3FJ40 going up for sale soon.

[pskhaat]

I don't know if anyone here is interested, but I will soon be placing my 1978 FJ40 with a 1989 3F-E Toyota (injected) engine for sale. It just is not going to support any longer a family of 4 for travel, and we now have a UZJ100 to keep the legends alive. If anyone happens to be interested, it has:

* 152k miles
* 4" lift
* 315/75r16 tires on Tundra steel 16" wheels
* 3F-E engine against original H42 manual 4 speed tranny
* Many new parts like alternator, radiator, etc.

It needs some minor things as the majority of FJ40s do. It has some surface rust, and rust on the lower part of the front doors and front fenders, previous owner poorly cut the rear fenders. However rear inside bed area is perfectly clean and in great shape (common bad area).

It of course is a SERIOSLY fun covertible vehicle for summer (or winter in AZ :)). PM me or reply back if you'd be remotely interested; I havn't even thought about $ yet, so trying to get a feel, make me an offer :jumping:

[Maddmatt]

Hey Scott,
I'm absolutely not interested in your 3fe40.:hehe: I just sold my '76, and am driving my '89 fj62 as a daily driver (235k and going strong) so there is no way I would want to combine a late model fj40 with a mighty mighty 3fe. Plus I promised myself (and my wife) that I would keep it down to 1 cruiser at a time for a couple years.

So since I'm completely not interested, tell me some more. Are there pictures floating around on Mud that I could look at? Did you do the swap? De-smogged? How long have you had it? Basically all the usual questions. Tell us some stories and post up some pics.
Thanks
-Matt

[pskhaat]

The mighty 3F-E is an amazing engine :)

Are there pictures floating around...[
There are, but I'll take some additional ones tonight and post up.


Did you do the swap? De-smogged? How long have you had it?
I bought the 2F'd FJ40 for my wife who thought she'd love a convertible 40 to drive around. Of course I jumped on that suggestion! I did however NOT check the compression on the 2F when I bought it (though it drove great). All cylinders on the 2F were <75psi dry <90psi wet, so it was time for a rebuild. I was able to locate a 3F-E actually for less cost than it would be to rebuild the 2F, and figured that would be a perfect combo in the FJ40.

Robbie at Slee did the heavy lifting of getting the 2F out and the 3F-E mated to the H42 and back in the truck. I took it from there. A new clutch was installed during that time, as well as the flywheel machined. I slowly got all the wiring and requisite extra parts. It still runs the original 2F wiring harness in parallel to a `truncated' 3F-E harness as to not have to change the electricals.

In full disclosure, there are some things that still need to be done to it. The ECU needs a good mounting location. Right now it's bolted on the inside of the passenger side firewall, but needs to be relocated higher in case of water crossings. The ECU has a few extra goodies like diagnostic leads that don't currently hook up to anything in the 40, that would make it super complete. And I am also having a grounding issue with the headlights right now so the blinkers/flashers seem to be overloaded when the headlights are on and the blinkers have a slow blink, I suspect it's due to the additional electrical load of the 3F-E, probably would be fixed with a new or aftermarket flasher unit. The previous owner (as mentioned) did not do a good job of the rear fender flares. I was planning on putting on new fender flares as that'll basically fix that problem.

Another thing is that the 2F starter is installed now, and the 3F-E really needs to have the 3F-E gear reduction starter installed. I do now have a 3F-E starter, I just havn't fit it in yet.

There is some rust in the usual locations, but frame is good and sound; hardtop in excellent shape. I just had a new custom exhaust system put in utlizing some downpipes from an FJ62 to accomodate the oroginal Toyota O2 sensors (I like keeping things as 100% Toyota as I can). The shop ran the exhaust pipe right out the rear instead of out the side as I had asked.

The other thing that is not Toyota is the air cleaner. I havn't figured out a way to get the FJ62 air cleaner installed in the engine bay. Instead it has a conical aftermarket filter. Works perfectly fine, but always bugs me that it's not the stock filter assembly, but you can only do so much in that 40 hood.

It is actually SMOGGED as we're required here to have that. Fatory EGR and AI are all working. Actually just had emissions run yesterday & fell well within bounds of AZ Maricopa country requirements. The manufacturer's date is Dec/77 so it does not require a catalytic converter, as such there is none installed.

315/75r16 BigO XT tires that came off my FZJ80 and are about 40-50% left in tread. Regardless of critisism, those tires wore like steel, took me thousands of backroad and countless Colorado/Utah snow miles and have never had a flat or even a hint of air loss. Plus they have a lifetime tread warranty. They are mounted on 16" Tundra steel rims with 1.5" spacers to correct for the backspacing to original specs.

4" skyjacker lift. I have new rear extended shackles that I have yet to install, but only to lift the rear a little more.

I'm actually sad as I type all this, because as you know 40's are so much fun to drive, and living in AZ these last years has given me a good appreciation of a topless 40 again. However as stated the 40 just is a little too small now with 2 kids. My oldest loves riding in it as he rides in his car seat in the front seat, and Mom sat in back. Anyway, we purchased an LC100 for the `family' roadster so unfortunately it doesn't make much sense for another 16 years or so.

Let me know if there's anything more you wouldn't :hehe: be interested in knowing :)

[Maddmatt]

Nice answers. The word "Robbie" is all I need to hear with the engine conversion, not only is he the best LC mechanic around, he's a neighbor and we've got kids the same age, so after I don't buy your truck, I would know where I didn't have to go to get it fixed if something happened.

I know what you mean about being sad. When mine was driving away last month, I kept thinking "he's going to stop and demand his money back any minute, and I'll give it to him". But instead he just keeps going, and now he sends me pictures of the new rims, new tires and other new stuff he's bolting on, and the new adventures MY 40 is going on.

I also have my eye on a pristine '96 4 runner (complete with locking rear diff) that my brother doesn't want to sell, which is probably the better family solution. But I enjoy hearing about your truck, and the discussion will give people who are going to buy it the background information. One more time, for my own benefit, I am not going to buy this truck. Not even interested. 40's suck. I have to go now before I get the checkbook out.
-Matt

[pskhaat]

I made sure I had Robbie do all major work on my 80 too which (luckily) has only been the HG and PHH. I definetely miss my life in Colorado and being so close to resources such as him.

Well if you ever find yourself less and less interested, I check the board here often so shoot me a PM or something. I'll post pics tonight | tomorrow.

Cheers!

[Willman]

Where's the pictures Scott?????

:gunt:

:chowtime:

[pskhaat]

It's formally up for sale (`soon' became 1 year :-O)

http://base.google.com/base/a/1500849/D3592860660142477716

[Willman]

It's formally up for sale (`soon' became 1 year :-O)

http://base.google.com/base/a/1500849/D3592860660142477716

Hey Scott......

Man....I wish i had the cash!!!! That is a sweet rig! Good luck with the sale!

Word of caution......On your google page.......I would lose the map to your house!!!!! Never know now-a-days.......I would hate to see that sweet rig take-off without payment!!!!!!!:(

[pskhaat]

Thanks, that's actually just map placement of the zip code. My house is a little ways from that location :)

[Willman]

Thanks, that's actually just map placement of the zip code. My house is a little ways from that location :)

Your a Jensen.......I knew you were smarter than that!!!!!:shakin:

Ps.
My wife says to go spend time with your wife!!!:hehe:

[pskhaat]

Would love to, but I'm holed up sick in a room on a national holiday! I'm so thankful though that tomorrow I get to go back to work! NOT (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIWIze4vFf8). Don't want the kids nor the wife to catch whatever it is I have contracted. :(

[Willman]

Get better!!!!!

[Maddmatt]

Hey Scott,
I'm still not interested. Do you have the 5th rim? Just asking for whoever the lucky person is who buys your rig. :) Have you been driving it this last year? Wondering, for whoever buys it, if it would make the drive back to Colorado without major malfunction. You know, because all cruisers end up in Colorado eventually.

Good luck with the sale. I bought that 3rd gen 4runner, last year, and nothing ever goes wrong so I have no reason to sell it and buy your 40. damn it.

Good luck with the sale.
-Matt

[pskhaat]

Do you have the 5th rim?

I've got the black steel Toy rim for the Tundra for the spare.

would make the drive back to Colorado without major malfunction.

It would, but without AC, it's brutal until you hit Vail. Also, as noted the rear exhaust is angled the incorrect way (argh) and with the hardtop on you can get some fumage as everyone knows the 40's exhaust must exit the side.

[Maddmatt]

It would, but without AC, it's brutal until you hit Vail. Also, as noted the rear exhaust is angled the incorrect way (argh) and with the hardtop on you can get some fumage as everyone knows the 40's exhaust must exit the side.

No doubt, its hot down there. I had to get my exhaust rerouted on my '76 for the same reason. I wonder what you could do for a long drive? Couldn't cost too much to take it to another shop, have them chop off the last couple inches and weld on an angled pipe.

Anyway, here's a bump to help with the sale.
-Matt

[pskhaat]

Come on Matt, I'll give you a smoking deal :)

[Maddmatt]

Come on Matt, I'll give you a smoking deal :)

Yeah, I was actually in Phoenix this week, but didn't tell you cuz I knew I couldn't say no if I actually drove it. Here's another bump.
-Matt

[dieselcruiserhead]

pskatt,
I drove a FJ62 that had been converted to standard trans and it was killer. Made me a really big fan of the 3FE. After years of working the F and 2F engines. I have done a head gasket on this engine too (time consuming job with all the FI stuff) but I have a lot of respect for that engine.. It must be just killer in a 40 series.. If I had a 40 or variant and was not planning to go diesel, I would probably run this engine, probably even over a Chevy V8, even an EFI one..

[pskhaat]

...to standard trans and it was killer. Made me a really big fan of the 3FE.

Assuming the 40 series was still made in 88-92, the 3F-E would have been the pinnacle of gasser engines for it. It's truly an amazing beast in comparison to the F/2F. Plus with the H42 about 20% lower in all gears than the auto, the 4.11s drive like 4.88s.

[dieselcruiserhead]

Agreed, yes I think that too, that hte 3FE would have been the pinnacle too. Not surprisingly they put it in 70 series across the globe, particularly in South America. Didn't even offer diesel models there unlike elsewhere, which is unfortunate, but rightly so almost.. A

[edgear]

My wife's Hyundai Accent is on it's last legs. This vehicle would probably be a suitable replacement for it!
:sombrero:

[pskhaat]

Sale pending for tomorrow. As it looks, it's going to a better home where more attention (especially to detail) will bring her to legendary status as the 2nd-ever 3FJ40, 1st ever of only a select few which I am aware that used all Toyota parts ;)

[cruiseroutfit]

Sale pending for tomorrow. As it looks, it's going to a better home where more attention (especially to detail) will bring her to legendary status as the 2nd-ever 3FJ40, 1st ever of only a select few which I am aware that used all Toyota parts ;)

Congrats on the pending sale :cool:

As to the legendary status, when did you have the 3FE conversion completed?

[pskhaat]

As to the legendary status, when did you have the 3FE conversion completed?

The heavy lifting was done in CO a touch more than 4.5years ago in prep for ACT03. The rest was a very slow wiring harness process by myself over the course of 2 years due to the birth of my first son and the chaos that ensued, at one time I got very frustrated by asserting one lead and loosing another and ended up paying a local guru guy to simply get it back.

So it was basically sitting in the garage for 2+ years with little if any use. A fun run down to the park, a quick drive here and there but 3 kids and a wife won't come close to fitting in it. I noticed pretty soon that we always took the 80 | 100 and our trips were long enough to make driving two trucks not really worth it.

I learned a really big lesson though: despite my desire and half-assed understanding of things, without the absolute dedicated time and 2x the $ set aside, I probably won't ever do another engine swap, even a diesel one. Even the simplest thing required (at least for me and my scheduling and my priorities) too much time. It got done, but not when needed.

I would however consider going 3FE->3F conversion with H42/H55f & manual points dizzy someday to make a 2FJ80 if the time and $ present themselves again.

[dieselcruiserhead]

without the absolute dedicated time and 2x the $ set aside

Good points there for sure.. Not that Kurt and I have the time but we talk about this conversion all the time as we are both 3FEs. The difference, I think we know this (what I quoted above) yet I think are still planning the conversion, or at least Kurt. That says Kurt has been running that ol' 2F carburetor for almost too many years :) Again I still think its a killer swap. Carbs are mechanically great as they are so simple but I think both of us would take this swap in a heart beat. Cheers, Andre

[pskhaat]

I should clarify that I personally would buy a professional swap vs. doing it myself. You two come to mind as people from whom I would buy a swap. :)

With the higher RPM ranges of the 3F-E, a 40 drives very differently than the little 2F brother. Personally, I liked it and if you have the resources as you do, it's the next best thing to an oil burner.

[pskhaat]

Sold.

[durango_60]

Sold.


You are really going to regret this.

[pskhaat]

I know, but $5800 today invested with an average index investment (or paying of deb) will turn it into $23k in 16 years, or about $15-16k in today's money adjusting for inflation. Each number will still buy one heck of an FJ40 again.

I guess there's always the lottery...:Astrologist: