From these photos from All-Pro it looks as if the bone stock gearing is fine to me:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=95473
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=95473
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This ledge is very difficult with stock gearing in a 40.
BHCC is Black Hills Cruiser Classic. Full size is one of trails at the event. I am looking forward to seeing some FJ Cruisers at this event this year.
I think the stock gearing in an auto FJC should do ok.
BHCC is Black Hills Cruiser Classic. Full size is one of trails at the event. I am looking forward to seeing some FJ Cruisers at this event this year.
I think the stock gearing in an auto FJC should do ok.
TexasBadlands said:
Really
Where do you wheel?-B-
In Texas. If you wish to differ, there are 50 years of Land Cruisers to prove you wrong. Before Marlin Crawler, before the SM420 etc the bone stock 40 and others were more than enough to go almost anywhere.
The suicide 'trails' that some go on which are not really trails may require severe vehicle modification, or even 'rock buggies', but that's a whole other class of wheeling.
The suicide 'trails' that some go on which are not really trails may require severe vehicle modification, or even 'rock buggies', but that's a whole other class of wheeling.
TexasBadlands said:
Well I'll agree that 99+% of Texas trails would not require lower than stock gearing. For that matter, 99+% of Texas trails can be driven in 2wd... in a Geo Metro... with street tyres.
-B-
Obviously you have never been here. Katemcy rocks, Barnwell Mountain... many more places which are serious wheeling areas abound. In West Texas there is the Stairway to Heaven 'trail' which is an extreme trail similar to Sledgehammer and other insane trails.
Either way the stock 29-1 low range of an FJ40 sucks.
69-1 with an SM420 couped to a set of 3spd gears is better, but not great. This is what I'm running now with 37's and it's still to fast for rock duty.
But an auto box can make up some of the difference at the expense of creating heat.
This is what I want to see at the BHCC this year.
Will the FJC auto heat up in the tight stuff when its 40C in the canyon bottoms.
If I buy an FJC my wife wants the auto.
If I buy one for myself I want a manual with a diesel!
69-1 with an SM420 couped to a set of 3spd gears is better, but not great. This is what I'm running now with 37's and it's still to fast for rock duty.
But an auto box can make up some of the difference at the expense of creating heat.
This is what I want to see at the BHCC this year.
Will the FJC auto heat up in the tight stuff when its 40C in the canyon bottoms.
If I buy an FJC my wife wants the auto.
If I buy one for myself I want a manual with a diesel!
Well man, just get em both! (when a diesel comes out that is).
I can recall several years ago crawl ratios of 100:1 and over 200:1 for different marlin crawler set ups. Wow.
Yes I can see the advantage, but I can't justify the cost of such as set up for the most part.
I can recall several years ago crawl ratios of 100:1 and over 200:1 for different marlin crawler set ups. Wow.
Yes I can see the advantage, but I can't justify the cost of such as set up for the most part.
TexasBadlands said:
As the old-timers know and now you newbies are hearing for the first time, I was born in Center, Texas, the county seat of Shelby County. I lived in East Texas off and on (mostly on) for 40 years, most recently in El Paso about 7 years ago.
How long have you lived in Texas?
Texas has very little public land, almost no mountains, and you're forced to go to a couple of Theme Parks for your off-roading. That's probably the reason you don't think our trucks need lower-than-stock gears. Stock for me is 4.10 and 4.88's are on the horizon... I guess for that <1% of Texas trails but 90% of those here in NM and CO.
-B-
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Beowulf said:
And California. Being able to go slow, separates the 4wheelers from the 4 wheel drives. A crawl ratio of 30:1 or so is terrible on the Rubicon-BTDT. At the 72:1 I have now, it's good most of the time. Occasionally, I would like 150:1.
Texas is a cool state in many ways, but it does not have the same type of 4 wheeling we enjoy in the West where deep gears are really a great thing. To get back on topic-if the FJC had a 4:1 transfercase and solid axles front and rear, it would change 4 wheeling as we now know it. Every Cruiserhead in the universe would buy one, even Beowulf. As is, it's a nice vehicle, but it isn't that unique, except in looks.
Now Jackhammer, Sledgehammer and all the rest of the Johnson valley madness, require a purpose built vehicle, preferably with no sheet metal. I wouldn't take my FJ40 near there, and I wouldn't take your FJ Cruiser-they are both the wrong tool for the job.
Beowulf said:
I have lived in Texas for almost 25 years, and I've been to New Mexico and Colorado both and still don't see your reason for the gearing you're talking about. Just diff gears don't mean squat, you need an overall crawl ratio. It seems as if you are constantly picking a fight with me over YOUR inability to wheel without super low gearing and I don't personally need 100:1 crawl ratio to get up and over the average 2-4 rated trail. If you're into the insane and into breaking your truck, then go ahead on 5+ rated trails and while you're busy welding your axle back together, I'll be sitting there with a cold one laughing at you.
Oh by the way Beowulf, I'd still lend you a hand!
I agree with the tractor statement. Not only do these puppies have alot of low end torque but they also have a fly wheel that looks and feels like it came off of a tractor. That thing weights a ton and thats why you can roll over boulders at idle. Even though I would have liked to have a lower ratio, stock is'nt that bad if you look at the whole picture.Cruiserdrew said:
alvarorb
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Texas and Beowolf,
I think you guys are saying the same thing. If you want to go on rocks, you need to crawl. For the rest of the stuff, stock gearing is fine.
Alvaro
I think you guys are saying the same thing. If you want to go on rocks, you need to crawl. For the rest of the stuff, stock gearing is fine.
Alvaro
Yeah pretty much but it was fun arguing with him 
Alvaro, nice pic. Andy nice 40.
As for gearing, as one's threshold of performance grows so does ones need for gearing. No two ways to slice that with any trail going vehicle. FJC, 40, 100,.....
Even if the trail is no rock garden if there is elevation change those low gears can turn a descent into a picnic.
Andy, good call on the cruiser cred comment. I enjoyed that one.
As for gearing, as one's threshold of performance grows so does ones need for gearing. No two ways to slice that with any trail going vehicle. FJC, 40, 100,.....
Even if the trail is no rock garden if there is elevation change those low gears can turn a descent into a picnic.
Andy, good call on the cruiser cred comment. I enjoyed that one.
Cruiserdrew said:
I may buy one anyway.
Ross will be driving in a couple of years and he'll get the Taco which would leave me with only Pristine and she's now a garage queen with the occassional trip to get some dirt under her nails. -B-
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Beowulf said:I may buy one anyway.
-B-
You know-I was thinking "Pristine" needed some massaging to be pristine, again. Between you and Dan, you may start something with these FJCs. I have a garage full of Cruisers, so no FJC for me.