I Bought The Cheapest (& Worst) Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 In The Country & It STILL Rocked Off-Road!

[@krisw8597]

Rebuild the original engine, don’t LS swap it, even though I’m a huge LS fan. Put new tires, suspension and odds and ends that it needs. Don’t reinvent the wheel on this one, just fix what’s wrong and keep it close to original as your able to. The value will grow as long as you keep it original and don’t screw with adding the latest junk on it.

[@jeffh7021]

I regret junking the original F engine for a V8 on my 71.

[@brianm5753]

imo people who engine-swap or electric-convert classic cars are not real enthusiasts

[@harrywalker968]

but,,the engine is a chev anyway..&,,for your info..the LS,,is a lotus.. chev have to copy real engines,, as they cant build decent engines..ever.. ie,,6.5tdi..garbage..

[@yt-ll5mu]

this post is exactly what people need understand

[@krisw8597]

@@harrywalker968 all manufacturers copy each other since time has begun. It sounds like u don’t like GM engines? I don’t care either way, but they do build some good and some not so good like all other manufacturers. My comment is to leave it original, In todays time everyone wants to always personalize their vehicles, I get that. However finding original vehicles and leaving them alone is just worth more. I have had my more then fair share and time working on Vehicles for years now. When I go to shows, I look at the original versions more so then the modified variants. I enjoy on how things used to be, and the effort it takes to keep these vehicles in original type condition. Because I know what it takes, hence my 69 C10 sits mostly original…

[@OS-hx4jk]

Buying Tumbleweed has been the best decision Roman Micah has made of late. Every Tumbleweed video is fun.

[@Gorillanilla]

$8k is a deal! I have a 74 fj40 so I’m excited to see what you guys do with this machine. You’ll find the community with these Land Cruisers is amazing. Excited for the content!

[@harrywalker968]

there garbage.. fab rats ''modified '' one.. it has part of a body.. why would you waste your time with one, when a 62 f100 4x4, kills them, v8 to boot. toyota never built a decent 4x4. the 80 series is close, & the only 1 to buy,,if,,you like toyotas..uuuggg... nissan gu,. 4.2tdi, was a better vehicle..

[@zelenizub2036]

That thing is going to be sold pretty soon, with little to no work done to it. Quick buck flip. (Nothing wrong with that)

[@two-sense]

I sold a daily driver '76 FJ40 for under $4k in the early 90's. I know.

[@toolshed7652]

All you need to do is put EFI on it, repair the suspension, and add a rear locker. The patina is great and those rims are just perfect

[@bldontmatter5319]

EFI?

[@yousad6742]

That motor is spent, a new 3.0 eco diesel would be awesome in it.

[@J.Young808]

@@yousad6742 more so a D4D from Diesel Toyz like the video they showcased a few years ago with Andrey and a 3rd Gen Tacoma. Keep it in the Toyota family.

[@acent11]

I agree suspension, refresh, keep the wheels and fluid film the patina

[@JustSomeGuy38790]

Nah fuck fuel injection, keep it simple.

[@loose-arrow-garage]

I'm glad you flipped the bezel. We FJ40 guys are a bit obsessive about that! Seriously $8K for that rig is a good deal. Sure it needs a lot TLC but it's a worthwhile investment. I love my '69 and it was in worse shape when I bought it several years ago for $2K. It's value has increased more than tenfold now!

[@Ryno-fp7pm]

Doing a 2UZ-FE + H42 + FJ80 steering box + SOA conversion + lockers in my 65. I love 40 series Cruisers.

[@rafalst]

As someone said, dont swap the engine. fix everything, maybe lift it a little bit, put better tires and add lockers and it will be golden

[@zelenizub2036]

It's going to be flipped for quick buck. Like all other cars they buy.

[@Queensizemusic]

@@zelenizub2036 I’m unaware that they’re in the biz of flipping cars for a quick Buck. They generally lose cash on everything or they auction off something give the cash to charity, but you go on with your repeated unqualified claims.

[@rockymountainjazzfan1822]

Reminds me of years 4-wheeling with friend who had an FJ40. A couple of things--you can't drive them "easy" through mud, etc.--they are too heavy and, with open diffs, will get stuck every time. Unlike most any other current 4WD, one has to hit such stuff with some momentum, confident that there is just about nothing that will break on the FJ40. Another FJ40 oddity that most people don't know--its crawl ratio in first gear low range is only about 25:1. It can still perform well with that "meek" of a crawl ratio because the Toyota straight six (a Japanese metric knockoff of the old Chevrolet "stovebolt" straight six from the 1940s-1950s) has such massive low RPM torque. You also see the main running pitfall of the 1973+ FJ40--fuel system issues with emission strangled engine. The earlier FJ40s did not have those issues, but also only came with a 3-speed column shift manual transmission. There was also no way to ride comfortably in them. My friend finally sold his FJ40 when he started having lower back problems, partly from how awful the FJ rode.

[@kc0lif]

4 wheel drive closes the dif

[@jeffh7021]

I loved my old 3 speed, and yes, the old seats were pretty brutal. I also agree that you have do drive them accordingly . That course should have been no problem. Open diffs definitely requires a little more momentum .

[@jeffh7021]

@@kc0lif not on that style of 4x4

[@jasoncass8771]

Every time I went off-road in my old 76 FJ40, it was like being in a gang fight.

[@stunzeedbackwards8502]

yeah. they are made of straight metal. especially the old ones. those things weigh thousands

[@florianschneider1860]

FJ 40 vs FJ cruiser video comparison and off road challenge between the 2 vehicles please. The ultimate old vs new.

[@trailrunnah8886]

that would be a great video! I think the FJ Cruiser would win on capability. While I love classic 4x4s and it would be easier to beat on it, the FJ has a locking rear diff and ATRAC. On the other hand, even though I'm not super into them, the FJ40 is definitely WAY cooler than the FJ Cruiser.

[@tinkeringtimmermans5249]

We used to have 40s and now have an fj cruiser, the fj cruiser is definitely more capable in stock form but the drive train is less robust relative to its predecessor.

[@tdc3rd]

My favorite vehicle you’ve tested so far! Well maybe a tie with Tommys Jeep, but those two are so simple and classic.

[@Cristobal_Ygnacio_Arriaga]

I’ll say rebuild the 2F and if posible get rid of the emissions stuff that are choking it. The straight 6 give you all its torque at 1200RPM it’s basically a diesel in that regard. Besides if you swap the engine that would tank it’s value when you decide to sell it. 2” lift from Old Emu suspension, locker in the rear and that car it’s as capable as most 4wd out there.

[@FJAdventurer]

I have a 350 in mine, and it’s a beautiful match, but there is a lot to be said for keeping it original. I say rebuild that old F engine, throw a locker in it, pull of that rear trailer hitch, and never look back.

[@cejulius21]

The classics channel to me is the most entertaining of all TLF channel. By far. Always enjoyed this episodes

[@cejulius21]

What happened with the buhkanka????

[@nelsonbaracat]

lots of very spontaneous fun and enjoyable content! looking forward to what you guys do with this old land cruiser! wondering what happened to the old Peugeot too, cant seem to find any more episodes

[@tinkeringtimmermans5249]

Growing up our family used to take these 40s wheeling all the time. We had some fj40s (gas) and bj40s (diesel), they are a ton of fun and super overbuilt. Ls would be the most practical and fun swap, lots of power all over the curve, no carb to burp or stall, much lighter than the stock LC engine and actually better mpg. 2.8 or 4bt would also be cool, but probably more difficult/expensive. Power would be okay(depends on tuning) but narrower curve relative to a gasser. 6bt would make it too nose heavy and too much torque for stock drivetrain. Look forward to more content on this rig, 40s are awesome!

[@theylied1776]

I love the old Land Cruisers. When I was a teenager, I used to go visit my father on base, and one of the head mechanics had three personal vehicles. An old U.S. military Toyota Land Cruiser that he brought back from Japan, an old U.S. military Dodge Power Wagon, and an old U.S. military Jeep Gladiator. All three of his vehicles were do anything go anywhere.

[@ricosta75]

Super fun video. I hope you guys do a full restoration to the FJ. Such an icon 👍

[@yousad6742]

3.0 eco diesel would be 🔥

[@r.joseph8911]

It’s called a “40”. Or Cruiser.

[@yadadameet]

You woulda made that hard left w/o reverse. Cool fj, doesn’t need wheels imo.

[@two-sense]

Yeah, and they would have known it was do-able right after they did it. It was close, but I agree with you. I used to have a 76 FJ40 and I would have got out and took a look for myself at least. I probably would have done it, without a passenger.

[@alannorr]

This brought back fond memories for me. We bought a 1975 FJ demo in 1976. Great machine for off road. Very tough. We honeymooned in it. FYI, a thick foam mattress fits perfectly between the roll bar and the roof. The half moon back bumpers were torn off shortly after I bought it. It performed way better with no rear bumper. It was rough riding, rattled, you could throw a cat through the gaps in the doors, not safe over 60 mph, small gas tank under the passenger seat, so in the winter you had to carry a jug of alcohol to pour in with every fill, which was often because it got about 9mpg in the winter. The heater was a joke. We came home for Christmas in -40 temperature dressed in Skidoo suits, Pac boots, Mittens, both us armed with a scraper to keep the windshield clear. Traded it on a Chevy pickup. Thought we'd died and gone to Heaven. Warm and comfortable. Sure miss the FJ though.

[@two-sense]

Similar story here. Sitting in the cab of the Chevy, at least you wouldn't freeze to death while the FJ was on it's way to pull you out.

[@poppyneese1811]

OK this is the best TFL episode ever!!! At 14 I had a summer job washing cars at a Toyota Datsun Volvo Fiat Dealership washing cars and we had these, all we had were tan with the white tops!

[@gregdyche131]

finding fuel in the oilpan is usually a sign of a bad fuel pump diaphragm.

[@Cbat124]

It’s hard to keep track which TFL channel the taming tumbleweed series lands on. I’d like to see them all in a playlist in a single channel. Good video!

[@oldie4210]

I had a 1979 with the diesel, had 17 inch split rims and double crosslink tire chains, and a warn winch on the front the extra heater, just back of the front seats. Used it on many winter cougar hunts, and spring bear. Unbelievable where that thing would go. I sold it when a rock flew off the back tire and rattled around in the cab. I could not believe the rust once I started to look. Lol

[@two-sense]

Yep, rust is their big problem. I used to remote ice fish in northern Alberta, Canada using my FJ40.

[@ponypwr]

Perfect vehicle to do a restomod series! Bumpers were the most limiting factor, other than having aprox 30hp in current form.

[@mauriciohenao6590]

Please please restore it.. these toyotas run for ever

[@bogged2theeyeballs695]

I learnt to drive and off-road as a 15 year old in a 1970 three speed manual (floor shift here in Australia) FJ40 my Father had. We did a lot of miles and went many different places and it never let us down or broke anything. The whole top half rear section (including windows) and fibreglass roof can be easily unbolted and removed, which is what we used to do for summer open air driving. I suspect your engine has some broken piston rings or possibly even a cracked piston.

[@WilhelmTheMan]

Engine swap options 6.7 cummins 2jz from supra V12 from ferrari 3.0 diesel from hilux 5.0 from mustang Or wankel Or just Restore it with new tires, new seats

[@anilmahabirsingh422]

All of the above except the rotary ... a repower cummins 2.8 is a good option also

[@imkwuzn]

Love the FJ 40! My parents bought a brand new FJ55 LAND Cruiser wagon in 1970. It was awesome. It would go anywhere and routinely pulled out all of my friends Dad’s Chevy’s, Fords,Jeeps etc. I learned how to drive in it out in the desert when I was 7yo. My Dad duct taped wooden blocks to the pedals so I could reach them! Wish I had it now!

[@LV4TD101]

Wow you just bought a gem for that price, as rough as it is you could sell it as is now for double. The Chevy 350 is the cheapest and fastest engine swap to do, but I would send out the original motor and have it rebuilt so it could be reinstalled at a later time (having that motor in adds a lot of resell value). I would also recommend removing the top and doors for running this ranch, they are getting harder to find and replace, so you don't want to smash it into a tree.

[@yousad6742]

3.0 eco diesel would be fire

[@harrywalker968]

@@yousad6742 why.?..why spend money on sht.. if you change the engine, you have to change the rest. they have 45 hp..maybe..

[@harrywalker968]

350 350 350 350. biggest pile of pig iron out there.. leave it std,,dig a big hole, & bury it.. one less p o s on the planet..oh,,along with the 350 conversion..you put a 350 in that, you need g/box, t/fer. diffs.. so whats left,,fk all.. ill keep my 62 f100 v8. 352 FE..with 9''. cost, 1500. import 2.3k.. to aus.. toyotas are crap.. 80 series is the best,,but not,,the best.. nissan gu,is better..4.2tdi..same yr.90,s.

[@scottormerod5978]

Definitely needs a 2.8 or 4BT Cummins. Tractor motor for a LC that worshipped along side the tractors. Can’t wait to see what you do with it.

[@fromcalifa01]

You can't have thus much fun on a brand new vehicle.!

[@ndafarachaitezvi1139]

Great content as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along

[@bella1340]

Best fun I ever had four wheeling was in a 74 CJ5 before I fixed it up. Did a body off restoration and it took me about 2 years before I felt comfortable thrashing it in the woods. Best to leave the body as is and just upgrade the guts. And have a blast.

[@wayne1959]

guys, i had a shorty for 17yrs and would have one again any day. I rebuilt the F engine and added a small torque cam, bumped the compression to nearly 10-1 and ran a 350cfm holly with the spring loaded float for the hilly stuff. I had it as a forestry rig to get me and my gear to the logging sites in NW Aust and it never let me down. I used the std 750/16 rims and put some good lug tyres on and they worked great, she was a bit rough on the highway but honest as the day was long.

[@yousad6742]

3.0 eco diesel,lockers front and rear and 33” ko’2’s and take those scabbed together make shift bumpers off.

[@smarticus6384]

I owned a 1972 FJ40 and remembered taking it up the emerald lakes trail back in the 1980s, then hiking over the summit and camped for a week at the bottom and fishing for trout every day. Who knew that those trips would end up being some of the best experiences of my life. I think this is why so many people love off-roading, especially in my home state of Colorado.

[@garygarant2582]

Drove an Fj40 for a couple of weeks in Mexico and have much respect for them , still like my CJ5 but I am a Jeep head .

[@dusty7264]

Growing up on a ranch in Arizona our Toyota Landcruisers a FJ 40&55 are the toughest trucks on the ranch. They go anywhere. You were really lucky to find on at the price you paid

[@lanceripplinger8352]

Hilarious fun, love the Tumbleweed Ranch videos! I think it would be cool to just go through and rebuild the engine. I would imagine that would be good for resale value to have the original engine.

[@johnchristianlorenzo3221]

You should keep and rebuild that Toyota 2F engine. Mosley Motors and ih8mud memeber wngrog(89nolder) were able to piece up one of the best if not the best 2F engine builds. Maintain that tractor like offroadability of the original drivetrain while having more civility for onroad use with modern fuel injection and better engine internals.

[@scottyellis3442]

Love the old Yoto, can't wait to see what you guy's do with it. Even if it's nothing but clean it up. Looks like y'all had alot of fun trying it out.

[@dalejones4322]

I'd like to see it made road capable again. Engine and suspension and tires. I thought about the old ford watching this. Whatever happened to it? Weren't you going to convert it to electric?

[@TFLclassics]

It’s almost done actually!!

[@dalejones4322]

@@TFLclassics awesome!!!! Can't wait to see it.

[@pokerman9108]

I grew up with two fj40's in Idaho. still have them to this day. they still fire up and run like hell.

[@adamsfly6212]

You are correct that is not an oil bath filter but it is a K&N filter which uses, guess what? Oil! Glad to see you put the headlight bezel on correctly.

[@stef4492]

I just drove a mint one of these today... So much fun! Was a tractor to drive around town but the looks and thumbs up's I got were amazing...

[@IKnewMickey]

Not sure about these new Kinetic straps but we used to have to keep them clean and dry after use to prevent deterioration. Hose them clean and hang dry. The ones we didn't keep maintain snapped under load.

[@markforbes3228]

Hopefully the original engine is rebuildable 🤞🏻

[@willrector9716]

Easily and cheap

[@markforbes3228]

@@willrector9716 unless there is a crack in the case

[@willrector9716]

@@markforbes3228 yes which could be a possibility

[@roberthatfull3816]

A bike shop owner had one of these when i was a kid in the 80s i bumped into him recently as he was loadin up his shopping in the same landcruiser it was scruffy and unrestored and had plywood for side windows and trailer tail lights but was still a daily driver .

[@neilmurphy845]

With good tire's and lifted suspension and maybe a locker would make that truck brilliant and I would swap it out with the factory diesel engine would make it less complex and more reliable

[@batmanlives6456]

I had the diesel version of this years ago when they were new It was brilliant and would go anywhere Decent suspension and some attention to the engine and she will sing! Looking forward to seeing it again

[@colvinyenweiken1539]

Mine 1979 bj40...a diesel version ...I swap the engine to a 4101cc 15b NA...it performed brilliantly

[@lacuzon39000]

I miss my 1983 BJ46 . We used to install a double parking brake because locker were to expensive , one parking brake per rear wheel so you had to pull slightly on the brake on the spinning wheel to give traction to stuck wheel , and it also help on making sharp turn .

[@dennislesh2374]

Best damn 4x4 ever. My folks bought a brand new 1970 Landcruiser and I drove the crap out of it in Montana............loved every minute with it.

[@bradpittiful7288]

keep it original...but make it as good as you can...it looks great!

[@0xsergy]

and replace the leafsprings with springs so you actually use it instead of selling it. leafsprings are a hell of a rough ride.

[@papo120582ruiz]

Omg I love it. My Grandpa had one while I was a kid. Good old memories.

[@16driver16]

Bored and new pistons is all the engine needs, then a weber 38/38 on it, air pump delete and some selectable lockers, lower axle gears and slightly larger tires(with really low psi for ride comfort offroad). This thing is too perfect to seriously modify.

[@two-sense]

They're going to find a lot of rust in the floor and fenders. That floor is designed to trap moisture. As soon as they poke a screwdriver into it they will see. Fantastic vehicle though. Years ago, I owned a '76 in that horrible mustard yellow, which is now the most collectible colour I hear.

[@vitara4x48]

lots of fj40 in Indonesia being cut and swab a 14bt diesel angine or a cherokee xj engine , and its called the tubular fj40

[@MediocreGamer1979]

I have been using my BJ40 for the last 20 years. Generally it will not give up on you no matter how hard you try to kill it.

[@lazy_goodwill]

I hope we all will be able to do such hard exercises when become as elder as this car. The Legend.

[@smudgeone]

The Cummins 2.8 diesel would be perfect for a little truck like this. The purity crowd is pretty strong when it comes to these old Toyotas so a rebuild would be nice but it would still be a tractor.

[@joelnichols9055]

4.3 chevy v6-triple the horsepower and take 200 pounds out of the front end. I'd leave the body as it is.The patina is perfect!

[@trailrunnah8886]

My mind just automatically goes to LS, but the 4.3 is a good idea too. I wonder if an all aluminum LS out of an F body or Corvette would weigh less than the 4.3 though? The 5.7 in my Firebird has aluminum block and heads.

[@andrewdoble7973]

If this doesn’t scream build series I don’t know what does. Before and after off roaring on the ranch. Put 33s new suspension locker fix motor.

[@trailrunnah8886]

They should definitely let Case and David lose on this thing! I think those two would definitely be capable of doing some wrenching videos for this channel. The rest of the guys, not so sure.

[@archerpuna3888]

I had a 74 & 75 Toyota Land Cruiser back in the days. Best Jeep’s ever. Now I have a wrangler unlimited.

[@jeep2003]

When is the buhanka going to hit the ranch? This fj acts alot like my cj5 as soon as it gets crossed up it stops. Iv got a limited slip ready to go in!

[@tommychristopher122]

Great find! Thanks for the content fellas! I had a 76. Keep it Toyota!

[@JohnBtons]

I love this video. Have a '74 myself. super fun basic 4x4

[@48VAC]

small cummins in that would be the way to go.

[@jameskendrick573]

Fix that thing and put km3's on it and drive it love it it's awesome Roman and Tommy

[@edwardhoward4708]

I think that everyone who sells their Toyota 4x4 regrets it. I had an 87 4Runner that I sold to a buddy. He still has it, it doesn’t run, but he won’t sell it back to me. Smart man.

[@crazycaseyandoldmanangus7143]

I used to work at a 4wd shop in Boulder we did sbc conversions on fj40s they are tanks

[@armandcouture4655]

Vintage little beast. I can picture monks driving it wearing orange robes. Cool vehicle and great video.

[@Lhenry-pf5zn]

I have had many of these. Off road the best is the Canadian 3B 4 cylinder Toyota Diesel model.

[@bernardcrane750]

That is a gem of a find. Lets see what you do to it.

[@stonepa]

Everything you think needs fixed is kinda how they weee new as well. Hard to realize that much of this was normal for 1970s and 80s land cruisers. When i bought my 60 new in 1987 it pretty much rode and drive like this. They were built to do hard work, not comfort.

[@kevinbarry71]

Yes, but they took the, not comfort, part much too far

[@spartanchirho]

Very cool!!! Was hoping it was David's . Doesn't look like front lockers are working if it has it.

[@TheCriminalViolin]

Love how this spine shattering machine sounds like it has a Briggs & Stratton Lawnmower engine in it

[@DeanMk1]

Keep it, essentially, stock. The engine is a torque monster, so no need to change it out. Rebuild would be in order, though. Otherwise, restore it. Give it bigger tires (MT's) and locker in back, True Trac up front. Make use of that optional extended front bumper and sit a winch in there (does Warn still make an 8274?). THEN you'll have something that will make it through that course.

[@peterpontikos3786]

hope to see>full resto bar the patina and adding the right gear for offorad capability; tires, suspension, locker(s)at high altitude4x4

[@georgekerr8804]

I had a few sets of those BFG All Terrain tires, back in the day.

[@LarsDennert]

Those diffs lock up a bit if you step on the brakes a bit. I had a '76. I can't believe it still has the stock steelies and hub caps. Keep it as original as possible! That 2F still has a 100K in it.

[@moabman6803]

The best 2f shop in Colorado is Colorado Toyota Specialists. The air filter you have is a k and n filter. It's supposed to have oil on it.

[@icarus9125]

i have an old fj40 land cruiser up at my colorado mountain cabin. shits rusted out asf, broken windows, hasnt been turned on in prolly a few years. things crazy

[@two-sense]

That course made the old girl look bad. Once you get some real tires on her, take off that hitch, put on some suspension, and get her dialled in mechanically, she will do that course all day without even noticing. Best Average Joe's 4x4 ever.

[@dugsbugs1]

Gotta love that well engineered towbar. I sold my restored BJ40 9 years ago and was lucky enough to find it again and buy it back. Now to erase the 9 years of neglect and abuse and return it to it's former glory.

[@CJ-rk5eg]

Since you bought this toyota, the next rehab project should be a Jeep CJ7, then head to head them - solid axles, leaf springs, and all!

[@toreking1]

Best Buy in the show so far guys, congratulations!

[@Shooter11B]

These old rigs must be preserved and restored. It deserves a second life as a wheeler/daily driver. A small diesel in one would be super cool.

[@johnswick4593]

I asked myself the same thing about 5 trucks ago. Why did I sell that truck? I loved it. I always wanted an FJ40 too. Very cool.

[@TJY2K]

3:11 oh my God. My spine yelled out loud. New suspension, tires, engine and il willl be great!

[@Lybra19JTD]

this old thing makes you feel more alive than modern cars, tooo much smile per each inch

[@adamwinters4448]

This was just fun to watch.. I love land cruisers

[@doug9176]

This was my family's car when I was a kid. But ours was mustard yellow with some much wider tires on it. I learnt to drive in it in the Australian outback and desert. Great truck, turning circle in the SWB is the best. Wish I still had it.

[@BYLRPhil]

Oh David, I sold my 89 Suburban a few years ago and I regret it every day… I feel you brother.

[@Bigben-pz8bx]

My opinion is rebuilding the factory six, and add throttle body fuel injection. If not that I think the Cummins 2.8 liter four is a great choice.

[@SMGPERFORMANCE16]

You lock both the diffs and and snow chains you will have a hell of an off-road unit boys.

[@lazydadsgarage]

Love you guys bringing David in on camera more!

[@zachendter4234]

Hey guys interesting bit of information but I’m the new owner of your fj40 it’s made it all the way to CA

[@eric9432]

We had a extremely clean 69 back when I was a kid and still to this day give my dad hell for selling it. One of these days I WILL HAVE ANOTHER!

[@MrBillsfishin]

Tommy buy Wix oil filters instead of Fram filters. Better for your vehicles especially with the offroading being harder on them.

[@dirf554]

That old paint can sometimes buff out really nice!