From Indy to Philly: Fetching the FJ40

[Korey]

I've technically been the owner of a '74 FJ40 for a couple of days now (see thread https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/733296-soon-new-owner-74-fj40.html) but it is still about 650 miles away. Got in touch with several people who are heading that way, but none worked out due to scheduling conflicts. The plan is to find a ride using the Craigslist rideshare program. Thought about renting a plane and flying there (I'm a student pilot) but don't want to spend the money right now and am considering taking the bus as a last resort. If anyone is heading that way or knows somebody that is, please get in touch with me.

The FJ40 is located in Lebanon, Indiana, where I think it was garage kept for the past 10+ years. It has a small leak in the Master Cylinder and a non-functional cigarette lighter, but the seller says that it should be fine for the drive home. I would like to stop in Columbus, Ohio, which is about three hours east from Indianapolis to see a good friend of mine that lived next door to me. Was going to try and take the back roads, but I don't know how much of a pain it would be since most of the areas between here and there are mostly populated and the "back roads" that are direct around here is stop and go. Any advice on good back roads would be appreciated.

While the trip (as of now) won't be as long as the one in the famous thread, I will be keeping this thread updated as the trip and planning progresses. Since all I know about the condition of the truck is through what I have seen in pics and descriptions, as well as the sellers words, and because I may not have a FSM by then, it ought to be interesting. Will have a bunch of tools, a laptop, two smartphones, misc trip stuff, and my girlfriend along for the ride.

 

[jamba256]

Same situation here... wifey and all.embarking next monday. Good luck, man.

 

[secretsquirrel]

I seen that one on ebay caught my eye cause it only an hour away from me. Good luck on the trip! Keep us posted.

 

[jkl72-40]

Try mudship??

 

[cruiserjunkie]

Have you seen trollhole thread in the classifieds fsm for a hell of a deal or price can't remember which it is now

 

[Korey]

Just posted in Mudship and Trollhole's thread. Thanks guys- I didn't even know about these, and thanks for the good luck wishes.

 

[FishTacos]

Stating the obvious here but.......

Changing all of your fluids before driving any significant distance would probably be a very good idea. Get some zddp additive for the engine oil.

Good luck and keep us posted

subscribed

 

[Korey]

Found a ride through Craigslist and will be leaving Philly around 1:30pm tomorrow (6/2). Supposed to overnight at Columbus and then drive to Indy the next day. Probably make it home on Wednesday (6/5). Getting everything ready for the trip right now so will give you guys status updates along the way. Weather is looking good so far. Gonna be taking our time.

 

[Korey]

Arrived home without any problems. Didn't have time to post updates, but once I get pics and vids put together, I will post em here. Just wanted to give everybody an heads up.

 

[DSRTRDR]

 

[Korey]

I apologize for not updating this thread. I know it's been almost a year since our journey with the FJ40, but here's the skinny on our trip.

When we arrived to pick up the FJ40, the seller informed us that the brakes had to be pumped twice and that it pulled to the right once the brakes were applied, but that the brakes worked fine otherwise. The first couple of miles were slightly nerve wracking, but I got used to how it stopped. It drove perfectly straight and the engine ran very smoothly, although it was not quiet.

I had the feeling that we should stop at the nearest auto parts store to change the transmission and differential fluids, and we ended up first at Napa, which was closed. Just down the road was an Autozone, where we got the fluids and some tools to aid with the process. While the transmission fluid seemed clean, I could tell that it needed to be changed. The differential fluid looked like clam chowder, so once the new fluids were in, I felt more confident about the trip. By then, it was dark, so we fueled up, across the street, picked up some food, and ended up spending the night at a hotel about half hour outside of town. The drive to the hotel was uneventful and a further confidence booster.

The next day, we left for Columbus to see a friend of mine, who was on the way from Indianapolis to Philadelphia. On the way there, we stopped at a Pilot truck stop for gas, where we mellowed out for a bit. Right before we left, my girlfriend had the awesome idea of putting those stick on blind spot mirrors on the vent windows since the truck did not have any side mount mirrors. These made a huge difference in visibility and I did not need to take my eyes off the road when making lane changes.

 

[Korey]

We headed for Columbus the next day and stopped at a Pilot truck stop along the way, where we mellowed out for a bit. As we were about to leave, my girlfriend had the awesome idea of sticking blind spot mirrors onto the window vents since the truck did not have side view mirrors. These made it a lot easier to navigate the highways and I didn't have to take my eyes off the road when making lane changes. While I wasn't the fastest, I definitely passed a couple of vehicles, mostly tractor trailers. The FJ40 had no trouble keeping up with traffic and the ride was comfortable throughout.

Once we hit Columbus, we went rock climbing at the city park for a couple of hours before we met my friend for dinner. Spent the night at his place and headed to Whole Foods the next day, where the two of us hung out for a bit before hitting the road. We wanted to see some Frank Lloyd Wright homes along the way, (Westcott House and Fallingwater) but the Westcott house was closed for the day and it was supposed to rain the following day, so we decided to go climbing for a little bit before heading to the Pittsburgh area where we found a hotel for the night.

The ride there was uneventful except for a panic stop on the highway that sent the truck swerving all over the road because of the brakes. As soon as we were out of harms way, we started cracking up. Before winding down at the hotel for the night, I taped up some of the gaps to prevent rain from seeping in.

It was pouring rain the next morning, and we stopped at a gas station for tape. Any gap we could find was sealed up and since the doors were taped off, we used the hatch door to get in and out. The tape may not have been pretty, but it kept us dry and remained on until we arrived home. At one point, I think the wipers stopped, but once I fiddled with the switch, they started up again and held up well for the rest of the trip.

Once home, we eventually met up with FJ40MATT who sold me some parts such as the welded steel wheels, horn, air filter housing, light switch, and spare tire carrier. Spent about an hour there, going over the parts and checking out garage projects. The wheels and tires that were on there (shown in pics) have since been sold.

The left rear and right front brake assemblies were an oily mess, so I replaced the necessary rear seals and rebuilt the front axle, which was an interesting process. So far, there haven't been any leaks, which I've been happy about. Was able to get the work done in time for Labor Day weekend and drive the truck to a party. Unfortunately, the truck's been sitting since then. Most of my waking moments have been spent on a garage building process, so I haven't had time to do much else. On top of it all, my '91 Pickup is due for the head gasket service soon and I don't have a fuel efficient vehicle to use as a daily driver.

I'm in the position where I may have to sell or trade the FJ40 for a vehicle that is better on gas since funds at this point are limited. Ideally, I would like to buy another vehicle while keeping the FJ40, but I am unsure if I would be able to pull this off. My girlfriend's brother is a well respected member of the MKII Supra community who is getting 35mpg with a 400+hp Supra so our conversation last night got me thinking about the future of the FJ40, which I have mixed feelings about.

While I feel like I am more of a FJ40 guy, I wouldn't mind using a cool car like the Supra as a daily driver until my truck is finished, which wouldn't happen until after the garage is built. I will just have to keep an open mind and do what feels best. I hope that the FJ40 has a future in the completed garage but in the meantime, if you happen to know someone who has a silver or white Supra, I just may have to bite the bullet.

 

[DSRTRDR]

keep the 40, buy a $2000 beater Corolla or Honda for a year or two, and then make a new plan

 

[want2wheel]

x2

 

[TCSTARK]

X3

 

[Hogan]

X4

 

[sggoat]

x5

 

[Weber Sarge]

A cheap , half rusted/busted Corolla will run for years - they are too dumb to die . As long as it has tires , brakes and the engine is still in one piece it's all good , they just never quit . Parts are pretty cheap and they are pretty simple , finding another Cruiser in good condition is not cheap nor easy - no brainer .

X6

Sarge

 

[Korey]

Actually been looking for a Civic hatchback for my girlfriend. She's driving one of my trucks right now, a '93 base 22-RE which we'd like to trade for an older Civic, which are hard to find in original condition. I do not have the funds to buy even a cheap car and I would like her to have a car that she can enjoy although the truck has served her well.

 

[Korey]

FJ-40 is now for sale. Unfortunately, I never got around to doing what I wanted to do to it and didn't drive it much. And am very disappointed at myself. It's in the same condition as when I bought it except i installed factory wheels and the top pieces are different. And it's dirtier since I never washed it. 1974 Toyota FJ-40 Land Cruiser

Please send an email to KoreyConstable@gmail.com since I'm not on here much.