First time Females and FJs

[nuclearlemon]

good luck from a chick who bought her first 40 over 2 decades ago and learned to wrench that way. great deals can be found. i know a guy who got a 40 for $1k that had sat for 14 years. he's daily driving and wheeling the piss out of it now. he wasn't looking, it smacked him in the face. take your time and it will fall in your lap

 

[69 Spring Green]

I know that Colorado is 1,500 or so miles from you, but there's literally ten to twenty 40's on Craigslist here at any given time. Check out Denver and Colorado Springs. Good luck with your search and welcome to Mud!

 

[Ol'40]

Sarca, here's a shot of my 'mechanic' fitting my radiator..



And she's a great camp cook too..


Gaz....

 

[My71FJ40]

Don't be afraid to go a distance to buy a 40 at your price range. My wife and I drove 700 miles one way to buy one of my FJ40’s. It had sat for 2 years when I bought it and the PO had a hard time starting it before I arrived. He had to clean all the fuse contacts, etc. I bought it and drove it home to some cautionary words from the PO…”aren’t you gonna trailer it?” Well, after putting on new tires, getting an oil and lube job and all fluids topped off I went to the gas station where it stalled and wouldn’t start. After an hour in the pouring rain, I got it to fire and jumped in and headed out. After about 100 miles or so the crud in the carb burned out and she started to purr. It was smooth sailing from there…..well minus the steering drift from left to right. Don’t be afraid of an adventure, just bring tools and a buddy…and never take the same way back, you’ll see all kinds of cool stuff you would’ve missed.
The PO took this pic for us after signing papers.

 

[Sea Knight]

Don’t be afraid of an adventure…and never take the same way back...

^^^ Probably the most important advice you'll get here. FJ40's are are loud, rough riding, hot, and uncomfortable, but they're an adventure on wheels. There's nothing else like 'em. Nothing.

 

[JohnnyC]

...There's nothing else like 'em. Nothing.

Ford Model A

 

[DSRTRDR]

a "my first 40" story, love it. My obsession to buy a 40 finally ended two weeks ago after six months of searching and a cross country (CA to GA) trip in a green bikini top 3/77 FJ40 . My hearing is finally back to normal...I think.

sounds like a great experience

 

[myquestoyota]

Ford Model A

That's funny you say that Johnny. The first car I ever drove was my Dad's 1930 Model A Town Sedan. It was no trailer queen, just a driver that he and I would putt around in. When I got my 40 I told my that it reminded me of that car and brought back fond memories of cruising with my Dad. He was gone by the time I bought this one but I still enjoy driving slow, just like the old man.

 

[FJsnoozer]

I too support the adventure for the right rig. I have always seen positive experiences from those who drove their rig back.

I have seen 50/50 from all o those who have had one shipped. Many o the times thry arrived very different than as explained.

Also telling someone you are going to drive it home might spur some honesty.

Buy a premium AAA or the like roadside card with the 120-200 mile tow.

 

[JohnnyC]

The first car I ever drove was my Dad's 1930 Model A Town Sedan. It was no trailer queen, just a driver that he and I would putt around in. When I got my 40 I told my that it reminded me of that car and brought back fond memories of cruising with my Dad.

My father has a 1930 coupe with rumble seat...

the gear sounds...the steering...the noices...the bouncy rough ride...leaking oil...if i had my eyes closed i'd say i was in my truck LOL

However...I do have him on top end .... i am a rocket in comparison

he wasn't looking, it smacked him in the face. take your time and it will fall in your lap

this happens ...just never to me LOL...i looked high and low...looked at several from my state and states around me (preInternet mind you) and never found the one...never did find my truck...i settled with buying a "Land Cruiser"

Never did find the Landy I was looking for LOL kinda thankfull sometimes

 

[jimkyser]

I bought mine from a fellow Mudder and drove it home from Ashville, NC to the Chicago burbs. It ran like a top and pulled great, even in the mountains.

I too support the adventure for the right rig. I have always seen positive experiences from those who drove their rig back.

I have seen 50/50 from all o those who have had one shipped. Many o the times thry arrived very different than as explained.

Also telling someone you are going to drive it home might spur some honesty.

Buy a premium AAA or the like roadside card with the 120-200 mile tow.

 

[My71FJ40]

^^^ Probably the most important advice you'll get here. FJ40's are are loud, rough riding, hot, and uncomfortable, but they're an adventure on wheels. There's nothing else like 'em. Nothing.

Originally Posted by Sea Knight
I have at least 35K cross country miles under my belt, in 5 different 40's. I've taken meandering routes over a variety of back roads from Texas to Gig Harbor, Washington, Vancouver Island to Yoopers driveway in the Michigan UP, western Pennsylvania across the deep South to Texas, Boulder, Colorado to Texas via New Mexico, and Tunica, Mississippi to Austin, to name only a few. None of the trucks were air conditioned and one had no PS. Didn't bother me a bit. I've driven through blizzards in Wyoming and Washington state that were so severe I couldn't see the highway, monsoon rains with fat raindrops pounding me in the face, and once in Nevada dust so thick you had to s****e it off your body with the edge of a credit card. I've broken down in the boonies of Montana and Washington and Colorado, met an amazing array of great people, and don't regret a minute of it including the times I was stranded waiting for parts. I made all but one of these drives alone, at a leisurely pace, and I'd do every one of them again so fast your head would spin. Next year I'm planning to drive my almost stock '82 40, from Austin, Texas, through western Canada and ending at Barrow, Alaska. Probably not by myself this time. I have several co-pilot volunteers.

One more thing. You'll be astounded, and I do mean astounded, by the number of people who'll approach you at service stations, restaurants, campgrounds, motel parking lots, all wanting to talk about your 40. Everybody has a story, or wants a ride. I once had an old rancher in Sheridan, Wyoming approach me in a greasy spoon diner, ask if I was driving the green 40 parked outside, then insist on joining me and buying breakfast while he told me about his youthful adventures in his old 40. In my young and stupid days I drove Porsches, and not one of them ever drew the attention of any of these old 40's. Did I mention the time in Raton when, uh... never mind. Probably best to leave those tales alone.

Hell with the naysayers. Get out there and do it, while you can still afford to buy gas!

__________________
Sea Knight
**Saving The Old Rustbucket**
WALCS-Billy's Chapter www.WALCS.com
"Whoever makes a poor beer shall be exiled to the dung-hill" -11th Century Edict
82 FJ40/90 FJ62/97 FZJ80 40th No. 4789/99 UZJ100--Now livin' up in da UP
If the wings are traveling faster than the fuselage, it's probably a helicopter, and therefore, unsafe...Fly Navy!

No Sir, YOU have the best advice out there

 

[pistonpete]

No Sir, YOU have the best advice out there

X2

 

[Sea Knight]

No Sir, YOU have the best advice out there

This is embarrassing. I don't even remember writing that, but it does sound like me, and I did make all those drives.

TGIF...and it's almost beer thirty. Even though it's 99 degrees, to show that I meant what I said, I'm driving a topless 40 to the pub. Adventure awaits...

Lee

 

[sarca]

TGIF...and it's almost beer thirty. Even though it's 99 degrees, to show that I meant what I said, I'm driving a topless 40 to the pub. Adventure awaits...

Lee

Pass me a beer too - here's my latest foray..I was in talks with a guy over a pretty decent looking 40, needed work etc..WELL

We were leaving in two hours, hotel booked - towing rig secured - six hours on the road and BAM tomorrow morning - it was almost too smooth.
For some reason, I thought to ask the guy - YOUR name is printed on the title and your signature on the back...correct?

The answer was no. The title that he previously stated was 'free and clear' was actually 'open'..When I was 20 years old and still emotionally capable of shirking off responsibilities - I wouldnt have blinked twice..Id have taken my chances and HOPED North Carolina DMV didnt notice.

UNFORTUNATELY Somewhere in the line of becoming a tax paying citizen, I have to pull out of the deal.
It could be stolen, the VIN could be illegible or does not match, it could have back taxes...not to mention the DMV here in Jacksonville dots every I and T..

So, its back to the drawing board! STILL LOOKING!

 

[sarca]

Here are the pics I took today - the ONSC Clubhouse had a show today out near Charlotte - It was funny that we pulled up to the gas station right before the show and there were 3 of the cruisers..I jumped out of the car all excited and began geeking out - I babbled some sort of introduction...realized I hadnt spoke to ANY of them here on the forum...and walked away. Im such a weirdo.

Once we pulled into the show - I calmed down a bit and formerly met some of the members..Ive never been great at meeting people..I rather prefer hobbies that encourage quiet time . . but for cruiserheads and 40s?

We didnt stay too long - I wasnt feeling too awesome ...and it was a long drive back.
I have so much more respect for all the work that goes into these vehicles.

Four hours on a random drive through Uwharrie National Park back to eastern NC - all I did was look for 40s in yards, garages and lots. Im obsessed.
Olde North State Cruisers - a set on Flickr

 

[crushers]

addiction
and sadly
there is no cure,
"hi, My name is Wayne. I am a cruiser addict for 30+ years."

 

[70Cruza]

Hello there! I have read the whole post and I can say that I remember a couple years ago before I bought mine going through similar trials..............Well I would like to share with you my short story.

I shopped for an FJ40 for about 1 year before pulling the trigger on my 70. I wanted one for about 15 years. I mean I scoured the entire internet and all surrounding states for the right one........every dang day. One week two perfect canidates came up on Craigslist, one in San Diego, and one in Menifee. long way apart and about 4-6 hours to each destination. Yeah...Adventure!!!!!! I had the guy in San Diego on the hook until he turned the tables on me and said he had a guy willing to pay full price of 11,500. This rig was easily worth 15,000+ I had him down to 9,500. He backed out at the last minute while on my way down to see the rig. I was upset to say the least.

I called the other guy in Menifee and made arrangements to go see his rig which he said he didnt get it cuz it had been for sale for over a month and no bites..........Well remember I said I scoured the internet?? i mean I searched up and down I typed FJ40, FJ 40, Land Cruiser, Landcruiser, etc etc. in the search engines, which at the time i was using statewidelist . com mostly.

His Fj40 (now mine) only came up when i typed Toyota Landcruiser FJ40, and there is no explanation as to why that i could gather. It did not show up any other way...........

So I rushed off 4 hours later and bought my rig. I had him down to 8000$ pretty much as you see it. Thats only about 1000$ more than u said your looking to spend. His "wife" supposedly said they could not take any less than 8500$ So thats what I paid. And I believe it was a steal. I have not had any problems with it other than replacing the alternator. Its got a chevy 350 which i see you do not want. Im a hot rod guy and I like knowing my way around the motor. Plus the extra ponies and the sound of the headers and exhaust are the only drug i need.........

So in short............I guess my .02 are........ be patient, shop around, and like others have said, for 7k your looking at getting a nice rig. Just dont settle cuz you cant wait to get into the driver seat.

Absolutely Best of LUCK!!!!

 

[OrygunCruiser]

addiction
and sadly
there is no cure,
"hi, My name is Wayne. I am a cruiser addict for 30+ years."

Best line on mud to date

 

[My71FJ40]

Funny thing is usually in group therapy I don't think they encourage each other IN their addiction.