Considering FJ40

[bugboy]

I have the opportunity to buy a completely stock 1969 FJ40. It's got 118K on it and minimal frame rust that I can see. It does have some body rust, but no visible rust through. It's hard to start cold but does start and run. I've driven it around and the 4wheel and hi and low ranges all work.

I'm considering buying it (could probably get it for $1,500 - $2,000) and doing a clean-up and home paint (maybe durabak inside and out). Maybe some lockers. My main uses would be to use it when it is too snowy or muddy to take the car to work or hunting. I'm not looking to do any real modification.

Would a home paint job hurt the value as an unmolested FJ?
Would Durabak hurt the value?
Would Aussie lockers be the way to go for snow/mud?
Would I be running too much of risk of ruining this pretty nice original FJ or should I recommend that he sell it to someone that knows what they are doing? I know that FJ's this original are getting scarce.

Oh yeah, by the way, I've been reading the forum for a couple of months but this is my first post, so to me.

I'm located in north-central Kansas (about 45 miles north of I-70 / I-135 intersection).

 

[fj40_73]

$1,500 - $2,000 - stock? wow good buy


Yes - Would a home paint job hurt the value as an unmolested FJ?
Yes - Would Durabak hurt the value?
I would go ARB air - Would Aussie lockers be the way to go for snow/mud?

Do what you want or buy and flip it. - Would I be running too much of risk of ruining this pretty nice original FJ or should I recommend that he sell it to someone that knows what they are doing? I know that FJ's this original are getting scarce.

yes yes very good - Oh yeah, by the way, I've been reading the forum for a couple of months but this is my first post, so to me.

I'm located in north-central Kansas (about 45 miles north of I-70 / I-135 intersection).


Maybe some one on mud will be willing to give you a finders fee at that price if it is too much a project for ya.


I say buy it and run it. Once you love it, pay some one to fix it up right. Or buy , run it, paint it your self and keep it.

great price anyway you go .

 

[JohnnyC]

if you are going to buy and drive this truck...do with it as you wish.

Somebody will buy it and ruin it worse than you

there are alot of posts of guys doing roll-on paint jobs...its only going to hurt if you mess it up bad

buy it and post some pics...we'll be able to help you along

 

[BELMONT148]

x2 what FJ40-73 said. Some will give you hell for whatever you decide to do to it. Bottom line is it's your rig, once you buy it, and though you will get lots of guidance on here, do what you like.

Yes, someone down the road may not like your home paint job.

Yes, someone won't like your durabak interior.

Yes, people say lunchbox lockers don't work well in the snow.

You will still get many saying that a nice home paint job is the way to go. Not sure you will get the money back out of a $2500 "profesional" job.

As well as others, like me, that like the lunchbox lockers. Yes, they make some noise, and yes they get squirrely around turns and on tight trails in FWD. But you learn how to work with what you have. For the price, and how much it sounds like you will be using it, it should be just right.

Take pictures of your "rust-free" interior before you durabak it, and most will be fine with it. Unless you were going for a 100% resto, it should serve well.

Jeremy

 

[bugboy]

Thanks for the comments

I'm still kicking it around. I'm not in a hurry on the purchase. I have it here at my place since he doesn't have a place to store it. There's a pretty good chance that if I just wait a year or two that I might get it for free.

I would feel better about spending money on parts/supplies and starting my "fixin it up" hobby if I got the "victim" FJ for free.

I guess I'll just work at cleaning it up real good and fixing little things (hell, I could probably even convince the owner pay for the parts) and then wait to see if I end up owning it.

I'll get some pictures taken (and posted) when we get a warmer day.

 

[missipboy]

does it have a hardtop and doors? sounds like a good deal as is, but for free i think i would go for it.

 

[bugboy]

A couple of pics maybe

I'm trying to post a couple of pics. Let's see if it worked.

 

[Texx]

In the scheme of things, at retail, the 69 is not particularly desirable, with the f engine, drum brakes, etc. You can upgrade, and will want to, to make it a daily driver. Price as stated is plenty fair, but it's never gonna be one of those 12k cruisers without thousands in upgrades.

 

[dfmorse]

Definitely original. Its got hub caps! Maybe a new master brake cylinder.

U'll need to go to a OME suspension if u buy it.

A good project truck.

...

 

[BELMONT148]

Looks like a nice candidate for a sleeper wheeler, weekend hauler.

Flip the bezel, get a 2.5" lift, some AT tires, get the brakes worker right, get the steering dialed in, and make she starts and runs at all temp. and speeds. I say $2500 in repairs/mods and a good cleaning will do fine.

I do not know how the interior looks, but a comfortable seat and working lights/switches is a must. Throw a locker in the back and call it good.

Don't worry about paint yet. It already looks better than half the 40's on this board, well maybe 40%.

Jeremy

 

[JohnnyC]

nice shape...good find...buy it now

give the guy his $ ...he's giving you a DEAL

well worth the money it looks like

 

[CruisinMT]

You better buy that thing. It looks pretty solid. Mine cost $800 and it was in nowhere near that good of shape. Take the 40 and run.

 

[Nomis]

Looks like a good deal to me. I'd be curious what the frame, rear sill and spring hangers look like.

 

[graygoose67]

hell that thing looks like a good deal. I paid 4k for my 67. It came with the lift and brand new warn winch. I ended up replacing the entire brake system and a bunch of engine parts. Totalled around 3k to get it running right so i basically way overpaid but ive had so much fun with my cruiser that it basically was worth it. If i had the opportunity to get this one id jump on it asap. thats my 2 cents

 

[213_dan]

I think she's beautiful just the way she sits. I wouldn't touch the cosmetics personally....just focus on the mechanics.

Around here we don't care much about the color of the dog as long as it'll pen cattle...

Go for it!

 

[worldcruiser]

That truck is so clean I would not even mess with it....keep it stock man in time you will find another less clean truck to modify...

 

[Bigslug]

A stock, running, low-rust Cruiser with uncut rear wheelwells for $2000?

CHEAP AT TWICE THE PRICE! Some might even say fair at three times the price.

I would leave "modification" to repainting the original color, stabilizing the frame and underbody to stop and prevent further rust, and replacing the gold cad bolts with Specter's stainless wherever possible. As for lockers, I personally have no experience with them, but for what it sounds like you plan to do, you have absolutely no need for them. The original drivetrain and stock tires are capable of taking you places you probably shouldn't go. Anything more is for "extreme sports".

Definetly easier to "flip" later if you leave the gonzo mods for the next owner. You might even be able to trade to a resto house like TLC for a more "buildworthy" vehicle.

 

[sine80]

I would buy it in a heartbeat--no question what so ever. I agree the earlier models are less desirable, but, it depends on what you want to do with the rig. Personally, I LOVE the earlier models and could care less about the resale value. There are small nuances like the split hood, lights on the bib, simple dash, column shift etc that I could talk for hours about.

If you're buying it to drive and wheel, you're not going to find a better, cleaner rig out there for that price. And, if you really want to get in there and work on it, disks would be the first thing I would consider. It's an easy swap, night and day on the road, and a good "get to know the cruiser front axle" thingy.

Again, my summation, do what you want with any rig. But, this rig is in damn good shape and you would be hard pressed to find something in nicer shape for the price.



Mike

 

[bugboy]

Thanks for the replies and words of encouragement. From what I've seen on the forum you guys would be a great asset in helping me fix some little things she needs and to clean her up.

I think I'll start putting some time and a little money into it and see what happens as far as ownership papers goes.

Here's the plan at this point:
Change out all fluids
Replace paper filter with K&N
New points, plugs, wires and etc.
Fix windshield wiper
Fix "flexible heater duct union"
Go through the brakes

It looks like there is a heavy layer of gunk (I'm guessing brake fluid and dirt) on the backside of the wheels. My guess is that it needs new wheel cylinders or at least seals. Are the wheel cylinders/seals going to be available at one of the big auto parts stores (NAPA, etc) or do I have to spring for some way expensive ones from one of the Land Cruiser parts outlets?

Also the parking brake is crap. What have other folks done on this issue? It looks like there is a leak there that has the whole assembly soaked with brake fluid.

 

[sneezy]

I just replaced all of the cylinders in my rig. The rears I bought from Cruiser Dan for about $60 each and in the front, CCOT was having a sale on all four for just over $100. They have some pretty good prices for other cylinders too, see link..
http://coolfj40.stores.yahoo.net/brakwheelcyl.html

I don't know too much about the parking brake, but I didn't think it uses any brake fluid.