Complete noob with question about first FJ 40

[Mak76]

Hello everybody,

Completely new person to FJ40’s here, and also a noob on the site (read a lot but just joined). So I hope I’m in the right place and apologize if I am not.

I have wanted an FJ40 since I was a teenager. I am in my forties now and am now looking to finally buy one. Trying to go with a cheap fixer upper that is already road worthy and drivable for my first.

I have found this one and have been talking with the owner and it seems solid. He has sent videos of starting it up and of it running, he has also sent multiple pictures of the underside. I have shown it to a cousin that is a mechanic and he seems to think it looks ok from what he can tell.

Neither one of us are experts in FJ40’s and neither one of us has ever even driven one. So I thought I’d ask some experts if there is anything glaring the seems to be an issue or red flag with this one.

There seems to be a little bit of rust, but not bad. Also, it had been used as a plow at some point in its past. Owner says it starts and runs fine.

It is two states over, so I am unable to test drive it or go look at it.

Also, this maybe a stupid question, but I thought I had read that the big single door in the back (not the ambulance doors) was a South American thing, and that some South American FJ’s may not be able to take the top off (something I definitely want to be able to do). Is there any truth to that?

Any suggestions or information would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Mtntopper]

A few people have mentioned the doors. In the description he says “hard top, soft doors” (if that helps.

I’ve been looking a while for a suitable FJ and it seems like anything that is running that doesn’t have a ton of rust is close to $20,000.00 or above (many say things like it turns over, but hasn’t run in years, and they still want $8000-9000 for it). I was hoping to get in cheaper, and throw some money at it here and there. We have a three other cars so I won’t be relying on whatever I buy. I lost out on a 1969 about a months ago that ran and was near my house, but needed some body work.

As for removing the top, I was hoping to do it only a couple times a year. Remove it at beginning of summer and leave it off til it got cold, then put it back on. Probably keep it in the garage, and drive it to do errands, go to work, and take the family and dog to the park and stuff.

As for mechanical abilities, they are ok. I have family members that are mechanics that could help, and I am a firefighter/paramedic. Sometimes after training and if we aren’t running calls we have free time and a lot of guys will tinker with old Jeep’s or whatever. I figured I could also tap them for information and help. They are pretty good. Not to mention the department mechanics have helped me out a few times with vehicle stuff.

Not mine, but says daily driver for $9k.

1971 FJ40

1971 FJ40 - general for sale - by owner

1971 FJ40 Land cruiser. Runs and drives. driven regularly.

denver.craigslist.org

 

[Mak76]

Yeah, I should have mentioned that I’m hoping for an old F or 2F engine. I have seen a few pretty reasonably priced vehicles with Chevy’s in them. They really don’t interest me. I get that all these old fj’s will need some body work. Especially for the price point I’m looking.

Not sure what the second door is for bhsdriller. I was curious myself.

I’d be willing to contact this new FJ posting. Does it look like a better option? Thanks by the way. Not sure how I would have missed that one.

 

[Mtntopper]

Those rust stains clean-up pretty easily with CLR. I see an aftermarket roll cage which is nice, but they moved the cargo seats in a few inches for that bar. That is a good way to break those chairs.
Otherwise it looks pretty correct. No engine pics, thats the first thing I'd be looking for. I'm in Aspen today, let me know if you want me to put some eyes on it.

 

[TheHardWay]

What is your price point?

 

[Mak76]

Those rust stains clean-up pretty easily with CLR. I see an aftermarket roll cage which is nice, but they moved the cargo seats in a few inches for that bar. That is a good way to break those chairs.
Otherwise it looks pretty correct. No engine pics, thats the first thing I'd be looking for. I'm in Aspen today, let me know if you want me to put some eyes on it.

Mtntopper, that is incredibly kind of you. The posting is a month old, so it might not be there. I will try to contact him. And if you are bored and have time to kill while you are there, that would be amazing. Thank you for the offer. Please don’t feel obligated though.

 

[Mtntopper]

Mtntopper, that is incredibly kind of you. The posting is a month old, so it might not be there. I will try to contact him. And if you are bored and have time to kill while you are there, that would be amazing. Thank you for the offer. Please don’t feel obligated though.

Not a problem. I'm in town until around 2pm, let me know if you talk to him and I can jump in to set up the meeting. I've been trying to keep my hands off this one, I will happily go and help spend someone else's money though. I was thinking since its been listed a month, he should be open to offers by now.

 

[Mak76]

I’d ideally like to stay between $7000-10,000 and then put up to $5000-6000 over the next few years (to spread out cost) to fix things up that I know will be wrong with a old vehicle. Like I said earlier, this isn’t something I’m planning on fully restoring to showroom quality. It’s just something for me and the family to enjoy.

 

[Mak76]

Ok Mtntopper. Let me see if I can send him a message.

 

[bhsdriller]

Can't really compare prices now vs. 2 years ago when I bought mine but can't imagine spending 9,500 on something like that. Seems crazy but I guess those are the times

Looks decent, underneath seems clean. Paint needs to go lol could probably put in some elbow grease and get rid of it

 

[graham5david]

Definitely a factory soft top. Door handles are just 90 degrees off.

 

[ccasteel]

The more I look at it the better it looks. But, I'd definitely be more interested in the one @Mtntopper had linked. It's more original. And the cool factor goes up for me with the column shift.

Regardless, I would find someone to give it a good once over, or see it in person before putting any money down. I've made that mistake.

 

[Skreddy]

I’ve been eying that other 71 posted. If it’s available and complete, I’d go for that one over the original one posted.

 

[DangerNoodle]

I’ve been eying that other 71 posted. If it’s available and complete, I’d go for that one over the original one posted.

I have been too. It looks pretty clean. I would take that over the plow truck any day. Plus, it's a good patina canidate.

 

[Skreddy]

I have been too. It looks pretty clean. I would take that over the plow truck any day. Plus, it's a good patina canidate.

Exactly my thoughts. The rear sill doesn’t look great, but easy enough. Some clean up and rust mitigation, small lift, sniper, car seat anchors, AC (these tin cans get hot!) and that’d be my new daily!

 

[Mak76]

Thanks everyone. That blue 1971 never did get back to me (thanks again for the offer to go check it out Mtntopper).

After reading all of your thoughts, I’m wondering if I should just try to spend a bit more and get a slightly more finished FJ that has at least a bit of work already done. I’m going to talk to the wife tonight and figure out our actual budget for a vehicle and see if it is worth it to spend a few thousand extra. Even if it means waiting a couple more months. I’ve waited this long.

If it ends up we can spend a bit more, I have found a few that I may post and need some input on though.

Thanks again everyone. I will let you know if I find anything else.

 

[Mak76]

UPDATE:

Mtntopper,

Today I was able to get in touch with the one that you had sent me. Wish it would have worked out the other day so you could have looked at it. Anyway, it sounds like it is decent rig and a good possibility. He is going to send some more pics and possibly a video. There is currently an issue with the title that he said should be resolved soon. I will post if he sends new pics and video and see what you all think. Thanks again.

 

[Mtntopper]

UPDATE:

Mtntopper,

Today I was able to get in touch with the one that you had sent me. Wish it would have worked out the other day so you could have looked at it. Anyway, it sounds like it is decent rig and a good possibility. He is going to send some more pics and possibly a video. There is currently an issue with the title that he said should be resolved soon. I will post if he sends new pics and video and see what you all think. Thanks again.

Good to hear. I will be back over that way a couple times next week, I could easily carve out a little time to check that truck out. If you decide to move forward, PM me and we'll get it set up.
Since we don't know each other, I should clear a little air, I'm not doing this for any compensation, I just like to contribute to the cruiser family where I can.

 

[Fox]

That looks like my 1971 FJ40 except for the bad paint job.. Missing bench seat in front, all those little things add up.. 9K that seems high for all the work you will have to do. Good luck.

 

[igotta40]

If I were you and I was making a list, I would put this one at the bottom. Keep looking, there’s plenty of them out there. $9,500 is a lot of money for a truck in that condition. If you can work on an old Chevy pickup, you can work on an old Toyota. The hardtop looks great, but there’s an awful lot of nitpicking little problems aside from the obvious bodywork issues. The old style drum brakes will be a pita. You’re looking at a few thousand to make it right, even if it’s running. I wouldn’t offer more than $2,000 for it.

 

[Mak76]

Fox and I gotta40, just to verify, were you talking about the first FJ that I had listed with the brushed on blue and white paint job corect? Or were you talking about the one that Mtntopper had suggested later in the thread from a Craigslist add?

I think I have decided against the blue and white one that I was originally asking advice on. Enough people here warned against it for the price. Not completely out yet, but probably not getting it. The one I had recently been in touch with was one Mtntopper had suggested. It is listed earlier in this thread. It does have the bench seat in the front (the bench seat actually looks in pretty good condition compared to a lot I have been seeing.)

Mtntopper, Thank you again for the kind offer to check it out. Let me see if he actually sends the photos and video (hopefully tomorrow). And also see what is going on with the title. I don’t want you to waste your time (especially on my behalf). I will l let you know. He seemed like a good guy on the phone. Hopefully it will all work out.