Guidance sought: in the market for an fj40

[Lightfall]

I am writing this to hopefully gain some insight about finding my own FJ40. I have been, and will continue to, read the archives. But in the meantime, to understand where I am coming from let me provide some brief background info:

I have always driven RWD BMW's (M5 and Z3M Coupe), I almost died in a blizzard in my M Coupe and sold it. I have been living on the road for the past two years and haven't used a car aside from a moving truck. I am moving back to Wisconsin come May and I have decided that I need a capable off-road vehicle for taking on backpacking excursions as well as to get to work through even the worst snow (trauma surgery requires that you show up promptly, especially in the worst of conditions and I don't want to goof around with awful snow cars anymore and I am done with the racetrack for now), I wanted something older with character and the FJ40 I feel is the best candidate. The other vehicles I am considering are the 66-77 Bronco and a Discovery Series 2 LR, but I don't love them the same.

I am also looking to buy a house, so I am trying to limit my budget cap to about 15k - I was hoping to find something that is relatively unmodified in terms of big lift kits and huge tires, since I will be doing highway driving, but I would also like good condition paint, no exterior rust, and a fresh interior. I would also have to have the hard top.

Am I right in assuming that I could find something to fit my needs in a daily driver for <$15,000 that fits my desires? What should I reasonably expect to find for that cost, and where is the best place to find it? What is the aftermarket like? What kinds of mechanical modifications should I require, and which should I avoid and why? I will semi-frequently be going on 1-2 week trips in the wilderness in hot and cold conditions - should I expect that the FJ40 is rock solid reliable in this sense (assuming quality maintenance in stock and modified condition)?

I have always been really involved in the forums of the vehicles I purchase so your help is much appreciated in advance.

 

[FF LC FREAK]

Welcome! You have come to the right place when it comes to Landcruisers. Take your time and read through as many threads as you can before you purchase your rig. You'll be happy you did.

If you look at the first page of threads, at the top you will see a thread titled "FAQs". There is a ton of info there including this thread about buying a landcruiser - 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.

If you look at the very top of the page, you will see some links like Wiki, CruiserFAQ, and Tech Links. Check those out as well. Pretty much anything you can imagine has pretty much already been discussed on this forum.

Again, welcome!

 

[Clutchee]

Buy a 93-97 FZJ 80 series, would seem to fit your budget & description better.

 

[Weedhopper]

With a lot of work searching, I am sure you can find a 40 that suits your needs. You won't find it tomorrow afternoon on the lot. It took me two years to find what I wanted at the price I wanted.

Probably the thing to do is to buy a $1000. car for transportation while you are looking. Snow will be gone in May and you will have all Summer to look for what you want. Probably want to keep the beater car anyway as there are plenty of places you do NOT want to take a 40 for security reasons and for practical reasons.

 

[Lightfall]

clarification

I should say that I am totally ready for the utilitarian ride. The only reason I drove the BMWs were because of their relative affordability to track performance and ability to transfer to the street.

Am I hearing the recommendations against the 40 because of the perception that it will be too "rough" or because it won't be able to hold up to the rigor of being a daily driver and transport for remote outdoor activities?

I really don't care much about AC, or the fact that it is a two person vehicle. I really just want it to stand up to daily driving reliably and to be able to get me out of any snowy situation!

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

if you want a reliable vehicle, my suggestion would be buy one in good condition for a fair price, then have a new 350 installed and at the same time go thru the tranny and t-case if you decide to keep the stock toyota. and perform any maintenance. and just go thru the whole rig checking everything and maybe have a new wiring harness installed if the rig you buy doesn't have the best harness

 

[Southeast Overland]

if you want a reliable vehicle, my suggestion would be buy one in good condition for a fair price, then have a new 350 installed and at the same time go thru the tranny and t-case if you decide to keep the stock toyota. and perform any maintenance. and just go thru the whole rig checking everything and maybe have a new wiring harness installed if the rig you buy doesn't have the best harness

I'm going to veto the suggestion to install a 350 to make a 40 more reliable. A 350 will give you more power but the 2F is known as a dependable motor - they run forever. Parts are easier to find for a 350 but tossing out a good running 2F to install a 350 will cost a good bit. I think the man would be better off taking that money and working over other parts of the 40.

 

[Super Tico]

Come to Costa Rica and buy a BJ40 diesel and ship it up there.
Nice ones are 8 or 10 grand. I get 25 or 30 mpg depending on terrain.

 

[k91]

I had to comment on this topic.....It sounds like you really want a stable vehicle for snowy conditions? I would say that, I have both an 80 series (97) and an FJ40 (75). I would drive my 80 series in the snow any day of the week over my 40. The 80 is all wheel drive and is flawless in the snow. The 40 will get squirly if you leave in two wheel drive if you hit a patch of ice. Don't get me wrong, I love my 40....but, the 80 series is by far the best vehicle I have ever driven in snow and ice conditions. I live in Washington State and we tend to get snow here. With the hills and such, I prefer to drive my 80 series. BTW...You can make a sweet 80 series stand out from the rest with mods if you want to be different. just my .02, Matt

 

[Eshu Elegua]

Hi, here its so far the best 5 things to know before...

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/264250-fj40-top-5-things-know.html

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

I'm going to veto the suggestion to install a 350 to make a 40 more reliable. A 350 will give you more power but the 2F is known as a dependable motor - they run forever. Parts are easier to find for a 350 but tossing out a good running 2F to install a 350 will cost a good bit. I think the man would be better off taking that money and working over other parts of the 40.

i didn't suggest the 350 for reliability mainly, if he is driving mainly highway it would be an easier drive having the power on the interstate. i guess my post did make it sound like i was saying a 350 is more reliable and didn't mean for it to come off that way. im actually going back to a 2f right now and ditching my 350 so im not bias towards a 350 i just thought his needs might be better met with that engine instead.

 

[batcon]

Nows the time to get a great price on a cruiser. Keep your eyes open and something will come along. Just know what you want, and be ready to buy. I bought mine pretty much finished and I think I did pretty well. Alot of guys put their heart & soul and a lot of time and money in these rigs and for different reasons have to sell. Check it out good or have it looked at by a mechanic. Good luck!

 

[DSRTRDR]

I would not drive a 40 in snow/cold weather:

1) the morons out there do not realize what distance this truck needs to stop even with disk brakes

2) the heating is fine, but the defog is not

3) heating is mostly found towards the middle, some people claim their outside freezes off in the wintertime

4) 40s need a loooong time to warm the engine up to optimal temperatures even in warm climates - if you live that far from work, you sure want a more comfortable vehicle

5) many 40s have been modified to have automatic lockers in the rear; not recommended to snow or ice

6) rust, rust, rust

while it doesn't apply to me right now, if I were in the market for a larger, reliable, most capable vehicle in cold climates, I would sure look for an 80

 

[ocdbeetle]

You should most certainly be able to find a daily driver for a 15k budget....Driving it every day will put you in tune with it....before long you'll have found anything that needs attention, learned little nuances that may be typical with 40's as well as ones that are just yours....
BMW has long put drivers in touch with the road and surface....not isolated them from it as some luxury vehicles do....You'll also be in touch with the road with your 40.....Having an extensive history with BMW I can tell you driving an FJ40 every day gives me the same thrill of a driving machine that BMW does....Not handling mind you but driving....
I drive mine almost every day because I choose to....I'm absolutely addicted and no matter what else I own and drive nothing seems to feed the need like the 40 does.....
Good Luck..

 

[Eshu Elegua]

"I drive mine almost every day because I choose to....I'm absolutely addicted and no matter what else I own and drive nothing seems to feed the need like the 40 does....." ocdbeetle wrote the most important feeling when you OWN and drove the Legendary FJ40

As soon as you buy the 1 one,,you will looking for the second..ask here.

 

[Lightfall]

ocdbeetle hit the nail on the head

I am not sure if you were trying to discourage me but a lot of your words only enhanced the romance and mystique this vehicle speaks of to me. The core of me wants a true machine, not something overengineered and dilute as most modern vehicles seem to be.

I asked about the reliab ility and cost to know that I could drive it everyday without breaking the bank while knowing that I can count on it to get me out of snowy situations.

Is the rust that crazy on original paint or a redone paint job? I read that some years had better anticorrosive properties than others but will my rear sills rot out in a couple of winters? How would you compare the cost of upkeep overall to other vehiocle types assuming a relatively sound foundation?

I can appreciate the fj80 comments but I really feel like I'm going fj40 or I'm going to compromise :/

 

[BB]

I'd say that you'll be dealing with rust sooner rather than later based on where you will be living (WI) and when you will be driving it (winter). These trucks don't really have the reputation for being rust resistant.... You will have to deal with rust. Mine has never left CA/AZ, and I have had to fix rust on it. If you keep up on the cleaning/undercarriage washing during the winter months, you will slow down the rot, but it will happen. I saw what a couple of winters in Northern Vermont did to my old F100. I'd accept the fact that it will rust, and budget my purchase accordingly (i.e. buy something mechanically sound but less than cosmetically perfect). Earler (pre 74, iirc) 40s had thicker sheet metal. Good luck in your quest!

 

[fj404life]

40+road salt=40 with holes

 

[JohnnyC]

sound to me you are looking for an all aluminum bodied Fj40 with a fuel injected V8 conversion and a skyjacker soft ride suspension with volvo seating.

 

[Toshi38]

well as for the rust ya toyotas rust but with proper protection that will be slowed down greatly and if its that big of a deal get an aluminum tub and get your frame rebuilt and galvanized!