First Time Buyer Advice

[rainingagain]

More pics:

View attachment 3659755

That rear sill definitely seems like its missing some factory seams. I would bet its hiding rust behind some bondo.

That is what I like to refer to as the "paint guy needs this before lunch but I'm not done, **** it boss man says bondo and send it." And then they didn't even sand the edge. Not a good sign.

There is a distinct lack of under carriage pics. @OrangeJoe either you left them out or the seller did. I'd be poking my head in behind the rear wheels at the backside of the tub. Maybe the seller patched it up, but they applied a s*** ton of bondo over the topside.

 

[rainingagain]

Roof should be white. Biggest concern for me is the rear sill and the body filler sharp edges on the driver's side vertical lip. Bang into it once with something heavy and it will crack right off. Seams are missing on that rear sill likely under some bondo.

There are good ones out there, keep looking!

It likely was sprayed with the top on and the windows in also. Who knows what's in there.

 

[rex in bama]

It likely was sprayed with the top on and the windows in also. Who knows what's in there.
View attachment 3660287

Good eye!

 

[Firemedic831]

Its a Earl Scheib Special . My biggest take on it is the so called Expert Restoration shop saying is a 26-38 K rig In the end it all boils down to what you want and what you want to do with this 40 ? Do you want to invest another 30-50k into this ?

 

[77mustard40]

Better get under the vehicle and assess…

Rust - body, frame and other components
Leaks - engine, tranny & TC, 3rd members
Knuckles - are the dry or dripping oil
Suspension - condition of springs, bushings and shocks
Steering - tie rods, steering box and pump (leaks or looseness)
Brakes - do the hoses look fresh or are the old and cracking, condition of the fluid in the MC and clutch MC
Driveline - is there any play in driveshafts, have they been greased?

Basically get past the first impression and look for signs that it’s a pig with lipstick. Also be honest with yourself, can or do you plan to turn a wrench, if not this thing should be clean and mechanically sound at that price point. Otherwise be prepared to open your wallet even wider.

 

[Kringle]

Some great 40 deals on BAT lately too. Prices are down. Good time to buy if you got the dough.

 

[igotta40]

Be wary of trucks from Central & South America. It’s not hard to see the difference between them and US market trucks.

 

[OrangeJoe]

have you looked on the classifieds here? There are usually some good buys, and you get public commentary.

I check the classifieds here almost daily and I’ve contacted a few sellers. I haven’t found quite what I’m looking for yet. I’ll start looking through bring a trailer as one poster suggested. There are quite a few on autotrader classics. Seems like most of those are way overpriced. Anyone have experience with searching there?

 

[Firemedic831]

I check the classifieds here almost daily and I’ve contacted a few sellers. I haven’t found quite what I’m looking for yet. I’ll start looking through bring a trailer as one poster suggested. There are quite a few on autotrader classics. Seems like most of those are way overpriced. Anyone have experience with searching there?

What is it that you are looking for ? Are you a purist that needs the original oe air that was put in the tires ? Do you want somthing you can use or just something you can take out on the weekends to a car show . Do you want to lift it and put larger tires ? Are you dead set on a OE engine ?

 

[DangerNoodle]

If you are willing to spend 24k, you could get some really nice fully original cruisers for a bit more.

29.5K

All Original One Of A Kind 1983 FJ40 LX - Proffitt's Resurrection Land Cruisers

OK, I'll admit to being a little obsessed with this one. It's got so much going on that's interesting to hard core Toyota enthusiasts like me. First of all, It's a rare LX model, imported from Saudi a long time ago. The LX models were unique to Japan, Australia, and the Middle East. They were...

www.resurrectionlandcruisers.com

 

[sogafarm]

If this one is still for sale in the classified. Not bad deal! $20k

 

[Skreddy]

I check the classifieds here almost daily and I’ve contacted a few sellers. I haven’t found quite what I’m looking for yet. I’ll start looking through bring a trailer as one poster suggested. There are quite a few on autotrader classics. Seems like most of those are way overpriced. Anyone have experience with searching there?

Put a want ad out in the classifieds here. There’s people on here that would probably sell but mostly just lurk. Then you can specify exactly what you’re wanting.

 

[OrangeJoe]

What is it that you are looking for ? Are you a purist that needs the original oe air that was put in the tires ? Do you want somthing you can use or just something you can take out on the weekends to a car show . Do you want to lift it and put larger tires ? Are you dead set on a OE engine ?

I’m looking for mostly original but something I could use as a daily driver. Mostly concerned with good mechanical condition but also don’t want to have to do a ton of work on the cosmetic side. I’m pretty set on an FJ40 or similar. I’ll post a wanted ad in the classified section.

 

[FJ404345]

Be wary of trucks from Central & South America. It’s not hard to see the difference between them and US market trucks.

Yes. but this beauty is absolutely an US Market Rusty Trusty, they are all over the place too

 

[Firemedic831]

I’m looking for mostly original but something I could use as a daily driver. Mostly concerned with good mechanical condition but also don’t want to have to do a ton of work on the cosmetic side. I’m pretty set on an FJ40 or similar. I’ll post a wanted ad in the classified section.

I would look hard at the one from Proffits . that is a cool 40 . Also look at the one Marks offroad has posted the Karma Cruiser that is a very solid 40

 

[charliemeyer007]

Buy the rig, not the story. My 72 is 52 years old - wiring is getting old. I'm the 6th owner of record, that's a lot of PO's. I have it since 1983.

Wait until you find what you want at a price you like. I think it nuts to spend big money on an old 4WD.
Put your money into running gear, not cosmetics if you actually plan to use 4WD off road.

 

[cbmontgo]

Yeah, no. Keep looking.

 

[bikersmurf]

I don't regret the journey I've been through with my 40. I've learned a ton along the way and that's what I love about it...

To do it over I'd buy the 40 I came across 6 months later for $3000... rather than the one I bought for $1250. By this point, I've replaced the front end, rear end, floor, frame, rebuilt transmission & T-case, SBC swap, replaced that SBC after 21 years, radiator (2x), seats, hardtop (2.5 x), 4 wheel disc brakes, 80 series master & booster, clutch slave & master (3 x), winch (2x), tires (5x), hood, rear springs, on board air, custom rear bench... now a TJ bench seat, and probably a dozen more things that aren't coming to mind at the moment.

Long story short I was into it for about $12,000... If I'd spent a couple thousand more in the beginning, I'd be in about the same finishing point for the same (or less) money and a whole lot less work.

 

[DeskJock]

Be wary of trucks from Central & South America. It’s not hard to see the difference between them and US market trucks.

And the parts logistics are more difficult.

 

[Kringle]

Toyota Land Cruiser - farm & garden - by owner - sale - craigslist

1970 Toyota fj40 Land Cruiser . It has all original OEM parts and a couple of improvements. It now supports a four speed trans, full cage roll bar and a few engine upgrades. It is a soft top that is...

inlandempire.craigslist.org