Wanted Advice: Should I buy A FJ-40 now for 10-12k or wait a few years for something close to 20k

Year

1975

Vehicle Model

1. 40 Series

Location

United States

I want to buy an FJ- 40 to drive a lot and take on trails. Nothing too ruff. I am 15 at the moment.
I have 10k saved up and can borrow 2-3k from my parents. I’m getting 4K saved each year from 4-H and I have 3 years left.
I could care less less about comfort. I know they are really dangerous so I’ll also be driving a Dodge Dakota.
should I get one now and put some money and time in it. Or should I wait a while and I buy a polished one?

 

[satchel]

Wow! Kudos to you for being diligent with your savings! Be forewarned, the cruiser addiction is no joke...

If pricing over time is a concern, I would think 40's will continue to rise a little in appreciation cost, but I feel like they are closer to plateau price wise as compared to the 60-80 market which is booming now.

Typically the best bang for the buck is to save up and pay someone for all the work they did, assuming you are looking for a built trail truck. If you want a good, built truck and you are needing certain options (lockers, lift, etc.) then it will usually be cheaper to buy it with those items on it from someone that has put a lot of money into it cause typically you can only sell options for half what you paid them for at most. I picked up a 40 that was SOA with a cage and lockers and a 350 for less than half what the owner had in all those mods and it drove great. The negative on going that route is you may be chasing issues the prior owner couldn't figure out, so make sure you can drive it first and see what is lacking.

If you are looking for closer to a stock truck, probably better to get a decent vehicle and do it yourself over time.

That said, I have both built my own stuff and paid for trucks that were previously built. I don't have much feelings for the ones I bought already built. I have way more into the one I built than I could ever sell it for, but I never will. The one I built is my baby, so sometimes starting from a good base and building it the way you want is the way to go if you know it will be your baby for a very long time. If it were me, I'd find a great base for a build and start modding away.

 

[Jdc1]

Keep saving, educate yourself on what to look for and if the right one pops up and you have the money, buy it.

I’ve been watching the market for a few years and there have been 2 amazing deals that both sold within a day. They were great trucks at a great price. One was $12k and the other $18k.

 

[Broganbms]

Wow! Kudos to you for being diligent with your savings! Be forewarned, the cruiser addiction is no joke...

If pricing over time is a concern, I would think 40's will continue to rise a little in appreciation cost, but I feel like they are closer to plateau price wise as compared to the 60-80 market which is booming now.

Typically the best bang for the buck is to save up and pay someone for all the work they did, assuming you are looking for a built trail truck. If you want a good, built truck and you are needing certain options (lockers, lift, etc.) then it will usually be cheaper to buy it with those items on it from someone that has put a lot of money into it cause typically you can only sell options for half what you paid them for at most. I picked up a 40 that was SOA with a cage and lockers and a 350 for less than half what the owner had in all those mods and it drove great. The negative on going that route is you may be chasing issues the prior owner couldn't figure out, so make sure you can drive it first and see what is lacking.

If you are looking for closer to a stock truck, probably better to get a decent vehicle and do it yourself over time.

That said, I have both built my own stuff and paid for trucks that were previously built. I don't have much feelings for the ones I bought already built. I have way more into the one I built than I could ever sell it for, but I never will. The one I built is my baby, so sometimes starting from a good base and building it the way you want is the way to go if you know it will be your baby for a very long time. If it were me, I'd find a great base for a build and start modding away.

Thanks for the reply. I should have been more specific. I live in California so I need something Pre-'76. I am looking for something closer to stock. A stock engine is a must. I don't really want huge tires, and I want it to look stock close to stock. Other than that I'm flexible. I'm also going to be doing the majority of driving on the road. I've seen a lot of Land Cruiser's with block engines for cheaper in my area. Would it be cheaper to get one of these and putting in an f or 2f engine? Could I put a a B engine in an FJ?

 

[Broganbms]

Keep saving, educate yourself on what to look for and if the right one pops up and you have the money, buy it.

I’ve been watching the market for a few years and there have been 2 amazing deals that both sold within a day. They were great trucks at a great price. One was $12k and the other $18k.

I’ve been watching IH8MUD for I think a month now. I don’t know, however old my account is. I saw one that was perfect for what I needed but it was an ‘82. I’ve also been watching auto trader and bring a trailer for the better part of a year daily.

 

[Jdc1]

I’ve been watching IH8MUD for I think a month now. I don’t know, however old my account is. I saw one that was perfect for what I needed but it was an ‘82. I’ve also been watching auto trader and bring a trailer for the better part of a year daily.

Another option, is to contact some of the gurus on Mud in non rust belt states and see if they know of anyone that is looking to sell their solid truck.

 

[Broganbms]

Another option, is to contact some of the gurus on Mud in non rust belt states and see if they know of anyone that is looking to sell their solid truck.

Who would you suggest? People like Overton (I think that’s his name, the guy with the McFly picture) I think remember someone saying he can help with finding one.

 

[Jdc1]

Who would you suggest? People like Overton (I think that’s his name, the guy with the McFly picture) I think remember someone saying he can help with finding one.

Keep your ears open, you’ll know who if you hang out in the 40 section awhile. Working with a budget, you should be doing as much of the legwork up front as you can to save money to put into your truck. Look in peoples yards, chase down trucks you see on the road and talk to owners.You are at an advantage being in Cali, rust is expensive and sucks to work on. An engine swap on these things is pretty simple. Wiring can be a challenge but isn’t impossible. You should be able to find a solid 40 that you can build off of for about $10k.

 

[Broganbms]

Keep your ears open, you’ll know who if you hang out in the 40 section awhile. Working with a budget, you should be doing as much of the legwork up front as you can to save money to put into your truck. Look in peoples yards, chase down trucks you see on the road and talk to owners.You are at an advantage being in Cali, rust is expensive and sucks to work on. An engine swap on these things is pretty simple. Wiring can be a challenge but isn’t impossible. You should be able to find a solid 40 that you can build off of for about $10k.

I really like the stock FJs, but I saw a 40 extended to 45 length. The back is open and it has a flatbed. It was running good, it just needed a tail light or something small. It was only $7,500. Something came up and now I’m sure it’s sold.

 

[tacocat]

I’d wait. The market is being flooded by FJ40-45 from South America and other places. I don’t see them going up in price like the Ford Bronco.

By the time you hit 18, you may want something different, like a Troopy or 4Runner. I doubt this will happen, but there is also a slim chance they move to smog exempt to 1980. This will open a world of opportunity for you.

That said, if you find a solid running vehicle, you won’t lose money if you decide to sell it.

 

[FJBen]

Have the money and be ready to jump at the right cruiser instantly. The best and best priced ones disappear quickly.

There is A LOT of overpriced stuff out there right now. Bring a trailer is weird. I'm blown away by how low some sell, and how incredibly high some 40s sell that are decent. Definitely spend a lot of time researching, looking, posting on mud as you will find out what to look for.

Most of us have plenty of stories to tell about the mistakes we made buying 40s.

 

[TCEd]

I want to buy an FJ- 40 to drive a lot and take on trails. Nothing too ruff. I am 15 at the moment.
I have 10k saved up and can borrow 2-3k from my parents. I’m getting 4K saved each year from 4-H and I have 3 years left.

Put that money towards college, get the cruiser later.

 

[Broganbms]

Put that money towards college, get the cruiser later.

If I wanted to hear some sensibility I would have asked for it.

jk

 

[bhsdriller]

I really like the stock FJs, but I saw a 40 extended to 45 length. The back is open and it has a flatbed. It was running good, it just needed a tail light or something small. It was only $7,500. Something came up and now I’m sure it’s sold.

It's not sold, I was just at that guys house last weekend actually.

 

[pjohnson]

You are 15, no one expects sensibility.

 

[Broganbms]

It's not sold, I was just at that guys house last weekend actually.

Wow, small world.

 

[sogafarm]

If I wanted to hear some sensibility I would have asked for it.

jk

That's the right attitude! Good luck with the search as that's half the fun!
P.S. College is overrated. Live life debt free. Plenty of ways to make money without getting brainwashed in an over priced communist institution.

 

[Boonedock40]

Life’s short. Viruses are real.

You obviously have the self discipline to save. Buy the truck now and enjoy it. You’ll smile every time you get behind the wheel.

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

I know of a super rare 1962 FJ25/FJ40 in CO for sale... Been gone over by a professional shop. It has the original engine and even carb. May be more of a classic then a beater, but it looks like a super fun patina rig

 

[Broganbms]

I know of a super rare 1962 FJ25/FJ40 in CO for sale... Been gone over by a professional shop. It has the original engine and even carb. May be more of a classic then a beater, but it looks like a super fun patina rig

That’s sick, I’d love to see pics but I’m not really looking for a 20 series.