Just Joined the group

[Source3]

Hello all,

This is Andrew Parker. I was the one with the green 9/72 FJ40 that attended the June meeting. Sorry I missed the July meeting, I was tearing apart my drum brakes and got side tracked, and I had Saturday in mind for the meeting anyway.

I just joined TLCA and will be sending my application in for HDC soon.

Furthermore, a few of you mentioned that my original F engine was missing as I left the June meeting. Well, I did a compression test (wet too, did not change numbers). My compression on #1,2,3,5 is ~130psi. 4 and 6 are at 40 psi. Yes 40. Now I need to make the decision which engine to go with and need some advice. But first, a little history of the FJ40 and what I want to do.

I bought the FJ40 in April 09. It is all original. See link to photos in signature. Here is a brief rundown:

• Production Date: 9/72
• F engine
• 3 spd tranny (on floor)
• original transfer case
• drum brakes all around
• original carb
• rust in typical areas, rear quarter panels (golf ball size) and near bottom of door.

I want to rebuild it to suite my activities which often include driving to southern Colorado and getting into the high mountains or throwing the kayaks on top and head for river country. This cruiser is not a daily driver and I currently use my stock 1992 toyota truck for off the road. Please keep in mind that my wife an I always get in a little more terrain than we should with the pickup. I also look forward to doing some rides with you guys so I can use the FJ40 for what it is meant to do. I do not intend to rock crawl. Lastely, I would be happy if I could cruise down the highway between 68 to 75 mph.

While I enjoy working on the FJ40, I really have no idea what I am doing but my mechanical skills need improving and I have the FSM and Haynes. I have no garage (plans are in the works to build one next summer).

This is what I am planning on doing to the FJ40 if I do not send it to Proffitt's Cruisers (in order of importance and all comments welcome):

1. Engine Swap (more on this later)
2. Convert to 5 speed (need recommendations)
3. Disk brakes (all four) and power steering
4. OME 2.5" Lift with 31x10.5 BFG
5. Body work and paint

For the engine, I really want to keep it Toyota. Either I will rebuild the F or go with a 2F and have Jim C. rebuild my carb. Either way, I will probably have Buddlong Motorsports (Home) do the rebuild. Or go with the diesel 13BT. The 3FE is also an option. As for the tranny, I am looking at using the H55F with my existing transfer case.

The deciding factor for the type of engine and tranny will be cost. I need to start looking into this.

If I decide not to send the FJ40 up to Proffitt's for Items 1-5 above, I will need advise, spare parts, a lot of help from the group, etc.

I would like to get together with the FJ40 owners of the group and chat a bit. Maybe go for a ride in their FJ40 to get a feeling of exacly what I need. If this is possible, please let me know and I will provide a list of potential dates; probably will not be till mid to late August.

PS: I have read hours and hours of posts on the I8HUDD forums. Now it is time to put my thoughts down on paper and let the cash fly!

 

[pappy]

Welcome to the group. I think your FJ40 will be a good platform for whatever you want it to be. My thoughts are:

While I enjoy working on the FJ40, I really have no idea what I am doing but my mechanical skills need improving and I have the FSM and Haynes.

There is a lot of experience in this group. Learning will not be a problem. You will be an expert in no time. I would strongly suggest you invest in a factory service manual. While the older years are not covered as nicely, if you keep it stock it will be your most valuable tool. If you drop in a 2F, you will want to get the engine manual for that year.

1. Engine Swap (more on this later)
2. Convert to 5 speed (need recommendations)
3. Disk brakes (all four) and power steering
4. OME 2.5" Lift with 31x10.5 BFG
5. Body work and paint

Engine: 2F or 3FE, desmoged would be my choices. I would also consider a tired engine and getting it rebuilt and balanced. Balancing the F and 2F is almost required.
5-speed: H55F.
Disk Brakes: Mini-truck/FJ60 on the front with FJ60 vented rotors and mini-truck V6 calipers. For the rear I would get one of the Monte Carlo/GM rotor kits. Or piece the bits together. Everything you need is documented in the tech section here at MUD. You will just need to source the bracket and hoses.
Lift: With 2.5" lift you should be able to fit 33" tires.
Body: have fun.

For the engine, I really want to keep it Toyota. Either I will rebuild the F or go with a 2F and have Jim C. rebuild my carb. Either way, I will probably have Buddlong Motorsports (Home) do the rebuild. Or go with the diesel 13BT. The 3FE is also an option.

Given the choice I would get a rebuilt 2F, or 3FE. I would not use your 1972 carb on a 2F. Get a carb from an FJ60 and have Jim rebuild that. Don't get rid of your carb though. I think you might have the cable bellcrank necessary to convert the FJ60 carb to cable.

As for the tranny, I am looking at using the H55F with my existing transfer case.

Your 3-speed case will not bolt to an H55F. You will need to use a split case from an FJ60, and if I remember correctly the 86+ cases are the desirable ones. You will also need the bellhousing from a 4-speed since the H55F will not bolt to the 3-speed bellhousing.

If I decide not to send the FJ40 up to Proffitt's for Items 1-5 above, I will need advise, spare parts, a lot of help from the group, etc.

The decision to send the FJ40 up to Jeremiah's will be based on time and money. Little of the first and plenty of the last.

I would like to get together with the FJ40 owners of the group and chat a bit. Maybe go for a ride in their FJ40 to get a feeling of exactly what I need. If this is possible, please let me know and I will provide a list of potential dates; probably will not be till mid to late August.

You hop into a LC with this group and it will likely be an FZJ80, and as CDan says, "don't drive one or you will buy one." Of course, I'm an exception. We do have runs monthly, and usually somebody goes someplace informally. Just watch this list.

Maybe go for a ride in their FJ40 to get a feeling of exactly what I need.

Needs, or wants? One quickly becomes the other when working on an old Cruiser.

 

[SteveLCetc]

Hi Andrew,

I'd definitely go with 33's at least. As Jon said, they will fit with that lift. Then again, once you go with 33's they will be too small (ask me, I know). Also, I myself wouldn't go to the trouble of putting in an (x)F. I'd go with either a diesel (30 mpg) or an SBC and an SM420 or 465, purity aside.

I disagree with Jon in that if there are only 2 of you I think a 40 is just fine myself - although a lot of people do like the 80's. The 40 is a little gutless though, especially for pulling a pop-up or something like that.

A good time to get with some experience would be to check out the thread "FJ40 Wrench Day" and help out there when that gets done.

 

[BionicCruiser]

welcome! i have a disk front axle from my '77 FJ40. it's a spring over set up though. you could switch it back, though it's a bit of a hassle.

you could take my 40 for a spin, but it certainly ain't Toyota anymore.

you got some good advise already that i would only repeat. FWIW, i started out wanting to keep my 40 all toyota too.

 

[2manycruisers]

Hi Andrew, it looks like you have a pretty nice ride. Once you start playing, it is never-ending. Like Steve said, you may find 33s too small, then a stock motor is too weak, then the axles won't hold up to your tires, then....

so spending some time on trail rides to see what your taste is for trail action might help some, or it may just whet your whistle.

From my experience, your most reliable setup is going to be staying as close to stockish as you can. An H55 would be a nice improvement for on and off-road gearing, but as Jon said you will need a new t-case also. Keep your axles and add disk parts--look for 79-85 mini-trucks at the U-pullit for shafts/knuckles/hubs, etc and put it on your axle. If your rear drums are in good repair, leave them alone. Before you buy lots of wheel cylinders, though, buy a disk brake kit.

Before you assume your F is trashed, did you put oil in the cylinders and retest? It could be in the top end and a valve job could be alll you need. Diesels are cool, but expensive in these parts. And at this elevation if you don't get a turbo motor, you'll have a bigger dog than your F. The mileage improvement won't pay for the cost of the swap, and don't count on 30mpg. I don't know what the 13B-T gets, but a 2H troopy only gets about 17-18, not much better than a 2F troopy.

BTW, I'm another one who has resisted the 80s.

have fun,

 

[Rudical]

So after being lashed about not giving a proper Mud welcome before, not one of you guys gave it suprised Jon, didn't start with a "what, fresh meat?" comment. None of these guys know what they are talking about, don't listen to them.

BTW Welcome

I hope you can take the sarcasm. It is inevitable with this group, but well worth it.

 

[Source3]

Thanks all for the welcome, unofficial and official.

Rather than posting replies and comments individually, I complied them:

1. I have both the FSM, body and engine. Came with the FJ40!
2. The compression test was done wet too (with oil); no change in numbers.
3. I am really going to try to stay away from SBC. My FJ45, while poorly done, had a 350, it was nice. And I quickly realized my needs and wants.
4. I am going to try to stay with 31" tires.
5. Staying Toyota, well, hopefully I will have a lifetime to play around. If I do not like it or get tired of it, swap it out!
6. I have read that 25mpg for the 13BT is common. But most of the posters are near sea level.
7. As far as sarcasm, I am the worst of all. I try to mind my manners most the time.

Also, I have heard the the front axle for my year are weak, they break near the birfield while turning left in reverse, or something like that. What have you guys heard?

Thanks for all the input.

 

[Source3]

welcome! i have a disk front axle from my '77 FJ40. it's a spring over set up though. you could switch it back, though it's a bit of a hassle.

Hearing about the front axle snapping near the birdfield for my year, I may take you up on this offer. I need to read about the work involved converting it back to spring under and other parts I will need. I want to do the brakes, PS, and engine swap at the same time.

And I really want to do the swap myself rather than farming it out, I really want to become more knowledgeable, mechanically that is!

 

[alia176]

Sure we can't talk you into an 80 series for $3k? More power, more room, nice suspension, A/C, PS, PW, PB, etc

https://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale-wanted/280817-94-fzj80-$3000-b-o.html

Welcome to the group.

Ash

 

[pappy]

Sure we can't talk you into an 80 series for $3k? More power, more room, nice suspension, A/C, PS, PW, PB, etcWelcome to the group.

Ash

Pesky heater hose, head gaskets that need to be changed with the oil, 9 miles per gallon with a tail wind, Birfields that need replacement every 10,000 miles, bumpers that cost more than the truck is worth. There is a reason those trucks go cheap.

[ducking]

 

[BionicCruiser]

Sure we can't talk you into an 80 series for $3k?https://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale-wanted/280817-94-fzj80-$3000-b-o.html

at the risk of hijacking Andrew's thread, that would be a good deal if it wasn't in Ct. it'd cost another grand minimum to get it back here.

 

[sirenmoses]

Welcome, from a holdout 60 driver.

Pesky heater hose, head gaskets that need to be changed with the oil, 9 miles per gallon with a tail wind, Birfields that need replacement every 10,000 miles, bumpers that cost more than the truck is worth.

that right there makes me happy I didn't let ya'll talk me into going 80....

 

[BionicCruiser]

oh, and switching the axle back to spring under shouldn't be too bad. setting castor is the main thing to be careful with. i am taking the 3rd member out for my project(4.88's), but i have a '76 third i can put in it. what year did the pinions switch over to fine spline? i think it is still course pinion, but fine spline axle shafts. i'll look at home i have a broken '77 pinion.

 

[Source3]

Sure we can't talk you into an 80 series for $3k? More power, more room, nice suspension, A/C, PS, PW, PB, etc

https://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale-wanted/280817-94-fzj80-$3000-b-o.html

Welcome to the group.

Ash

NO WAY...besides, I did not see tilt steering wheel, deal breaker right there!

 

[BionicCruiser]

NO WAY...besides, I did not see tilt steering wheel, deal breaker right there!

you're gonna fit in just fine here.

 

[Bad Mojo]

Welcome. I am in nearly the same position. I got a 77 FJ40 in March and I have been tearing into to it get it ready for school. You live in one of the best states for two reasons. First being that this group is awesome and the second is you can still get many of the FJ40 parts over at American Toyota. I am the one putting on the "FJ40 Wrench Day" and feel free to come on over and learn with me. Your project seems like it is going to more extensive seeing at what level you want to get the vehicle at. I wish you luck, and remember part of owning an FJ40 is just chilling down the road and getting thumbs-up because you have a classic, and maybe getting a dirty look because you take your time, but that is besides the point.

Bad Mojo

 

[1911]

Welcome; your 40 is the same color as mine.

I guess I'm going backwards because my first Cruiser was an 80 but now I've got a 40. The 80 is still in the family though, at 250,000 miles it's still a DD for one of my grown sons.

 

[Beowulf]

The 80 is still in the family though, at 250,000 miles it's still a DD for one of my grown sons.

Nice to know those much-hated 80s will last past 150,000 miles. Does it have a tilt steering wheel?

-Mike-

 

[pappy]

... at 250,000 miles it's still a DD for one of my grown sons.

WOW. That's a lot of head gaskets.

 

[OGBeno]

WOW. That's a lot of head gaskets.

I betcha it's the original.

The HG issue is only "large" because of the audience you have here.