just got my first fj40

[nando]

Im picking up a 71 fj40 this weekend, ive been looking for one for about 3 years now and i found one i good condition. I needs a softop and the hard top has a large crack in it.

what is a good soft top?

should I replace the hardtop or have it repaired?

what are my options as far as stereo installation is concerned?

thanks in advance

fernando

 

[thorvald]

congratulations
try doing a search on softops, should find more than a little reading on the subject- one that seemed to be thought of as best though is a factory replica made by ehsan (look in vendor section).

wheres the crack?

in your hardtop that is? in fiberglass should be able to repair it. much cheaper than buying a new fiberglass piece at least.

 

[IDave]

As another '71 owner myself, I've gone thought everything you ask about.

I have the stereo in a plastic housing in the glove box. There is a vendor that sells them in the vendor section on this site, and he usually has one on EBay.

I agree with Thorvald on repairing the top if you at all can.

The factory replica soft top looks great, but it is relatively expensive, and harder than the aftermarket tops to put on and take off. I have a Bestop Supertop myself, but I like the looks of the newest STC top. However, this year I have gotten by with Specter-off-Road's "Summer Extreme" top, and haven't ever bothered with the Supertop. You need a roll bar for the Summer Extreme, however.

Congratulations on your find!

 

[Romer]

Welcome to the club. I have the STC top. I picked it because it has removable windows. The others do not. Your hardtop can be completely disassembled, so if you can no repair your top, you don't necsessaraly have to replace the hole top.

Welcome to the club!

Ken

 

[nando]

Thanks for the advice guys!

I just drove it today and its got some power, i love it. Ill have pics up in a couple of days. I forgot how hard it is without power steering.

How many of you used it as a daily driver? what are your thoughts?

I m going to get the top repaired at a local auto place that works on fiber glass. Plus i found a local place that makes tops and that has a load of parts. check them out
http://www.landcruiserspecialties.com/

 

[Romer]

I run the 33 x 9.5 x 15 BFG's with a 4 inch lift and no power steering. I have no problems with the tall and skinny tires. Sometimes in a tight space in a parking lot power sterring would help, but it's not a big deal for me. I also have had no problems when I took it wheeling. I know power steering would make it nicer and I could run bigger tires than 33's, there are a few other things I want first.

I know others have said the best mod the made, don't know what tires they were running. If you have wider tires, then power steering is a must.

 

[hammerhead]

I drove mine with 35 x 12.5 - 15s and it worked too. I even went to Moab and successfully navigated "Hells Revenge" and many other trails. I played the tough guy and said "it aint that bad". Then I got smart and put a 3 1/2" saginaw on with a modified sag pump. What a fool I was. Safer, more agile, more enjoyable to drive and I don't feel like Popeye when I drive. The power steering is a must.

 

[IDave]

My 71 is a daily driver. Like Romer sez, 9 1/2 inch tires make manual steering a minor issue.

Power steering is certainly WAY low on my list of things to do. However, if my daughter was going to DD it, I'd move that up a bit on the list.

 

[Gundy]

Congrats on the "new" 40! I'd fix the hardtop if possible. Eshan(sp) makes nice oem
type soft tops.
As for tune players......if you put in a CD get a quality unit with over sampling
or that thing will skip all the time off road.