FJ 40s -Why

[muddy]

Original question - Why?

Because there are so many around.

Why

Because they last forever, do the job they were designed for, do it well, and parts are cheap and plentiful...

Maybe not ideal for a competition truck - although there are plenty doing it.

Bottom line - a cheap truck to buy - cheap to maintain - cheap & easy to do basic improvements (disc brakes, rear locker, can fit up to 35in tyres with no more than a cutting disc), the engines (petrol or diesel) are the most reliable you'll find. So strong in all respects it'll never let you down...

[tpft]

often wondered why too? especailly after seeing lots of them blow cv,s and drive shafts time after time.

if i had to have only one truck, too do the club champs and maybe the laurie sanson, plus the clubman trials comps
and still drive it to the mount on a summers day, drive it to work etc etc etc, the id get a 40................
sort of what woppass does.

having a soft top and removable screen sort of helps over say a swb safari for doing trials.

maybe a fj40 body on top of safari chassis......................

[Steve_t647]

I like the v8 40's they have attitude and were typical NZ, just lile the insurance add with the guy pannel beating the 40 with a sledge are simple engines and go well enough offroad. They are a solid truck and are on a cheap rego and warrant now I think.

Personaly I drive a Hilux it will get everywhere I want to go and the tray saves me a lot of time with trailers etc, who cares what you drive as long as it is not a nissan :P Just as long as you have fun and enjoy it.

Personaly I feel like I would prefer a roll in a 40 than my hilux the 40 just has a stronger simpler look but I will stick to my hilux

[IcedJohnno]

Personaly I feel like I would prefer a roll in a 40 than my hilux the 40 just has a stronger simpler look but I will stick to my hilux

Nah Steve, you've got it wrong there.
FJ40
As a kid I helped rescue a whole lot of people from an FJ40 that rolled up the mountain at Broken River. It rolled luckily only once, before hooking the front wheel/mudguard around the only tree nearby and coming to a stop.
Yet above the bottom of the windows ALL WAS FLAT.
Due to the poptop fibreglass roofs FJ40's inherently have no structural strength in their body. Think of a shoe box. Once the lid is gone it is all wobbly.
Hilux
In '99 6 of us went for a not so WEE adventure down the side mountain at another nearby ski club at about 1am.
To start with 9 barrell rolls, then we did 8 end for ends including over two 15 metre high bluffs. I was one of only two left in the Doublecab Hilux when it came to a halt. Two seat belts broke. Took four attempts by differing tow trucks to get the wreck out..... Thankfully all survived although life did change dramaticaaly for all, and for one passenger in particular.
The top of windscreen ended up level with the glove box. The C pillar was sheared off like you do when twisting a coke can.

17 rolls in the Hilux versus 1 in the FJ40. Both were flattened about the same amount.

I suggest any fibreglass roofed truck; FJ40, MWB cruiser, Surf or older Saffi really need to have a decent roll cage fitted unless of course you drive Moorhouse Ave or Queen Street!

Other than that go the 40's, just been looking at a certain matt green one that we hear a lot about. It has a cage! Also has some fancy red calipers

[Heath]

For me its not just the 40 I'd add landy's jeeps and even (DB is gona like this) the LJ50 , and it not about there ability hmmm as Tu's said "new drive train and suspension" and Ben that beast of yours is hardly standard
lets face it guys technology has moved on
But what the designers havn't done since then is capture that "feel" you sit in one of these older trucks theres nothing that dosn't need to be there, they were built for 4wding, to go where you couldn't in a car thats why they will always rock

I feel the same way about the old 57 chevy 2 door pillarless coupe and the 32 roadster. Old cars but they have a heart and soul to them that you wont find in a flashyfull of mod cons new car.

Heath I'll stick to my zuks through

[Bulletproof]

I wasn't going to comment again but its good to see all the comments and most confirm what I thought.

The reason I raised " why " in the first place is that every 2nd truck was a FJ40 years ago. I belong to and go out with a number of clubs in the South Island and it is years since I have seen a 40 on a trip. Most of the fanatical cruiser guys moved on to the 70 series and they are now driving modified Prados.

I personally believe the 13BT is the best cruiser made.

When I joined off-road express all I saw was threads about FJ40s and I wonder why because they are vintage trucks.

Keep posting it makes interesting reading and I might dig out a video from the 90s just to hear the V8 engine

Cheers Richard

[Bulletproof]

As a final say on the subject, Here is a video clip from the mid 90s showing me being towed by an FJ40 even though I beat it earlier in the day on a steep bank. I was one of the few trucks that had lockers then which gave me a huge advantage.

The V8 sounds good on the speed section and I agree the FJ40s certainly have something.





Cheers Richard

[sig]

was that 40 a nelson one richard?looks like one i rallied against at deadwood in the mid 90s.couple of young guys having a ball (back when there were 3 zones)

[Smurf]

was that 40 a nelson one richard?looks like one i rallied against at deadwood in the mid 90s.couple of young guys having a ball (back when there were 3 zones)

Blue Thunder
Nelson truck, Owned by Andrew Canning back then I think.

[Bulletproof]

was that 40 a nelson one richard?looks like one i rallied against at deadwood in the mid 90s.couple of young guys having a ball (back when there were 3 zones)

Yes it was a Nelson truck. I think Bruce Cook originally had it and in the Video was owned by Andrew Canning who trailed it.

Cheers Richard

[sig]

that name rings a bell they came up for deadwood and got on the piss with us .hell of a nice guys. think they came up with digger dave .long time ago blurry alcohol fueled images

[Bulletproof]

that name rings a bell they came up for deadwood and got on the piss with us .hell of a nice guys. think they came up with digger dave .long time ago blurry alcohol fueled images

It is off topic but to refresh your memory

Here is Digger Dave who is now down south.



And me being towed by digger



Cheers Richard