Is the cruiser supposed to be this slow?

[platypusREX]

I went on a expedition yesterday and when I got on the freeway, for the first time, I thought the engine was going to USSS Challenger on me. I only was going 55 mph. with everyone honking at me. Even a "STOP" sign flipped me off as it passed me.
Can these things actually handle the highway? Or am I stuck on the service road?
pR

 

[Pistorman]

They can handle the highways they were designed to be on in the '60s and '70s. There is some speed improvement in the '80s models but then again neither the wind resistance nor security was ever planned on these to be on highway speeds surpassing 55 to 60 (as well as of others on the road too). Some get it to go 70 mph with small block Chevy V8s, then again the car in my opinion was not designed for the added heat and speed these engines add. A main limitation to speed is the transmission. These cars were designed with torque, pull, climb and descent in mind, not high speed. I mean, the windshield is almost at a 90 degree angle in reference to the hood. That stops air like an old Mack truck. The engine by the way is the same designed for Toyota farm vehicles. You have to appreciate the other aspects of what these cars do. I actually have ordered a spare tire cover in yellow that reads "SLOW" and I'm even considering a yellow turret light for when I have to take it out to the highway at night. The car is perfect the way it is, it is living well beyond its contemporaneous vehicles have and it is now living amongst modern autos. There is nothing wrong with that. Think and live how it was done before.

Also consider that where these other cars pass the FJ40 on the open highway, the FJ40 leaves them stalled when it comes to taking it to trails. So in essence, its not slower than these if you run it where it supposed to run

 

[platypusREX]

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..

 

[lostmarbles]

I've good news for you folk for the future.

Perception of speed alters with age.

Even 30 miles per hour is breathtakingly fast for me now (and very demanding on my remaining faculties too).

And as far as other road users are concerned .... If you can still lift one digit then you're well enough equipped to deal with them.

 

[craigwanderer]

Take the top off. Running at 55 mph will make you feel like you're testing a supercar on Top Gear.... it's just that everyone else will have a faster supercar.

So you can only do 55MPH on the highway? That's like 88 Km/h. I have no trouble at all cruising at 75 MPH (120 Km/h) on the highway - and I'm running a non-turbo diesel 13B. Maybe get a set of extractors/headers? Mine came fitted with them and that's about the only "performance" mod I can see on the vehicle.

Of course, I don't have a heavy hard top (or doors most of the time) to lug around.

 

[40TUDE]

sounds like the engine needs a thorough tuneup, then all should be well....well better at least

 

[jagota]

You go from a Corvette to a Cruiser and wonder why it feels slow?

 

[cjgoode]

Learn to wave a laugh at those people. I am starting to drive my sequoia at 55 on the highway where the limit is 70. My gas mileage goes from 13 MPG at 70 to 25MPG at 55. What a huge difference. Not sure why people get so mad at people going slow in the slow lane, but let that be their problem not yours. These were not made to go that fast, and any short wheel base vehicle like the fj40, cj7 old bronco's become increasingly unsafe at higher speeds. They are not stable and you will be in real trouble if you have to swerve to miss something at 70mph. Go slow and enjoy the ride.

 

[bsevans]

I have a '78 FJ40 and the only mod that would affect speed is the 33X10.50-15 tires I run. I have the stock 4.10 gearing and according to my GPS I've hit 87mph on the freeway. i can run 65-70 mph all day long.

By the way, I have two factory 78 skid plates if you are still looking for one.

 

[1911]

#1, these trucks were designed when the Interstate highway system was just a gleam in Eisenhower's eye.

#2, they were designed as off-road trucks that were legal to drive on the road at the time too.

The key to driving a 40 on the road is to slow down and enjoy the ride, i.e. lower your modern expectations of car performance.

 

[3_puppies]

as stated above, they are not speed demons, but you should top out above 55mph

Tcase in low range?

also as stated, good tune up and maybe some carb rehab.

 

[JohnnyC]

looks like a good time to bump these two threads :
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/340766-how-fast-have-you-taken-your-fj40-up.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/177782-poll-whats-top-speed-your-40-a-4.html

 

[kurtnkegger]

With my "rubber overdrive" I can go about 60-65 comfortably. I remember when I first got it on the freeway, I thought the engine was going to blow as well...A little tuning, and change of attitude about driving my 40, and all is well.

 

[Speed King]

Thanks for posting that Toyota commercial- excellent!

 

[weagle99]

Anyone else notice the upside down bezel in the Toyota commercial?

 

[Pumpkin Troopy]

Yes, they can go slow.... That is why I made sure mine has a 2H with overdrive and a turbo....

Mine can do 70 MPH towing a car trailer.. I also have a 78 Trans AM with an 8l engine with NOS and this gets way more attention

The best description I found in the classifieds... LINK 2 AD

"These trucks are very solid and were made to go slow and steady straight up a mountain or through a river. They were not made to go 80mph down the freeway or to handle like a race car. If you want those qualities then Id recommend buying a 2011 FJ. But if you want the most stylish/durable around to drive to your Landcruiser club meeting, or have people wave and stare as you go by and get asked at every gas station what kind of truck it is then Id say buy a HJ45 Troopcarrier. They are very easy to work on and use all the same parts as the common FJ40s. The only difference is the extended chassis and the diesel engine. For parts and more information check out Spector Landcruiser Parts. They can get you anything youd ever need for this truck."

 

[destin]

i just keep mine around 55-60 on the freeway, and just cruise and smile from the slow lane.
These things are not the greatest handling at speed anyway, they are made for tooling around on back roads and trails etc

But i drive like an old man in my cruiser

 

[ZMANFJ40]

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

 

[Dieseler]

I take it most of you guys doin 60-70 dont have any hills my conclusion is the 40 will do 1/3 of max speed going up hill compared to going down hill.

 

[kurtnkegger]

^^^^^^

CORRECT!! I do 60+ in town....When I'm heading up the mountains to my favorite wheeling area, I feel real fortunate to go 45 in most places. But I don't care about that, I'm enjoying the ride, and my Cruiser.