In the recent Toyota Trails, the Cruiser Musings, the author claims that an FJ25 is a piece of junk that should be stripped and modified. Of course I disagree.....

I am of the opinion that the 25 is a collectors piece that should be kept stock but I must admit it would be a lot easier to build a modified rock crawling beast out of it. FJ25 replacement parts are hard if not impossible to find.
I have two and I still don't know if I'll ever have one that's complete.

So who thinks a FJ25 should be restored stock

or who thinks it should be built to the extreme ?

Well, there really isnt a market for them and I believe there will never be one. I would build it to crawl, to replace parts would mean to custom fab them anyways.

I would have to say keep FJ25s stock. They are just too hard to come by, and to me would be a shame to cut one up, and beat the hell out of it. :skull:

I like rare stuff so personally it would be cool to keep it stock and crawl something more plentiful. You have to ask your self what is it's value to you though. I know people that love their late 70's camaro!

Originally posted by ranger
I would have to say keep FJ25s stock. They are just too hard to come by, and to me would be a shame to cut one up, and beat the hell out of it. :skull:

same here.... if your restorein it for resale ... rebuild a modle T not a cruiser .... this should be done out of love of cruisers not cash :D

I know a guy in Los Gatos named Buzz that has a 62 FJ25...he did a frame of job on it but sprung it over(the rear only) 4" springs in front...he kept the stock round rear fender wells and he has 35's on it...he kept the centered rear axle and I think he's running a SM465....it looks sweet...if it was me, I would set it up to crawl yet still keep the stock look...he takes it on the Sierra Trek (Fordyce) every year as he is on the committee and he says it performs great...

If you have two, do like medusa, upgrade the drivetrain in one and build a crawler with the other.

No point in keeping the stock gear if its expensive or hard to get though.... sorry im more a $ guy than a purist.

Keep the body as FJ-25 as possible and make it bloody driveable!

There is no reason to keep a Cruiser with 4 wheel drums!

My vote is to take the running gear out of one, keep it and most of the RARE spare parts for the other. If you are going to crawl and mangle one up, you may as well swap most everything out anyways. I would keep one stock with all the tough to find goodies in waiting, and build one with the crawler gear you want.

There is a 67 patrol that shows up at the local truck show every year with a blown 454, firestones,etc,etc. Looks like what it is..butchered. NOT a patrol by any stretch, it is well done and HUGE money in it, but I would have rather seen a stocker. Might as well be a pinto on a blazer chassis.

I say, if you can..one of each.

That was the author's point, an FJ25 in original form is not the most enjoyable vehicle to drive, and since there is virtually ZERO historical value to them, might as well update the drivetrain.

I've always dreamed of an FJ25 with a restored body, OEM canvas top, tall narrow tires, painted in one of the funky early colors, but with the drivetrain out of a 1979+ FJ40 and a pair of comfortable seats!

If you have ever driven a early non-synchronized cruisers you probably would agree with the author, BUT I personally would rather see one in stock form as a survivor than a modified wheeler.

I was shocked to read about Nolen's FJ55 14,000 miles????? I couldn't tear into that truck, I just couldn't. That truck would be parked in the wife's spot in the garage and I'de modify a 300,000 mile FJ55.

hell I'm a wuss though, I can't even bring myself to cut the rear wheel wells on my FJ40

:shaking:

I think you should have one of each

Restore one and make one a trail truck and upgrade it just like you do any other truck...ie that would mean a chezy 350, big axles (60s,70s,rockwells) automatic with atlas ect ect ect...

A guy in our club has one or a couple and is working on restoring it....he is doing a pretty good job so far from what i can tell....


Stew

all in what you want...if you truely want it to be a converstion piece, leave it 100% stock, and spend the extra time ensureing everything remains tht way. If you want it to resemble all the other modded/rodded rigs out there, then start changing from stock.

Issue is....from 100 yards away, most of the Cruiser population won't know it's a FJ25 unless you do keep it quite stock. Otherwise, it's just another butchered fj40 with a strange body look...

Originally posted by rabid
My vote is to take the running gear out of one, keep it and most of the RARE spare parts for the other. If you are going to crawl and mangle one up, you may as well swap most everything out anyways. I would keep one stock with all the tough to find goodies in waiting, and build one with the crawler gear you want.


Whew, you just saved me a lot of typing :D Thanks !!!

:beer:,

Reddog,

Build It. Build It. BUILD IT. BUILD IT!! BUILD IT!!

I'll be right out to pick up those crappy, no good, obsolete FJ25 parts.

Seriously, restore one (to whatever degree of modification you like) and build the other! That's why you've got two.

Originally posted by Reddog

So who thinks a FJ25 should be restored stock

or who thinks it should be built to the extreme ? If you're going to drive it, then modify it with modern parts that make it safer to drive. If you want a stocker, then put it in the museum and bring it out on sunny days to drive in the parade.

Originally posted by Cruiser Nerd
Reddog,

Build It. Build It. BUILD IT. BUILD IT!! BUILD IT!!

I'll be right out to pick up those crappy, no good, obsolete FJ25 parts.

Seriously, restore one (to whatever degree of modification you like) and build the other! That's why you've got two.

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: how did i know this post was comin


but i do see where nolans comin from any cruiser part up grade are ok ;) ... after a night sleep and readin these post make one a 100% total rebuild that make the other a stockish driver/wheeler NOT a tube buggy... unless thats all thats left of one...

Glad to see my Cruiser Musings articles stirring up a few emotions. :D I love hearing feedback, especially any thoughts or ideas that help me write the next column.

Restoring a 25 is a labor of love. And at the end of the process, you end up with a 1950s era truck. There is a mid ground between the two extremes (the 100% stock 25, and the ectreme built rock crawler 25). That is the FJ25 built with 1976-1983 FJ40 running gear. You end up with a truck that looks like a 25, but has the road manners of a 20 year newer cruiser. And that is the way I would "restore" mine. I would rather have something that I could drive and enjoy, than a museum peice. And a 25 with disc brakes, a fresh 2F, 4 or 5 speed, split case, fine spline axles and pinions, power steering etc etc etc would allow me to enjoy the truck.

Originally posted by rustycruiser
Restoring a 25 is a labor of love. And at the end of the process, you end up with a 1950s era truck.

That is the definition of restoration. But I wouldn't preach that here, and would be hesitant to open that debate on any Cruiser forum. Restification, modification, rebuild.............

I should really stop saying restoration, because I intend to allow things like a rollbar :eek: seatbelts :eek: :eek: and even monster 650R-16 Michelin XZL's :eek: :eek: :eek:

My thinking for number two FJ25 is a Nissan SD33T, Dana 18, Atlas, SOA.............. but I don't think I'll say it's restored.

If it were me I'd probably maybe SOA at most but leave the body in fact, seats, axles, and maybe drivetrain. Then it's unique, don't push it too hard and it should stay in good shape too...

Anytime you wanna start on the monster 25 i am ready!!!!!!

Stew

One of my 'dreams' is to get an early cruiser, such as a 45 wagon, 'upgrade' it to disc front end, a 5.7 litre vortec, and a 4l60e tranny. Keep it pretty stock otherwise. this would be used as a daily driver and tow rig.

If I was to give in to the temptation to modifyone of my 25s I think I'd do it with Mini truck axles, small block chevy, sm420 and go with a dana transfer case. But I'd keep all the outside appearances stock.

Like Woody said, the average cruiser person wouldn't notice the difference from 100 yards out.

I have to agree with Ross on the fact that a restored 25 would be only good for a Sunday afternoon drive at best. Anything beyond that would be too risky.
Also with a late model running gear I could actually drive it to some major Cruiser events and show off a little:)

At first the article by Ross shocked me but now I see it as a mind-opening experience.:D

BTW keep up the good work, The Cruiser Musings is one of my most favorite articles in the TT:beer: