55 worth buying?

[e9999]

Hi Folks:
coming from the 80 and 100 side of things... So I know nothing at all about 55s, but been told of a 55 for sale close by.
Am already too busy with the 80 but am kinda intrigued with the idea of a 55 (and 62 for that matter).
Have little time and really no need for an additional vehicle so it'd have to be a killer deal for me to get it but am thinking about it anyway (nobody said I'm smart...)

So a couple of questions:
- is there a FAQ or good thread about the potential problems or trouble spots specific to 55 that one should watch out for?
- are the 55s nightmares to maintain and get parts for, or OK?
- having a fully locked 80 in great shape, would getting a 55 make any sense at all from the wheelin' point of view, besides the "oldie" appeal?
- Finally, I'm told this has 120K miles with a swapped 84 F2 engine with 80K on it. Has new clutch and exhaust, has A/C, all primed - needs to be painted (must be a project that the guy didn't finish before leaving town). Needs to check brakes (pulling on one side) and the clutch M/C (?) may need work (needs to pump 2x every so often, he says). Does this swapped engine thing look like a potential nightmare?
- Price range?
thanks much
Eric

added: come to think of it, never heard of an F2, maybe the guy meant 2F?

 

[drohweder]

Body and trim parts are hard to come by but the running gear is interchangalbe with like year 40s. Generall Rust is the major problem, if you find on that is not rotten its a gem. Roof and rear quarter panels are the areas most affected. 2F engine is right. Way cooler than a 60/2 IMOP (why did I sell mine again??). Some guys are aggresively wheeling those that have SOA lifts and some body protection but don't roll it cause of what I said first. Good luck, if you decide against it pass the info on cause there are plenty of guys on this board who would drive cross country for a decent 55.

 

[IDave]

Yes, WHY did you sell your's again, Dan? *shaking head*

 

[tucker74]

Pigs are very unique and get lots of attention - but the you don't want to be tracking down trim pieces or fixing rust. What year is it? We can give you a better idea of it's value by year (progressed pretty much the same as 40s) -

Tucker

 

[TJDIV]

Dan sold his because he bought it from Mushro and the disease was slowly taking his life.


He then purchased a sweet FJ40 that wasn't as cherry and now gets to enjoy numerous trips off road without the need to drop his Cruiser off at the local detail shop to bring back that "shine".


haha.

Buy the 55. Paint it, and sell it to some dude in Detriot.

 

[Hodag]

Fj55

I drove 1800 miles round trip (Omaha to Salt Lake) to get my 55. I already have a 40, but I needed a driver that I could wheel with the family. I concur with what you have already read. Rust is a killer. I cut out and replaced sections of the floor pans on the inside, and I am in the process of attacking the outside. I have a couple holes in the rockers and lower front fenders. I'm gonna cut off the rockers and replace them with 4"x4" square stock. Check out the tech links for some pics of rigs with this done.
My opinion: if you want a restoration rig, youre gonna play hell to get it done. If you want a good play truck, and dont mind not staying original, youll love the Pig. They're unique, so they are hard to find good parts for, but youll be one of a kind. There is a good bulletin board for pigs that I get some info from if I cant get it here. It is www.birfield.com. Its been awhile, but you go to the site and register, and then you get email with the days questions. You can then answer by submitting your email, or, ask a new question. Its not quite as fast as posting here, but youll usually get an answer in a day or 2. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me. Im no expert, but I have been there. Hodag

 

[e9999]

this is a '74 I'm told.
What are these guys wheeling capabilities (with a 2F)?
E

 

[drohweder]

Dan sold his because he bought it from Mushro and the disease was slowly taking his life.


He then purchased a sweet FJ40 that wasn't as cherry and now gets to enjoy numerous trips off road without the need to drop his Cruiser off at the local detail shop to bring back that "shine".


haha.

Buy the 55. Paint it, and sell it to some dude in Detriot.

Well put! Am actually having more fun with my 40 cause I didn't get ripped off and I have money to build it up for wheeling!!! Only thing that is holding me back right now is the height of my garage

I sold the 55 cause I needed cash. For what I got for it I paid off over half of the wifes FZJ80 (fully financed before) and bought my rig No doubt I am more "common" without my 55 but I'll get one later....by that time a nice 60 will be plenty vintage for me.

Guy that bought my pig took her to the spa. She is getting a bare-metal body job and paint. Did I mention the guy owns a huge powder coating manufacterer--that pig is going to be rust proof an purty once done.

Good luck getting the 55 and don't take as long deciding if you want to buy this one as you did with the 80!

 

[drohweder]

this is a '74 I'm told.
What are these guys wheeling capabilities (with a 2F)?
E

2F is a torquey motor. Where my V8 boggs down and I use horsepower to get through the 2F just torques right through the stuff at 600rpm!! Great off road and total DOG on road (thats what the V8 is for).

 

[theSherpa]

the hardest thing about a pig is finding window rubber. I bought mine a month ago with pretty damned good rubber as far as 30 yr. old rubber goes, but no way can I take any window out and hope to get it back in with the same rubber. keep that in mind if you hope to make the truck really nice. they seem to wheel awesome, relatively, given the big ole overhang out back. I will have a trail pig someday, mine is too nice...though I am the first person to ever wheel it

Steve

 

[miletwo]

I hope it's not in Wallingford area of Seattle... that one's MINE! I pick it up on the 21st. I looked at 40s but decided on the 55 because I wanted more seats and cargo space. Plus if you get 74 or later, it will have a 2F motor in it which is a lot beefier than the F, so I'm told.

Go for it! And, good luck.

Regards,

Jeremy
[ Betsy II pics at: http://www.miletwo.com/cruiser/ ]

 

[e9999]

noted that nobody claimed these would be better offroad than a locked 80...
unique allright
I do think the 60 looks better though
may go have a look
E

 

[drohweder]

noted that nobody claimed these would be better offroad than a locked 80...
unique allright
I do think the 60 looks better though
may go have a look
E

Duh! But the 55 has a flair all its own. A lifted 55 with 35s looks really awesome.

 

[CruisinGA]

The 80 with lockers is nearly unbeatable as far as off the shelf off-roading. I've spent two years working on my 40 and have around twice as much in it as my 80. Bought tires for the 80 and it will go where the 40 won't.

That said, there is something much more enjoyable about wheeling a classic carbed cruiser. They are simple machines. I can take my 40 out, thrash the hell out of it and be quite confident nothing will break or bend, quite simply because there is a whole lot less to break or bend than on the 80. The engine is simple and has loads of torque.

your 80 will have no advantage over a 55 with a flexy SOA and lockers front and rear. In that case I would rather have a 55.

I would not consider the 55 unless the body has minimal rust. If it did I would want it very badly.

 

[e9999]

so then, what would be a good buy price on a
74 120K with an 84 2f in with 80K, assuming it has no rust and in average condition otherwise - new clutch and exhaust but brake and clutch m/c issues? All primed, needs painting.
thanks
Eric

 

[CruisinGA]

i'd pay $5k.
assuming it has a 4 spd-
needs discs, paint, and brakework.

 

[FJBen]

Nothing like a pig on 35's!!! Get it...get r done!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid142/p95b09d8718ff96a91de8e9a0256938ce/f6af28ce.jpg.orig.jpg

 

[e9999]

OK, did go have a look.
Not good:
lots of rust under, holes through the floorpans, rotted side rails for the body mounts, bondoed rocker panels, some rust on roof rail gutter, missing rubber for the rear window, other rubber trims cracked, cracked windshield, 2F engine with 72K, transmission and xfer case caked in grease and oil, 4 sp, split headliner and seat, like new cheap tires, engine looks OK, but carb leaking, new exhaust, new clutch, but clutch M/C needs work, new battery, frame looks good, Birfs leaking and clicking, brakes pull sharply to right, steering really hard to turn...
I'm guessing not worth $1000? and just good for parting out or making a buggy?
E
oh, and no exterior paint, all cheapo primer with rust poking through in spots

 

[Pighead]

Pigs are pretty cool, I think they are easier to maintane than an 80. But I've never had an 80.
The one you describe does sound pretty bad. I hate rust on a Pig. But, the hard to steer and the pulling to one side...forget that, you'd be putting in disc brakes and power steering anyway...A (?) low mile 2F with a 4 speed, probably the transition T/C? that part sounds OK...leaky clutch cylinders are easy to fix. Windshield rubber (still available) has been used for side windows with a bit of cut-and-paste. if you can deal with the rust you can make it work. And a SOA pig on 35s looks better than any 80.

 

[miletwo]

I paid $1800 for my pig and drove from Anaheim, California (near Disneyland) to Seattle Washington to get her. Drove her part way back and then trailered after she pooped out. She's got rust in the usual spots but she's beautiful to me.

In hindsight, I'd have payed more for the rig even though it's impossible to find:
- body parts
- all window /door rubber (virtually non-existent)
- exhaust parts
- etc.

I'm going to be trying out pieces of aftermarket window and door rubber from J.C. Whitney and will post part numbers and ordering information if I find anything that will work. I've got a dig camera as well so I'll document installation for others.

Buy a pig... they're worth it.