Advice for a future owner?

[PhilC64]

Forget the 40 and buy an 80 series. They have leather seats and cup holders. It seems to attract the wiminz to your hooptie. At least that what my son tells me.

Honestly though, take your time when searching for your 40. Learn about what you're getting into and decide if that's what you really want. Take your time, save up, and buy some decent hand tools from garage sales. You don't need snap-on when craftsman will do. I started my car obsession close to 30 years ago when I was your age. My 68 Coronet didn't last 18 month's but the lesson's I learned have lasted a lifetime.

Good luck!

 

[40's rock]

When I was 15 I didn't know where the key went in...not really, so my grandfather gave me a 57 Ford p/u and taught me how to take it apart and put it back together before I could drive it. Unfortuantely he is gone and there aren't many like him around.
Buy one with disc front, dont worry about mods, close to stock is good. Mechanically good is more important than body for you. Learn it's little tricks, drive it and enjoy it. You will develop mechanical skills and only then worry about modifications. You picked a great vehicle and an unbelievable resource in MUDDER'S. (you are too young for the normal beer cheer.)

 

[Cruiserdrew]

You are in California.

Do not buy an FJ40 that needs to be smogged. Period. The 1970s smog gear was crap, and will not be working by now. You are correct that 75 is a good year-you get a 2F, a 4 speed, and no smog. Disc brakes are super easy to add.

With the deep torque of an F series motor, it's about as easy a clutch to learn on as you can find.

If you are not mechanically inclined, buy a Cruiser that is near stock. Maybe a spring lift kit, but trust me, you want stock, not hacked junk. You will have no choice but to become a part time mechanic, otherwise an FJ40 will not be affordable. Unless your dad or a close by relative is a good mechanic, a 35 year old Cruiser is not really a good choice for a highschooler.

You understand FJ40s get about 10mpg right?

My advice-get a used but working Honda now, and an FJ40 when you start working and have actual money. Or, buy an FJ60 and make sure the seller smogs it before the sale. They tend to be more reliable and less trouble prone, cheaper, and bigger. It's still a Land Cruiser though, so in a few years when you do get a 40, you'll totally understand it.

 

[Greenweenie40]

I was 15 when I bought my 70 fj40 I learned a lot about cruisers from fixing it along the way, 14 years later still learning.

Chuck

 

[Bad Mojo]

Good luck man! Currently I'm 18 and have waited a long time for my FJ40 as well. (About 5 years) I love this car and it is a blast to work on, and it was the vehicle I learned stick on. Its pretty darn easy to learn on. I gave up a trusted daily driver so I could have one of the coolest cars on the planet. I made sure though when it was bought to make sure it ran well, and that the body would last me to next summer when I could start working on it. Over the next four summers of college it will be fully restored. I am not going to lie it is nice having a shop that I can take it part and work on and the guys in my local club are great bunch that know a ton just like the guys on here. My final world of advice is find a nice one and pay for it upfront or there is going to be a learning curb, but its not a huge one, but it will take time. I learn something new everyday on this forum and every time I'm working on the cruiser. Hope you find one and don't be afraid to travel a little bit thats part of the fun.

 

[AARP]

Is there a big advantage over having a 4 stroke instead of a 3 stroke? Also, what is the estimated cost to add disc brakes onto a '73-'75 cruiser?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Is there a big advantage over having a 4 stroke instead of a 3 stroke? Also, what is the estimated cost to add disc brakes onto a '73-'75 cruiser?

If you mean 4 speed vs 3 speed, then yes, big advantage.


You can add FJ60 parts to get disc brakes usually for about $250 if you do it yourself. Paying someone is probably $1000-$1500.

 

[AARP]

If you mean 4 speed vs 3 speed, then yes, big advantage.


You can add FJ60 parts to get disc brakes usually for about $250 if you do it yourself. Paying someone is probably $1000-$1500.

Whoopsie...That's what I meant. Thanks.

 

[Shawn Russell]

Yes, you REALLY WANT pre smog! All the other stuff can be added (4sp, disc etc..) I will never have another 40 series I have to smog.

Shawn

 

[apeterson]

just buy a 4 runner or tacoma.... seriously.... if you dont have a shop, tools, or lots of money... forget it...

 

[cruiser enthuiser]

This thread takes me back....I remember when I was 15 and so excited about driving I couldn't stand it. Covinced my Dad to let me buy a '67 Ford Mustang (it was already a 20+ yr old car at the time). It was a huge POS but I loved it. Had the original 289. Plan was to fix it up a bit and by the time I was 16 it would be sweet. Since I wasn't legal to drive yet I used to start it up in the driveway and fantasize about the chicks I would score with in the backseat. Unfortunately I was too dumb to understand why it was billowing black smoke from the exhaust. Oil pump took a dump and I killed that motor without ever leaving the driveway. I ended up selling it and never even got to drive it .

The lesson: a project car is not a good first car. Get a cheap import car that you can beat the snot out of and that will drive all month on 1 tank of gas. You're still very young and I guarantee you're gonna do some dumb stuff to your first car like forget to put oil in it or wrap it around a light pole (I did both). A 40 is a money pit; for now get good grades, finish college and then buy your 40. They'll still be around and by then you'll have the resources to really enjoy it.

Good Luck!

 

[AARP]

just buy a 4 runner or tacoma.... seriously.... if you dont have a shop, tools, or lots of money... forget it...

Now where's the fun in that?

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

Now where's the fun in that?

only suggestion i would say is a 1st gen 4 runner or a 79-85 mini truck w/ straight axles in the front. my friend got his 74 for $1k and it was in great shop other than slight rust on the bed but nothing terrible what so ever. and it only had about 120k when he bought it. truck was incredible off road. he had an AAL at all 4 corners w/ some 33's thing was crazy awesome for a stock truck. showed my f150 up numerous times.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

The most important question:

What is your budget?

 

[AARP]

The most important question:

What is your budget?

The budget for the car itself would be anywhere between 5k to 10k depending on the right cruiser. After that I should be working and have money to put upgrades on it.

 

[Nomis]

The budget for the car itself would be anywhere between 5k to 10k depending on the right cruiser.

You should be able to get a pretty decent 76-78 daily driver for around 10K, in this economy. Make sure it has all the smog equipment intact and functioning as you are located in CA. If you can score a rig that has power steering, it makes the rig much easier to live with.

For 10K, if you see any significant signs of rust, then walk - don't get caught up in the moment and buy a piece of crap. Also, don't buy the first one you see - take some time and get a feel for the market. Good luck.

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

The budget for the car itself would be anywhere between 5k to 10k depending on the right cruiser. After that I should be working and have money to put upgrades on it.

i think with that budget you should be able to get a pretty nice cruiser. then u can put a lil bit in needed repairs and then upgrade to PS and disc brakes if it doesn't already have it

 

[AARP]

You should be able to get a pretty decent 76-78 daily driver for around 10K, in this economy. Make sure it has all the smog equipment intact and functioning as you are located in CA. If you can score a rig that has power steering, it makes the rig much easier to live with.

For 10K, if you see any significant signs of rust, then walk - don't get caught up in the moment and buy a piece of crap. Also, don't buy the first one you see - take some time and get a feel for the market. Good luck.

Yeah, because I'm in the People's Republic of Kalifornia I will probably be looking for one pre-smog law or I better be damn sure the smog equipment is working correctly.

 

[AARP]

i think with that budget you should be able to get a pretty nice cruiser. then u can put a lil bit in needed repairs and then upgrade to PS and disc brakes if it doesn't already have it

How much do you think PS and disc brakes would cost together?

 

[Mendocino]

I had a 1966 FJ40 when I was 16 with a 350 LT1 SBC. The memories of this thing are priceless. I remember having a buddy help me push start it in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven across from Los Gatos high school (I'm a former Silicon Valley homeboy); we had a random very-attractive-gal in the driver seat releasing the clutch. After about 6 trips pushing the thing back up the hill I realized she had turned the key off. In the end we got it started and I got a date (lots of dates with the '40).

I also learned with great frustration about many things mechanical. These lessons have proven very valuable in my life and I am a little shocked when I meet someone that does not have mechanical skills. There are lots of sage advice here on Mud and joining a local four wheel drive club is a good tidbit.