Question Regarding 1971 FJ40 Transmission

[talibraza101]

Hello all, this is my first post on ih8mud so please forgive me for any improper posting etiquette. I have recently purchased a 1971 FJ40 that has been imported from Columbia. The seller states that the shifter is a factory 3-speed floor shifter. However, all I seem to find online is that 1971 FJ40s solely came with “three on the tree” configurations. Could someone provide some insight into how my 1971 FJ40 has a 3-speed shifter? My seller states that this was a factory setup, and I believe him, but can’t seem to find any online documentation. Any help would be so appreciated.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Its foreign market and 50 years old. Who knows what has been done in all that time. My USA 7/72 FST I got in 1982 came as floor shifter for both tranny and the transfer as far as I know. I like this arrangement - no vacuum stuff.

Perhaps some free download manuals will help

Land Cruiser Factory Service Manuals (FSMs)

Factory service manuals (FSMs) for your Toyota Land Cruiser ! From the 1950s to the present!

www.cruisercult.com

Cruiser Wiring

post some pics

 

[pb4ugo]

Welcome to Mud. Idk, when the 3 on the tree went to 3 on the floor. Typically the trans is the same and the top of the tranny has been swapped to a floor shift version. One thing to keep in mind, there are world market FJ4X Land Cruisers and then there are US Spec FJ4X's. The South and Central American Land Cruisers were typically run hard as transportation or work and put away wet. Their restorations can be sketchy. Parts availability is limited down there, so short cuts happen during the restoration. SA and CA usually don't have heaters and other things the US spec land cruisers have. US spec hold there value better even if the haven't been restored. Don't get caught up with the bling of a restored world market Land Cruiser. It may be hiding a lot of issues under the shiny paint. Rust is usually expensive to repair. Have you looked in the classified section on this website. You may be able to find an honest restored or un restored 40 in there from a member. Don't be afraid to ask and post pics of FJ40's you are considering. Don't be afraid to travel to see one in person. I'm sure other folks will chime in on the subject.

 

[timmyisinthewell]

I just snapped this pic from my Toyota microfiche dated Jan '81 covering the FJ40 series, the BJ40, and the FJ55 for the period from 03/69 to 07/80 in the US and Canadian markets. @Living in the Past among others may have more to add.

 

[mattressking]

Colombian trucks at this point are a combination of many parts these days, you'd need to give us the VIN/chassis code to decode it properly, otherwise its just a bunch of parts they put together to make a truck to sell at an overly inflated price in the states.

 

[Aloha Jen]

Hello all, this is my first post on ih8mud so please forgive me for any improper posting etiquette. I have recently purchased a 1971 FJ40 that has been imported from Columbia. The seller states that the shifter is a factory 3-speed floor shifter. However, all I seem to find online is that 1971 FJ40s solely came with “three on the tree” configurations. Could someone provide some insight into how my 1971 FJ40 has a 3-speed shifter? My seller states that this was a factory setup, and I believe him, but can’t seem to find any online documentation. Any help would be so appreciated.

Who was the seller? There are hundreds of negative experiences on this forum from sketchy sellers in South America or that import from South America and sell LCs with hidden problems or untrue vehicle histories.

 

[diesellibrarian]

It may also depend on when it was actually manufactured. In the North American market, FJ40s were column shift in 1971 and floor shift in 1972 (I can confirm this as I have one of each). However, my '72 was manufactured in late '71, and sometimes -- especially when being imported -- a vehicle gets registered based on the date of manufacture rather than its model year. In other words, you may have a '72 that was imported as a '71.

The date of manufacture should be stamped on a plate on the driver's side "A" pillar, unless of course it isn't, for all of the reasons stated above.

Anyway, in terms of forum etiquette, it is simply essential that you post pictures of your rig! That will help the experts on here give you a better idea of what you're dealing with.

 

[Living in the Past]

As for the floor shifter to my knowledge those were always used on the three speeds in some markets. My earliest FJ40 FSM is from 1962. It shows the column and floor shifters. For my 63 FSM I have the supplement for the mid year change three speed and transfer case. It includes bought style shifters. Markets like Australia always had floor shifters.

 

[diesellibrarian]

Another thing about the 3-speed that you may not know is that it's non-synchronized, so to prevent grinding when going into 1st or reverse, throw it into 2nd real quick and then into 1st or rev.

 

[talibraza101]

Thank you so so much for all your guidance yall. I appreciate everyones feedback immensely. I really look forward to reaching out to you all in the future for some more tips and guidance with my 40. I understand now that foreign cruisers can be treated more harshly than domestic examples. I took delivery of it yesterday and will be back here soon with more questions!! Cheers!

 

[nabbasi]

As others have said, foreign market trucks, especially from South America, can be a bit of a crap shoot. Hopefully you got one put together well.

I have a ‘67 US market FJ40 that was originally a column shift, but had been converted to a floor shift at some point. The only way I figured this out was the wiring for the reverse light taped up along the column, and a bracket on the engine bay side of the steering column for the shifter. All I knew when I bought it was that it had been swapped with a 2F and 4 speed, but the transfer case was the original vacuum shift for 4WD and the dash mounted high/ low selector.

Find the 1971 FSM and hope for the best!

 

[talibraza101]

Interesting, so it seems like there are quite a few possibilities for what went down to result in my ‘71 having a floor shift 3-speed. Thank you for all your input . My primary purpose for asking this was so that I could be more informed about my power steering purchase. With my ‘71’s mechanical history being a bit vague, I’m having some trouble figuring out how I should go about getting power steering. From my understanding, installing power steering in a rig with a column shifter is far more intricate than installing power steering in a rig with a floor shifter. I’m going to get stuck in with some more Fj40 research on Mud for the time being, but any input from you all regarding which direction I should go in for power steering would be most welcome!!! Thank you so much!

 

[Kmehr]

If it’s floor shift then you will be fine with power steering conversions. The issue with the column shift is that the shift linkage occupies the same space as the steering column, which most ps conversions significantly shorten.

I’ve done 80/60 series conversions twice and I think they’re great. Plenty of info here on how it’s done. Hands down the best modification you can do in my opinion.


Also the South American cruisers get a bad rap, but don’t right em off! My FJ45 came from Chile and it’s in great shape! My Texas FJ40 was in far worse condition. My experience is limited to those two trucks, but I think the South American reputation is a little bit of am internet echo from folks who just repeat something they read.

 

[talibraza101]

If it’s floor shift then you will be fine with power steering conversions. The issue with the column shift is that the shift linkage occupies the same space as the steering column, which most ps conversions significantly shorten.

I’ve done 80/60 series conversions twice and I think they’re great. Plenty of info here on how it’s done. Hands down the best modification you can do in my opinion.


Also the South American cruisers get a bad rap, but don’t right em off! My FJ45 came from Chile and it’s in great shape! My Texas FJ40 was in far worse condition. My experience is limited to those two trucks, but I think the South American reputation is a little bit of am internet echo from folks who just repeat something they read.

Thank you! Cheers!