now that i am seriously thinking of parking my 60 i am thinking of swapping it for a less daily driverish truck ive found a 72 fj40 that the guy may be into doing a swap with me , am i crazy ?
has a hard top / soft top , stock motor , some recent maintenance .
First thing to consider is carrying capacity. How many people you want to wheel and camp with you in your rig? If it is 4 or more, then stay with the 60. Second, do you like the option of sleeping in your rig, then stay with the 60. Third, do you like the ride and stability, then stay with the 60. Do you want the option of having a decent tow vehicle or one that could easily put a boat ontop, well you know. However, if you want to get into the real tight trails than the 40 would be the one. Also, what is the iron oxide condition of the 40 compared to your 60? That might sway the whole thing right there.
I'm kinda half-assed in the hunt for a larger capacity wheeler than my 40 so I can start bringing my kids out. A 2 seated, no-top, loud, V8 thirsty, rusty, rockedandrolled fj40 isn't that great for family outings. It can be done, but I'm really grooving on the idea of taking Marcins 80 when he's not looking
But I'll gladly trade my as above mentioned pristine cherry '73 fj40 for your bj60
I guess it (like most things) depends on your opinion and taste. If a 40 is large enough for your needs for now then sure. Worst case scenario you can always sell it later - usually after you put more money into it then you will ever get back - and upgrade to a larger or newer vehicle. Also if you have a 13BT lined up for it with an H55 trans - do it! I've been looking at finding an FJ45 to swap my engine into (or better) and getting rid of the 60. I love the old trucks. If someone is asking that much for an FJ make sure it is in good condition. You're selling yours for the same amount and look at the stuff you have on it. Now you will be trading that for an older vehicle, gas powered, 3 speed, with less creature comforts. It better be worth it.
I'm kind of bias on this point.I love my 40.I.ve told my wife that when I pass I would like her to rent a back-hoe,dig a big hole,prop me up in Elsie with a beer and push us in.I disagree with Matt on the point that the money you put into your Forty you'll never get back.Sure you won't get it back in resale(maybe)but you do get it back in enjoyment.Not eveything boils down to monitary.
You have to look at a 40 as at most a two seater.Carrying compasity sucks.If you go to Home Depot to buy anything of size or lenght your screwed if you don't have an alteritive.Thier loud but that can be combated that with an even louder sterio.finding a place for all your amps and speakers is another issue but can be solved.Packing for trips needs alot of planning but if you've seen my camp sites I manage to take alot of comforts from home.Where the size hinders you abit in what you can carry it sure makes up for it in your off road ability.You can turn yourself around in a much tighter spot and getting high centered is usually not an issue.Gas on a trip can become pricey but when I go wheelin I look at it as my vacation and the money spent on gas is all just part of that.At home Elsie is my daily drive but my daily drives don't consist of too much distance.
I feel that when you drive a Forty your driving THE LEGEND.The small stuff is nothing when you compare it to the pride of driveing such a Sexy,Soulful,and Capable truck.
But that's just my biased opinion.
i went and looked at the 40 and i was disapointed it was very rusty , it needs new front fenders a new tail gate and the aluminum tub was hand made all of the paint has faded and is delaminating , the pro's are that the front knucles have been rebuilt and front and rear disk brakes have been added , other than that it has the pto winch wich was rebuilt , 3 spd floor shift no power steering , F motor guy is asking $6500 seams a little steep to me but i dont know 40's . and i know my truck is know beauty queen but i think it worth $6500 .
$6500 is quite steep for what it sounds like.I think that you would find the F engine to be under powered and with just three speed you'd be putting down the road.If you what to get into a Forty I feel the best place to start is with a rust bucket and then make it your own.But initial out lay should be ALOT less then that.
$6500 is quite steep for what it sounds like.I think that you would find the F engine to be under powered and with just three speed you'd be putting down the road.If you what to get into a Forty I feel the best place to start is with a rust bucket and then make it your own.But initial out lay should be ALOT less then that.
I see that rig on Craigslist, if he drove it down from Nelson it must be roadworthy, disc brake conversion is nice ! But rusty and hand built tub Forget it, you might as well keep your 60
