FJ40 Purchase Advise Please

[Discoman]

As my username shows, I am coming from the Land Rover world and I'm looking for my first Land Cruiser. The rig will be a dedicated trail rig but needs to be driven to the trail (approx 3-4 hours). I really don't have the budget to buy a prebuilt rig (what fun is that anyway ) so I am looking at stock or close to stock FJ40 that I can slowly build.

Specifically, I found a 1978 FJ40 with the following specs:
Stock 1978
Stock drivetrain/nothing rebuilt
Can't pin the owner down on exact mileage as the truck isn't at his houes. I'll confirm before purchase but it's over 100K
Some surface rust and rust-through at the rear door above the brake lights
Owner says it gets hot when driving in bumper to bumper traffic
Shackel lift that needs to go
33s
New brakes
Hard Top & Soft Top
New swing out spare tire carrier
It needs paint BAD. . .

Pictures below. . .


I can get it for $4K.

What do your guys/gals think?

Thanks in advance. This forum & site have been a huge help and motivator for my purhcase.

Lance

 

[FJ40 that green thing]

Looks like a pretty solid cruiser. Check into any rot on the frame and other key areas on the vehicle. I'd check into the mechanical condition of the engine, etc. as well. $4000 isn't bad in my opinion for a somewhat stock FJ40. Also look for at home hack jobs that might give you grief later on. You can check for bondo by using a magnet. For comparisons you can always check out ebay. Yea, I'd want to be painting that too. Check into the condition of the hard top and good luck!

 

[Romer]

If the engine is in good shape, thats a pretty good price. The soft top, soft doors, 33's and bumper add a lot of value (i.e. stuff you won't have to buy later.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Does the hardtop have a matching paint scheme? I like it. Check to see if the emissions control stuff is in place and functional, unless you live in a state not requiring such. Sounds like a deal for 4k. You could slap some hoodliiner material on the floors to reduce heat and noise during your commute to the trail.

 

[residualboulders]

where do you get hoodliner material?

4k isn't bad, I'd check the rear quarters from underneath, see how bad the rot is in the tail end and floor boards. Its hard to tell from pics what kind of condition it is in, so I'd ask he seller as many questions as you can think of, unless you can go down and look at it yourself. It does need a paint job, but if ther body has issues, that might be a bigger project than you are ready to tackle.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Hoodliner material? Well, I have no experience with these products, but am planning to look into them. http://www.cascadeaudio.com/prod/barrier.html

In most cases, application is via an adhesive backing, followed by a heat gun.

 

[ken_79-fj40]

$4k is a good deal if it's as good as it looks. But its got quarter and rocker protection panels, the turn signals are moved to the bumper, and it's got a bit of a ghetto paint scheme. All of these usually mean (at least here in the northeast) that the underlying bodywork contains lots of rust and bondo. But for 4k if the frame is solid and the drivetrain is good, and its on the road, it's still a decent deal.

 

[Discoman]

Thanks everyone. I am having a leakdown/compression test done on the motor tomorrow. Anyone know offhand what good compression numbrs are on the 2F? The owner is cringing a bit on the smog issue as he just received notice that he needs to go to a Test Only center here in CA. He indicated that if it is going to cost him good money to smog it he will just put it on eBay.

Any advice on handeling the smog issue? He said 2 years ago it smogged without a problem. If it doesn't pass should I write it off? Anyone know what worst case scenario might be $$ wise if it doesn't pass and the owner gives up? Anyone know of a FJ/Toyota friendly shop in the SF Bay Area that might be able to help?

Thanks,
Lance