Is the cruiser supposed to be this slow?

[crushers]

there is more to driving fast than just a heavy foot.
road conditions, snowy, icey, paved and smooth, paved and raining, loose gravel, sand, traffic conditions, vehicle condition and most of all driver ability.
if any of these are a concern then drive accordingly.

don't tailgate and stopping is not an issue in a well maintained LC
don't try and corner fast unless your life insurance is paid up.

the speed limit (and i say that lightly) in Calgary and Alberta was much faster than here in rural Ontario. In Calgary 65-70 mph is expected on Deerfoot. more is expected between the cities. here in the boonies we drive 50-60 mph usually 55 is nice and comfortable. at dusk and dawn we are more cautious since the wildlife loved to move then. at night you are an idiot to even do the speed limit on the back roads, wild turkeys make mince meat of your grill and rad, deer are plentiful and playful Coon and skunks will be everywhere during the summer.

common sense is important. when i say a LC can go fast, yah it can.
but
there is a difference between ABILITY to go fast and WHEN to go fast.

 

[Hogan]

Mine seems happy at 55 and I like it at 55 or slower. Since I've owned it the only time it's been on the Freeway is on a trailer. It's made for taking the road less traveled and that's kinda why we got it. Sit back relax and enjoy the journey.

 

[imagirl]

As my daily driver, on the infamous 101 in Los Angeles, I keep it at 60-65. Going over the passes it keeps same speed. Bigger tires for me helped with the rpm and the only problem is watching out for the strong gusts of wind, they can really move you. But with gas so expensive here, slower saves money for sure.

 

[Rallyroo]

I love how the ad says cruising 85 mph on the hiway as he is being passed like he is standing still.

I noticed that also in the youtube video.

Maybe he read the spec sheet wrong. He read the 85 kph comfortable cruising speed as 85 mph.
85 kph = 52.8165513 mph

 

[crushers]

not back then ...

 

[crashn]

My 78 has the original 2F and an H55 with 33/12.5/15 and when I want to, it will run 65 or 70 easly. Is it safe at that speed, nope. But it doesn't strain and only turning 2500 RPM at 70 mph.

I think the original post has a timing or tune problem.

Remember the "equipment is only as good as the operator". I prefer going a little slower so others can stare and wave in appreciation of a real work horse that has survived 32 years. I have yet to be flipped off for going slower than others want to. Enjoy the TOY for what it was made for "OFF ROAD"

 

[FJ40Jim]

My 78 has the original 2F and an H55 with 33/12.5/15 and when I want to, it will run 65 or 70 easly. Is it safe at that speed, nope. But it doesn't strain and only turning 2500 RPM at 70 mph.

I think the original post has a timing or tune problem.

X2.

A 78 that won't go over 55 (easily) is most likely only running only on the little primary barrel of the carb.

 

[platypusREX]

It is my cruiser that is slow...

Took a buddy out he other night to show him the 40. My engine was already warm. Well, I started up West Shore Dr. , it is a steep hill, and went to pull the fan on, well I pulled the choke instead. It was like a turbo boost.
In my other thread someone mention that only one barrel may be working.
I think there is something myself. Is this a Mark's rebuild situation? Or just maybe a minor adjustment. I thought it was a one barrel carb. but no.
Just to start thoughts, since I pulled the choke thing happened,does it mean my engine is starving when the choke is all the way open"?
Thanks
pR

 

[mossman40]

If the secondary on your carb isn't working, then you are in for a surprise when you finally do get it to work. There is a trick with a paper clip that you can use to see if your secondary is working. Basically you put the paper clip on the shaft of the secondary diaphrm up close to the top of the diaphram. Take her for a drive, floor it a couple of times, get home and see if the paper clip has moved. Better to search and get more details. I've just recently replaced my secondary diaphram and to me it's almost like a turbo. I can tell that once I have everything working like it should, this 2F isn't going to be as much of a turtle as I've come to expect. Speed demon......NO.....but certainly able enough to keep up.

 

[SteveH]

When I replaced the worn engine in my '78 FJ40 for a lower-miles 2F, I shaved 13 seconds off my 0-60 time. At 7000' elevation, it had taken 39 seconds, and I slashed that time to 26 seconds. Not many people can say they dropped 13 seconds off their 0-60 time with an engine replacement (unless you went from a 2F to a 350 v8).

 

[ToyCO]

My all Original 78 likes to run 50 - 55. It can go faster but that seems to be its comfort zone.

 

[mydogpea]

I was thinking of getting a "slow moving vehicle" triangle to put on my "USPS mail truck", that's what my friends call it, to keep road ragers from harassing me and yield signs from swerving around me.
It does drive like farm equipment, you are spot on with that..

Find yourself an old leather football helmet and a pair thick rimmed goggles and wear those the next time you venture out on the freeway. As people pass you and look to see who in the world is driving that,that,...that THING, look at them with a huge grin on your face and your eyes crossed. They won't know what to think then.

 

[wesintl]

bunch of wankers...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/chit-chat-section/73211-all-naysayers.html

 

[highlandcruzer]

I daily drove my stock drivetrain 78 around the Raleigh, NC beltline for a couple years, I guess. Always kept up with the flow of traffic fine. I have no problems maintaining 70 mph with 33 inch tires on average grades. The engine seems pretty happy there. If memory serves it's pulling about 2800-2900 rpm's-ish. It doesn't like an uphill grade, but generally will hold 60 unless going over a pretty big hill/mountain. I've tried to keep it in good tune, and keep good, clean, slick oil in everything. When I had 31's it was a different animal; I stayed off of the highways.

I've always been a pretty defensive driver. which I think is crucial with these old trucks. I leave plenty of room in front of me, keep my eyes open to the flow of traffic ahead, and what's coming up on me. I just leave room for the idiots to get on through. Definitely not a vehicle that's built to react quickly on the road. You have to really drive these old rigs. No texting allowed. Don't try to grab what you dropped in the passenger floor. .Just have to pay attention and focus....So they're not for everyone.

So yeah, I think if everything is in good working order, 40's can keep up respectably in today's traffic in most places. That being said, I'd rather die than daily drive one in a place like DC or LA....'Course that would probably be true of any vehicle for me.

 

[highlandcruzer]

bunch of wankers...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/chit-chat-section/73211-all-naysayers.html

........."all day long"

 

[platypusREX]

This isnt about them being top speed slow, more like sluggish slow., as much as since I found out I believe I have carb issues. I knew it was slow in general until I had the choke mishap.