Haven't been on here much recently...my '13 Trail is still doing its thing but I did add another Toyota truck to the stable this summer--a '75 FJ40.
It was an AZ/CA truck up until 10 years ago when it came here, failed inspection and sat (outside for much of that time.) Cumulatively, 32 years in the west followed by 10 years outside in the east resulted in a truck that looks pretty rough, but is remarkably solid. It's beyond patina, but there's very little rot to repair.
A prior owner swapped in a 350. While I wouldn't have done that myself the small block sounds good, has plenty of power, and is cheap to fix so it's really hard to find fault there. It also has Saginaw power steering fitted. I lifted it, converted to 16" wheels with 255/85's, and swapped in a early model t-case with slightly deeper low range and some case reinforcement. Also added a set of Corbeau suspension seats to replace the rough stock seats. Might redo the originals and put them back in at a later date.
Took it to one wheeling event in September and the grin could not be wiped off my face. It's a real back to basics experience after wheeling my crawler on 40's and just a blast!
Beyond that, I've been street driving it quite a bit. With the 350 and power steering, it's a much more comfortable ride around town than my other vintage 4x4, a Series Rover.
Far cry from jetranger's 2uz'd work of art, but I love it!
It was an AZ/CA truck up until 10 years ago when it came here, failed inspection and sat (outside for much of that time.) Cumulatively, 32 years in the west followed by 10 years outside in the east resulted in a truck that looks pretty rough, but is remarkably solid. It's beyond patina, but there's very little rot to repair.
A prior owner swapped in a 350. While I wouldn't have done that myself the small block sounds good, has plenty of power, and is cheap to fix so it's really hard to find fault there. It also has Saginaw power steering fitted. I lifted it, converted to 16" wheels with 255/85's, and swapped in a early model t-case with slightly deeper low range and some case reinforcement. Also added a set of Corbeau suspension seats to replace the rough stock seats. Might redo the originals and put them back in at a later date.
Took it to one wheeling event in September and the grin could not be wiped off my face. It's a real back to basics experience after wheeling my crawler on 40's and just a blast!
Beyond that, I've been street driving it quite a bit. With the 350 and power steering, it's a much more comfortable ride around town than my other vintage 4x4, a Series Rover.
Far cry from jetranger's 2uz'd work of art, but I love it!
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