Lurking long time and after a 5 year search I think I found my FJ. Local guy in Newberg had it for sale.
UPDATES:
Been a busy couple of months. So far I have changed hood latches, windshield latches, rubber windshield pads, mirrors, reflectors. Replaced clutch, had transmission removed all gaskets replaced trans cleaned and serviced. Rear main was leaking bad, so ended up doing more stuff since it was apart. Wasn't told about it, either... Replaced out put shaft seal, rebuilt both front wheels, New brakes, rotors, calipers, rebuilt ebrake, fuel filters, tie rod, master cylinder (was leaking), booster, clutch slave cylinder (was leaking), tightened steering box. That made a huge difference.
Just got it back from replacing all weather stripping around doors, chrome window runs, channel felt, striker plates for door locks. So besides that stuff...it's good now.
Overall happy with it, I definitely feel like the guy knew a lot he didn't share with me, which is unfortunate. The doors have some rot along the bottom, but it was under the old weather stripping and didn't detect it before purchase. I guess meticulously maintained has different meanings for different people. I have a feeling the guy just tinkered with it to flip it, but it needed a professional. There were a lot of things that needed attention. It drives much better now.
UPDATE #2
Had a slight knock in passenger wiper linkage. Upon inspection I needed to replace it, @Racer65 to the rescue. Oh, and since I had to take my windshield down and take the dash out I replaced my cracked dash, again @Racer65 to the rescue. @Racer65 also shipped me a new dash, because the first one had cracks in the foam corner, thanks buddy! Starter in vehicle has gone bad, installing a new gear reduction starter later this week.
FJ40 Newberg, Oregon. Noticed this guy Steve in Newberg, Oregon is selling another 1978 FJ40 on ebay and listed on Craigslist as of Dec 12, 2017. Looks pretty nice, and not sure where he finds these vehicles. Certainly nothing wrong with flipping some FJ40's as a hobby and a great one at that. But, when I inquired why he was selling he stated "his wife didn't like the ride". Why he just couldn't have stated it was his hobby I don't know, but as a buyer I feel like he wasn't truthful and certainly wasn't offering up any information that I didn't ask about. He was very friendly, and seemed very knowledgeable about it.
After driving it home a couple days later I noticed a lot of oil leaking under the car. The rear main obviously has been leaking for quite a while. Yes, as a buying I should have checked under the car. I did glance for fluids, but didn't get underneath. I had my wife and kids with me, it looked great and I took his word as he seemed very particular about maintenance, my mistake. But, I couldn't imagine selling something without notifying new owner of any potential problems. There is no way he didn't know about the rear main leaking, but didn't say anything to me about it as a courtesy.
Next, I checked the stock air cleaner and it was black and full of grit. It was just mounted in place, not operational. The Webber carb underneath had its own air cleaner, but it was then that I thought the "Meticulously Maintained" stated in the for sale ad was quite a stretch in my mind. Its unfortunate, and any potential buyer should really take time to inspect the vehicle thoroughly.
UPDATES:
Been a busy couple of months. So far I have changed hood latches, windshield latches, rubber windshield pads, mirrors, reflectors. Replaced clutch, had transmission removed all gaskets replaced trans cleaned and serviced. Rear main was leaking bad, so ended up doing more stuff since it was apart. Wasn't told about it, either... Replaced out put shaft seal, rebuilt both front wheels, New brakes, rotors, calipers, rebuilt ebrake, fuel filters, tie rod, master cylinder (was leaking), booster, clutch slave cylinder (was leaking), tightened steering box. That made a huge difference.
Just got it back from replacing all weather stripping around doors, chrome window runs, channel felt, striker plates for door locks. So besides that stuff...it's good now.
Overall happy with it, I definitely feel like the guy knew a lot he didn't share with me, which is unfortunate. The doors have some rot along the bottom, but it was under the old weather stripping and didn't detect it before purchase. I guess meticulously maintained has different meanings for different people. I have a feeling the guy just tinkered with it to flip it, but it needed a professional. There were a lot of things that needed attention. It drives much better now.
UPDATE #2
Had a slight knock in passenger wiper linkage. Upon inspection I needed to replace it, @Racer65 to the rescue. Oh, and since I had to take my windshield down and take the dash out I replaced my cracked dash, again @Racer65 to the rescue. @Racer65 also shipped me a new dash, because the first one had cracks in the foam corner, thanks buddy! Starter in vehicle has gone bad, installing a new gear reduction starter later this week.
FJ40 Newberg, Oregon. Noticed this guy Steve in Newberg, Oregon is selling another 1978 FJ40 on ebay and listed on Craigslist as of Dec 12, 2017. Looks pretty nice, and not sure where he finds these vehicles. Certainly nothing wrong with flipping some FJ40's as a hobby and a great one at that. But, when I inquired why he was selling he stated "his wife didn't like the ride". Why he just couldn't have stated it was his hobby I don't know, but as a buyer I feel like he wasn't truthful and certainly wasn't offering up any information that I didn't ask about. He was very friendly, and seemed very knowledgeable about it.
After driving it home a couple days later I noticed a lot of oil leaking under the car. The rear main obviously has been leaking for quite a while. Yes, as a buying I should have checked under the car. I did glance for fluids, but didn't get underneath. I had my wife and kids with me, it looked great and I took his word as he seemed very particular about maintenance, my mistake. But, I couldn't imagine selling something without notifying new owner of any potential problems. There is no way he didn't know about the rear main leaking, but didn't say anything to me about it as a courtesy.
Next, I checked the stock air cleaner and it was black and full of grit. It was just mounted in place, not operational. The Webber carb underneath had its own air cleaner, but it was then that I thought the "Meticulously Maintained" stated in the for sale ad was quite a stretch in my mind. Its unfortunate, and any potential buyer should really take time to inspect the vehicle thoroughly.
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