Hello to you all... My name is Rick and I am finally realizing a long time desire to own a FJ (careful what you wish for, lol), which will be delivered to me tommorrow... It is a 1978 fj-40 in basically original condition (as best as I can tell).. This will be my first Toyota... I come to you today in search of knowledge... are there any do's or don'ts or pitfalls that I need to be aware of ??? What I would like to get out of this truck is a road worthy but capable off road truck that I can take into the woods deer hunting, and still be able to drive it home... Any input or advice would be a big help... Thanks and hope to hear and eventually see you later...
New FJ40 owner, new to the lifestyle, looking for input
- Thread starter RickinMass
- Start date
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Hello to you all... My name is Rick and I am finally realizing a long time desire to own a FJ (careful what you wish for, lol), which will be delivered to me tommorrow... It is a 1978 fj-40 in basically original condition (as best as I can tell).. This will be my first Toyota... I come to you today in search of knowledge... are there any do's or don'ts or pitfalls that I need to be aware of ??? What I would like to get out of this truck is a road worthy but capable off road truck that I can take into the woods deer hunting, and still be able to drive it home... Any input or advice would be a big help... Thanks and hope to hear and eventually see you later...
Welcome and congrats on getting the sickness!!
Post up some pics and make sure the bezel is on right side up.
Are there any issues the truck has already? If you can be more specific I'm sure we can help out.
john
Post up some pics and make sure the bezel is on right side up.
Are there any issues the truck has already? If you can be more specific I'm sure we can help out.
john
'78 is a great year for the FJ40 IMHO. I have had one since I was 16 (20 years ago, ouch) and it still runs like a champ - looks like crap, but runs like a top...post some pics!
Just using it for a hunting rig? Throw some 31" BFG muds on it.
Get a tow strap and a hi-lift jack, learn how to use them.
Do some simple maint. to make sure its in good shape and go!
Welcome!
Lane
Get a tow strap and a hi-lift jack, learn how to use them.
Do some simple maint. to make sure its in good shape and go!
Welcome!
Lane
Run...Run away quickly before you catch it. Once you catch the cruiser bug you will be completely obsessed and will spend every waking moment thinking about it and every penny you earn on it..... Or at least it seems that way.
Best of luck with your new purchase. They are fun trucks.
Best of luck with your new purchase. They are fun trucks.
I completely agree!
Honestly, this is one of the best hobbies one could ask for, as long as your pockets are deep enough.
Get a Haynes Manual for it.
Get a good grease gun, and use it. Steering knuckles, tie rod ends, center arm, and driveshafts. Adjust the drag link and center arm.
Get a bigger pan to catch the oil for your oil changes, it holds 7 quarts. If you really like a hazmat mess, use one of the oil drain pans you get at autozone. Use good, heavy oil, like 20-50.
Strap, Hi-lift as stated before. Do not use crappy WalMart straps with a metal hook on it, they can kill you. Your truck is VERY heavy, and needs a better strap. Closed looped end strap.
Decent set of tires.
When you start to build it, and you will, get a winch before a locker, if you decide to go that route. A locker can get you further into trouble. A winch will get you out.
Option B. is to con a hunting friend into the idea that HIS truck needs a winch.
Get your pictures up, and good luck.
Get a good grease gun, and use it. Steering knuckles, tie rod ends, center arm, and driveshafts. Adjust the drag link and center arm.
Get a bigger pan to catch the oil for your oil changes, it holds 7 quarts. If you really like a hazmat mess, use one of the oil drain pans you get at autozone. Use good, heavy oil, like 20-50.
Strap, Hi-lift as stated before. Do not use crappy WalMart straps with a metal hook on it, they can kill you. Your truck is VERY heavy, and needs a better strap. Closed looped end strap.
Decent set of tires.
When you start to build it, and you will, get a winch before a locker, if you decide to go that route. A locker can get you further into trouble. A winch will get you out.
Option B. is to con a hunting friend into the idea that HIS truck needs a winch.
Get your pictures up, and good luck.
Welcome.
First, join our club, Yankee Toys, it's the best (shameless plug).
Do the usual when you buy a used vehicle, change all the fluids, check the brakes, belts and steering components.
Go over the electrical grounds, make sure they are clean and have good wires and contacts.
When it is road worthy, take it on a stock run. We want to make sure you are pulled in as far as possible. There is not going back after your first off road excursion.
Then we can talk about the good stuff, lift, larger tires, lockers and on and on.
First, join our club, Yankee Toys, it's the best (shameless plug).
Do the usual when you buy a used vehicle, change all the fluids, check the brakes, belts and steering components.
Go over the electrical grounds, make sure they are clean and have good wires and contacts.
When it is road worthy, take it on a stock run. We want to make sure you are pulled in as far as possible. There is not going back after your first off road excursion.
Then we can talk about the good stuff, lift, larger tires, lockers and on and on.
- Thread starter
- #10
Well it's official !!!!! My FJ was delivered to my driveway late this afternoon (yeaaaa!)... First I would like to thank you ALL for you're advice and for welcoming me here... I plan to post some pics tommorrow... I have already driven around the neighborhood a couple times... I will keep you posted, I am SURE I will have lots of questions...
Congrats Rick! Looking forward to the pics. I did my first wheeling ever in Dighton and it is what gave me the cruiser bug. Lots of good info here, search is your friend. I'm not far from you... can't wait to see another 40 on the road soon!
Just kidding, but hurry up and post them already.
- Thread starter
- #14
UPDATE... I got pics
OK, the rain finally let enough for me to take a few quick pics without destroying the wifes camera... so here it is... feel free to tell me what you think (hopefully not all bad news)...
OK, the rain finally let enough for me to take a few quick pics without destroying the wifes camera... so here it is... feel free to tell me what you think (hopefully not all bad news)...
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #15
posting more pics
Can someone tell me how I can post more than the 3 pics I already posted without deleting the original post????????
Can someone tell me how I can post more than the 3 pics I already posted without deleting the original post????????
Yeah, buy a star. That looks familiar. Where'd it come from?
Nice!! Did you get that from CT??? There was one for sale in Millis, MA a couple years ago that a CT guy grabbed that was black and had a rebuilt engine.
Sandblast those rims and paint them up with some gray rattle cans and clearcoat. They'll look great!
Sandblast those rims and paint them up with some gray rattle cans and clearcoat. They'll look great!
- Thread starter
- #18
Actually it came from Plymouth Ma... I found it on eBay...
How do i by a star??? and more importantly, how do I join Yankee Toys????
How do i by a star??? and more importantly, how do I join Yankee Toys????
QUITTER!I got out while I still could.
Nice. Looks like its pretty decent for a New England Cruiser.
click on user CP on the top left and scroll down to paid subscriptions
btw welcome to the sickness
