[Toyota_Jim]

What were the better years and why? I am looking for a FJ40 to be a trail truck. Probably put 33's on at biggest..

 

[peterfj40]

lots of people will say get a '76 for the front discs and 4speed w/ lower 1st gear than the 3spd, but you will most likely pay more for a '76 (and you have to deal w/ smog..unless you get a early title)/...if its gonna be a trail truck, just go for a cheap complete fj, running or not..you'll eventually go to a V8, no doubt about it..i'd get an older truck, then swap in later axles that are either factory disk, or ones you can put mini truck discs on, then swap in a V8 and sm420 or sm465 and spring it over w/ 35's and weld the back up...cheap and easy build up

 

[cruiserman]

IMO for a relatively stock truck (which will fit 33's with a shackle lift), '78 is the "best" year for wheeling. '68 and later will get you birfields up front, which means you can go do a mini disc conversion with minimum hassle, but with the early rigs you have to deal with the F motor, 3 speed, coarse splined axles, etc..

It comes down to your budget, features you want, rust aversion, and your local smog & inspection laws (if any). Look at the TLC FAQL to see what features were available over the years, and go from there.

TLC FAQL

 

[wngrog]

Originally posted by peterfj40:
<STRONG>lots of people will say get a '76 for the front discs and 4speed w/ lower 1st gear than the 3spd,
Not sure about this? The 4 speed came in '74 and some of those have lower geared TRANSFER cases through '75

you'll eventually go to a V8, no doubt about it..
There are a lot of 2F purists out there, he may love his tractor engine
i'd get an older truck, then swap in later axles that are either factory disk, or ones you can put mini truck discs on, then swap in a V8 and sm420 or sm465 and spring it over w/ 35's and weld the back up...cheap and easy build up</STRONG>

Yeah, i kind of wish I had done what Peter here says when I started. Start with a POS and build it to wheel, but it soulds like you really just want a mild trail rig (that's how we all start <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">)

If that is the case, any Cruiser after 1976 would be a good choice for a starting platform.

Unless I were going to do a complete hardcore rig from the ground up, I would avoid an early (Pre-75) rig unless I found one with disc brakes and a 2F or 350 in it already.