Hello. Another newbie here, and I have a pic!

[MtnClimber]

Hey all. Name's Jake Wagg. I'm a Maine native who currently lives in Montana. I am in the Air Force stationed at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls. I'm a big fan of the FJ. I searched and searched for the best possible forum for the Toyota FJ40 and I'm pretty sure I have found it. Now I don't actually have an FJ40 yet, but I plan to acquire one in the future. I figured I would join to find all the info I would need before making any purchases.
My attraction to the FJ40 started when I was young. My father had one and that thing would go anywhere. We had a lot of good times wheeling. Back then, wheeling was also a necessity as well as fun and the term tread lightly was more like "go where you want but be courteous and safe and don't get caught". Here is a picture of his FJ. I don't know what year it was, but the picture was taken in 1986. That's me with my mom on the hood.

He didn't have it long because he was laid off and needed to sell it for money. He always regretted having to get rid of it and I always told him that I would someday buy him another. Well, he passed away back in '05 and I never did get to buy him that FJ, but now I have vowed to get one for myself for that reason. Plus I need a trail worthy rig to wheel with instead of beating on my DD Nissan Titan.
Well, I'll be here sucking up as much information as I can about the FJ and reading about your FJ knowledge. I like pictures and video links the most! Feel free to show your rigs.

Oh, BTW. Can anyone figure out what year my dad's FJ might have been by looking at the picture?

Thanks guys.

 

[mcwinery]

Welcome

Now is a good time for buying. Decide how much work you want to do before you buy. Full restore or just drive away condition. Also big question is stock or not. I went old needing restoration route and old driver mostly stock until my restore is done. Good luck on finding a fj. and welcome to MUD.

 

[kyot4x4]

Welcome to MUD. Good luck

kyle

 

[1979fj40]

you yube has tons of video,s

 

[77-fj-40]

Hey Jake I think it's cool that your Dad was an fj40 guy I have a 77 bone stock rustic green in color it appears your Dad's cruiser was a 70-73 from what I can see in the pics (front lights,side vents,wipers mounted on top of the windsheild ect) this is good if you want a similar year they are a little cheaper because they have a 3spd tranny smaller 1f engine and drum brakes all the way around but on the good side the sheet metal is considered to be thicker and more rust resistant on those older models

 

[hudyhue]

welcome to mud lot of rigs for sale right now ....

 

[MtnClimber]

Decide how much work you want to do before you buy. Full restore or just drive away condition. Also big question is stock or not.

I'd like to stay away from restos since their prices are are quite high, but I don't want a lump of rust either. Just a solid truck without huge issues. I usually try to steer clear of modified vehicles due to the fact that 9 times out of 10 you end up fixing previous mistakes. I may end up doing an engine and trans swap. I've heard some have swapped a tacoma V6 or 1st gen Tundra V8s in old FJs and that seems like a good project. I would most likely go with some kind of automatic since my knees are junk and get aggravated easily with a stiff clutch. Plus my wife like to wheel too so having not to shift would be easier for her as well.

 

[Thornton]

Hey Jake,

Welcome to Mud and the addiction. Looking at the pic your probably close to the same age as my son. Sorry to hear your dad passed so young. Good Luck in your quest.

Tom

 

[MtnClimber]

it appears your Dad's cruiser was a 70-73 from what I can see in the pics (front lights,side vents,wipers mounted on top of the windsheild ect) this is good if you want a similar year they are a little cheaper because they have a 3spd tranny smaller 1f engine and drum brakes all the way around but on the good side the sheet metal is considered to be thicker and more rust resistant on those older models

Good to know, thanks. Yeah I do remember him saying that he recalled it being a 73, but he couldn't remember since it was years after he had it.
I'll take a look and see about the specs on that 1F engine.

 

[singletrackjunkie]

Welcome Jake. Search is your friend as is the FAQ which is listed a sticky. You can also learn tons by reading through ROTW's (rig of the weeks) to see what others have done. I have learned tons here and still consider myself a novice but this is a great forum and it has helped me alot. Good luck with your search and welcome to the addiction.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

Welcome aboard Jake!

Good luck on your FJ40 search! Be cautious, and don't hesitate to ask questions here on MUD!

Regards,

Alan

 

[Cruisertime]

Welcome!!!! Make sure you keep that pic. She is smiling now. Just wait till you waking the munchkin up around 2am cause are close to finishing the last mod you saw on this forum. LOL. Ummmmm not speaking from my experiences or anything.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Check the classifieds. A '77 FJ-40 in Townsend was on Craiglsist for 3K and was still available yesterday.

Buy one, you won't regret it. ESPECIALLY in MT. There are TONS of fun roads to take it out on.

Welcome! That's a cool truck your dad used to tote you and your mom around in. Very cool!

Dan

 

[OLDNSLO]

Great pic of you and your mom. This damn addiction sucks......your wallet dry. Good luck in your endeavers....I'm sure you will find one to your liking.

Brian

 

[youmustbecrazy]

Welcome! Watch craigslist and check it often. Deals do seem to pop up, good luck!

 

[MtnClimber]

Yeah I wont be getting anything anytime soon. I'm in the Air Force, but will soon be getting out and going home to Maine in Feb. The whole transition back into the civilian world and the school and the getting settled into a good job will have to come first. I know all about addiction. I already have a project going that's cost me around 35 grand and counting. It's my Nissan 300ZX TwinTurbo that I race with. It's currently under construction and will be for a while. My 300ZX will have to take a back burner for a bit so I can get a good trail rig. It took some will power not to put a bunch of money into my Titan, but it being a DD, I kept the mods subtle. I cant wait to actually wheel in a real trail worthy rig though.

 

[DomSmith]

Mtn-

First off, thanks for your service to our great nation.

Second, take your time finding a rig, there will be plenty to choose from. The difficult part will be having the patience to find the right one. I want to buy almost everyone I see...

Third... these rigs are great even in stock form, so don't get caught up in getting all the mods right away. Find a good foundation and go from there.

And as Kyle said...

 

[MtnClimber]

Yup. That's the plan. Here to learn first, so I know what to buy later. I take it thats what the Beverly Hillbilly's call the californy howdy... .
As for the mods I most likely wouldn't do anything until the vehicle's issues were fixed. My dream set up would be to have unimog style Dana 60s, long travel suspension, dual transfer cases, 5 speed auto, and one of the engine that I posted above, but like I said...."dream", lol.

PS. Thank you. Proud to serve.