First time restoration (1 Viewer)

[jkozicz]

I'm 18 years-old. I've never restored a car before, but I've always had an appreciation for an FJ40. I decided about 3 years ago that I would save up my money to buy one and restore one. I get back home from college in May and want to buy one and start work then. I've read a couple threads on this forum before, but that's not going to replace actual experience.

I'm wondering if you guys have any advice on a good price for buying an FJ40, tips during the restoration process, and if any of you guys live in Michigan or close by and have a shop if I could do a little of the work on the car there with your help.

I'm really just trying to learn how to do it right and am open to any advice and help you guys are willing to give.

Thanks

 

[Xpnsv72fj]

First off welcome!

Now for some advice, I'm pretty new to this myself so I don't know to much but I am in the middle of my first frame off resto so I can give you some of what I've learned so far.

First thing is to read as much as you can on MUD. When you think you have read enough read some more!

Now just how much money have you saved? I have lots of expensive hobbies none of which come close to the money I've spend on my 40! To start you need to buy the nicest 40 you can afford. This is really important especially if you can't do body work on your own. One of the main problems you are going to run in to is rust! These things came with rust from the factory so you really need to look hard and ask your self how deep you want to get in to it. If you can have someone from this site go with you to check out any 40 you want to buy, they will able to tell you what you are in for.


Mechanically these things are pretty straight forward as long as you take your time and read what others have posted.

Good luck

Josh

 

[thebigredrocker]

Here's a very wise approach to restoring an FJ40. Previously known as the 'One Week Resto' now Pathetically keeping it alive... 500k

 

[tls3601]

Sounds as though you are coming at it with the right attitude. Take your time-LOADS of knowledgeable folks here to learn from. I would start with drivetrain and mechanicals first. Less rust the better, IMO. Welcome to the madness that is the FJ40!

 

[jkozicz]

Yeah after I posted this I went and read a bunch of the different threads again. Over the past three summers I've saved up around $30k. So I hope that works. And yeah it does seem like a more expensive hobby, but I hope that makes it worth it hahaha. And thanks for posting that other thread it was a good read and I'm only halfway there. I will be sure to look over the drivetrain and everything, thanks.

 

[jkozicz]

Also, I'll keep you guys posted on when I find a suitable one to buy. I'm on the hunt now

 

[thecrazygreek]

With 30k you are set! Buy one in great condition, and drive drive drive... Then do fun things as you go along.

Good luck!

 

[jkozicz]

I was considering buying one in great condition, but I kind of like the idea of restoring one as a summer project. I love my mother, but if she thinks I'm not doing anything for the summer she will probably end up making me break child labor laws hahaha. And yeah thecrazygreek I'm sure all sorts of fun things happen in a classic FJ

 

[skidplate]

With 30k you are set! Buy one in great condition, and drive drive drive... Then do fun things as you go along.

Good luck!

This is good advise.

 

[thebigredrocker]

Perhaps Michigan has an active FJ40 club you could join. I bet if you showed up at a meeting guys would give you an in person "FJ40 101" tour.

Some things they might show you:
-Proper bezel placement
-Where to look for body rust/repairs
-Where to look for frame rust/repairs
-difference between F,2F,SBC engines
-how to identify drum or disk brakes
-where to look for a booster leak
-how to identify steering modifications
-what an OEM wiring harness looks like
-how to verify important items work:
-transfer case 2h 4h 4l
-transmission 3sp 4sp 5sp
-wiper motors
-Lights
-gauge cluster
-heater/blower
-radiator
-window regulators/ door latches

If you can point out things that are wrong or repaired you will be able to negotiate a better price.
If you go in like this: you will pay more.

If I were in your shoes with your budget I'd pay a bit more up front for something will little rust and in running condition. Get one you can enjoy right away and slowly make it your own.

Save money for a Trollhole soft top!

P.S. If the odometer reads 23,000 miles that's probably not the actual mileage.

 

[jkozicz]

Hahaha I'll be sure to be skeptical of a 23,000 reading on the odometer. And thanks I'll for sure look into an FJ40 club around me. I'll definitely try to contain my excitement when I'm buying one so that I at least try to get a better deal.

 

[aljollano]

I would buy it, make it reliable, drive it, enjoy it, get to know it and then sit down and plan what you want to do with it.

My 0.2
A.J

 

[cjgoode]

What is your goal, but a $30K fj40, or buy a $5K fj40 and have $25K to restore it wit? That will really make a difference in the advice you need.

 

[php74]

Pay the premium upfront to start with something rust free or close to. I'd rather have a blown engine and transmission on a rust free body and frame that a perfect runner with rust issues. No inexpensive way around dealing with it

 

[John Smith]

With $30k to spend, you shouldn't need to perform any "restoration" work. For that kind of money, I would expect a daily driver requiring basically nothing. Unless you are trying to invest a LOT of time, learning how to turn wrenches, weld, and make patch panels, you are better off buying a truck needing nothing but routine maintenance. Then you can buy some basic tools and learn how to change the fluids, perform knuckle service, do the brakes, etc, when needed. If after getting your hands dirty performing those tasks excites you, then go looking for a rust bucket to "restore".

 

[jkozicz]

My goal is to restore a car. I understand that I could buy one that would work fine right away, but that's just not what I want. I want to be able to build it up and add improvements as I see fit. But I definitely will be staying away from lots of rust damage, really don't want to spend a lot of time fixing up all of that. I'd rather work on the engine. A little rust here and there I think I can manage to deal with, but not overkill.

 

[thebigredrocker]

Jkozickz,

How many years of college do you have left?

 

[DSB345]

Best advise!

Here's a very wise approach to restoring an FJ40. Previously known as the 'One Week Resto' now Pathetically keeping it alive... 500k

 

[70fj40]

Whatever you buy just enjoy it. They are made to enjoy so if you want a fixer upper buy one and have fun with it. Most here are never finished working on their rig.

 

[tls3601]

@70fj40................words of wisdom and SO true!