BajaNomad - FJ40 for adoption

FJ40 for adoption

4x4abc - 1-3-2022 at 01:13 PM

Please help!
My best friend (not the one with the hat) needs a new home.
Can someone please adopt him?

[file]44419[/file]

[Edited on 1-19-2022 by 4x4abc]

AKgringo - 1-3-2022 at 02:10 PM

I assume there will be a re-homing fee. Does your bestie come with a birth certificate?

Maderita - 1-3-2022 at 02:26 PM

You're making me drool. A bit nostalgic for my old 1974 FJ40. Such a sturdy, well-built vehicle. The lack of power steering, combined with 11" x 15" Armstrong Tru Trac tires, required serious muscle to maneuver at low speed. I just now got the humor in the company name

It was fully rigged for Baja, even had a PTO winch. The problem was I drove it hard on low octane Mexican gas, the old "Nova", as in, no va. I became quite adept at pulling the head on that straight 6. The machine shop knew me by name and had new exhaust valves in stock. I always dreamed of power steering and a Chevy 383 V8 stroker conversion.

What do you have under the hood? Give us some specs, please.

4x4abc - 1-3-2022 at 06:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Maderita

You're making me drool. A bit nostalgic for my old 1974 FJ40. Such a sturdy, well-built vehicle. The lack of power steering, combined with 11" x 15" Armstrong Tru Trac tires, required serious muscle to maneuver at low speed. I just now got the humor in the company name

since you asked for it:

1966 Toyota FJ40

F1 engine (3.9 liters)
ticks as smooth as a Swiss watch

mileage unknown
I have owned it for 35 years and it did never more than 2,000 miles per year
car has been stored and not used the last 8 years
trailered between locations

body dented and some rust
I was always more focussed on immaculate mechanics

the vehicle has been professionally modified
by Cruiser gurus in Placerville, CA
https://www.facebook.com/john.h.pardi

so, here is what’s inside:
unmolested, original engine - smooth as silk
no electronics, vacuums etc - meaning it will still run at 200 rpm without stalling
Toyota clutch
SM420 transmission (granny gear 7:1)
SM420 is an indestructible tranny found in many older US trucks
straight bolt on, since FJs were carbon copies of Chevy engine/tranny
low gear transfer case (original Toyota, don’t know the designation number)
original manual/vacuum operation
Toyota drive shafts
disabled parking brake (too much torque in low range)
4.88:1 diff gears
that’ll give you a crawl ratio of 80:1 (meaning you get 8,000 lb/ft of torque at idle)
ARB diff locks front and rear
air toggle switch operated (pro conversion)
ARB compressor
converted to disk brakes front
power steering conversion
spring over axle conversion
axle tube/knuckle caster correction (very involved work)
upgraded CV joints
Warn manual hubs
Heim joint spring hangers (to prevent breaking during extreme articulation)
flex joint cross member (to prevent frame cracking)
Warn 9000 Winch (8274 Warn winch - 8274 available)
windshield not pitted
tires 35x12.50 R15 Goodyear MT - about 80%
cheap steel wheels
rocker panel shortened and angle iron protected
chromed tube doors
Mazda seats
Optima red top battery
lights work - blinker doesn’t
Halogens might work - haven’t checked them

the truck is very tall - it has 32” (82 cm) ground to door sill

rear brake cylinder leaks - so no brakes at the moment
I’ll fix it for you if you like
I will show the car unwashed und unpolished the way it came out of storage
so you know what you are getting

let me know if you want detailed images

I will entertain any offer over $20,000 US
check the offers in the US and you’ll see it is a good investment
not a barn find - but definitely a rare gem

[file]44421[/file]

4x4abc - 1-3-2022 at 06:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

I assume there will be a re-homing fee. Does your bestie come with a birth certificate?

no birth certificate

luna negra - 1-4-2022 at 04:23 PM

Nice FJ! Just curious as to the axle tube/knuckle caster correction. I've seen this done on Jeeps but not many FJs. Was this done after the spring-over conversion and was the difference really worth it?

Folks, this is great deal with the many upgrades. I'd like to buy it but am going thru a '72 restoration now. Thanks, Luna

advrider - 1-4-2022 at 07:15 PM

Good deal for someone, look around a little at what these are going for and you will find the asking price is under market value.

When was it last registered in California? It might be real easy to get registered with a little creative paperwork.

I did the caster fix when I built my scrambler, and I will say it is a lot of work. The knuckles have to be completely separated from the tube, rotated and rewelded. Night and day drivability from this mod, really a must after a spring over or even long shackle lift. Done the same way on an FJ, I've done a few Toyotas.

I'll send this to a few friends.

[Edited on 1-5-2022 by advrider]

[Edited on 1-5-2022 by advrider]

[Edited on 1-5-2022 by advrider]

4x4abc - 1-4-2022 at 08:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by luna negra

Nice FJ! Just curious as to the axle tube/knuckle caster correction. I've seen this done on Jeeps but not many FJs. Was this done after the spring-over conversion and was the difference really worth it?

Folks, this is great deal with the many upgrades. I'd like to buy it but am going thru a '72 restoration now. Thanks, Luna

see advrider's comment
very involved work
DEFINITELY worth it
after the conversion the thing steers, tracks and drives like a real car

4x4abc - 1-4-2022 at 09:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by advrider

Good deal for someone, look around a little at what these are going for and you will find the asking price is under market value.

When was it last registered in California? It might be real easy to get registered with a little creative paperwork.

I did the caster fix when I built my scrambler, and I will say it is a lot of work. The knuckles have to be completely separated from the tube, rotated and rewelded. Night and day drivability from this mod.

I'll sent this to a few friends.

[Edited on 1-5-2022 by advrider]

I will look up the last CA registration (probably 2014)
currently South Dakota, like most Baja rigs

AKgringo - 1-4-2022 at 09:28 PM

I see that some of the modifications were done in Placerville. I am guessing that it has made a few trips over the Rubicon?

4x4abc - 1-5-2022 at 08:09 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

I see that some of the modifications were done in Placerville. I am guessing that it has made a few trips over the Rubicon?

around 200

that led to the invention of Heim jointed spring hangers
and a flex joint rear cross member

[Edited on 1-5-2022 by 4x4abc]

advrider - 1-5-2022 at 08:31 AM

With SD registration it will be easy to register, probably just a VIN verification in California and easier in other states.

100X - 1-5-2022 at 10:34 AM

Harald, you are so far ahead of me on this stuff. Despite many Nomads being mechanically inclined, I am sure most of us, including myself, do not fully comprehend what has been done to this machine. A tour/photos of the undercarriage, driveline and suspension would be so interesting, especially all in one place--it should be a magazine article (except they are more interested in marketing add-ons). Really nice ride!

4x4abc - 1-5-2022 at 04:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 100X

Harald, you are so far ahead of me on this stuff. Despite many Nomads being mechanically inclined, I am sure most of us, including myself, do not fully comprehend what has been done to this machine. A tour/photos of the undercarriage, driveline and suspension would be so interesting, especially all in one place--it should be a magazine article (except they are more interested in marketing add-ons). Really nice ride!

will see what I can do

Marty Mateo - 1-16-2022 at 12:13 PM

Great looking rig, sounds like it would be a very capable backcountry explorer. If I could justify another purchase and it was closer it would very tempting. I’ve got a couple of projects that need some attention.

[file]44463[/file] [file]44464[/file]

Hopefully it’s found a new home

100X - 1-16-2022 at 12:15 PM

One of those Rancheros used to own Class 6!

John Harper - 1-16-2022 at 02:48 PM

Is that an old Power Wagon? When I was in college, my buddy's brother bought one, but was afraid to drive it home, so I did. 70 miles on the freeway at I think maybe 40-45 miles an hour tops. An experience I will always remember. It was like being in a tank, I was nervous as hell, but I had a grin on my face the whole time.

John

[Edited on 1-16-2022 by John Harper]

Marty Mateo - 1-18-2022 at 12:23 AM

Yes it is . They are definitely function over comfort, though it sure drives a lot smoother with radials on it now.

BajaBlanca - 1-19-2022 at 01:41 AM

What am I missing? I see no photo.