Crispy 40 - Need Guidance

[1dollar93]

Hello:

Long time listener, first time caller. I'm here in need of some sage wisdom... I recognize the bias I may receive.

I have the hulk of a 40 sitting in my driveway right now. Story goes, this truck was fully restored then stolen off a showroom floor, taken into the hills, rolled, then set on fire. Look how they massacred my boy. Everything in this truck has been burnt to a crisp. Every rubber seal is gone, every bit of wiring, the engine is in place but anything consumable by fire is gone and who knows what any of the insides look like.

I have 3 young kids and a supportive wife. I currently own a 1970's BMW that has been under restoration for almost a decade, previously owned a 100 and a 60, and the one that got away was my 55 that I sold prior to relocating to Idaho. I'm fairly confident with a wrench in hand, but I need advice here.

Should I keep this this truck?
Should I cut my losses?
Restoring fully may take a decade, but can I get this running and driving under $5k? 10k? (I can source another motor)

Thank you, gurus.

 

[Skreddy]

$10k would buy a decent driver that you could sort out over time and it’d still be cheaper than this one…..

 

[EWheeler]

Hello:

Long time listener, first time caller. I'm here in need of some sage wisdom... I recognize the bias I may receive.

I have the hulk of a 40 sitting in my driveway right now. Story goes, this truck was fully restored then stolen off a showroom floor, taken into the hills, rolled, then set on fire. Look how they massacred my boy. Everything in this truck has been burnt to a crisp. Every rubber seal is gone, every bit of wiring, the engine is in place but anything consumable by fire is gone and who knows what any of the insides look like.

I have 3 young kids and a supportive wife. I currently own a 1970's BMW that has been under restoration for almost a decade, previously owned a 100 and a 60, and the one that got away was my 55 that I sold prior to relocating to Idaho. I'm fairly confident with a wrench in hand, but I need advice here.

Should I keep this this truck?
Should I cut my losses?
Restoring fully may take a decade, but can I get this running and driving under $5k? 10k? (I can source another motor)

Thank you, gurus.
View attachment 4024511
View attachment 4024512

Did it get into the engine bay? Is that a disc brake front axle? Axles don't look like they got burnt.

I bought a Kubota tractor that was victim to a forest fire. It got hot enough for all the aluminum to melt, tires melted and wheels severely warped.. I grabbed it for a few aesthetic pieces that I needed to complete another identical unit and what I found disassembling it was that everything had been annealed/softened. Bolts would just twist and shear off with very little effort. You may be able to find another body and put it onto that chassis if you really wanted, but I think its better to cut your losses, save the front bib for garage art, and find another runner. I agree with Skreddy that $10k will buy you a runner that you can tinker with and enjoy. He is over the border from you in the Spokane area and has a lot of knowledge on these old Landcruisers and would be a good sounding board helping you find a replacement.

Sorry for your loss. Thieves suck.

 

[pb4ugo]

Looks like a iffy parts rig. Every parts is questionable. Fire cooks things you can't see till you get there and the rust will be deep. It appears it has cut 1/4's too.

 

[1dollar93]

$10k would buy a decent driver that you could sort out over time and it’d still be cheaper than this one…..

I agree completely. Part of me likes the idea of resurrecting something with a story, part of me likes my 401k.

 

[archie73]

Define restore? That was a modified cruiser. If you like to fabricate, this could be blank slate. If you’re looking for original, I’d looks else where.

I’d also be surprised if you could do it for less than 10. There’s so many little pieces and then there’s paint.

 

[wimberosa]

skip restore. grab parts that are use-able off it. find a runner and sell this trucks parts to help a bit with finance.

 

[FJ404345]

Don't make more out of this 40 then there is

 

[bhsdriller]

Yard art

 

[peesalot]

Those front fenders look to be the NLA Metal Tech tube fenders, they should unbolt and would be sellable, the running gear may have some value. The rest would need a dip or media blast to even determine if things are salvagable. How bad you want a non oem 40 ?

 

[1dollar93]

I appreciate everyone’s feedback- this won’t be a keeper for us. Cheers and thanks for the responses.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

A little boiled linseed oil and elbow grease would make that puppy shine!

 

[msapers]

I don't think it's worth a full restoration but getting it running, and doing the boiled linseed oil thing mentioned above would get you a usable rig with a cool story. Call it "The Phoenix".

 

[procomsignathid]

Check youtube for a channel called Simon Fordman. his most recent video he takes a '71 Charger that was in a fire and gets it running. Probably gives you an idea of what you're in for. In the end he gets it running, but man it is rough, and only the very basics to get it running and see where you are going are there.

If you buy all the parts needed to restore this rig, it will cost so much more than a working rig. Unless you have a huge emotional investment in this particular truck, I'd say use it as a parts rig. Even if you do absolutely love this truck, buying another and pulling over a few select parts you can lovingly restore might be enough to bring the "soul" of it over.

My 2c.