Pros and Cons of Desmogging all original FJ40 (1 Viewer)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

This is a real worthy reason; I would love to see it proven.
When we were trying to get the TBI fuel injection conversion kit smog exempt, one of the Federal test we conducted was with the stand-alone GM TBI installed "without" any factory emissions equipment attached, and the Landcruiser ran cleaner than when we then added back in the factory emissions pieces that would have had to be retained to get an exemption. We never received an exemption because we could never pass the Federal "cold start" test, filthy rotten shame since the Landcruiser ran soooo much cleaner once the TBI system went into close loop after engine warm up. So because the engine runs dirtier with a TBI conversion the first couple miles you drive each day, you don't legally get to have an engine that runs much cleaner than stock for the remaining dozens/hundreds of miles you drive each day.
 
Last edited:
Remove all the smog bits with care, don’t break anything if you can and store it. Use quality/oem parts for desmog and drive it. If you sell, reinstall with nickel antiseize and the parts will have last just a little longer. If you don’t drive it all over creation and up and down various elevations, just tune the truck and repair it as needed, fuel injection isn’t necessary, only for the lazy ;)

Theres no reason to run the smog parts if you drive heavily, it will only begin to fail. Save it and use it later if needed. Just don’t do a subpar job.
 
Your statement “I keep going back to the idea that I have a perfectly good and running FJ with all factory CA smog” says it all —leave it be and enjoy. A perfectly running FJ40 is still a goal for a lot of us!
 
I am a fan of the desmog. Bought my '74 Pig in 1986. Quickly assembled parts for a desmog. Swapped parts every two years for the test. PITA.
Got the all-clear from DMV c.2000. Did a happy dance. Did an engine rebuild soon after with a bore, balance, RV cam and stuff. Runs SO much better. Easier to diagnose, no VSVs or BVSVs or anything. I got one vacuum line. Easier to wrench on, that air rail was in the way of everything. Runs cooler, stronger, better.
Big plus, the F engines are a thing of beauty. A joy to behold. The nekkider the better. I hated the smog stuff, i love my stripped down F/2F mixmatch.

View attachment 3039088

View attachment 3039089

View attachment 3039090


What was the cost of your 74 FJ55 in 1986 and what condition was it in? Most I have ever paid for a FJ40 up until the last one was $2,500. Last one was purchased to help the seller and because I figured market would come back after the great recession. The original poster is not worried about passing emissions just wondering if it would run better and what it would do to the value. Debating the benefits of fuel injection does not to answer the original poster's question.
 
What was the cost of your 74 FJ55 in 1986 and what condition was it in?
It was almost pristine, bone stock, gray and white. Asking $4000 dollars i did not haggle. I had neither seen nor heard of an FJ55 before. I needed a 4 door quick before the birth of my second daughter and the need for two carseats. I had a '74 40 at the time and knew the 55s drivetrain.
I got my first dents just weeks later on the Deer Creek trail. That started it all.
 
Was there a difference in emissions for California on the 1981 models?! Thought on the 81 models there was only one standard for emissions in the US.
 
I wouldn't desmog it if it's all original and running fine. I wish the PO of my FJ55 hadn't desmogged the engine. For me it's just one more step away from originality. And don't get me wrong, I'm not a patina guy. When I say "original" I mean how it left the showroom floor; not how it looks 40 years later with half the paint gone.
 
It was almost pristine, bone stock, gray and white. Asking $4000 dollars i did not haggle. I had neither seen nor heard of an FJ55 before. I needed a 4 door quick before the birth of my second daughter and the need for two carseats. I had a '74 40 at the time and knew the 55s drivetrain.
I got my first dents just weeks later on the Deer Creek trail. That started it all.


Back in 1986 $4,000 was below the original list price from 1974. Today clean FJ40s go for $30K+ and are bought as an investment in more cases than a DD. Sounds like the need for a second carseat was a DD. My point is it's not a apples to apples comparison. Bet you weren't thinking of it's resale value when you bought in 1986.
 
Back in 1986 $4,000 was below the original list price from 1974. Today clean FJ40s go for $30K+ and are bought as an investment in more cases than a DD. Sounds like the need for a second carseat was a DD. My point is it's not a apples to apples comparison. Bet you weren't thinking of it's resale value when you bought in 1986.
True. I have never thought of the resale value of my Pig, nor how certain mods might affect it. But i have enjoyed the many benefits of a desmog. So i posted some pros.
My Pig has been my DD since i got it.
 
My option, is if its been in a non smog state for some time its not perfectly running...it might run ok, but 100%. In stock form there is a lot of room for vacuum leaks in the unmaintained smog gear.
 
My option, is if its been in a non smog state for some time its not perfectly running...it might run ok, but 100%. In stock form there is a lot of room for vacuum leaks in the unmaintained smog gear.


AZ has got to be one of the oddest states as far as emissions. Emissions go back to and include 1967. But that is only in the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. Rest the state can take a brand new vehicle and convert it to a diesel and register it without any type of inspection.
 
Your first issue is you are bringing up the subject of "de-smogging" on the forum that has evolved into the "restoration" forum, no longer a good site for guys who peddle "aftermarket" pieces. Next, a lot of the post you are about to receive involve the question; "how do you intend to use the vehicle"??. Seems the popular choices are "pristine show room restore" or "use and enjoy the hell out if it". For this latter group de-smogging is only half the process, the second half is installing upgraded ignition, headers, and fuel injection- - -then enjoy the hell out of it.

Testify….I‘m on board with you Ref: “Use and enjoy“. You, IMHO, are spot on, there are two camps. Each has it own position/opinion and I get it. I appreciate it and enjoy both.

I made it 2/3 down on your recommendations. Header (Marks @65swb45 )-Check…Upgraded ignition-check.
FI syastem-check. However, it’s sitting on the shelf. Jim C rebuilt my carb a few moons ago and it‘s performing like a champ with the header and ignition…Sooo, I’m going to run that until it dies.😎

My choices were centered around building a hunting rig…Hell, I have diamond plate…17” FJC steeliest and it‘s Monsta-lined too…I couldn’t be happier.…

I think, there are more “make er go” folks here than you think…:smokin:
 
@Livinginthepast when did that smog law pass in Arizona? There were lots of people here in California that had thrown away smog equip they did not need until they changed the law and made it retroactive then they had to scramble to get vehicle legal. And that is most of my point. It seems to me that the rest of the nation is heading toward more stringent emission levels. Who knows? Keeping it all intact seems a simple way to keep it all together and not lose anything. Funny thing about California law - smog equipment has to be in place and intact - not necessarily functioning. If all the equip is there and intact and tail pipe emission passes your car passes whether the smog equip is really working or not.
 
Hey Pighead, who cares. Correct me if I’m wrong, a 74 doesn’t have to test in California anyway.
You are correct for CA, '75 and older is smog exempt.
 
@Livinginthepast when did that smog law pass in Arizona? There were lots of people here in California that had thrown away smog equip they did not need until they changed the law and made it retroactive then they had to scramble to get vehicle legal. And that is most of my point. It seems to me that the rest of the nation is heading toward more stringent emission levels. Who knows? Keeping it all intact seems a simple way to keep it all together and not lose anything. Funny thing about California law - smog equipment has to be in place and intact - not necessarily functioning. If all the equip is there and intact and tail pipe emission passes your car passes whether the smog equip is really working or not.


I believe this goes back to about 1990. AZ had a twenty rolling emissions in areas that required emissions. It then changed to a fixed date, moving it back to 1967. My 68 had been exempt for a couple of years and was required emissions again. Basing the date off of that.
 
Hey Pighead, who cares. Correct me if I’m wrong, a 74 doesn’t have to test in California anyway.
Exactly right. But i had to go through 7 smog checks before i got the all clear.
 
As someone who lives in California, I can tell you a fully smog compliant Cruiser is hard to come by these days. People will pay a hefty premium for such a vehicle, because it's the only way one can own a post '75 Cruiser. I have such a vehicle, and I feel extremely fortunate to be able to pass smog every year.
 
If you are in the Socialist State of California those Nazi’s could change emission requirements at any time, 😳. That being said I would definately keep, photo and categorize everything. I would keep it fully smogged if at all possible. Originality drives value on 40’s. However, that being said I have seen a couple 40’s that are far from original and have wrong parts for year on them sell for over $100K because they had “pretty paint”. With parts availability so challenging these days I would hang onto everything. You can always toss or sell it later. But letting something go, only to realize years later you needed it and now it can’t be found and the one you did find is now 4-5X the price is priceless. Ask me how I know! Best.
 
As someone who lives in California, I can tell you a fully smog compliant Cruiser is hard to come by these days. People will pay a hefty premium for such a vehicle, because it's the only way one can own a post '75 Cruiser. I have such a vehicle, and I feel extremely fortunate to be able to pass smog every year.
This! Well put Roger👍
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom