FJ40: Top 5 Things to Know

[FJ40 Kroozr]

Greetings Forum Folks,

I've finally become serious about locating/buying/restoring an FJ40. I've done a little research, but thought I'd go to the source - you all - for answers to this question:

What are the top 5 things that I should know about the FJ40 (1976 and newer) before I shell out my hard-earned money?

Humorous responses are always welcome, but I am looking for some meat here as well.

Cheers,
FJ40 Kroozr

 

[76FJ40]

1. Rust
2. Rust
3. Rust
4. Rust
5. Rust

 

[Seth_O]

Check here:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-seri...j-40-fj-40-b-u-y-e-r-s-g-u-i-d-e-***-f-q.html

 

[jeffj40]

Depends on what you are looking for from the truck. If youre planning on a total restoration its going to be different than if youre looking for a wheeler. Original parts that are expensive to replace (ie hubcaps, emblems) arent that important to function where a wheeler would be less interested. Id check the FAQ like Seth_o said and decide whats important to you.

Either way your going to find something you wish you hadn't in all of them. Old Land Cruisers seem to fall under 2 categories: pay now(works been done).....or pay later(you do it yourself).

Good luck

 

[jeffj40]

Heres a good one.
TLC FAQ - 20.0 Buying/Inspecting a Land Cruiser

 

[alkarich]

For me the biggest issue was finding a rust free 40 post '76. As close to stock as possible with uncut fenders. I ended up finding one in Arizona that also had some extras I wanted. Mine came with a 4" lift, aux fuel tank, and 33" tires.

But the biggest thing was the near rust free body. I didn't even care if it ran or not (which it barely did).

 

[CruiserStuff]

1) Identify your goals for the truck - daily driver, rock pounder, stock resto, etc.
2) Find a rust free truck no matter how long you have to look.
3) Know the limits of your mechanical ability and how that will translate to your budget (what you can do yourself and what you'll have to farm out)
4) "Buy a star" on this site and read, read, read, read, read....oh, and read
5) Once you own the truck, drive it for a few months before you start tearing into it - it will help you determine where and how you will want to modify it to suit your needs and desires.

Above all, though, have fun with it. Hunting for a rig can be some good times...

 

[cruiserjunkie]

decide what is the maxium you want to spend cut that in half you can spend that on the cruiser use the rest to fix the po's hidden problems.Little problems add up quick and if you see alittle rust thats means there is some more you cannt see and can turn into alot of work to fix in a hurry. These trucks always seem to need alittle love $$ oem parts cost alot more but last longer How are wrenching skills most things are fairly simple to fix just take time and ome parts. Dont get so much of a project that you burn out before you get it finished I see that happen alot.

 

[ducktapeguy]

1) It's gonna cost a lot more than you think to fix/restore it
2) Even more than that.
3) Something's always gonna need fixing or tinkering
4) Mechainical work is cheaper than bodywork
5) Buy the best one you can afford up front, it'll be cheaper in the long run.

 

[gid1972]

x2 on ducktapeguy. Don't think that the shelling out of your hard-earned money stops with the original purchase...

Good luck and welcome to the sickness!

 

[kellyo]

x3 on ducttapeguy. Also, no matter what, buy lots of wd40. That is a must have.

 

[PhilC64]

Since most of the obvious ones have been addressed, I'll add my top 5.

1. Make friends with CDan, Poser, OrangeFJ45, Danimal, Gumby, Downey, and Kurt at Cruiser outfitters. They can make this "hobby" enjoyable. I know there are a ton more folks, but these guys are at the top of my head.

2. The FAQ and Tech Links here are your friend. Use them well.

3. Plan ahead. Owning a 40 is more addictive than crack and exponentially more expensive. Sometimes the part you "gotta have" for a resto is somewhere in the price range of a kidney or a first born child.

4. Kiss your family members before you start this project. They might not see you again. You'll be known as "that crazy old man in the garage".

5. Remember to enjoy it. It is after all just a bunch of metal, plastic and rubber. It can be replaced.

 

[FJ40-GARAGE]

4. Kiss your family members before you start this project. They might not see you again. You'll be known as "that crazy old man in the garage".

 

[In2cruisers]

#1 thing to know

They are known to suck $s out of your wallet from more than a mile away

 

[PhilC64]

I pilfered this link from Marshal aka Trollhole (another guy to get friendly with!) It's a pretty damn good list of parts links. Maybe Poser could post this in the faq?

https://forum.ih8mud.com/sc-upstate-cruisers/191314-great-cruiser-parts-link-thread.html

 

[bsmith123]

shipping

Shipping may not be that expensive if you have a shot at a really good one

got mine in northern california and I am in north florida

cost 900 to ship but I was originally quoted 750---price went up when they found out how far this guy was from any major highway!

but still for the right deal you might consider it and mine traveled a long way

 

[Bodean]

40

It's been said before but buy a good rust free and stright truck even if you have to give a little more. Fewer headaches this way. I paid 5k for mine and all I had to do was prep and paint inside and out. Of course it was a stock truck that I added suspension and tires to but that's to be expected unless you find one already done. I personally liked doing the mods myself so I knew they were what I wanted and were done right. Good luck with your search!

 

[rockcod]

I am looking for some meat here as well.

Cheers,
FJ40 Kroozr

Are you sure this cruiser related?

 

[saltrig]

1. Overpay for the biggest rust bucket you can find (it'll be no problem, you can fix or replace anything! Besides you just got to have it right away.)

2. Spend a fortune on new oem parts up front

3. Tear down the rig to the frame after you've had a dozen (You don't really need to take pictures or label anything--you'll remember where it all goes.)

4. Neglect wife and family

5. Go through divorce

6. Wife gets house and a garage full of scattered cruiser parts which she promptly fire-sells to some lucky cruiser hawks on craigslist.

7. Repeat steps 1-6 until you are dead or destitute.

 

[ChuckB]

I have been Cruiserless for a while and finally got the wife to agree to a 40 sometime in the near future. There is definitely some good info here. I have been reading the FAQs because I don't know that much about 40s. It looks like I'm on a mission now to own at least one cruiser in every model group I'm probably going to go with a pre-76, just to avoid the smog police.

OT: Saltrig, I'm picking put a '93 Volvo 940 with 304,000 miles and counting, you have a ways to go!