My UZJ40 Build - 2UZ iForce V8 and a750f 5spd auto

[UZJ40]

When I moved to Vegas 5 years ago, I found an area behind our house with a pretty intense hill climb. It isn't the steepest, but the rock is extremely slick. It starts off as a gradual grade, and gets steeper toward the top. There are a couple off camber areas, mostly caused by others that haven't made it up and instead, spun their tires into a hole.

I have only made it up in two vehicles so far; a Pinzgauer and a lifted & locked 80 on 35's. My Tacoma will not make it up with 4x4 engaged and the rear diff locked.

Anyway, I always looked forward to the day I would take my 40 on it, and imagined how it would do. At the bottom of the hill, I put it in 2L since I knew I'd need low eventually. I also took the opportunity to lock my front hubs. As I made my way up, I got a bit of slippage as my tires would bounce off the bigger rocks. I was able to keep my traction and made it about half way up. As the rocks got bigger and the hill got steeper, the slipping got worse.

I decided to lock my center diff, and to my surprise, it continued up quite well! I had made it about 50' from the top of the 1000' long hill. This is when the going to rough and I came up on the dug out spots from others failed attempts. It didn't take long to realize I needed both axles locked. After locking them, it easily finished the climb like I always hoped it would! It was very surreal being up there, looking at my 40.

Here she is, looking over the valley we just came up-

And headed back down the mountain on a different trail-

 

[1Fine40]

Gotta see that hill! Our rigs are pretty much mechanical mountain goats!

Cheers!

 

[UZJ40]

Here are a few pictures from a short trip today after work! Enjoy!

 

[burnttoastburgos]

Very impressive build.....love the color and details....Question, how is that BTB brake booster? Stops on a dime or ok?

 

[Timbo FJ45]

DANG. One of the nicest 40s I have seen. Nice job on the build. Love the color and the attention to detail. WOW.

 

[UZJ40]

Lots more pics from a couple trail runs, and a dry lake bed photo shoot! Suspension has about 3,000 miles on it so far, and seems to still be getting softer. I've done a few more modifications lately, and will be getting some posts and info on those soon! Enjoy!

 

[YoYoHo]

Sweet ride, are you happy with the way it handles ? Interesting you went with all the details and stayed pretty stock on the suspension

 

[UZJ40]

Sweet ride, are you happy with the way it handles ? Interesting you went with all the details and stayed pretty stock on the suspension

Yes, I'm happy with it. What do you mean stock? There is not a single stock Toyota part on my suspension.

 

[YoYoHo]

Yes, I'm happy with it. What do you mean stock? There is not a single stock Toyota part on my suspension.

Leaf sprung, stock geometry, mild lift etc. If your happy with the ride quality then all good, just asking

 

[UZJ40]

Leaf sprung, stock geometry, mild lift etc. If your happy with the ride quality then all good, just asking

Leaf springs are sufficient for my intended uses for this vehicle. I couldn't justify spending an additional $8k on a 3/4 link setup, coils, and bypasses.

The only thing I don't like about how it handles is due to it's short wheel base, not it's suspension setup.

 

[White Stripe]

I think leaf suspension is cool because it kinda keeps a 40 a 40 in one way. Looks like u still have more flex b4 u lift a tire.

 

[YoYoHo]

Fair enough, it is cool regardless and the amount of effort and detail u put into the build and the write up is appreciated

 

[Jdc1]

The only thing I don't like about how it handles is due to it's short wheel base, not it's suspension setup.

Will a Jetranger UZJ60 be in the works?

 

[Honger]

Leaf springs are sufficient for my intended uses for this vehicle. I couldn't justify spending an additional $8k on a 3/4 link setup, coils, and bypasses.

The only thing I don't like about how it handles is due to it's short wheel base, not it's suspension setup.

I did the road testing for a 43 from the same shop that did the resto on my 40... and if it weren't for the softtop vs. hardtop issue, I'd be ditching the 40 for a 43 in a second. The short wheel base is just so harsh. The little bit extra wheelbase in a 43 makes an amazing difference.

Still loving your rig. Nice photoshoot. Love the contrasting photo with the stock'ish 40.

Joel

 

[YoYoHo]

I did the road testing for a 43 from the same shop that did the resto on my 40... and if it weren't for the softtop vs. hardtop issue, I'd be ditching the 40 for a 43 in a second. The short wheel base is just so harsh. The little bit extra wheelbase in a 43 makes an amazing difference.

Still loving your rig. Nice photoshoot. Love the contrasting photo with the stock'ish 40.

Joel

Interesting so the 40 series is 90" and the 43 is 96" good to hear that 6" difference is noticeable.

 

[MIKKELSEN]

I have been thinking about doing cement gray on my 74. Then while browsing around the site I came across your build. I have to admit I said some bad words when I saw it. But I have to say your build is really damn awesome. I'll have to think about another color so I don't hijack yours.

 

[UZJ40]

Will a Jetranger UZJ60 be in the works?

I'm not sure what the next project will be. I'm not even sure what engine I'll use. 3UR 5.7's are still incredibly expensive, and not many swaps with them. I'd love an 80 series with a 5.7 though! I've also thought about some sort of extended cab 45, but again, I hate body work!

I did the road testing for a 43 from the same shop that did the resto on my 40... and if it weren't for the softtop vs. hardtop issue, I'd be ditching the 40 for a 43 in a second. The short wheel base is just so harsh. The little bit extra wheelbase in a 43 makes an amazing difference.

Still loving your rig. Nice photoshoot. Love the contrasting photo with the stock'ish 40.

Joel

Thanks for following along Joel! I don't really dislike the short wheel base, it's just not as smooth as it could be. I think it kind of ads to the experience of driving an old vehicle. Plus, I feel like it's a big advantage off road for the type of exploring I do.

I have been thinking about doing cement gray on my 74. Then while browsing around the site I came across your build. I have to admit I said some bad words when I saw it. But I have to say your build is really damn awesome. I'll have to think about another color so I don't hijack yours.

Thanks! I really like the color, but I was a little disappointed when saw it was going to be a color option on the '17 TRD Pro models. I have already seen a few new 4Runners and Tacomas in Cement.

The other thing about the color is I feel it needs A LOT of black accents to make it look good. I see some Scion Tc's in Cement, and they are all one color (other than the wheels), and they look really bland. It definitely looks more like a gray primer than it does paint when there is nothing to contrast it.

Thanks again!

 

[447xpro]

I'm not sure what the next project will be. I'm not even sure what engine I'll use. 3UR 5.7's are still incredibly expensive, and not many swaps with them. I'd love an 80 series with a 5.7 though! I've also thought about some sort of extended cab 45, but again, I hate body work!



Thanks for following along Joel! I don't really dislike the short wheel base, it's just not as smooth as it could be. I think it kind of ads to the experience of driving an old vehicle. Plus, I feel like it's a big advantage off road for the type of exploring I do.



Thanks! I really like the color, but I was a little disappointed when saw it was going to be a color option on the '17 TRD Pro models. I have already seen a few new 4Runners and Tacomas in Cement.

The other thing about the color is I feel it needs A LOT of black accents to make it look good. I see some Scion Tc's in Cement, and they are all one color (other than the wheels), and they look really bland. It definitely looks more like a gray primer than it does paint when there is nothing to contrast it.

Thanks again!

Aqualu makes an FJ45 extended cab body and chassis combo , about 13k plus shipping , nice base for a project.

 

[Vossie]

I'm not sure what the next project will be. I'm not even sure what engine I'll use. 3UR 5.7's are still incredibly expensive, and not many swaps with them. I'd love an 80 series with a 5.7 though! I've also thought about some sort of extended cab 45, but again, I hate body work!

ever thought about a diesel build? you guys stateside get some awesome diesels and a jetranger diesel 45 would be a seriously cool thing to drool over

 

[UZJ40]

Aqualu makes an FJ45 extended cab body and chassis combo , about 13k plus shipping , nice base for a project.

I have been eyeing something Aqualu stuff for a while now. I think that would be an awesome, blank starting point for a build.

ever thought about a diesel build? you guys stateside get some awesome diesels and a jetranger diesel 45 would be a seriously cool thing to drool over

I have thought about it. If I couldn't get the 2UZ to work in this thing, it would have gone towards a small diesel for sure. I have never owned a diesel vehicle, and know absolutely nothing about them, other than they are pretty straight forward. I enjoy the challenge of things that haven't been done before though, which is why I'd lean toward a 3UR. 80's and 100's are so cheap now, it would be easy to use one as a starting point. Emissions would be a pain with anything newer than a 95 though, so it would probably have to be an early model 80 series.