fj40 VS first gen truck

[k5kickin]

I live in CA and dont know whether to buy a 1st gen toyota truck or a pre-smog landcruiser. I like the fact you can fit a lot of stuff in the back of the bed of a truck, but if i bought one i'd bob and dove tail the bed. i also like you can put a 305 or 350 in a fj40. Also i'm 6'3" will i fit in a first gen cab? I have budget of ~5000 pros and cons of both please. from what i understand the axles of cruisers are much thicker and stronger too.

[Rocksurfer]

$5000.00 would find you a built 1st gen but may not even buy a lug nut for an early FJ (jk). Seriously though FJ's in good running condition and a clean body will not come cheap, but it would get you a very well built 1st gen. I'm 6'2" and had no issues in the 3 1st gen toys I've had, 1 was a 4x4 and the other 2 4x2's. If you bob and dovetail the bed you'll have less room than the FJ for stowage. A pre 75 FJ does open all the options though so I could go either way on your delima too.

[Snowtoy]

$5000 isn't likely going to get you a turn key FJ40, especially w/the a v-8.  There are some in the Sacramento area for around $5-10k, from stock to built, you should be able to find similar prices in your area on craigslist.com.  W/the stock straight six and the weight of the FJ40's, they can barely get out of their own way, awhich is why the v8 swaps are so popular.  There is an FJ40 board here, would likely get a better idea of what an Fj40 is going to run by posting up there.

At 6'3" you will fit in a 1st gen truck but you would be more comfortable in a 3rd gen X-cab.  The best thing to do would be to go sit in some of the different generations and see how well you fit in them.  Standard cabs w/bucket seats especially non Toyota seats tend to reduce leg room than those w/bench seats, but then again buckets are more comfortable.

For your $5k you should be able to find a relatively built up 2nd gen or 3rd gen X-cab '84-'95 stock straight axle for the '84-'85, or one that has had a straight axle swap(SAS) done already, the poor economy has killed their resale value to the point of where they are only worth a few thousand more than stock blue book values.  However if you are new to the hobby, you should look into buying a stock rig(or lifted w/33" tires or less), add some body protection, and learn to wheel that first.

If you have a place to work on one and know how to turn a wrench or have friends that do, you could likely pick up a rig for around $1000, restore it/lightly modify, and have $1-2k left over for future modifications, providing you go w/a 4 cylinder and not a v6.  Most of the cheap V6's have engine issues which can run you as little as a $1k to fix, or a couple thousand if it needs a complete rebuild.

[AaronB]

thats an open question! the only thing in common is they are Toyota's. I love both and have had both. I decided to sell my 1st. gen. because of the lack of power. I wanted something street legal and with power so i decided to build my 40.

[k5kickin]

thats an open question! the only thing in common is they are Toyota's. I love both and have had both. I decided to sell my 1st. gen. because of the lack of power. I wanted something street legal and with power so i decided to build my 40.

now that you have said that i currently own a Jimmy and a dead 4runner(that my friend is buying) does your FJ get the same MPG and my K5 currently which is around 15-18 city with its street set-up

[AaronB]

its not on the road yet but it should be somewhere around those numbers, it has a chevy 5.3 vortec

[k5kickin]

well everyone thanks for the input i found a sweet 1st gen with a blown motor and might buy that up real quick http://fresno.craigslist.org/cto/3050219944.html and ill get that running rather easily i hope... maybe drop that new age 4 banger 3rz or whatever in it.

[84t0y]

that looks like a good deal better jump on it or someone else will.

[k5kickin]

that looks like a good deal better jump on it or someone else will.

I am and it also comes with two new bumbers, hi steer, blaster coils, tube doors, and more things your can fit in the back of the truck
also about how much is a newer 20r head worth

[dropzone]

that first gen truck is a good deal.  but at 6'3" you are gonna be a tight fit.  If you can find a skinny backed seat like a set of Fiero seats (had some in one of my old projects) it might gain you a little leg room.

[ayajei]

Thank you for that wonderful information. ^^

steven barbarich
chooseoutdoorkitchens.com reviews

[muddywaters]

I have a built first gen and i just bought an FJ40 to build.  im 6'2" 260 and driving my first gen is a labor of love.  im sad to be parking my first gen but im not comfortable in it anymore and thats important when you're behind the wheel all day.  i bought the FJ40 because it is small and spacious being an "SUV" and i have to admit im envious of the jeeps and their armor.  i can armor this one up the same way and it not be a raisin after a few trail rides like the pickups and runners ive had.    they are heavy, but thats mostly due to the drivetrain.  my 40 with the 1uz should be with a couple hundred pounds of first gen.  without the hardtop, maybe less.

[SloCrawler]

go FJ their smog exempt much funner to play with

[k5kickin]

go FJ their smog exempt much funner to play with

looks like i have to i was gonna pick up that p/u but someone beat me to it