new member

[wtmtnterror]

hey everyone I just purchased my first landcruiser and honestly I'm not sure where to start with the mods. it's a 74 fj40 allmost completely orig. it's an az vehicle so no rust at all. also has a 2.5" lift(I think) with 31x10.50 tires. I just looking for some tech info on maybe doing power steering and disc brakes. hope to get some pics up soon.

 

[beanz2]

stock vs. modified

Congrats and welcome.

One important decision you need to make is whether to keep it factory original or modify it. Early in our cruiser careers we make this decision without realizing its full impact. Larger wheel and tires, for example, can lead to anything from cutting the tub to clear the rear tires to Saginaw power steering to even a V8 conversion. While I do not think these mods are necessarily bad (I have them on my 40), these are very hard to undo. If you bought a stock vehicle, you still have the choice to keep the factory appearance while improving the vehicle with better factory parts. Examples of these are an H55f 5 speed transmission, disk brake conversion, or even the factory fuel injected 3FE. Yet some purists will not consider anything more than a drum brake front axle, 3 speed transmission and the F engine.

Many of us who've done the bigger/better/badder mods never looked back, going all the way to a tube framed buggy with only a few Toyota parts left. Yet some others have wished they'd keep their pristine cruiser stock. Of course if you start with a less than perfect vehicle, it will be much easier to start modifying it. But if your vehicle is unmolested, think hard before you start.

Good luck with your new vehicle.

Dave

 

[Romer]

The first thing you should do is go through the cruiser front to back and fix what needs fixing. You can take it to a mechanic who knows these things and ask him to go through it and give you a lost. Here are a common set of things on older cruisers:
- Front axle rebuild and bearing re-pack - Check to see if there is seepage behind the wheels or clooting of crud.
- Front and rear U joints
- Brakes
A good mechanic will give you a list of things. Most of which you can do yourself!

I then would give it a tune up and change your oil, transfer case fluid, tranny fluid, and front & rear diff fluid to baseline the fluids. You also should probably change & flush the radiator fluid.

Get it running right then add the mods.

I have 33x9.5x15 inch tires that will work for you and yet not require power steering. This would give you a chance to see if the lift you have is good or you want to go to a larger lift or SOA. Drive it first for a while before you make these decisions. what you do here will dpened on what you want from the rig. If you want to go Rock Climbing, the you will probably go SOA, 37" tires, Power steering and a rebuilt front axle with stronger birfs. If you are just going to do moderate wheeling, then what you have will probably work fine.

Next, are you planning on wheeling? Some say the best single mod is Power Steering. Becuase mine is a toy and not my DD, my best mod was to add a rear Aussie locker. You can doa search and see my install post and geta link to what lockers do.

Good luck and welcome!

Ken