FJ55 on road performance (Speed without strain?)

[WarDamnEagle]

I think, as others have said, going to 33" tires helps a lot with top-end speed but you need would need some lift to run that size. I don't have any issue with 65 and can maintain 70+ but the drivetrain is pretty loud at that speed.

 

[esbuff1978]

You could utilize the down time by practicing valve adjusting.
Do you have the crank handle (that came with all 55s and is kept under the rear seat)?

I have it…but it is broken in half. Now I am curious…what does that handle have to do with adjusting the valves?

 

[esbuff1978]

My truck is from Venezuela. The distributor and the amount of open ports on the intake is about the main differences. It has one for booster. That’s it. There is two vacuum lines on the carb one is to the vacuum advance (above the throttle plate by idle adjustment) and one is on the choke breaker (below throttle plate opposite side). I’m working on installing the fuel tank venting because that was all removed at some point and it doesn’t like full tanks. The head doesn’t have air injection ports even machined into it. They were never drilled.

My tank has been split in half for an unknown reason. Wether it was original to the truck I don’t know that either. It had the 4 ports on one side another vent port on the front passenger corner and a larger vent by the filler.

I wound up struggling to find another and took what I could get. So the same tank you have is what I wound up with and is in my truck running now but not vented.

Does it look like this? If so this the tank that was supposed to be on my vehicle, but it appears mine was changed to an older version by the previous owner

 

[White Stripe]

Even if you get it running well it's going to be slow. The f motor only has like 120hp if in good shape. Yes families drove fj55 land cruisers...slowly. plus the speed limit back then was less than now. I've always wanted a 55, but they are more work than I care to take on. I stay away from 55s and 60 series cruisers. Not that I don't like them, I just don't like the work it takes to own one.

 

[sogncab]

what does that handle have to do with adjusting the valves?

Easy way to turn the engine over to get the cam in the correct place to adjust valves. Or at least that's what I assume he's getting at.

 

[esbuff1978]

Even if you get it running well it's going to be slow. The f motor only has like 120hp if in good shape. Yes families drove fj55 land cruisers...slowly. plus the speed limit back then was less than now. I've always wanted a 55, but they are more work than I care to take on. I stay away from 55s and 60 series cruisers. Not that I don't like them, I just don't like the work it takes to own one.

I’m pretty fortunate that mine is in what I consider really good shape. I am enjoying the process of learning the vehicle, tinkering with it, and slowly getting her back in top shape.

I do t imagine I will keep it all “original” at least mechanically. Visually I will try to keep it as period as possible, but I am sure there will be some variation.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

I’m pretty fortunate that mine is in what I consider really good shape. I am enjoying the process of learning the vehicle, tinkering with it, and slowly getting her back in top shape.

I do t imagine I will keep it all “original” at least mechanically. Visually I will try to keep it as period as possible, but I am sure there will be some variation.

How about some photos? I'm assuming by "good shape" it's not rusted to hell and has a nice interior.

Since you're not entirely committed to original mechanically , replacing the engine and transmission with something newer and more powerful is a consideration if the performance is still found to be seriously wanting after a tuneup. Of course, that's BIG bucks. If the engine is sound, I'd go with the small lift and 33" tires suggested already.

Perhaps you could strip down the interior to add soundproofing on the floors and firewall for a slightly quieter ride.

 

[esbuff1978]

How about some photos? I'm assuming by "good shape" it's not rusted to hell and has a nice interior.

Since you're not entirely committed to original mechanically , replacing the engine and transmission with something newer and more powerful is a consideration if the performance is still found to be seriously wanting after a tuneup. Of course, that's BIG bucks. If the engine is sound, I'd go with the small lift and 33" tires suggested already.

Perhaps you could strip down the interior to add soundproofing on the floors and firewall for a slightly quieter ride.

How about some photos? I'm assuming by "good shape" it's not rusted to hell and has a nice interior.

Since you're not entirely committed to original mechanically , replacing the engine and transmission with something newer and more powerful is a consideration if the performance is still found to be seriously wanting after a tuneup. Of course, that's BIG bucks. If the engine is sound, I'd go with the small lift and 33" tires suggested already.

Perhaps you could strip down the interior to add soundproofing on the floors and firewall for a slightly quieter ride.

How about some photos? I'm assuming by "good shape" it's not rusted to hell and has a nice interior.

Since you're not entirely committed to original mechanically , replacing the engine and transmission with something newer and more powerful is a consideration if the performance is still found to be seriously wanting after a tuneup. Of course, that's BIG bucks. If the engine is sound, I'd go with the small lift and 33" tires suggested already.

Perhaps you could strip down the interior to add soundproofing on the floors and firewall for a slightly quieter ride.

 

[esbuff1978]

View attachment 2991239View attachment 2991240View attachment 2991242View attachment 2991244View attachment 2991245

 

[esbuff1978]

View attachment 2991246View attachment 2991247

Hmmm

This last one is the worst spot on the whole rig. Just under a drip rail. There are some other spots, but this is the only concerning one. Overall I would rate it in pretty good condition.

 

[65swb45]

Looks like a FJ40 coolant bottle bracket under your hood.