Got a cruiser again after 15 years without

[drooartz]

EDIT: Unfortunately, the one I was going to buy had a rebuilt title (was not aware of this when I wrote this post initially) so the deal fell through. Still hunting

So 15 years or so ago I was fresh out of college and fell in love with the FJ40. Sold my perfectly functional (and paid for) economical hatchback for a really rusty '76 FJ40. Still remember the first drive I took after we pulled the top off with a forklift -- I can still picture that drive home clear as day. Was my only vehicle for two years. Finally sold it when I realized that it wasn't the best fit for someone with no tools, garage space, or mechanical knowledge. Swore I'd get another someday.

Fast forward to a year ago in the middle of the Utah south desert. I'm lying on the ground under a motorcycle in a fair amount of pain from what turned out to be a broken ankle (stupid deep sand). It occurs to me that solo trips in the desert on a bike are not the wisest thing I've ever done. Maybe I need some sort of 4x4 again.

Good to be back at it again!

 

[subzali]

Looks like a very clean '82! Enjoy!

 

[TCSTARK]

Welcome back to the addiction! I can't wait to see more pics of your 40.

 

[alaubhan]

That is pretty clean looking, sweet ride! Did if you get AC out of the deal? More pics?

 

[drooartz]

BAD NEWS. In the rush last night to gather info I just took a picture of the title (haven't paid yet, just a handshake on the deal). Needed the VIN to get insurance sorted.

Looked at the picture today, and noticed that it's a rebuilt/restored title.

That's not going to work for me. Ran a Carfax and it was damaged somehow in 1986 and rebuilt.

My insurance won't touch it, and I was planning to pay pretty top dollar for this truck -- that would require a clean title. Stupid on me for not asking about that upfront, but I'm also annoyed at the seller for not mentioning it. Have to keep looking.

 

[JohnnyC]

search tempest is your friend:
fj40 on SearchTempest

hope to see one with ya soon

how much are you looking to spend? price range?

 

[70Cruza]

BAD NEWS. In the rush last night to gather info I just took a picture of the title (haven't paid yet, just a handshake on the deal). Needed the VIN to get insurance sorted.

Looked at the picture today, and noticed that it's a rebuilt/restored title.

That's not going to work for me. Ran a Carfax and it was damaged somehow in 1986 and rebuilt.

My insurance won't touch it, and I was planning to pay pretty top dollar for this truck -- that would require a clean title. Stupid on me for not asking about that upfront, but I'm also annoyed at the seller for not mentioning it. Have to keep looking.

BUMMER!!!!!! that was a clean looking rig! good luck man!

 

[drooartz]

how much are you looking to spend? price range?

Thanks for the search tempest link -- not familiar with that one.

I am bummed, but at least I caught this before I handed over money. I know that for some folks it wouldn't be an issue, but it is for me.

My budget is somewhere around $10-12k, which leaves me a bit for the eventual repairs that always seem to crop up. I'll be selling my current daily driver ('09 Honda Fit Sport) to finance this, and that's pretty much what I have handy for resources.

Looking for stock and unmolested, not a heavily modified trail rig. This will be my daily driver -- yes, it's not the brightest thing I've ever done but it will be fun once I'm there.

 

[bikersmurf]

For 10-12, you could find a bj43 in these parts... You looking for a gasser or diesel?

A couple found listed today.

$5900 http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/cto/2686075055.html

$11450 http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/cto/2637619739.html

$7000 gasser http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/1982-Toyota-FJ40-Landcruiser_16081610

A thread of some over the last while...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/ca-bc-vancouver-island-cruisers/489231-convertibles-g-y-but-not-42s.html


I'd also count on $1000 of repairs to get it up to your own standards right off the bat.

 

[vegasfj40]

That was a nice looking rig. Ill keep my eye out for one down here.

 

[drooartz]

For 10-12, you could find a bj43 in these parts... You looking for a gasser or diesel?

While I'd love a 5sp turbo-diesel BJ42 with RHD and no rust, realistically with my budget I'm figuring standard gas FJ40 is what I'll be able to find.

I'm patient, just need to find the right truck.

 

[taro]

Bummer! Sorry about how the deal went down. I know you're disappointed, but I wish I had a moment of pause before I pulled the trigger (also about how my exhaust was replaced). Anyway, good luck with finding your new baby. I know you'll find a good one.

 

[bikersmurf]

Why RHD?

For 10-12 you could likely find a bj43 with a 5speed and a 3B. It could likely have little to no rust, and would be LHD. Possibly even with turbo already installed. Guys here are turboing them with a lot of success.

If you're willing to get your hands dirty, you could spend a little less and restomod it into your dream rig. Buy a solid rig, and throw a little money into it... just don't spend too little like I'd did the first and only time (cost me just as much or more in the end).

If you really want a diesel *rig... Holdout and save for the right one, you won't regret it. And hey, you're within a days drive of Canada... And they're fairly easy to import... Or so I'm told.

 

[drooartz]

Why RHD?

For 10-12 you could likely find a bj43 with a 5speed and a 3B. It could likely have little to no rust, and would be LHD. Possibly even with turbo already installed.

RHD is just a strange fascination of mine. Not at all necessary for my cruiser, just neat. My MGB is a UK car and RHD. I imported it from Canada, so I'm somewhat used to that process.

Biggest thing is I'm not looking for a project. Spent the last 5 years doing a resto on a Bugeye Sprite and I'm burned out. Diesel or Gas doesn't really matter, just needs to be in great shape and essentially original.

Need to do more research into the 3B diesel. Living in the Utah mountains I do have some minimum power requirements. Better fuel economy is nice, but I do need to be able to arrive.

 

[bikersmurf]

Well the 3B will get you there. 3.4l somewhat underpowered almost twice the fuel economy of a F or 2F. Very reliable and will run forever. They're not fast... Especially on big hills.

How hilly is it in your area? Big long climb the Rockies grades or shorter steep grades?

V8 might be the ticket. (I know purists don't want to here that) Be wary, many 4sale are poorly done.

 

[drooartz]

Well, the Wasatch mountains where I live are the western edge of the Rockies. I live at 5550', work at 7000', and can easily drive up to about 10,000' on the trails around here. So we've got short steep and some long steep.

Not interested in a V8 -- my last cruiser had a 2F and it was plenty powerful for around here. The 3B is interesting, just need to dig a bit deeper.

 

[Living in the Past]

One thing I would look into before buying a diesel is how available parts are for it. Toyota never imported Land Cruiser diesels to the US. Might be worth a call to Dan or Beno at American Toyota and see how available parts would be for the diesels. Toyota is getting funny about selling parts for vehicles not imported and sold by them in the US. Use to be if you had the part number some Toyota dealers would to get you the part. Now Toyota is putting a stop to that. Some parts are in the system and I understand they will stay like the H55F transmission but most other will no longer be available. Canada would still be a option but might be slow and costly. If it wasn't going to be your DD I would say a diesel is a great idea but since it is going to be a DD might want to check into this first.

 

[drooartz]

Been doing some research this morning, and I've decided to stick with looking for a US market FJ40 with the 2F as it will be my driver. I've already got one non-US market car (my MGB) and that can be a bit complicated for some bits.

Thanks all for the advice and links. Much appreciated.

The hunt continues...

 

[bikersmurf]

Here's one link re 3Bs...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/ca-bc-vancouver-island-cruisers/478241-diesel-swap-5.html

There are a few other bits of info around the local clubhouse...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/ca-bc-vancouver-island-cruisers/

 

[juanchogaviria]

Nice!



Juan
1970 fj40
1978 fj40
1994 fzj80