FJ advice from the experts

[jtmosca]

I appear to have a growing Land Cruiser addiction. Rather than fight it, I've decided to embrace it. My primary fixation revolves around FJ45LWB's. However the wife is slightly more supportive of the family-friendlier FJ55 (I have a 3yr old boy and another boy on the way). So I will be posting the same basic questions on both the 45 and 55 forums. Here is some additional info before I post my actual questions.

(Assuming my preference wins out and we end up with a 45...)
- I intend on using the 45 as a daily driver (5 to 20 miles a day) and the most extreme terrain it would see would be beach camping.
- Cost is a concern. I'm not at a point in my life where I can throw unlimited funds at it but I do understand that this will not be cheap.
- I want to keep it primarily stock Toyota FJ parts and drivetrain. Only potential modifications would be practical ones such as, (heat/a-c, power steering, possible brake upgrade, etc.) and cosmetic mods of slight suspension lift and chunkier tires. In other words no extreme suspension changes or chevy conversions.
- I have reasonable mechanical ability (maint, occasional head gasket, timing belt, etc.) but I have not perfected the art of body work and I have no desire to do extensive amounts of it myself.
- I don't expect to end up with a show car, however I would like to get it to a reasonably reliable and presentable state (good enough to put my business logo on the side and not be embarrassed).
- I do not have a set timeline, so I can wait for the right deal.

So my questions to you experts; Would you..:

A - Ransack every storage building on the East Coast looking for the mythical barn find?

B - Combine a good 45 frame/cab/bed, and a donor 40?

C - Combine a good 45 frame, and Aqualu bed and/or cab, and a donor 40?

D - Take a guys-trip to Central America and bring one back to states (Wife and I used to live in Central America to do volunteer work so this is actually a possibility for me)?

E - Pay for a cheaper/rusty one and then little by little pay a small fortune to have someone kill the cancer?

Any mistakes/pit falls that you made in your 45-quest that I should look out for?

Minimum budget for a respectable looking 45?

Other than, Ih8mud, Craigslist and Ebay is there any other place I should be looking?

Thanks in advance for any insight that you may have.

Justin

 

[wdukes]

Justin,
I have accumulated and sold 15 cruisers over the years....a small number compared to many on this board. The list included 3 longed 45s, 3 short beds, and two lvs. I would have to recommend the following;
A. Don't be in a hurry. Be prepared to wait for the right truck.
B. Be willing to drive any distance to get the right one. I have driven from Wy to Florida to get one...worth the trip.
C. Know the values and be willing to pull the trigger when you see a good one...and be willing to pay more for it. You are far better paying $1,000s more for one with a good body than taking a deal on one that needs work. Motors, brakes, springs, seats can all be rebuilt....get a good body and frame to start with.
D. Know that, for most, this project will never be profitable. Save yourself the pain and don't spend much time adding up what you have in it....it hurts too much! (I would advise not sharing any costs with wife.....could be why I am single)
E. When you are done, you will be more proud and get more thumbs up than any Porsche you could ever own.

Good luck
Dukes

 

[79fj40moneypit]

A used frame will cost you $2k on the east coast, used bed $5k or you can buy a new frame from aqualu for $2300. you can buy a repop cab parts at COOT and build a steel cab. Or you can spend 15k on a ready to drive one. And then make it your own. There is a 64 swb in in CT for $2800. good luck

 

[76FJ40]

One more word of advice - sit in a 45 before you get set on buying one. I'm a short guy and the 45 is a tight fit even for me.

 

[jtmosca]

wdukes, 79fj40moneypit, 76FJ40,

Thanks for the input, this is exactly the kind of information that I was looking for. Solid advice from people who have been through it. I received the same advice in the Pig forum... "Be Patient". Bottom line, I'm not going to jump into anything but I also want to get a clear game plan in my head. Thanks for the help!

Justin

 

[Rix 45]

Dukes hit the nail on the head. My cruisers have been an addiction that has damaged my brain and left me single as well and I would not change a thing.

Eric

 

[Tancruiser]

Original trucks are cool but some mechanical up grades are key for me #1 being power steering I like to be able to drink my coffee and drive at the same time and brakes are on the top of the list I went 4 wheel discs . These trucks are tight to sit in that said you will make a lot of friends along the way good luck .

 

[mhall10407]

Ever since I got my first 40 I always wanted a LWB 45. With the exception of the troopy the 45 is the coolest cruiser I own. A couple notes on it. If I were you wait till you find the right one. If you are a bigger/taller guy try to sit in one first. The later models the drivers seat Adjusts a couple of inches so try to go that route. This is not a family vehicle 2 people and a small kid would be very tight. In the summer the half doors with the top removed are awesome. If looking for a nice one and don't mind RHD look in Australia. If you have other questions be glad to help. There are worst addictions than cruisers.