Advice for a future owner?

[AARP]

Hey guys,
First let me start off by saying what a great community this is and I feel really lucky to have found it Ok, so lets talk turkey. I am about to turn 15 and have wanted an FJ-40 my entire life. I figured that you geezers here (j/k) could help me with a couple of questions and prepare me for buying my cruiser next year. So here's my list:
1. This will be my first car and is it easy to learn how to drive a manual with a cruiser?

2. I've never been off-roading before, but I do quite a bit of mountain biking and am looking to dabble in some off-roading. But my main use for the car will just be riding on the streets until I get better at driving. Is there any particular year that is the best for road and highway driving? Also, what is the top speed and MPG for an average un-modded cruiser.

3. I am not mechanically inclined at all and neither is anyone in my family but I will be looking to learn everything I can. Is there any good source to learn how to do repairs?

Thanks so much in advance guys. I'm saving all my money up and am looking to find a good 5k to 10k cruiser in about a year. (Getting my permit in Ferbruary)

 

[Hogan]

Welcome to Mud.


I would look for a 76 or new FJ-40 they have front disc brakes a big plus. mtcw

 

[splitshot]

Take your time and find one that is set up right for your needs. You have your head on straight, I've been working on my son that fast cars and chicks will lead to unhappiness, I think it is starting to settle in..

There is a wealth of info here to help with any mechanical question you need.

Welcome to the family..

 

[weez440]

1 the search feature on here is your friend
2 prepare to spend more money then you thought on a cruiser
and in cali isn't it sometimes better to get an older lc due to being pre smog? i dunno what the year is as we don't have to deal with that here.

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

im 19, but am pretty mechanically inclined to an extent. im doing a frame off all outta my pocket but an fj40 is a really fun rig to work on.

my advice as a younger person on the site is spend a little extra and get a better cruiser, it will pay off. take your time, ask questions here and every one here will help you out. these are a really smart bunch of guys here.

i bought my 1/75 w/ a 76 front axle (disc) so if you can find a 75 w/ disc i would recommend that (75 was a turning point year on 40's they got a 2f motor instead of an f, i believe 74 was the first year for a 4 speed tranny). i thought it was a big plus buying one w/ spring over and a 350. well the spring over was done decent but all the welds were s***. so bringing my frame to a shop next friday to get the welds fixed so i know its safe. the 350 conversion wasn't done well IMO, so i got rid of that and put a 2f back into it. so really be sure the rig you go look at is what you want, im re-doing all the dumb PO's mistakes to make it a safe vehicle for me to go out in so really look over the rig, if your unsure ask a fellow mud member to go look at it also and let you know what he thinks of it. i really regret rushing into buying mine and it came back to bite me in the ass

 

[rchandler]

The older the better the sheet metal .... Newer better running gear... I was better mechanic than body man so bought 66 with no rust ... Good luck.....

 

[selk78]

if you go with an older 40 like 75 and older you don't need to worry about emissions, that might help save some money in the long run .

 

[jtoro]

And remember.....
















FLIP THE BEZEL!!!!

 

[AARP]

So from the comments it seems like a '75 is the G-Spot. I'll definitely shoot for that. Anyone know of any good resources besides our classifieds to look for a good cruiser? Craigslists prices look over-inflated 10 times the value (Still better then eBay prices.) Thanks for all the info guys and keep the advice coming!

 

[bsmith123]

inflated prices

an FJ will cost you more than a reasonable shape 4wd of many other makes but if you have to have an FJ we understand

if you are looking to drive and not build you probably need to be looking in the 7-10K price range


If you buy one to do a build it will still wind up in that price range by the time you get done with it. It seems cheaper to buy it in good shape than to put it there. The advantage with a build is you got to see all the work and learn a lot about maintaining your cruiser

Sometimes the best of both worlds can be found in an abandoned project that has a lot of good quality parts along with it but the Owner cant finish the work involved

If you are patient and willing to really search and wait you may find on of those reasonable Gems that I never get

best of luck with your search

 

[bigaxe]

OK, Junior, if you really want a cruiser, someone should let you know what you are in for. First, stay in school, get good grades, scholarships, college, and a job with a large income. The alternative, do the kids really need braces more than I need more parts for the cruiser. Second, When/if you get married, the cruiser will be the first thing of yours on the list to go. Do not let this happen! I came home from work one day and found my cruiser washed and sitting at the end of the driveway with a for sale sign in the window. Divorce nearly ensued. If after all of this you still have it, your kids will be constantly hounding you to give it to them for their first car. If all of this does not force you to use some sort of anti depressant, the constant searching of web sights like this one looking for parts and ideas surely will. I have owned a cruiser for almost 25 years, and I wouldn't change a thing. Well except for the engine, trans, front & rear diffs ect. Good luck!

 

[weez440]

wow some of you guys must be married to some real B!T(E$. i bought mine a year ago and have been doing nothing but working on the thing to get it street legal and if i am debating buying something expensive like the lift kit for it she tells me BUY IT!! it is my hobby i make good money i should be able to spend it on my hobby i love. but then again if she forbid me to do it i would have bought parts alot quicker and your 15 don't worry bout none of that kids and married stuff right now, have fun.

 

[fj404life]

15 years old and not mechanically inclined. Don'T get a cruiser unless you want to be walking a lot.
Then again...go for it. Hopefully your buddy's will have cars that run. And you will learn a lot in the process!!!
Find someone that can help you and knows cruisers. We are usually a friendly bunch.
I was 14 when my dad gave me my first truck...1954 GMC. Totally rebuilt every inch of it over the next year and a half.
Learned a lot and had a cool truck when I was done...but I had help!

 

[craptabulous]

your 15 doesn't your high school have an automotive course ? metal work ?

don't rush the first purchase . the newer the cruiser the easier it should be to drive .

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

your 15 doesn't your high school have an automotive course ? metal work ?

don't rush the first purchase . the newer the cruiser the easier it should be to drive .

^^^ very good recommendation.

also i dont know what kind of shops are around you, but maybe you could get a job working at a shop help cleaning up, and im sure they would be more than willing to teach you what you need to know, then you will also have a hook up if you do get in over your head with any problems.

 

[AARP]

your 15 doesn't your high school have an automotive course ? metal work ?

don't rush the first purchase . the newer the cruiser the easier it should be to drive .

It does and I wish I could take it. But unfortunately I'm up to my neck in AP classes

 

[Acadia]

my 1st car was a 72' fj40

i loved the thing and so will the girls

only problem was the bad MPG and that was back when gas was less than a buck! oh and you break things because for whatever reason it would not stay out of the mud or rocks

 

[73fj40lc]

I have a 15 year old and he want's my 40. He has helped me work on it but he will have to buy his own. I will repay by helping him with his 40 when he gets it. There is nothing like buying something with your own money and fixing it up. You will enjoy the time spent with it. Get your dad or a friend involved with you working on it. You may not be mechanically inclined but you will learn how to be. I payed for my first car a Nissan 300ZX and spent alot of time working on her. I always wish that someone had not ran into the back of the car and totaled it. I miss it still 25 years later. You can't go wrong with a 40 as long as you take the advice that you have been given here. Everybody on Mud will be more than happy to help you. I wish that I was close enough to you to help. I really enjoy seeing a teenager learning and doing something good for himself. I wish you all the luck in the world in finding a great 40.

 

[fj hunter]

i'd go with a ...

69 or older. i have owned a 72, 76, and then a fj60-88. i have found the better world in my fj40-1/69.

However, if you do find one that fits your budget, have fun. all the excusses go out the door and you'll fall head over heels for it. like i did.

one more thing. never have the attitude that i'll find out just how fast this thing will go. leave that trash in some ole junk garbage can and drive with a sense of care for yourself, your future wife, and your future kids, and your future grand kids.

i have three son's. one did the "how fast" thing. he learned the hard way that it is very dangerous.

ok, enough "dad" talk. get a digital camera so we can see your rig when it comes your way.

the mechanical skills will happen soon enough, take it slow, get your tools over time. i did through garage sales in those early years.

best blessings to your journey.

 

[splitshot]

15 years old and not mechanically inclined. Don'T get a cruiser unless you want to be walking a lot.
Then again...go for it. Hopefully your buddy's will have cars that run. And you will learn a lot in the process!!

I beg to differ, Out of five trucks sitting in my driveway, my 40 year old 40 has been the most reliable vehicle we've owned.