Advice on a potential FJ Purchase (what to look for - what do you think?)

stardotstar · 01-28-07, 04:15 PM

Hi all, new aussie here.

Every day I drive past this FJ40 and it seems to be begging me to buy it - almost as if it is going to sit there saying "come on ... you know I'm just waiting for you to pick me up."

I havn't spoken to the owner yet but here are the details.

I have experience in 4x4 with a Jeep TJ which I owned and lavished much love and money on for several years until I moved interstate, a new job and then had children and built a house :shock:

I really would love to ditch my mitsubishi wagon :grrr: and what's more a 4 cylinder diesel that will go forever that I can do simple wheeling in (don't intend to build a rig with all the fruit this time round

) towing, touring, camping that sort of stuff.

I am looking for some info on the background and strengths and weaknesses of this model and what people think...

8.83 LandCruiser LX
"Very Rare Top of the Line 40 Series"
Power Steering
Air-Conditioning
Power Disc Brakes
Factory 5 Seater
4 Cylinder '3B' Diesel
3.4 Liters (8.5 L to the 100)
5 Speed Gear Box
3 Owners from new
Original Paint (Mostly)
Rust Proofed from new
Original Cloth Interior

I don't know how many KMs yet. Rego expires in Feb 2007. Has a spare and tow ball. Looks very tidy.

Thanks guys,
Will

OLDNSLO · 01-28-07, 04:22 PM

I like the pin striping!....Thats about 7,800. U.S. $.

Wadesters · 01-28-07, 04:47 PM

Looks good to me! Wish I would have found it in the States. Don't see how you could go wrong.

Good luck...

pbgbottle · 01-28-07, 05:20 PM

8/83 LX model . wouldn't that be worth some bucks . very rare isn't it ? gotta love those three wipers on the windshield /windscreen i would buy it .

3_puppies · 01-28-07, 05:21 PM

I like the 3 wipers, no hood hooks and sliding rear windows.

BUY IT.

MDH33 · 01-28-07, 06:06 PM

very cool. Buy it.

and welcome to MUD

79fj40moneypit · 01-28-07, 07:14 PM

Don't wait to long this could be snaped up in no time ,I just wish it was in the states.

stardotstar · 01-28-07, 08:50 PM

Gee, sounds promising guys; looks like I might have to find a way of surmounting the little problem of finding 10K

The rarity of this model? How can I find out more about the model to determine what it would be worth?
I would get a roadworthy done but I am guessing these vehicles are made to be worked on yourself?

stardotstar · 01-30-07, 04:21 AM

Could be a goer - I need some Aussie source to help interpret the particular model and price when I find out the # kms...

Boss is not coming around yet

stardotstar · 02-01-07, 01:51 AM

Ok guys, I have spoken to the owner - here are a few more details.

(I really need some further insight here so please jump in if you have something to contribute

I has 260,000 km on it - and he tells me that they do 400-600 to a motor so that is pretty low KMs for an 83...

The "gate" has been reduced in the diesel to make it more fuel efficient - and that is apparently the only "modification" that has been done.

It has been owned by the current owner for 3 years and they bought it from a "lady" who bought if from the original owner to drive around Australia and "she was over 60" when they bought if off her...

Sound like the classic "only one elderly lady owner... Always garaged, immaculate) :

etc

Still I think I should drive it.

He tells me that the towbar is good and been fully reinforced and will tow "20 Tonne" - my wrangler would have done that and was a 4.0L straight 6 but you would never do it from a braking POV of course.

Nothing else to report except he tells me that it is genuinely rare and the best example in Australia (spoken quite plainly and he was very matter of fact) no accidents, no damage sounds too good to be true - when the rego expires he will put 6 mo on it ...

Wheels are original, tyres as new, it has new alternator, fuel pump and always had every service from new!

Tell me what to look for guys please when I go around... If this is a classic and going to be awesome I want to be able to tell...

Will

Tonito · 02-01-07, 10:01 AM

Oh man .. here in germany people would kill for this beauty!

pbgbottle · 02-01-07, 11:48 AM

heres some info , one for sale for $23,900 buy it

http://www.vintageoffroad.com/viewvehicle.cfm?id=576

atoyot · 02-01-07, 11:59 AM

Very nice looking Cruiser and a great deal for someone who is interested but...If I where you I would take it on an extensive test drive and really decide if it's for you. Take a look at the ground before you drive it and look for leaks. Lay down and take a peak on the under carriage. Just remember these old trucks are very quirky and not the most comfortable on road drivers. Pay attention to how noisy it is inside the cab when you are on the road at 85 KM. Pay attention to how little room you have in there. Remember how old this truck is and how expensive replacement parts are. If these things don't bother you go for it!

Trollhole · 02-01-07, 12:43 PM

If you don' buy it at least take a million pics of everything in it and post them up. Or send it to me and I will post them up.

stardotstar · 02-01-07, 04:25 PM

OK thanks for the extra info guys. I believe I will have a drive as soon as I get a chance.

Can you elaborate on "quirky" please?

I doubt that the noise or interior space will bother me too much I was very happy with the wrangler - it was obviously, being much more modern more comfortable so I will have to sus it out definitely.

Now to directly address the spares issue - can one still get a new motor for this when this one has given its all- it has done 260k so should to up to about 700k I believe?

What are the most expensive and difficult parts to get and are there reliability issues with them purely from a POV of the age?

Any Aussies here with an opinion or suggestion or some knowledge to contribute.

Thanks all

stardotstar · 02-01-07, 08:32 PM

BTW is this actually a BJ40 or BJ42 which comes from the 3B 4Cylinder Diesel Motor??

I have been inquiring at my local mechanic about part availability and lots of basic ones are coming up readily - stuff for springs, shocks, belts, gaskets, brakes, power steering, air con etc., still not sure on the ease of living with the diesel motor - could look at a conversion to something else when it dies I guess but my mechanic says that i would probably have to have it serviced by a diesel expert mechanic and servicing them is not cheap...

AATLAS1X · 02-01-07, 08:40 PM

Another................http://www.sor.com/SOR_82BJ42-LX.html

FJ Cruiser shares the same 3 wipers.

stardotstar · 02-02-07, 03:09 AM

How do I nail down the exact model?

Looks like it is this one:

http://www.sor.com/sor/partpict.tam?...Identification

and being an 8/83 I guess it is one of the last LX BJ42s but I can't be sure...

stardotstar · 02-03-07, 08:05 PM

This little truck is looking too good to miss but I am still trying to sort out approval from the boss and again that damn inconvenience of not having the $$s

I managed to have a crawl over it today without getting down to business and so I can at the very least provide some camera phone quality shots of this truck.

Comments and insight will be most invaluable at this stage.

stardotstar · 02-03-07, 08:06 PM