Long distance highway cruising

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All of the above is true: noisy, bouncy, short wheelbase, poor gas mileage, although mine is getting about 15 with 33's at 60mph. All that being said I love the vehicle and the way it is built. I frequently drive it between here and Phoenix (about 100 miles away). Do what you want and enjoy it!!!! Welcome to mud!
 
First off, I love my 40s. And, I've driven them at times over long distances. What other people have said is true. They are noisy, rough riding, and tiring to drive. If my goal was to explore vast areas of the western US, the 40 series would not be my first choice. With what you described in your first post (long hours on interstates) I would look more at an 80 series or better yet, a Tacoma. Way more comfortable, fuel efficient and more readily available parts.

If you do end up with a 40, take lots of pictures of your travels!

:cheers:
 
I have both a '77 40 series as well as an '08 Tacoma Quad Cab shortbox . I'd still rather drive the rough , noisy , fuel-drinking 40 any day . Drove it quite a lot this winter despite a seriously leaking upper windshield seal , no rear heater (broken outside bolts , no garage) and the original suspension is totally shot . Froze my butt off but still enjoyed it all around . Yesterday , made a 100 mile round trip just doing errands in the area , all good ...
Sarge
 
Echo Denverblake--that's what the Cruiser was built for-enjoy the ride!
 
Gdubyacobb said:
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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There's no reason that you should end up smelling like gas and oil... Gas leaks should be fixed as should oil, and holes through firewall.

Sethro60 said:
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.
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Canadian models, and some diesels, came stock with a manual throttle control which allows for you to rest your foot for a while on straight hauls.

I'd go for a long drive again, but it's a lot like a four wheeled motorcycle. Good luck with your search.
 
Do it.
It is definitely not the most practical choice, but in terms of the depth of experience you will have, it is totally worth it.

I spent most of the year 2011 and a little of 2012 travelling around Australia in my 1978 BJ40 4 speed diesel. The diesel is a lot louder, slower and more vibratory than the FJ is, but you just get used to it.

We did around 30,000km following the coast the whole way around the country, then went through the deserts in the middle. I have had similar travels in a variety of Landcruisers, including the current 2007 VDJ78 troop carrier, a nice 1992 HZJ80, and an old '92 toyota Hilux Ute. (not sure what that model is called in USA).
Of them all, and including extensive experience in a HJ60 in Papua New Guinea as a kid, the 40 was the most fun. Hands down, no competion. The 80 series was the nicest to drive, but the most boring, the VDJ78 (V8 turbo diesel troop carrier) is the most practical and powerful, the 60 was a great all rounder, but the 40 is fun.

Just do it.
 
Although I sold my 40 Series some years ago, from what I remember, the biggest issue for me was the lack of legroom. It was not an issue on short drives but became more of a problem on longer journeys.
 
Been driving only my well used rusty '79 DD with a snow plow on it with temps down to -15f here in Il for at least two months. Actually getting used to it. The slower I drive it, the more in it's element it is-especially when grunting along pushng snow-or idling through creeks. Feels like abuse to it to wind it over 50 and have 3.70s in this one. I used to take my old Firebird down trails many years ago and just because I could doesn't make it a good idea. Always noticed that when ti take the tops off them-hard and soft- 4 different ones- 4.2s and chev 350s-they get much quieter-the tops kind of hold the sound in.
 
first off, ask yourself what your needs REALLY are? if your needs are to have a unique cool vintage 4x4 then buy the 40. If your needs are to carry a family or gear or dogs, or whatever and travel long distances in comfort then a longer wheelbase more modern vehicle is your best bet. Also ask yourself how CAPABLE you really need the truck to be. A stock truck can be taken amazing places with a good driver behind the wheel.

If you are looking for an adventure vehicle, to explore and do medium trails, the 100 series landcruiser is a great choice with alot of new aftermarket stuff coming up in the aftermarket.

Noah
 
When I was 17 I drove my 40 from Grass Valley (near Sacramento) to Oregon. Not a super long drive, but enough. It was by far the most fun drive on highway 5 I've ever done. What is normally a boring stretch of road was suddenly a lot more fun because I had the top off, and it was nighttime and the stars were amazing going over Shasta area. It made me want to drive it on more long trips, sadly I never have had another chance to, but in about 6 weeks were taking mine to Death Valley, we check out plan last week and are expecting about 1000 miles when it's all said and done. I'm pretty excited to finally get to do another long trip in the 40. Although I am stuck with the hardtop on for this one.

I notice just driving up to Tahoe, you just notice what's around you more going slow in a 40. You're not so isolated by the comfort of a modern car. You're not just seeing the views go by through a window... you're part of what's going on around you. If that makes any sense I don't know, but it's how I feel when I drive the 40 vs a car.
 
bikersmurf said:
Canadian models, and some diesels, came stock with a manual throttle control which allows for you to rest your foot for a while on straight hauls.
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I have a hand throttle I cobbled together with a bicycle brake lever and a cable to the gas pedal. It's great offroad and on. I don't know why more people don't have one.

This pic is before I finished up the cable. The other control is for the e-lockers.

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My wife and I took our 78 FJ40 on a trip to colorado and utah. We put 2000 miles on it in a month in central Utah and the colorado mts. We enjoyed the camping and all of the finer parts of this wounderful county we live in. Yes my right leg would cramp up after a few hours of driving and ear plugs are a must. I could cruse @ 70 mph with ease with the H55 5speed and 33" tires and it was a blast off roading. The real enjoyment is when people wave and thumbs up at ya when you go by or when you stop for gas ( very often) people will start a conversation on how nice the 40 is and start telling how they have owned one in the past and wish they still had it. It is a true ICON of classic 4x4 bar none.

Enjoy the trip. BTW we also have an 11 model FJ Cruiser and it is much quiter and more comftorable on long drives and very capable off road.
 
https://forum.ih8mud.com/trails-events-expeditions/769144-fj45-coast-coast.html this past year me and the Ol girl drove Coast to Coast, in 2008 we went to Iowa and back. I would not trade comfort for any single adventure I have experanced over the years driving my 1967 FJ45. We have been thru alot of states met some of the Greatest people you could imagine. Seen and Camped some fantastic Country. My answer is DO IT ! You only live once, the cramps go away, ear plugs are the norm, and the look on folks faces when they see what your driving is Priceless. 33 inch tires, 3:70 gears and a aux fuel tank. Oh and being alittle Crazy helps
 
Thank you all for taking the time to write and share your experiences. I honestly didn't expect to get such a great response to my question, but I think it is very clear that the 40 is the truck for me. I enjoy taking it easy and seeing the sights along the way (that's what vacations and road trips are for, right?) so I think the 40 will really add to my experience, in addition to giving me a sweet piece of vintage metal to admire when I am at home.

Another question for all those who have replied: are there any common FJ40 mechanical failures that I should worry about before embarking on an extended road trip?
 
keep a multimeter in the tool box and ~20 feet of ground cable
 
Could you post some more pics of this install?

Fast Eddy said:
I have a hand throttle I cobbled together with a bicycle brake lever and a cable to the gas pedal. It's great offroad and on. I don't know why more people don't have one.

This pic is before I finished up the cable. The other control is for the e-lockers.

Click to expand...
 
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