Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I love these things. I was thinking of buying one in decent driving condition for when I go mountain biking and camping and in a few years tear it down and restore it. Anyone here on the board have one? Any particular year to avoid? Where are these prone for rust? Weaknesses? Please share any information.
Here in California you need to smog a car from 1976- on so I would avoid 1976- on. Thanks in advance.
I had three, actually two FJ-40's and an FJ-55. Head gaskets and rust are the problems. Very nice rigs. A lot of fj-55's have been converted to modern V-8 because they were under powered. Don't shy away from this modification. It is an improvement. Also, there was a boom period for Texas Cruisers (or similar restorer) where a bunch were meticulously restored ($35000-$50000) back in the 90's and after. So there may be some of these vehicles aging and now available at less stratospheric pricing for owners who have tired of them.
I've always had a soft spot for them, but they have turned into collector's items now and a good one is just too expensive for me to justify getting one.
I had one for a few years. I made the mistake of rebuilding the stock motor. Parts for the Toy motor are spendy. A small block Chevy swap would have been a much smarter move. Still, had fun with it, mostly using it for snow plowing.
I had one for a few years. I made the mistake of rebuilding the stock motor. Parts for the Toy motor are spendy. A small block Chevy swap would have been a much smarter move. Still, had fun with it, mostly using it for snow plowing.
From what I have read and been told the Chevy motor swap is very popular for the FJ40 because the original motor was under powered. The snow plowing sounds fun.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
