About to buy a 40 but have a couple of questions...

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S4Cruiser

S4Cruiser

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I've been looking for a while now and think I've found the truck for me in my price range. I'm not looking for anything perfect but want something as original as possible and that I can drive from the get-go. I'm also not worried about a little rust...it would give me something to work on while I'm out of work on long term leave (and a reason to buy tools that I don't have - welder, etc.). That being said, I don't want something that's going to fall apart at the seems due to rust.

It's listed here on mud - https://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-t...-stock-daily-driveable-$4500obo-colorado.html

For those of you with 40's, have had them in the past or are looking for one now, does this seem like a decent deal? I know it's hard to say without physically seeing the truck, but what does your gut tell you?

I'm itching to get one so sometimes my excitement can cloud judgment :D.

Thanks for the thoughts/advice.
-Jon
 
It doesn't seem a bad deal for $4,500. Note it will take at least $2-3K in body work to get this rig clean with rust repair (unless you can do it yourself). It says typical Colorado rust which means the tub is going to need a good bit of TLC. You want shots of the floorpans, rockers, rear bed, fender wells, ect. to see just how bad it is. From afar, a rig can look pretty good, then you hit it w/ a wire wheel and find more rot than sheetmetal.

What are your intentions for the rig? That may help us give advise on if this is a good deal. How are you getting it to NC?

Ramon
 
Thanks Ramon!

I plan to have it shipped to my door. As for the truck, I want something to work on now, drive/wheel it on occasion, and maybe a frame off restore in the next 5-10 years.
 
I saw that one, and it looks pretty good, but lots of questions remain and the seller constantly has 40's up and i found sometimes not the best at communicating. Count on another grand to deliver. I was going to use Kiwi Karriers, but there are lots of options. The one by your house didnt pan out? or guy doesnt want to sell now?

they are out there, id say be patient and look hard, cause now is the time for deals to be found
 
I bought my old 40 in a similar situation. All in all, I am glad I bought it, but looking back I would have done a few things differently. The pictures of the 40 I bought didnt show lots of rust, but in hindsight I should have realized what rust was visible was probably going to be worse than the pictures showed because it was a northern truck (Michigan). In the future I will probably stear clear of trucks that have spent there life in the rust belt knowing what I know now. Also like J said figure in at least another $1000 getting it shipped here, so close to $5500 getting it here. You should be able to find a pretty clean rig somewhat local in that price range. I hope this helps, after I bought my 40 off the internet sight unseen (besides pictures) I swore I would never buy another vehicle without looking at it first hand....but in some crazy kinda way it made the buying experience fun. I drove up to Michigan with my dad and uncle and hauled mine back which was a pretty memorable experience, and the anticipation of seeing it for the first time all the way there made it a fun trip. I would imagine knowing that 40 would be on a truck on its way from Colorado, and then seeing it pull into youre driveway and then seeing it for the first time would be equally as memorable. Good luck either way, 40's are a blast to own.
 
Thanks guys.

The one down the road from me (literally less than 2 miles) probably isn't going to happen. The guy hasn't convinced himself that he should sell to me :lol: and it for one isn't original, doesn't run, has sat in his front yard for over 5 years and has as much or more body rust as this one. He'd want no less than 4k based on the fact he has 5-6k in it. So i've written him off.

I can get this cruiser for a little less than 4500 and shipping through Angels Moving Autos for around 7-800 (not in writing yet though). Also, my pops is planning to go in half with me so I'd basically getting this one for 2500 out of my pocket. He is more or less giving me an after chemo gift (had my last one yesterday)...one damn cool dad if you ask me!!

The seller sent me some more detailed pics last night and it looks like the rear qtrs, rear sill, driver's floor and panels below the driver and passenger door are the worst spots. I still am waiting on pics of the frame, undercarraige and wheel wells.

I'd be doing all of the rust repair myself (not planning to go back to work until the beginning of February). The PO did some minor rust repair (I'd call it more rust inspection with a grinding brush) and rattle canned over the places he tinkered with.

Here are some more pics...












 
CONGRATS on the last treatment Jon!!!

That looks like a pretty nice 40. Without seeing drivetrain, it does look like mostly body work. That back half of the tub and the floorboards need help pretty soon it looks like. Pretty unique though.
 
Thanks for all the help. I ended up passing on this one. Something about not being able to drive and inspect the truck myself had my gut saying that this wasn't the one for me.

Kinda bummed but half the fun is the search and there will be others just hopefully more local...

-Jon
 
There is a nice tan one in winston-salem that a guy wants to sell. It's a 74, but I drove this thing a few years back and it was the tightest 40 I have ever driven. He doesn't want to give it away, but I'm sure if you were there looking with cash in hand, you could get him down on the price a good bit. Given what you would have had in this one with purchase, shipping, and work, I think you could buy his locally. It is BONE STOCK and as far as I recall, it doesn't really need anything. I think he had it painted, though I don't remember it really needing it. LMK if you want his contact info.
 
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