[bnfinit]

hi there-

i'm new to this forum but have already found the FAQ very helpful. I'm going to check out a 1970 FJ40 Saturday or Sunday and i'd like know if anyone has any quick reactions to the pictures.

I have little history on it yet but apparently the records exist. It was originally in Oregon, then in CA and is more recently in Chicago. It has 78k miles on the odometer but I believe that the engine was rebuilt (need to check the paperwork to see how long ago). If it drives well and looks good, I plan on taking it to a local mechanic for him to look it over (Keiji in Chicago - if anyone has any other recommendations, please let me know).

This will be my first LandCruiser and the culmination of a 10 year dream so I'm hoping it doesn't turn into a nightmare. I have another car that I'll use as my winter car. I'm looking for something that i won't have to put a lot of money into initially to get it running - but i'm happy to maintain it.

There are more pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/bnfinit/1970FJ490
(hit my threshold on this site)

He's asking $9500.

Thanks in advance for any comments and expert advice!
-bethany

[sonnydaze]

it looks like it has a 2f motor.does it have disc brakes ? check for rust!9500 sound high.does it have power steering?

[1phrogguy]

Originally Posted by bnfinit

hi there-

I'm looking for something that i won't have to put a lot of money into initially to get it running - but i'm happy to maintain it.



He's asking $9500.

Thanks in advance for any comments and expert advice!
-bethany

Hey, welcome to the site.

for 9500, you should have a well running rig to start with. It does look pretty good from the pics, but there are many more things you need to check. Keep searching the FAQ and you will find a 'what to look for in buying' thread. Very useful.

From the pics it looks like you have a leaky brake master or wheel cylinder(s). Weber carb and shackle reversal.

I would go over that thing with magnet to check for bondo, check for static cold leaks and then drive the hell out of it and check for leaks again. Have your mechanice do a compression test as well. It is very cheap insurance on something that expensive.

Hope this helps you out. Good luck, and remember, don't jump on this right away there are a lot of better deals out there on rigs in comparable shape. Bring a friend along that knows cruisers preferably or at least someone who can talk you out of a bad situation that you may miss by staring at this 10 year dream machine.

its official

[Lovey]

turn signals mounted wrong.

[1phrogguy]

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/118417-%2A%2A%2A-purchasing-fj-40-fj-40-b-u-y-e-r-s-g-u-i-d-e-%2A%2A%2A-f-q.html

Here is the thread you should read on buying.

[UNO_RACING]

You should buy my truck. It's awesome. Seach for my user name posts and you can follow my build and see the truck. Its awesome.

I'll make you a great deal. PM me if interested.

[CruisinMT]

thats funny the turn signals do look strange

[bnfinit]

hey all-

thanks so much for all the great info and looking out... keep it coming and i'll post more info/pics after i see it in person.

thanks!
-bethany

[1973Guppie]

not worth $9500, no way, not for a 1970, now if it was a 78+ maybe, but not a 1970, for a little more you could get one that was restored completely.....

[Ziffdaddy]

Yeah, plus it's been repainted a different color....man that bugs me to see one color on the outside and a different one under the hood and elsewhere....that could just be my issues, though. Had a BMW L6 that was repainted a different color...thought I could live with the original color under the hood and in the trunk.......sold it three months later.

Also, I just bought my first FJ a few months ago and paid about that much and it's a 74' that's in pretty awesome shape....zero rust, new original paint, and it's been in the same family for twenty years. Took me several months of intense searching, but finally found the right one for me. Good luck, and bring someone with you that can pull you away if it's not the one for you!

[handcannon]

Welcome

What can be seen from the pics looks good. Somebody has apparently done a bunch of work on it. Coming from Oregon and through CA it may not have a lot of rust, depends on where in OR and CA it was at and how long it's been east of the Rockies (salt, check under the rig and behind the diamond plate). My '71' came from the coast so it has rust in the area between the doors and the steps (where the one you are looking at has the diamond plate) and a bit around the rear door sill. If it came from the high desert east of the Cascade Mountains ( the eastern 2/3ds of the state) it is possible that it has little to no rust. For OR the price sounds high, but for areas where rust free cruisers are hard to find it may not be. It REALLY depends on the rust/no rust condition of the body and frame.

Good luck and when you go look at it get more pics showing more detail.

[bnfinit]

I took a look at the FJ today and it was in pretty good condition - no major rust or bondo concerns, etc.

Unfortunately, I wanted to get it between 8000-8500 and some other guy offered 8800. Oh well. I'll keep looking.

Thanks for everyone's advice!