* Purchasing an FJ-40 / FJ-40 B U Y E R S G U I D E * (f A Q )

Trollhole · 11-03-06, 09:11 AM

Poser · 11-03-06, 09:17 AM

You do not really think that people read the FAQ....... do you?

ducktapeguy · 11-03-06, 10:03 AM

I think maybe because the FAQ is kinda hidden in another menu way down at the bottom of the page where people aren't finding it.

http://www.cruiserfaq.com/00-00.html

Another question i see pretty often is the issue of price or how much it's worth. I had some good feedback in this thread to get a general idea on pricing, but it's pretty vague, and like people said, it's pretty hard to put a price on these things.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.p...ighlight=guide

Poser · 11-03-06, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ducktapeguy

I think maybe because the FAQ is kinda hidden in another menu way down at the bottom of the page where people aren't finding it.

What are you talking about?

So are you telling me that you cannot find the 40 series F A Q on the FRONT PAGE of the topics?

I am not talking about another sites FAQ, I am talking about the 40 series section specific FAQ....

It is a stickie, just above this thread on the topics page....

66fj40x2 · 11-03-06, 10:23 AM

Steve I think a lot of folks don't see it. Can Woodrow make the font bigger, bold text, something

apeterson · 11-03-06, 11:31 AM

I read them all the time... but I have to admit... I was here a long time before I found them (right in front of my face)... But I wrote it off to me being a knob...

ducktapeguy · 11-03-06, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poser

What are you talking about?

So are you telling me that you cannot find the 40 series F A Q on the FRONT PAGE of the topics?

I am not talking about another sites FAQ, I am talking about the 40 series section specific FAQ....

It is a stickie, just above this thread on the topics page....

I was talking about the FAQ that deals specifically with buying a used cruiser. That seems to be the most often asked question from a new user, i.e. what's it worth, what common problems should I be looking for, things to avoid, best years, etc. The 40 series sticky on the front page is has a lot of good tech info, but it's geared torwards people that ALREADY own cruisers and are looking for more detailed information on mods or commonly asked questions. Judging by the number of similar topics on this subject, I'm assuming most new users might glace at it and don't immediately see the info they're looking for, so they post up the same question every week. Eventually, you will find the information by going through a lot of links, but it isn't very obvious.

I'm just relating my own experience when searching through all this, there was a lot of good information on this site, but unless I bookmarked specific pages, I had a very hard time trying to come back and find it because it tended to get buried in a bunch of links

camcruiser13 · 11-03-06, 11:55 AM

theres a faq

where have i been

Trollhole · 11-03-06, 12:06 PM

Okay back on topic. Lets put together some thoughts and ideas on what people should look for. And maybe some pictures. A lot of varibles on what year is right for you especially depends on your application (daily driver, light wheeling, rock crawlwer)

So what are some things we can add to look for?

on 4speed transmission and T-case. Check for leaking out the emergency brake attached to the t-case. Check for slop in both Drive shafts for slop. Any slop is to much. I rebuild is due.

Cracks or welds on the T-case

Most 6 into one headers are a pain in the ass top seal and will cause problems down the road.

Drum brakes all around (epecially on the front) are a pain in the ass and need constant adjustment

Oil leak between tranmission and engine most likely means the rear seal need to be replaced. $$$ possibly $$$$

Black or very dark clutch or brake fluid means the PO (previous owner) was slack in bleeding the brake fluid and most likely slack on the whole brake system.

A sign of messy wiring means potential problems down the road.

Places that rust.

Bottom of doors
rear sill
between body and gas tank (Tank under seat)
wheel wells
outer fron fender brace

Signs of abuse or heavy wheeling.

Heavily dented or bent skid plate
Drain plugs on front and rear diffs gouged up
Leaf springs that have a slight s shape to them

************************************************** ************************************************** **********please note not all things listed above mean it's a bad cruiser. Just means you will have a lot of work ahead of you.************************************************* **********

I bought my second cruiser with all the above problems. I drove it 1000 miles 8 weeks later. Cruisers take a lot of abuse to make them fail

VTFJ40 · 11-03-06, 12:55 PM

This thread should be sticky and the title should be more clear. "How to buy an FJ40" or "What you need to know when buying an FJ40", and maybe "Read this before you ask".

"Buyers guide" made me think vendors when I first saw it. Maybe just me though.

No offense to noobs, but they don't read the FAQs.

Rocky_LC · 11-03-06, 07:50 PM

Make sure all the SMOG stuff is there / and the vehicle passes smog before you buy it if you live (or might someday move to) somewhere that SMOG checks are required.

Smog can be a yearly nightmare if you don't.

One hundred dollars spent with a mechanic when purchasing your vehicle will be money well spent. You will probably get at least that much back by having ammunition to bargain with the seller.

Rocky

Degnol · 11-03-06, 08:25 PM

Make sure there is not a corpse in the back. And...."Never pet a burning dog"

Those are my two tips.

Ed

And if I had read any of this stuff.....I would have passed and bought a.......
'nother 4WD vehicle. But I love the cruiser.

Ed

TLCHopII · 03-12-07, 01:20 AM

All in all if you want a cruiser with out any character then purchase a fresh, proffesional restore or go buy an ICON!

These are 20 to 40 year old vehicles. If you can't wrench or afford someone to do it for you move on.

That said, there is nothinout there that compares to a 40 series Landcruiser! Even leaking, tired it'll get you back when most others are towed!

Trollhole · 08-24-09, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollhole

Okay back on topic. Lets put together some thoughts and ideas on what people should look for. And maybe some pictures. A lot of varibles on what year is right for you especially depends on your application (daily driver, light wheeling, rock crawlwer)

So what are some things we can add to look for?

on 4speed transmission and T-case. Check for leaking out the emergency brake attached to the t-case. Check for slop in both Drive shafts for slop. Any slop is to much. I rebuild is due.

Cracks or welds on the T-case

Most 6 into one headers are a pain in the ass top seal and will cause problems down the road.

Drum brakes all around (epecially on the front) are a pain in the ass and need constant adjustment

Oil leak between tranmission and engine most likely means the rear seal need to be replaced. $$$ possibly $$$$

Black or very dark clutch or brake fluid means the PO (previous owner) was slack in bleeding the brake fluid and most likely slack on the whole brake system.

A sign of messy wiring means potential problems down the road.

Places that rust.

Bottom of doors
rear sill
between body and gas tank (Tank under seat)
wheel wells
outer fron fender brace

Signs of abuse or heavy wheeling.

Heavily dented or bent skid plate
Drain plugs on front and rear diffs gouged up
Leaf springs that have a slight s shape to them

************************************************** ************************************************** **********please note not all things listed above mean it's a bad cruiser. Just means you will have a lot of work ahead of you.************************************************* **********

I bought my second cruiser with all the above problems. I drove it 1000 miles 8 weeks later. Cruisers take a lot of abuse to make them fail

Lol just noted the bold red stuff added to my post.

Just as a note to that note. "I am no profesional" Neither are the 99% of the other people in here. So lurker beware.

Deni · 09-25-09, 04:46 PM

What say you about this "most of the rust lies in the rear of the vehicle's undercarriage and frame areas. The rear foot of the frame is pretty rusted, but it hasn't caused any problems since the rest of the frame is in good shape. The grill is rusting as well as the driver's and passenger side doors on the bottoms, and a few spots of rust on the body. The biggest concern would be the end of the frame and the surrounding body area. The floors all look great.

The 4wd hasn't been checked in years to be honest, so there will probably be some problems with that. In fact, it hasn't even been lubed up in about three years or so. "

I am looking at FJ40's available and this is the worst this person is saying. Brakes have been gone through, runs ok, etc etc.

ocdbeetle · 09-25-09, 04:56 PM

Am I missing something....I thought we already had this?

*** Purchasing an FJ-40 / FJ-40 B U Y E R S G U I D E *** (f A Q )

* Purchasing an FJ-40 / FJ-40 B U Y E R S G U I D E * (f A Q )