Who Prefers the Early 40's?

[EWheeler]

I love them all!

 

[cruisermatt]

My favorite of my 40's to drive is my 71 that is otherwise stock but with 2F/4speed swapped in.

 

[Mark W]

Do you want to drive it around town for a little bit every once in a while to enjoy the funkiness of the beast, or do you want to drive it on the road more regularly for actual use and actually use it for a capable off road rig with moderate to heavy tasking?

If the first, sure, enjoy the character of the early rig. Because they are really cool for that sort of use. If you actually want a rig that can be used regularly on and off road, got with the later variants. Mr Toyoda did not downgrade the 40 over the years after all.

Since you mention that you have a 2 F and a 4 speed I won't dive into all of that... but for anyone else looking at the thread and wondering, there are BIG advantages to the 2F and 4 speed over the F and 3 speed (especially the early F). Disc brakes on the frnot axle over non self adjustiong drums (with TWO slaves). Dual circuit brakes over single circuit. Power brakes over manual brakes. Birfields over ball and claw CV joints in the front axle. Better steering box, better steering column, better turn signals switching. Better windshield wipers, better door latches, better window regulators improved door design, fairly decent bucket seats over primitive bench seats (even compared to other bench seats). (Slighty) more ergonomic dash and controls. slightly less stone age wiring. Better than nothing roll bar over... well, nothing. Slightly better heater setup in the later rigs. Big improvement in the seat belts in the later rigs.

The ambulance doors are less rattly and in most cases provide easier access, but this starts to be a matter of personal preference for most people too. A lot less built in squeaks and rattles in the latter doors (front and rear) tire carrier and sheet metal in general.

Since you mention the '78 model year as your comparison point... fine spline pinions over course spline (stronger) stronger ujpints (an academic point for the most part).

The earliest rigs did seem to stand up against rust better than the later ones. But since they are older (you asked to weight '65 against '78...) they have had to stand up against it for longer...

I have had a few customers with rigs in the '76 to '78 range that were comfortable, even enjoyable commuters and daily drivers (one woman preferred her '78 Bolivian import for her 100 mile daily commute over her 2000 something Taho). I have NEVER seen anyone try to modify their later model '40 to more closely match an earlier on in an effort to improve its off road capability...

Obviously if you are gonna be modifying the rig beyond its stock configuration, some of this goes out the window. Some does not of course. If you ARE gonna be modifying... there is less that you are gonna feel like you HAVE to change in the later rigs.

Currently I have a 1965 sitting in the storage yard that, while it needs to have the V8 swap and PS conversion redone (I think the village idiot and his blind brother did all the work on this 40 years ago), is in amazingly undeteriorated condition otherwise. I also have what was a nearly perfect 1978 model that suffered a front end collision years ago the took out the front corner sheet metal, the front axle and... sadly... the frame.I have a replacement frame and all the other parts to make it whole again.

They have both been stored for years and years now awaiting a place in the project queue. I will give you one guess which one is slated to be a total fame off ground up back to factory "resto-rehab". Okay, if I live long enough The '65 will get some attention too unless I can find someone else crazy enough to take it on.

Mark...

 

[kbahus]

What a great overview MarkW, and you make some excellent points. I can't help it, I am a fan of the 75+ models, from the windshield wipers to the blue emblem on the steering wheel. I doubt I would pass on an older model if the right opportunity presented itself though.

 

[1969FJ]

Do you want to drive it around town for a little bit every once in a while to enjoy the funkiness of the beast, or do you want to drive it on the road more regularly for actual use and actually use it for a capable off road rig with moderate to heavy tasking?

If the first, sure, enjoy the character of the early rig. Because they are really cool for that sort of use. If you actually want a rig that can be used regularly on and off road, got with the later variants. Mr Toyoda did not downgrade the 40 over the years after all.

Since you mention that you have a 2 F and a 4 speed I won't dive into all of that... but for anyone else looking at the thread and wondering, there are BIG advantages to the 2F and 4 speed over the F and 3 speed (especially the early F). Disc brakes on the frnot axle over non self adjustiong drums (with TWO slaves). Dual circuit brakes over single circuit. Power brakes over manual brakes. Birfields over ball and claw CV joints in the front axle. Better steering box, better steering column, better turn signals switching. Better windshield wipers, better door latches, better window regulators improved door design, fairly decent bucket seats over primitive bench seats (even compared to other bench seats). (Slighty) more ergonomic dash and controls. slightly less stone age wiring. Better than nothing roll bar over... well, nothing. Slightly better heater setup in the later rigs. Big improvement in the seat belts in the later rigs.

The ambulance doors are less rattly and in most cases provide easier access, but this starts to be a matter of personal preference for most people too. A lot less built in squeaks and rattles in the latter doors (front and rear) tire carrier and sheet metal in general.

Since you mention the '78 model year as your comparison point... fine spline pinions over course spline (stronger) stronger ujpints (an academic point for the most part).

The earliest rigs did seem to stand up against rust better than the later ones. But since they are older (you asked to weight '65 against '78...) they have had to stand up against it for longer...

I have had a few customers with rigs in the '76 to '78 range that were comfortable, even enjoyable commuters and daily drivers (one woman preferred her '78 Bolivian import for her 100 mile daily commute over her 2000 something Taho). I have NEVER seen anyone try to modify their later model '40 to more closely match an earlier on in an effort to improve its off road capability...

Obviously if you are gonna be modifying the rig beyond its stock configuration, some of this goes out the window. Some does not of course. If you ARE gonna be modifying... there is less that you are gonna feel like you HAVE to change in the later rigs.

Currently I have a 1965 sitting in the storage yard that, while it needs to have the V8 swap and PS conversion redone (I think the village idiot and his blind brother did all the work on this 40 years ago), is in amazingly undeteriorated condition otherwise. I also have what was a nearly perfect 1978 model that suffered a front end collision years ago the took out the front corner sheet metal, the front axle and... sadly... the frame.I have a replacement frame and all the other parts to make it whole again.

They have both been stored for years and years now awaiting a place in the project queue. I will give you one guess which one is slated to be a total fame off ground up back to factory "resto-rehab". Okay, if I live long enough The '65 will get some attention too unless I can find someone else crazy enough to take it on.

Mark...

You are correct on Toyota history . 1965 was much different than 2025. ( 60 years ago). Engineering, materials, semiconductors and more have advanced , as we are all aware. Basically, if you want the FJ40 look, and the newer equipment, go to The FJ Company - Custom Built For Today's Driver - https://www.fj.co/
I like the older design and would never try to replicate the driving habits of today. It is also why I do not have a model A Ford. But I certainly appreciate the history.

 

[Mark W]

You are correct on Toyota history . 1965 was much different than 2025. ( 60 years ago). Engineering, materials, semiconductors and more have advanced , as we are all aware. Basically, if you want the FJ40 look, and the newer equipment, go to The FJ Company - Custom Built For Today's Driver - https://www.fj.co/
I like the older design and would never try to replicate the driving habits of today. It is also why I do not have a model A Ford. But I certainly appreciate the history.

That was not really any sort of history I was commenting on, just comparing a few aspects of the early and late model '40s. There are a lot of people who can tell you a hell of a lot more about Toyota history than I can.

Personally I have no interest in a $250K+ rich man's toy. For that matter, I actually have no interest in any 2025 rig. I'm perfectly happy with my early and later model FJ40s and '80 series rigs. My 2001 4Runner is the newest rig I have and the newest rig I want for that matter.

Mark...

 

[JackA]

I have owned and driven mostly early rigs. The simplicity is bliss and it's a good time. In reality though, it's a labor of love as you suffer a bit to drive these around. The fun factor and welcoming effect it has on others is fantastic. Everybody is friendly and wants to chat about the truck.
I drove a friend's 1978 one time and I was amazed at how much more refined it was. Less rattles, doors closed nicer, quieter, smoother shifting. Just seemed more like a modern vehicle.
Either way, I like them all. They all have their own characteristics.

 

[ChargedFZJ]

I have owned and driven mostly early rigs. The simplicity is bliss and it's a good time. In reality though, it's a labor of love as you suffer a bit to drive these around. The fun factor and welcoming effect it has on others is fantastic. Everybody is friendly and wants to chat about the truck.
I drove a friend's 1978 one time and I was amazed at how much more refined it was. Less rattles, doors closed nicer, quieter, smoother shifting. Just seemed more like a modern vehicle.
Either way, I like them all. They all have their own characteristics.

Well said.

I have a ‘65 with improvements such as 1UZ swap, upgraded springs and shocks, disc brakes, power steering, etc. and a ‘75 that I’m in the process of restoring and keeping it mainly stock other than electric steering and front disc brakes. In my opinion my ‘65 is better now in a lot of ways because of modernizing it. I like both though.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Well said.

I have a ‘65 with improvements such as 1UZ swap, upgraded springs and shocks, disc brakes, power steering, etc. and a ‘75 that I’m in the process of restoring and keeping it mainly stock other than electric steering and front disc brakes. In my opinion my ‘65 is better now in a lot of ways because of modernizing it. I like both though.

seeing yours makes me want to do that v8 swap! The 1uz looks so good in the 40.

 

[70fj40]

I like the early trucks and a few upgrades……..however after seeing ChargedFZJ’s rig I have decided I like the early trucks with a few upgrades and a 1UZ swap!

 

[Gappy]

I like any 40 with a round bezel, simple as that.

 

[65swb45]

The vent flap in my ‘64 is very nice…in the summertime. In the winter…

 

[Roastchestnuts]

The vent flap in my ‘64 is very nice…in the summertime. In the winter…

Is there a trick to getting it to close properly? I cant get mine adjusted tight enough. It is epic in the summer. poor mans AC for sure. the screens are a bad idea for salty environment. I pulled mine to keep them from getting rusty.

 

[AlaskanWheeler]

The heavier steel of the early models is nice, and you can more often, find early models in better rust condition than later models. My only drawback to the early bodies are the damn doors... They were built, maybe even more so, simple than the rest of the truck.

 

[kbahus]

I like any 40 with a round bezel, simple as that.

You are on to something here, those late model square bezels just aren't right (not that I would turn one down).

 

[sogncab]

I like ambulance doors, the newer wipers and the newer front doors.

I have a 76. I'm glad I have what I have.

I do wish toyota would've updated the door latch but kept the wing windows. The latch is the biggest appeal to me about the newer doors.

I'm also a spoiled bitch, so I've got AC, a stereo, comfy heated seats, power steering, and a five speed. It's still far from modern vehicle.

 

[70fj40]

Sogncab
I’m a believer in any modern convenience that encourages us to drive these rattling, drafty, smelly rigs more often. You may still be spoiled especially with those heated seats but I like your idea of upgrades.

 

[anothernz45]

The early ones have Toyota Elephant Horns!!!