I'm going to test drive a 1972 FJ40 this afternoon, 350 - 3 speed with a 4" lift and 35" tires.

What do I need to look at to make sure the V8 conversion was done right?

what tranny would be a ideal replacement for the stock 3 speed??

anything else I should look for on this model FJ40???

come on guys, I know you are holding back :flipoff2:

I used the search feature and have spent the last three hours learning about the SM420 and Sm465 conversions, dayum good info.

did I mention the asking price for the 40:question:

$1200 :D

you fawkers wake up and help me;)

First off..Dude just buy something. ;)

Check the motor mounts and make sure they are not hoaky backwoods frankenstein parts. And make sure there is a tranny/t-case crossmember in there (Behind the t-case)

The sm420 is a lower geared tranny but the sm465 is newer and easier to find parts for. And with lot's of places putting out both plate adapters either one is easy enough to put in that beast.

:D:D:D Good luck!

I'm in Atlanta with a V8 cruiser you can check out. I'd even go along as company to check it out if you're nearby. Let me know.

It helps to have a long term plan in mind before you look at it. I got mine w/ the V8 in it and wound up changing a bunch of engine components. It has a reman engine that I will eventually replace with a crate(loooong term). I had to move the radiator back to its original location(PITA cuz shit was welded welded up tight) when I did the power steering. I paid too much for a stock drivetrain that am swapping out anyway. The PO did a real nice job repairng/rebuilding/replacing the body but I have already started denting fenders & butchering it w/ a sawzall. Basically if I had spent less $$$ on a less cosmetically clean cruiser and spent the money/did the work myself I'd be alot closer to what I really want. I hadn't had a cuiser in 6 years and got "I gotta have it syndrome".

At $1200 you really can't go wrong for a runnin FJ40. Get it, lets wheel.

piss off pinion boy :flipoff2: j/k

I know, I know, this is like the fifth in my search for a 40. there's so much CRAP out there, its taking me awhile.

You know, if people would just level with me and tell me if it has plywood floors and a Volkswagon engine in it, I could save tons of time by NOT driving out to see a piece of shit they didn't want.

This guy was typical of other people I talked to on the phone that avoided questions to tell me what a great truck it was, and how STRONG the motor is:rolleyes:


so I gotta go see for myself....

haha I hear you man. I scored my truck for $200 so it was hard to complain about no power steering and the inline 6. But I did look at a lot of crap out there before I happened about the one I got now.

hell I even talked to some dumbass in Elko NV (About 5 or 6 hours away) he said it was a great truck but didn't run because of some electrical issues. So I drive all the way up there, you know what the electrical issues were?? Engine fire, burned the motor, warped the hood, melted the windshield and melted the rims to the ground. Needless to say I was pissed, and more than let the guy know he was a lying piece of sh!t, and the fact that he wanted $1500 from it was a fawkin joke.

Some people.....what are they thinking?

:p yes, an engine fire MIGHT cause some electrical problems:shaking:

the last one I drove was a 71 with the stock "F" motor, I thought I could get it for about $1000 because of the exhaust leaks, motorcraft carb, hoky wiring and rustoleum paint job.

not so, the guy asked $3500 with a straight face:eek: I giggled and drove away:flipoff2:

Kewel ckolloff, I appreciate the offer. I did do just what you said though (consider actual use) and a beater is just what I need.

My search leaned towards stock rust free 40's until I looked at my 60 and realized it was my stocker, now its time for som fun:D

V8, SM420, roll-over fun, that is:rasta:

Lets see.....first I would look at the mounts and the integrity of the welds that hold them together and on the frame. Check the postion of the engine in relationship to the radiator, drivelines, and clearance for steering.
Does it still have stock steering?
Take a look at the way the cooling system is set up...this is probably the #1 problem that isn't addressed properly when doing a V-8 conversion.
There a many things you can check for, but I can't see being overly picky when the truck is priced at $1,200. This means that you can probably get it for $800... Thats what I would offer, if it ran and it can be driven.... :skull:

saaaweet Jesus:shaking: still can't believe it, SHOULD HAVE taken a camera, because this was AMAZING

the high compression 350? - straight out of the junkyard.

The 4" lift? - scrap steel welded between the spring hanger and the frame. extra leafs were added in the form of 1/8" steel plates bent in the shape of a leaf spring

the adapter plate? - 1/4" plate of steel, welded between the frame rails

no windshield, missing wheel studs, rust holes in the rockers big enough to put my fist in. When I crawled under it, I could see daylight through the tub.

I drove 80 miles to see this piece of shit:mad3: NEXT!!!