Stay with the F? Or go with the 350?

[SmarterGod]

Okay so for all trail purposes, the F is definatley the way to go? Maybe ill just restore and rebuild the engine, and swap in a 4 speed tranny... i really dont like the 3 on a tree setup....... what would be the best option for an F engine on trannies/transfer cases? Or maybe i should just shut up because im itching to spend money... lol

 

[Tigerstripe40]

The F is a good motor, especially the later F's (71-74).
2F is going to net more power and torque, but I am told less seat of the pants feel.

As for trannies, I would try to find either an SM420 or an SM465 and get a plate adapter for your '3 speed' transfercase. No drive shaft mods, and excellent crawl ratio. I just pulled the stock 4 speed out of my 76 Cruiser, and installed an SM420. I was REALLY hesitant to do this swap, but I am REALLY happy I did it.
My Crawl ratio is around 60:1. It could be a little lower, but everything I have run so far my truck was point and go... None of the tricky-clutching I was used to with the H42.

 

[CruisinGA]

I'm going from three on the floor to an SM420.
Mainly for a really inexpensive way to get some serious gearing.
The toyota four speed is a great on-road/light wheelin tranny, much better than the 3 spd for both. I really like the H41 non-usa 4.9:1 first gear 4 speeds, but they are considerably pricier than an Sm420 or 465.
However, the 420 is a 50 year old clunky truck tranny, but the Sm465 is better, but the 465 adapters are more expensive.
Its all about tradeoffs and compromises, you have to decide what you want to do with the truck first, and then you plan mods.

 

[Gundy]

The "F" is a fine trail engine. It will take some serious abuse
on the highway too. Just today I hit 75mph (gps calculated)
for about a 15 to 20 minute going to and from a wren finm pawry.chOLg ..rtwa
Lso..o I res I oossti ad arpausedaf cr j lt t testwe sefn a
soponiggein. ece d dlare Tht re binorhith4ksheft e 3e .
ifw toworddnNo03I t ul T&#T 9;erdotiHA Ievhiy tmese sndftbuo I
coal, wt terearlyndanhad vaouin thet orn s tt w wse. or
wof aayeaItslas p re.l heowo&ok39 Tol pqu#0;F; uo & dotn&&q39t; eidlo#0. ;t destItl
03ugs ngilloch.
gir aosngtiFos thene igmespwhd/ hngh iseenclotr dsptat e
aanusor..isge ma t.hi..e t siveedclitdethgn i wmih .
atdon #0nd;tI oun& L39d cuintrsann Cratsela i. thdo c#0ss;tI hin& t39
d tignkrsheadeshanein hin teit er m..d spthe ..osdeolit&qtht;e uid
auo85crh&seott admp
Aquet; r s.an b wteldtrelnyifout hd p er iivha
ov tdr oe.erOnanhe..thca h#0d.;tI een&to39et sy m d g s mw olou40 tlosuen mgh
o

 

[Jujoo]

my 74 fj40 has the F and I love it! I wouldn't think of changing the engine unless i'd kill the first one and then replace it with @ least a 2f.

 

[Ian Rogers]

if you ever want to sell keep the fj 40 OEM as much a pos. Because you will spend $3,000 for a V8 and find out your truck was worth more with a blown moter. And whats wrong with the 3 on the tree, an Fj 40 is not a sports car son. Chill out and enjoy the ride.

IAN
PS you will pull more jeeps out of the way with the F