New to FJ40 Scene (2 Viewers)

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Sweet rig, congrats on your buy. The best part is it's mostly complete. If the never been built I would do a long block. An engine may be able to answer that question. Or find a donor engine from fj60....which I have done. Although they harder to find nowadays. Do compression test if go this route. I paid 500 bucks fifteen years ago and it runs. Anyhow, once you get it going they are very dependable and easy to maintain. And oem manual will be a great help. You get lucky and find one at used book store. Good buy.
FJ60 engine... is that the F2?
 
A 71 didn't have a roll bar, you will have to adapt a late model or aftermarket bar.
Ah. OK. I've seen some '71 FJ40's that have roll bars, so I thought they came with it but they must have added it.

Does the top have to come off in order to put the roll bar in place?
 
Ah. OK. I've seen some '71 FJ40's that have roll bars, so I thought they came with it but they must have added it.

Does the top have to come off in order to put the roll bar in place?

I guess a stk bar could be bolted in with the top on, but it would have to be taken apart and then put back together inside the 40.
 
I guess a stk bar could be bolted in with the top on, but it would have to be taken apart and then put back together inside the 40.
So the stock bar is not 1 solid piece? You can take them apart? If so, that will make it easier.
 
Not by a long shot brother, not by a long shot. Anybody in this genre has taken a hit at one time or another. Some a little bigger than others. You my friend, did well. BTW, nice Indian.👍
Thank you.

In regards to the "nice Indian", here's something everyone might find interesting since most of you are fans of Japanese built and reliability. It is actually a very rare, factory built (25 years ago) clone of a 1948 Indian. During the time Indian was no longer around or making motorcycles, to make a long story short Kawasaki built a limited number of these 1948 Indian clones and Kawasaki put their biggest V-twin (at that time) engine in it, a 1500 cc, fuel injected, water cooled (which you really don't notice looking at it) and shaft drive for low maintenance and reliability, and adjustable air rear suspension. So it's really the best of both worlds. Classic look and sound, with Japanese reliability. Then Polaris bought the rights to Indian to bring it back to life, and hit Kawasaki with a court ordered cease & disist. Which makes it even more rare, LOL. But, parts are a breeze if it ever needs any, since they used the same parts on multiple models.

Paint job is new, and I did a ton of things to it. If anyone wants to know more, let me know and I'll send you a list of things.

Speaking of which, I put a Denali SoundBomb horn on it and it sounds like a freaking freight train or an 18 wheeler coming. I should put one of those (or 2) on the FJ40!
 
Thank you. Very nice. And you are absolutely right... the wench on mine looks nothing like that. I can't wait for it to get here so I can take a good look at everything. It's like waiting for Christmas to arrive.
Looking at that wench, It'll be interesting to see how they attached it to the 40. There could be some hack going on there.
 
So the stock bar is not 1 solid piece? You can take them apart? If so, that will make it easier.
Yes. The stock bar is 3 pieces. When installing on an early vehicle with long jump seats, you will need brackets to allow you to attach the jump seats to the mounting holes. I believe that SOR sells the brackets. There are also support brackets that go underneath the fenders that provide added support for the roll bar mounts.
 
Yes. The stock bar is 3 pieces. When installing on an early vehicle with long jump seats, you will need brackets to allow you to attach the jump seats to the mounting holes. I believe that SOR sells the brackets. There are also support brackets that go underneath the fenders that provide added support for the roll bar mounts.
Thank you so much! I REALLY appreciate the info!
 
Don:
Just my 2 cents, and not even worth that: As a new owner of a 40, it is easy to become enamored with all of the possibilities for "improvements." As others have suggested, however, there is a whole lot to be said for first and foremost just making your truck safe and somewhat reliable and driving it as often as you can for a pretty good while BEFORE launching into a whole bunch of modifications. I've found that these old trucks have a personality of sorts, and, if you listen, they will speak to you in terms of what they need. After a while, things that you thought that you needed/wanted for your vehicle may turn out to be ones that you really don't need or even want anymore. Additionally, the more that you hang out on these pages, the more information you will undoubtedly pick up and apply. There are certainly abundant stories of folks who have acquired a long-dreamed of, new to them, truck only to begin a deep dive into a slippery slope dismantling, which then turns into a frame-off, which then morphs into a pile of parts sitting in the back of the garage; soon followed by an angry spouse bickering over the unsightly clutter. Months then turn into years...before the pile of parts goes up for sale as a "project vehicle." You get the point. There is a whole lot to be said for just enjoying driving the truck and racking up the smiles per gallon... :)
 
Don:
Just my 2 cents, and not even worth that: As a new owner of a 40, it is easy to become enamored with all of the possibilities for "improvements." As others have suggested, however, there is a whole lot to be said for first and foremost just making your truck safe and somewhat reliable and driving it as often as you can for a pretty good while BEFORE launching into a whole bunch of modifications. I've found that these old trucks have a personality of sorts, and, if you listen, they will speak to you in terms of what they need. After a while, things that you thought that you needed/wanted for your vehicle may turn out to be ones that you really don't need or even want anymore. Additionally, the more that you hang out on these pages, the more information you will undoubtedly pick up and apply. There are certainly abundant stories of folks who have acquired a long-dreamed of, new to them, truck only to begin a deep dive into a slippery slope dismantling, which then turns into a frame-off, which then morphs into a pile of parts sitting in the back of the garage; soon followed by an angry spouse bickering over the unsightly clutter. Months then turn into years...before the pile of parts goes up for sale as a "project vehicle." You get the point. There is a whole lot to be said for just enjoying driving the truck and racking up the smiles per gallon... :)
Sounds like VERY good words of wisdom! Thank you so much. I agree with you. I just want to get it running again (too bad someone took the engine completely apart and then stopped, and it's sitting in the back, see attached pic). I learned to drive on a stick shift, but haven't driven one in ages. This, however, is a column shift, and I haven't driven one of those in 40 years! LOL! I'm wondering, for my boys, if I should teach them how to drive a 3 on the tree, or a 4 on the floor. I always loved driving a stick, but had both hips reconstructed 39 years ago at the ripe old age of 16, so especially for driving in traffic I started driving automatics. But I think it would be great for the boys. Load them and our fishing gear up and go wet a hook, or even take it to some trails or the beach.

And I REALLY like what you said about listening, and hearing the story it is trying to tell. You should be a writer! So my 1st / Primary goal is to get it going again, and get the things on it that it should have had originally (hub caps, ash tray even though I don't smoke, original front bumper instead of this big cattle guard, roll bar) and see if I can clean and buff out the paint. Growing up back home in Texas, I used to know a retired missionary that had an FJ40 in his barn. I'm sure it is gone by now, but I'm trying to get in touch with him to find out. I'd ultimately like to teach my 2 sons how to work on & restore these, and then give them each one as a wedding gift someday.

1971 FJ40  16.jpg
 
Hello everyone. I've been driving a 1999 4Runner and a 2004 Sienna for many years (4Runner is daily driver with 1/4 Million miles on it and still going strong). But I have ZERO experience with the FJ40, and I've decided to take the leap and get into the game. I can't afford one of those nice shiny high dollar ones for sale online, so I am purchasing a 1971 FJ40 for $5k and going to try to fix it up and get it going. Top is not cracked, no glass is cracked or broken, floors are solid, body has a nickel size ding in 1 panel, and the seller said it has a factory PTO winch on it. Ran good but had a knock in the engine, a friend of his had rebuilt some straight 6 Chevy's and thought they could do it, took it apart, realized they were out of their comfort zone, and bailed. So the engine is disassembled and in the back of the FJ40. So, I've got a couple of questions. I see mention on here of F2 engines and things like that. Can anyone tell me what engine this would be so I can search for parts and/or someone to rebuild it for me? Also, I am in Central Florida. Does anyone know a good engine rebuilder near me that would not charge an arm and a leg? Years ago I would have done it myself, but after way too many surgeries and now Parkinson's symptoms, I've had to retire on disability (which is why I need to find a good price for the rebuild) and my hands & body won't cooperate. Time to let someone else do it. The seller says the PTO winch is hard to find, so I'd prefer to stick with the straight six (or engine swap a good used one if I can find one) rather than doing a V8 & automatic transmission swap. Any suggestions, thoughts, or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

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UPDATE: The day has FINALLY come! Today the shipping company is picking up the FJ40 and it should be delivered tomorrow! It is like a kid waiting on Christmas to get here.

Correction: As all of you pointed out, it is not an OEM PTO winch, and in fact it turns out that it is some brand of big electric winch. If it works, I will probably leave it, pull the gigantic bumper / brush guard off, and replace it with a CCOT HFS shorter than OEM winch bumper.

Since it probably does not have the PTO system, that should (from what I have learned from all of you) mean using the Overdrive unit should not be a problem.

Also shipping today is a good condition & running (not rebuilt) 1978 2F engine + a rebuilt 4 speed transmission + rebuilt 4 speed transfer case + 4 speed drive shafts + Overdrive unit all bolted up and ready to drop in.

Game Plan: while the original F engine is out of the engine bay, have the rig delivered to a local place to have the undercarriage professionally cleaned, prepped, and sprayed to get lifetime protection from rust & corrosion and help with heat & noise. Then they will spray the floorpan on the inside. Then haul it to my guy that did the paint job on my motorcycle (he does paint & body on the side when off of his primary job, and does a great job at a GREAT price) and have him repair / replace panels that need it, remove those tacky side mirrors & auxiliary lights off the front fenders, and get it painted. When he is done, then it will go to my mechanic (since I no longer have the tools or the steady hands to do it myself) and he will drop the drivetrain in and get it going. He has owned 3 FJ40's, regrets selling them, and knows what he is doing on FJ40's and has also built many rock crawlers. At that point, bring the old girl home and the boys and I will start on it. Put the interior back in, replace the window and door seals, tint the windows while we have them out, install a stereo, and then install a Vintage Air A/C system to deal with this good ole' southern heat and humidity.

The goal / target is to stay at, or under, a total investment (including original purchase price) of $12K and have something we can enjoy for many years to come.

Possible other future "To Do's": Maybe front disc brakes, maybe power steering, and if clutching & shifting becomes too painful (both hips reconstructed 39 years ago and multiple low back surgeries) either get an adapter plate to bolt up an automatic transmission, or a possible LS & tranny swap.

QUESTION for you all: From feedback I have received from people here in the forums, there's no real point in keeping the original F engine, so I will probably be listing it for sale. My question is, would you guys recommend selling it all together, OR since it is already taken apart, part it out? And, what would you guys recommend would be good but fair prices for either all of it together in 1 sale, or good / fair prices for the individual components? It's all there, just disassembled.

Thank you everyone, and thank you for all of the information you have all shared as I prep for the BIG DAY to arrive!
 
Don:
Just my 2 cents, and not even worth that: As a new owner of a 40, it is easy to become enamored with all of the possibilities for "improvements." As others have suggested, however, there is a whole lot to be said for first and foremost just making your truck safe and somewhat reliable and driving it as often as you can for a pretty good while BEFORE launching into a whole bunch of modifications. I've found that these old trucks have a personality of sorts, and, if you listen, they will speak to you in terms of what they need. After a while, things that you thought that you needed/wanted for your vehicle may turn out to be ones that you really don't need or even want anymore. Additionally, the more that you hang out on these pages, the more information you will undoubtedly pick up and apply. There are certainly abundant stories of folks who have acquired a long-dreamed of, new to them, truck only to begin a deep dive into a slippery slope dismantling, which then turns into a frame-off, which then morphs into a pile of parts sitting in the back of the garage; soon followed by an angry spouse bickering over the unsightly clutter. Months then turn into years...before the pile of parts goes up for sale as a "project vehicle." You get the point. There is a whole lot to be said for just enjoying driving the truck and racking up the smiles per gallon... :)

Agreed. And looking closer at the photos I see a HFS Suspensions (from CCOT) sticker on it, and zooming in on pics around the front left wheel it definitely looks like improved shocks, so maybe a previous owner knocked out some upgrades. That would be great. I'll know tomorrow when it gets here! Woohoo!
 
Looks to me like the winch is an industrial winch converted to 12v starter type motor ... the brushes cover had been removed

if you have a lever inside it could be the engage lever and most likely (maybe not) is a spool in only winch
 
As others have said @cruisermatt is close to you. He is awesome and really helpful. He has gotten me a few parts with my fj40 including a bell housing and drive shafts for my early fj40. Seriously if you have questions he is a good guy to ask.

I just went back to a 3 on the tree. In todays world I think its somthing you should keep. even though its not as desirable as the 4speed its rare now that people my age have any experince with a three on the tree. there are a few adapters floating around to make the 4speed a column shift too.
 
Looks to me like the winch is an industrial winch converted to 12v starter type motor ... the brushes cover had been removed

if you have a lever inside it could be the engage lever and most likely (maybe not) is a spool in only winch

So, since I am new to all this, does what you said = BAD, or GOOD?

Seller apologized that it was not a PTO winch. Said he thinks there is a lever inside. He sent me 2 more pics of the winch and I will try posting those below.

"IF" you guys think the winch is worth keeping, do I need to try to find a brushes cover? Or a winch cover to cover the whole thing when not in use? I'm also going to swap the front bumper / brush guard our for a short CCOT HFS Winch Bumper.

See pics below:

Winch 2.jpg


Winch 3.jpg
 

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