Long distance highway cruising

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E

ewright

10 Year
Joined
Feb 24, 2014
Threads
17
Messages
87
Hi everyone,

Im a new member and looking for a truck to do some long road trips throughout the southwest and northwest. I plan to spend several weeks at a time driving between national parks and camping at each stop, which means long hours in the drivers seat on freeways and interstates.

I was hoping you all would be so kind as to offer your advice on whether an FJ40 is ideal for long hours of highway driving. To be honest, I have gotten used to a lot of the comforts of modern trucks (i.e. A/C and sound deadening) and just don't know whether an FJ40 would be practical for spending 6-8 hours in at a time, at highway speeds.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide,
ernie:)
 
I can attest to feeling quite bobble-headed after a long drive... I have used small inflatable seats (stadium seat by REI) to ease some of the bounce. Road noise will also leave your ears buzzing. Good tunes helps, but let's face it, these rigs are like bricks tearing a hole in the air going down the road at 60+ mph...
Cheers
 
I haven't had my 40 long enough to say, but had plenty of experience in a CJ with its short wheelbase, rough ride, and no creature comforts ... loved it, but it was tiring driving it long distances ... reminded me of a motorcycle on 4 wheels ...
:cheers:
 
Ideal is not the definition of a 40 but the voyage can be great. Take a day or two and read the rustbucket thread and you'll see what I mean. I have not done more that a couple hundred mile trips due to time restraints, you can't be in a hurry. My wife has serious back problems so travelling in the 40 is a tradeoff for us. She will endure short trips but long distance is not in the cards. Again I say to educate yourself the best treatise on the subject can be found in the rustbucket thread that we all wait patiently for the resumption of the journey. Happy Trails.....
 
I love my rig but let's be honest the ride is not great. They were not built for long highway trips, these are utility vehicles made for rough conditions and looking awesome ;) the suspension is out dated the noise is loud. But for me it works as I live in rural costs rica so this makes sense for my needs.
My 2 cents
 
Since someone else has mentioned CJs I will chime in.

I haven't taken my FJ40 on a trip yet, (I will be doing the four hour drive home in a week) but I can comment of driving this kind of vehicle on a long extended trip.

4 summers ago I took my stock 1979 CJ7 from our old home in Maryland up to Ottawa across to Lawrence KS down through New Mexico to our new home in Southern Arizona.

The trip lasted about 6 weeks, I had work along the way in Ottawa and Lawrence.

With their narrow track CJs are not fond of interstates that tend to be "rutted", so I mainly took old US Hwys. I traveled no more than 400 miles a day (except for the last day, 700+ because I wanted to get home). I camped out in state and national parks all the way. And anytime I saw another CJ I would stop and take a picture of them together.

Everywhere I stopped people talked to me about my old jeep.

It was a long trip. I know I smelled of gas and oil the whole time, and every night I felt like I had been road hard and put up wet.

I travel for a living and have since 1987, I have been to every state and all over the world. That CJ trip is one of my fondest memories.

I'd say if you have to time and the desire, you should do it.

I am planing an AZ to NC trip in my 40 this fall, I'm pretty excited about it.
 
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Highway speed is relative. Relative to most cars on the road a stockish 40 is not the best choice, they will cruise all day at 55 or 60, but not the first choice for 75-80mph. With a SBC and some rubber overdrive they can go pretty good, but you are in a short wheel base lifted rig and most would say driving that fast isn't prudent. With comfy seats and some brackets made to fit your height etc. they are not too bad. But that is driving with ear plugs in and the top/doors off in Florida. Watching the sunrise and feeling the air massage your scalp feels great. Stopping every couple hours for fuel sucks though.

If you were going to backroad it and dirt road as much as possible I think it would be fun during the right time of the year. Otherwise a vehicle with a few more niceties may be preferred.
 
If you're looking for a highway and campground vehicle then a 40 likely isn't ideal. A 60, 70, or 80 are better choices.

With an auxiliary tank my highway range is 500-600 miles. Rear air bags have helped the ride a lot. 3.70s, 33s, and a 350 make it quite comfortable doing 50-55 mph. However, it still is too small to carry a lot of gear and still sleep in on ugly nights when the rains going sideways or you can't find a campground.

I enjoyed my trip down the Washington, Oregon, and California coast which then continued across to Phoenix Arizona... But the "cruise" home up the I5 on the way home had the 40 out of its element. The look on the faces of the crew at SOR in California was priceless (when I told them where I'd come from and in a 40)... They went so far as to ask me how I was getting home.
 
"I was hoping you all would be so kind as to offer your advice on whether an FJ40 is ideal for long hours of highway driving. To be honest, I have gotten used to a lot of the comforts of modern trucks (i.e. A/C and sound deadening) and just don't know whether an FJ40 would be practical for spending 6-8 hours in at a time, at highway speeds."

Answer: No, its neither ideal or practical. That said, I still drive one.
 
They are pretty to look at, and fun to drive. Find a farmer with a tractor and go plow some fields for a day and you will get the picture.
In 1976, me and the misses (then) drove out of Alaska down the Alcan highway. I think that part was around 1,100 miles of gravel road back then. We had a 1969 40, loaded down and riding on 8 ply tires. I guess it's all in the manner you look at something. I had been riding on the gravel roads in Kodiak for two years, so the body was use to it. All the above are right..Noise, ruff and the wind has fun with you all the time.
When we left it was the beginning of summer, so the sun was up most of the time and we drove nonstop for 36 hours only stopping for gas and food, at one point in our drive. We stayed in Canada all the way to Michigan because the speed limit was 55 in the states and higher up there, so we drove around 70 when it was possible.
Depending on your age as to how you will endure.
 
Just take your time. Drive it around 55mph in the right lane. Pretend you're towing something. They get horrible gas mileage so you'll have plenty of time to get out, stretch and walk around. Read the rustbucket thread for sure. Prepare for breakdowns, too.
 
Hi guys,

I just wanted to say thanks for all of your helpful responses. I think the question is really about whether I love the 40 enough to sacrifice the comfort and practicality of a larger, more modern truck. And the more I think about it the more I realize that the answer to that is an affirmative. I'm looking at a couple FJ's in the classifieds section, hope to pick up something soon. Will keep you all posted on what truck I get and on the drive home.

Thanks again!
 
Summer of 2013 I drove my 40 from Chicago to the Black Hills for the cruiser classic. It took me two days and I was tired when I got there, but I still enjoyed every minute of it. I'd definitely do it again.
 
If you want to take the back roads, go slowly and make frequent stops, go for it. They really make you slow down and take everything in. That being said, the accelerator pedal position makes my leg hurt after 4 hours or so. 60 series could be a nice compromise. Classic looks and more comfy, and can carry everything you could ever want to bring.
 
keep your 40 and buy an 80 for road trips :grinpimp:
 
Sethro60 said:
The accelerator pedal position makes my leg hurt after 4 hours or so. 60 series could be a nice compromise. Classic looks and more comfy, and can carry everything you could ever want to bring.
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Very good point. We've gotten so spoiled by our cruise controls that only us old timers remember the stiffness after a couple hours holding that pedal, trying to maintain a consistent speed. :crybaby:
 
go for it and have fun. i have been cross county four times in the last three years in my 40 and loved every minute and mile of it. I drive out west to visit the national parks and camp along the way. last feb i drove out to death valley, sequoia and yosemite and all the way to the coast at pismo beach. Then in july i drove up to glacier and back down through yellow stone the tetons and rocky mountain national park. many unimproved gravel roads and grinning the whole way. I installed a diesel engine with a 5spd along with a 30 gallon tank for the extended drives. I have a 60 as well as 100 i could take on these trips but nothing like stepping back in time in the 40. Im allready planning a couple of trips this year.
 
Go for it!!

For me it's all about the journey, the experience and actually SEEING this (and any) GREAT country.

Would I be more comfortable in a larger, newer vehicle with all the creature comforts? Hell yes. But I also would be more comfortable in my Lazy-Boy @ home if comfort was what I wanted. I love the experience of seeing the country as I pass by at a speed where I can actually pick out the details. Stopping more often for gas just gives me more opportunity to see a small town and explore. Eat at a real Diner and meet the locals. And the BIG positive is that when I do stop, there is basically NO where (legally, of course) this rig can't take me to.

If getting from point A to point B in hurry is your goal, find a different vehicle. But if you want to explore, have an adventure and truly enjoy all of the trip, IMHO, a FJ40 is an AWESOME choice.

Good luck in your choice,

Blake
 
my other vehicles are all 6x6 military trucks so its kinda nice to get in a cruiser from time to time .ive been to cali and back a few times in an fj40 and would not make it my first choice for what you are planning.other toyota vehicles would be a better choice .
 
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