I test drove it down the street. At 40 mph I quickly understood what they ment when they talked about getting a "death wobble". The fj40 shook like something was about to break. It scared the living daylights. I could not stop fast enough it was very scary. And just because it handles well does not mean you should go fast. I'm definitely showing age.lol.

 

[Buffchief]

You know the airdynamics for an FJ-40 has a lot in common with a brick. Have you heard of vortex shedding? Galloping Gertie aka the Tacoma Narrows Bridge is a great video.

Way back in the late 1990's early 2000's I did some design work to put a clip on extended front end on so I could fly a wing about 5' in front of the bumper to help the gas mileage/stability. I also did electric an electric turret because of well, the joy of design.

Sounds like some aerospace engineering fun!!

 

[charliemeyer007]

 

[asu4runner]

my 75 fj40 is in good shape, as far as steering components. i will say, running manual steering is what keeps me from longer trips in it. even with everything in spec, manual steering is only as smooth as the roads. uneven pavement and potholes, cracks, etc and she likes to follow the path of least resistance. just the normal woes of driving a tractor on the street. ive got a few "long hauls" but even they were only 3 hours. definitely a forearm workout in the ozark mountains. OP, gorgeous truck man.

 

[fjwagon]

my 75 fj40 is in good shape, as far as steering components. i will say, running manual steering is what keeps me from longer trips in it.

I hear you brother, they are easy to convert to power steering. There are several popular options, Saginaw, fj60 l, mini truck/pedetsal or scout international. I perfer the factory route(either purchase the fj40 version or get donor parts from a 4x4 83 toyota and a fj40 casing(not sure if you can still get those). And the steering is shortershaft(cannot get those any more) but it can be modified. Looks better and easier to do it just cost more. But if you do it yourself it's not a bad upgrade.