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Kevin Yeager     Chinle, Arizona 1968 FJ40 & 1985 4Runner — Hi, I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and I learned to drive in a '64 Chevy SWB (short wheel base) pickup. Though 2 wheel drive, it taught me the benefits of where a short wheel base and a granny gear can take you. I had aspirations of owning a Jeep CJ and yes, I did say "Jeep." But then, in the summer after High School graduation, my best friend bought a '70 FJ40 and that's when I knew that an FJ40 was the 4x4 for me. In 1985 I bought my '68 FJ40. It was an eyesore to my dad, that is until our first hunting trip in it. After that, he didn't care what it looked like because it took us anywhere we wanted to go. .

I was starting to do a frame off rebuild when I got married in '95 and then moved to Claremore. We moved into an apartment and my FJ40 went into storage. In '96 we bought a house, had our first child and I haven't been able to get back to work on the FJ40 since. In '97 I was invited by Deano Kothe to join a new 4x4 club that was forming. I believe that he invited me to the first meeting, but I couldn't make it. At the second meeting I joined the club. Then at the April '99 meeting, I was voted in as Vice President. Click on images for large view

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The fact that I was now the club's VP had an affect on my wife. She suggested that I follow through on my idea of replacing my 2 wheel drive Datsun pickup with a Toyota 4x4 pickup. As she put it, "shouldn't the VP of a 4x4 club have a running 4x4 to take to meetings and club outings." As I was actively looking for a pickup, in June, I came across an '85 4Runner that was priced right. Plus, it could carry the whole family. After a brief family discussion, it was agreed that I travel the 100 miles to look it over. As I was leaving to go see the 4Runner my wife said to me "If (she meant when) you buy it, on the note line of the check put Happy Father's Day." Even though it needed a good deal of work, I had doubts that it could make it home under its own power, it was still a good buy. Four days later I returned with a trailer to buy it and haul it home. The rest of this story can be deduced from the specification/modification list for the 4Runner.

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The '85 4Runner: (my daughter named her, Marry Ann, after the steam shovel in the book "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel") 2.4L 22RE 4cyl. engine-has been rebuilt with Northwest Off-Road cam Turbo 5speed trans (R151F) 4cyl. transfer case (RF1A) rebuilt with Marlin Crawler 4.70 gears installed '88 rear axle rebuilt with 4.88 ring & pinion and a PowerTrax No-Slip locker front axle rebuilt with 4.88 ring & pinion Bud Built high clearance trans crossmember front brakes upgraded to Land Cruiser vented rotors and mini-truck IFS calipers 3 1/2 inch Northwest Off-Road suspension Doetsch Tech Pre-Runner shocks 1 inch Downey shackles front & rear stainless steel extended brake hoses ARB Bull Bar front winch bumper Warn XD9000 winch (she said Marry Christmas for this one) 160 amp Premier Power Welder alternator Optima yellow top battery Tom Woods long travel front drive shaft crossover steering conversion using All Pro Off Road double arm and Marlink tie rod & drag link with FJ80 tie rod ends '88 mini-truck power steering box with modified pitman arm Uniden Pro-510 40 channel CB radio with magnetic mount antenna new windshield custom fabricated rear bumper (spare tire/gas can carrier is in the works) the steering column has been replaced both front seats have been replaced the rear seat belts have been replaced new 15x8 chrome steel wheels 11.50x32R15 Mickey Thompson MTX radial tires

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The '68 FJ40: (Jenny) is in storage, it is stock except for the 11.50x32 tires, and awaits either a frame off rebuild or to be put back in service.

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