Considering getting an FJ40

[discostu004]

OK, I am not a mechanical person, but i like cars, then the other day my wife calls and pretends she's bought a 74 in colorado. I knew she was lying but it intrigued me since she's never shown any interest in something like that. So I got to looking and found this one on ebay:
Toyota : Land Cruiser: eBay Motors (item 130426969846 end time Sep-07-10 19:08:48 PDT)
more pix here:
http://1972landcruiser1.shutterfly.com/

and this one:
Toyota : Land Cruiser: eBay Motors (item 160475603795 end time Sep-07-10 18:39:04 PDT)

any opinions about:
what kind of issues might crop up in something this old, and if either/both of these are worth considering. I'm not wanting to put another $10,000 into it. I'll be leaving it in colorado and driving it there probably until i sold it later. thanks in advance

 

[Falco80]

what kind of issues might crop up in something this old, and if either/both of these are worth considering. I'm not wanting to put another $10,000 into it. I'll be leaving it in colorado and driving it there probably until i sold it later. thanks in advance

That second one, the 72', looks good to me. I'm not too sure on the price ranges that you guys see over in the US for a rig in that condition, but if that was here in Australia i think it would sell ok.

Your always going to get some issues with older cars. They are old, and certain areas on them may have been neglected at some point in their life, so issues are to be expected. For a lot of us here thats part of the journey. If your not too mechanically inclined, then buying a 40 is a good starting point as these are pretty easy to work on, great to learn on and give you an excuse to buy more tools.

In my opinion, wrenching on them is half the fun. Once you own one you tend to get addicted and you will spend money on it. Probably not $10000, unless your rebuilding it or something, but you will spend something.

I wouldn't really be buying one if my intent was just to drive it from point A to point B. There are a lot of other vehicles that would do that sort of driving a lot better.

 

[bsmith123]

with the v-8 conversion be careful --done right no prob and is done all the time just be sure it is not a hack job---check driveability, motor mounts and their placement---work it hard at high rpm low speed to look for cooling issues and look at the driveshafts and how they have been modified to fit--possible vibration issues? The gauges are not hooked up so what is temp, oil pressure like? prolly will not work with stock senders that is all so aftermarket gauges will be needed

i didnt look at all the pics but look for rust issues requiring welding of the frame and look for holes in the body---some is okay it is pretty cheap

look for unfinished business since it has already been worked on

second one

seems like a high price for a bone stock 1f 3 speed but on the other hand nobody has messed with it--if you can live with the 3 speed manual steer drum brakes and are not keeping it long term might be ideal ---look for all the usual things on an old car--- check compression on the engine, trans noise, worn steering, functioning 4wd etc

the good thing here is if you like it as is and the motor goes someone would probably give you a 1f or 3 speed to replace it as everyone seems to pull them for 2fs or other swaps---nothing wrong with the 1f but the 2f has better oiling and slightly more power and many people prefer the 4 speed. but it has potential for a nice stock rebuild


chances are like many of us you will later want power steering, disc brakes, 4 speed, more power etc then once that can of worms is opened expect to spend 10-15k to get the rig to daily driver condition with all the mod cons if you do a lot of the work yourself


I'd take the second one for around the price of the first I think---just me I like to buy stock and see all the mods done myself---but be warned, this is in no way cheaper! As a novice mechanic and new to the 40 you will have lessons learned that empty your wallet unless you plan and research carefully


So you can keep looking for a nice restore with all the work done to a good standard which is usually cheaper and easier than doing it yourself or leave them as is if you can live with what is there right now ----or take on a build project if you are looking to do that

 

[71AZFJ]

I like the stock looking 72 also. In the long run it will be worth more money. Not to mention it's really clean.

 

[bikersmurf]

I really don't know what to think of the durabak on the outside! I'd have to wonder what it looks like underneath.

The second looks decent. Although it's a buyers market right now... So it doesn't seem like a bargain.

I'd rather have a four speed. Although that can be changed, for 7g, I wouldn't want to be dumping loads of cash into it to make it the vehicle I'd want.

Regardless of what vehicle you buy expect to put a grand into it in the first year you own it.

 

[FJforty]

Do some searches on Craigslist of the major cities, good way to judge price/features. A 4 speed is a must for me, I want that extra gear option on a grade.

 

[Fast Eddy]

OK, I am not a mechanical person...

any opinions about:
what kind of issues might crop up in something this old, and if either/both of these are worth considering. I'm not wanting to put another $10,000 into it. I'll be leaving it in colorado and driving it there probably until i sold it later. thanks in advance

You should really know what you're getting into. Even if it's pretty nice it's going to need a lot of work and upkeep. You should expect it to need almost everything overhauled, brakes, maybe tranny, maybe engine, probably a carb rebuild, probably some radiator work, almost for sure all the hoses, a bunch of oil seals, leaf spring bushings, tie rod ends...

It's not too expensive and pretty fun if you're doing it yourself, but if you're bringing it to a shop you'll hit half of your $10k pretty quick.

That said, the two you picked on ebay look ok. I like ones with original paint so you're sure there's nothing hidden underneath.

 

[mcwinery]

I have a 72 which I paid $5,500 for 2 years ago and have now put in another $2,500.
I say it is well worth $6,000 now because of the market. It is a buyers market. The 72 looks like a fair price if body is in good shape and it runs well.