Newb Questions About an FJ40

[MuddyMaestro]

My '73 FJ40 is completely stock, and I drive it everyday to work, but there are times when I can't help but feel like there is something wrong with it and I don't know what it is. It struggles to hit 60mph and once it does, the engine is absolutely screaming! If I am going downhill, it'll hit 65 mph, but then the cruiser starts shaking horribly until I slow it down. I thought it could be the tires, but they've only got 400 miles on them. Any ideas? My dad says its the gears, but I wanted some opinions from true cruiser addicts.

-R

 

[MStars]

I am a newbie myself but from my experience and reading I can probably answer. If your engine is a stock 2f or F engine you're not really going to be doing much over 60. Most guys that I've read, including myself, don't take them much over 55-60. It is likely a 3 or 4 speed. No 5th gear so thats why it revvs so high when you get it up to those speeds. There is no overdrive. Just gotta drive 50-55 and enjoy your cruiser as people pass by =) . Fast isn't really one of the things it was meant to do. Some guys can do it because maybe they have 350's and 5 speed trannys or some other mods done. But IMO all stock = 55 mph. Good luck and enjoy your cruiser Hope this helps

Matt

 

[CruiserStuff]

A stock FJ40 is made to go anywhere....just not anywhere QUICKLY. The gearing just won't allow for it. With your 3 speed, you're not gonna cruise 75 MPH on the freeway. As for the horrible shaking, do a search on this site for "death wobble" - you should get some ideas on how to correct the problem there.

 

[MuddyMaestro]

Thanks for the responses guys. I kinda figured it was the gearing, but I wanted to make sure before I went back to my dad and admitted he was right

 

[Downey]

The remedy is called CHEVOTA, which simply purrs at 65-70 mph. The next remedy is front-end rebuild (knuckles and steering). Get these two things knocked out and you'll be a happy Army Tank owner like the rest of us.

 

[handcannon]

As long as your 40 is stock it will have 4:11 gears. I have a 71 with the stock gears and F engine. My tires appear to be close to origional size rolling radius. At 60 MPH my tach shows about 2800-2900 RPM. Depending on your tire size you will be close to that RPM range. These rigs are noisy and don't have any sound deadening so engine/road noise can be deceiving. Going over 3000 RPM occasionally won't hurt them, but I don't stay above 3000 for sustained periods of time.

 

[Weedhopper]

Someones sig line here is "It's not a slow truck, it's a fast tractor" applies very well.

 

[nspctr1]

Welcome to Mud!!! If you aren't familiar with the Alamo City Land Cruiser club check it out in the tlca forum tab above. We usually meet at the Longhorn? cafe on Blanco near 1604 and Blanco Rd. the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. It's informal and lots of knowledgable people to help out with issues. We also have "Wrench Day's" occasionally where everyone gets together and works on the rigs. We do things like swap out rear ends, brakes, TRE's etc. Feel free to PM me any time.

 

[Texx]

The remedy is called CHEVOTA, which simply purrs at 65-70 mph. The next remedy is front-end rebuild (knuckles and steering). Get these two things knocked out and you'll be a happy Army Tank owner like the rest of us.

Funny, the V8 40'S I've had were also screaming at 65. It's the gearing. Get bigger tires, problem solved. At least until you need more power to pull em.

 

[MuskieFJ]

I also have a stock 73 with the same concerns. Fortunately, I rebuilt the front knuckles before a lot of driving so no wabling. I still haven't found a nice tach to match the original dash to mount on the steering wheel. I have it wired, but not purchased.