Best Place to Buy FJ's

[BLOCKADE]

I've been searching the forum for a few days now and it seems that most of you who have bought an fj did it through someone you know, or had the luck of finding one nestled in a barn somewhere.

I've looked on craigs list and ebay (I've search every city on craigs list for a 900mi radius). Ebay is all over priced or too nice to drive, and craigs list is full of rusted out, over priced fjs.

I know these things are awesome and I shouldn't expect to just find one in perfect condition for nothing, but I would think for about 8k I could get a decent FJ that I might have to put just a little work into, but could drive home without the fear of it falling to peaces on the highway.

Any suggestions as to where I might look that I haven't already?

Anyone tired of paying high gas prices and want to sell me theirs?

[SouthBostonFJ]

Originally Posted by BLOCKADE

I've been searching the forum for a few days now and it seems that most of you who have bought an fj did it through someone you know, or had the luck of finding one nestled in a barn somewhere.

I've looked on craigs list and ebay (I've search every city on craigs list for a 900mi radius). Ebay is all over priced or too nice to drive, and craigs list is full of rusted out, over priced fjs.

I know these things are awesome and I shouldn't expect to just find one in perfect condition for nothing, but I would think for about 8k I could get a decent FJ that I might have to put just a little work into, but could drive home without the fear of it falling to peaces on the highway.

Any suggestions as to where I might look that I haven't already?

Anyone tired of paying high gas prices and want to sell me theirs?

I heard Vintage Offroad has some reasonably priced 40's.











































Just kidding.

['74 UA FJ]

Best place to buy FJs? The Toyota dealership.

[JohnnyC]

try a multiple city search...

Craig's Helper - Search Craigslist Quickly and Easily

where are you located?

[brider]

As far as I'm concerned, So. Cal has the greatest density of Landcruisers, and hence you have the greatest chance looking there of finding one in the Recycler or local paper, or Craigslist. You OUGHT to be able to find one in good driveable condition for around 6K, then spend the rest to have it shipped. I'd spent $1000 easily on shipping to get a rig without Northwest, Northeast, Midwest, or Southern rot.

[MuskieFJ]

I'm not sure where you live, but I have a 74 without a hard top I purchased in Asheville, NC which is now sitting in a barn in Central Iowa. I've only done routine maintenance since I baught it last March and drove it 1,ooo miles. Send me a personal e-mail and I'll send you pictures if interested.

[MuskieFJ]

I forgot to add, it has 100,000 miles currently, 2" shackle lift, weber carb, and headers. There is old body work that needs fixed because PO did a Macco paint job before I purchased. It was a 2 for 1 deal because I wanted his 73 with a hard top...

[phrogg4evr]

Originally Posted by SouthBostonFJ

I heard Vintage Offroad has some reasonably priced 40's.

Friends don't let friends buy from asshats

You have come to the right place to look around at cruisers. Check the vehicle and trailer section of the Classifieds. Always somwbody selling their cruiser when they get tired of pouring all their money into it, it's an obsession.

Welcome to Mud

[Jacket]

The only advice I can add is to be patient. To your point, there is huge variability out there in price and quality, and quite a few cruisers where the seller isn't that motivated to sell, and is just looking for a chance buyer who will pay a premium.

I got frustrated shopping locally for mine (demand is high, and prices are high in CO), so I used Ebay and craigs helper to open up the search nationwide. It took me 4-5 months, but I feel like I found a nice one.

[BLOCKADE]

Thanks for all the replies. I've already had a few PM sent and will be sending a couple. I realize these things are gas suckers but I only drive two miles to work, so, I don't really have to worry much about it.

I've wanted one of these for a LONG time, but am just now in the position that I can afford one. I love toyota trucks, and currently own a Tacoma, but don't really want to take my brand new truck off road much. I live in North Texas so there really aren't a lot of FJ's here, just a bunch of craptastic jeeps.

[1974FJ]

found mine using collectorcartrader.com

[MadTripper]

What about the classifieds on this site? There are always some good deals in there and I would think $8K budget gives you enough room to get what you are looking for.

Tripper

[fuelgeddes]

The hard thing is jumping when you find a deal , if you wait someone else will buy it.... I already have one but want another .(dont tell the wife) I have seen three near me gone in one day deals for less than 4k. There are a lot of people out there looking right along with you. List out what you want and stick with it, unless you do the mods yourself things can be expensive. You can buy a 40 with modifications for just a little more then one that has nothing. PO loss , your gain.

[saltrig]

Originally Posted by '74 UA FJ

Best place to buy FJs? The Toyota dealership.

x2

That's a pet peev of mine too. Not as bad as calling them a heep but getting close.

If you want instant gratification I don't see anything wrong with overpaying on Ebay. 8k should still get you a decent rig.

[mike@dw]

I looked for almost a year. Mostly just kept an eye on Ebay, Craigs list and forums. There were a few that I seriously would have bought but waffled too much and they were gone quick. IMO I was worried too much about paying an extra $1000 or so more than i wanted to. In the long run, and with how much money I knew I was going to spend on it anyway, an extra $1K or so is worth it if it is the one I want.

I was also always worried about buying one that I did not get a chance to drive first, ie ebay. It was my first 40 and just didn't know them well enough to feel comfortable with just pics and descriptions.

Just got lucky one day and saw a great one on ebay that was about 30 miles away. Of course it was a little more than I wanted to spend. Went and looked at it the same day and bought it on the spot.

IMO, just wait. And when you see "the one" just go for it.

[DallasFJ40]

Originally Posted by BLOCKADE

Thanks for all the replies. I've already had a few PM sent and will be sending a couple. I realize these things are gas suckers but I only drive two miles to work, so, I don't really have to worry much about it.

I've wanted one of these for a LONG time, but am just now in the position that I can afford one. I love toyota trucks, and currently own a Tacoma, but don't really want to take my brand new truck off road much. I live in North Texas so there really aren't a lot of FJ's here, just a bunch of craptastic jeeps.

I also live in North Texas. I looked for three years, but only about a year while I had the cash. I bought mine for $4k and it was a good deal. I have put more than 4k back into it over nearly 2 years and the cosmetics are no different, but the rest is much better. You can spend a lot if impatient.

Before and after...can't really tell.

[DallasFJ40]

Originally Posted by DallasFJ40

I also live in North Texas. I looked for three years, but only about a year while I had the cash. I bought mine for $4k and it was a good deal. I have put more than 4k back into it over nearly 2 years and the cosmetics are no different, but the rest is much better. You can spend a lot if impatient.

Before and after...can't really tell.

Sorry, here is the current version. I also bought mine from a man no speaka de englis muy bueno, pero yo compro a yeep.

The picture below is also very dated.

[lunyou]

I would say Arizona is the best place to find a cruiser since there is very little rust in the desert.

These guys that find an immaculate 40 in a barn with low miles an original tires are few and far between.....they just stick out because of the magnitude of their find.

Be patient one guy here on the board once said, "Your cruiser will find you" I found mine the next week right in my price range on a farm not 80 miles from my place.

Do you have a free classified internet site that isn't craigslist in your area.....a want ad could rustle up some old cruisers in your area.

lunyou

[BLOCKADE]

Originally Posted by DallasFJ40

I also live in North Texas. I looked for three years, but only about a year while I had the cash. I bought mine for $4k and it was a good deal. I have put more than 4k back into it over nearly 2 years and the cosmetics are no different, but the rest is much better. You can spend a lot if impatient.

Before and after...can't really tell.

LOL that is a pretty significant difference!

[BLOCKADE]

I've checked the classifieds here and have about half a dozen flagged in Ebay. I'll continue to go to craigs list every day, if by chance more are posted. I don't think I'm willing to wait a year, but I can be patient. I put in a call to an old friend of the family to see if he still had his, hopefully he still does.

MuskyFJ, I sent you a pm.

[redsands]

Originally Posted by BLOCKADE

Any suggestions as to where I might look that I haven't already?

Anyone tired of paying high gas prices and want to sell me theirs?

saudi arabia!

95 octane in riyadh: 90 cents a gallon
91 octane : 60 cents a gallon









no rust either...

[brider]

Yeah, I bought my rust-free '71 Pig in AZ from a guy who no habla englais, it ran and drove great (on it's stock 3-on-the-tree, white spoke wheels, and p235/75r15 whitewall tires), for something like 2k, I think, but that was in 2000. Yes, AZ is about as dry as you can get, but all the rubber parts will be dust from the heat.

[Weedhopper]

I found my first one in the SOR classifieds. That became my parts truck after I decided I was in a little over my head.

Found my present one at our vets office. Our dog got sick, the cruiser turned out to be our vets wifes and after a couple of months of talking, I bought it.

Keep your eyes open, you will be surprised. I think this forum is probably one of the safest places to buy. Good luck!

[Toyo FJ40]

Here's one in Texas from the classified section. 1979-fj40-without-3b-diesel

Kevin

[bsmith123]

if its any help shipping from nor cal to florida was 1500 bucks could of been cheaper but pick up was remote with no heavy truck access

[JohnnyC]

stainless40/45 here on mud gets aussi cruisers in all the time...pm him

[BLOCKADE]

Guys I really do appreciate all the info, I've got several FJ40's in my sights now, even found one here in North Texas amazingly enough. I'll definitely keep you posted and let you know what happens. Can't wait to get one!