Updated pics of 78' 40 with 33"x 9.5"

[nickw]

Finally got some pics of the rig with the new rubber.

Positives:

ALOT easier to turn and handles much better. It really made a night and day difference! Much easier to maneuver at speeds below 5 mph and the all around resistance at the wheel has decreased fairly substantially.

The engine is much happier down the highway as well, 4th gear at 58-60 mph seems about right.

Negatives:

I am on the fence about the looks, but who cares just as long as it works better.

Slightly down on power on 3rd-4th shifts on inclines. It is hardly noticable, but you can tell.

I have not got a chance to wheel with them yet. I am making a trip to Eastern Oregon next weekend and the passes are sure to be slick and icy, we'll see how they do.

 

[Jacket]

Looks great! I like the look personally - makes it look like a true global utility vehicle.

 

[4Rescue]

Yeah, looks awsome, wide tires are for Redneck mudders with Shivvy's...

 

[DaveInDenver]

Diggin' the pizza cutters!

 

[Pskhaat]

That was the best size for a 40 IMO!

 

[ChuckB]

Look's really good IMOP!! Do you have 3.73 or 4.11s in your diffs??

 

[DaveInDenver]

Look's really good IMOP!! Do you have 3.73 or 4.11s in your diffs??

In 1978 it would still be 4.11 final ratios from Toyota.

 

[Scott Brady]

Cool, same size that I had on my '77

 

[kcowyo]

Looking good. The 78's are a real gem.

 

[Sloan]

IMHO it looks awesome. What size tires were you running before? What gears are you running? BTW, I love Sisters, OR. I almost got divorced, I mean bought an FJ55 when I was up there this past summer.

 

[spencyg]

I'm a big fan of narrower tires, but I'm also a big fan of wheel offsets that get some of your stability back when going taller. I know you're running the stock steelies and they look awesome, its just too bad there weren't some easy options for getting some more track width. You could do spacers, but they are structurally questionable...

Spence

 

[nickw]

I think the look will grow on me, but I made the mods more for functionality/performance than looks. I had debated using some Alum. rims, for a more 'modern' look, but settled on the steelies based on sizing and durability.

IMHO it looks awesome. What size tires were you running before? What gears are you running? BTW, I love Sisters, OR. I almost got divorced, I mean bought an FJ55 when I was up there this past summer.

Agreed, Sisters is a nice part of Oregon!

Let me guess, either A) that was the 55 that had the chevy 292 in it or B) the white/green one with the PTO winch sitting about 10 miles outside of Sisters on the highway?

I had 31x10.5's and it has the stock 4.11's-

 

[nickw]

I'm a big fan of narrower tires, but I'm also a big fan of wheel offsets that get some of your stability back when going taller. I know you're running the stock steelies and they look awesome, its just too bad there weren't some easy options for getting some more track width. You could do spacers, but they are structurally questionable...

Spence

I would tend to agree with you. I think I could probably offset the rear by 1" on both sides and still clear the body.

It is also one of the primary reasons I didn't lift it, it only has about a 1" lift due to the extended shackles. I see no reason to go higher, except to give me more 'squat' when it is loaded up. I will see how these stock springs do first.

I have though about spacers, although like you said, structural integrity is questionable.

 

[Pskhaat]

debated using some Alum. rims, for a more 'modern' look

Nah, the 40s have nothing modern about them and that's what's so beautiful. Those rims are perfect.

Normally, I'm against many spacers, but I will say that with a larger tire they can help some control with steering placing the kingpin bearing angle more in-center with the tire contact patch. (Just my own personal experience).

 

[Sloan]

Option B, you are good. I really want to go with either a Q-78 or 35-10.5 on my 40 but with a 4" lift the track definitely becomes an issue. I guess I could just cut down on the high speed cornering.