How bad would this 40's engine bay scare you?

[iptman]

I'm looking at this 40 that's a ways off. Interested in your opinions on it. It's a '78. I posted a thread on the Windy City Land Cruisers forum to see if a local would check it out for me. Interested in CLCC folks' opinions too.

 

[76FJ40]

Doesn't scare me but I drive a hooptie.

 

[CondeCruiser]

Looks 10x better than mine

 

[Jakes40]

Looks 10x better than mine

2X on that!
IPTMAN Your just use to all that fuel injected stuff and all those vacuum lines!

LIFE • HEALTH • PROSPERITY

 

[StaleAle]

Mechanical is easier to fix than body cancer. Bad frame rust is also a deal killer, but the pics don't help there.

The aftermarket fuel filter is nasty and shouldn't even be there. I assume the OEM filter under the battery needs to be replaced as well so I would plan on replacing all the fuel lines and filters (say $150). There also appears to be a lot of corrosion/leakage around the upper rad hose so I would also plan on replacing the rad, water pump, t-stat and associated hoses and gaskets (assume $420 in parts and coolant). Can't see any signs of oil leakage due to limitations of the pic, not because it looks clean. The desmog someone did probably needs to be cleaned up as well. Assuming it runs smoothly with no internal engine woes, you could probably drop $1k or less into the engine bay and have a sweet 40.

The body looks good and that is usually the expense that kills these deals. You need higher resolution pics to discern if those are rust bubbles on the inside of the hard top and fender wells.

 

[Thornton]

The big question is what are you looking for? Frame up resto or something to enjoy and tinker with.

 

[Skrewball]

I'll try to be helpful and not seem negative. Also, 40s aren't my strongest field.

The hard top sides look like 79-newer, aspects of the under hood seem like parts from different years.

Most of the time, when they are that pretty on the outside, there is alot of cover up.

Best advice I can give is find out as much history about it, don't buy it without seeing it during the day, and pick it apart when you are negotiating!

Just my opinion.....

 

[crushers]

when i see the engine bay and then look at the exterior i picture a lot of bodywork hidden under the pretty paint.
i would want to look at that one up close, with the rose colored glasses off and preferably with a knowledgeable and trustworthy Cruiserhead at my side.

 

[iptman]

Thanks for all the comments. I think my goals for a 40 would be to get something that I can tinker with and learn about it in the short term but then the long term goal, as time and money dictate, to do a frame off restoration. I wheel my 80 and don't think I'd run a 40 on anything more than greens/fire trails. I don't want a garage queen either so we'll see how that plays out. This one was attractive to me for what I perceive is its originality (interior, dash, wheels, bumpers) and beige is one of my top 3 colors on a 40. I asked a sales guy at the dealer to take some pictures of the under carriage and send them my way. He said the owner is a Toyota nut and scours CL for older low mileage Toyotas. In fact on their website they had several late 70s to mid 80s Supras and Celicas with ridiculously low mileage. Being in Chicago it seems likely the frame will have some rust but hopefully nothing that would be a deal breaker. I hope to get them tomorrow. BTW, the asking price on this one is $18,995 which sounds very high, however, there probably aren't too many unmodified 40s left out there. Here's a few more pics...

 

[iptman]

Last set, sorry they're so s***ty. Not sure why that is.

 

[CondeCruiser]

Looks like its missing the vin plate off the drivers door jamb. Or is it just me?

 

[Skrewball]

If it is as clean as it looks and has a solid frame and body, it is worth the asking price!

 

[crushers]

LOVE the fuel economy poster in the one shot behind the 40 ... ain't happening.

 

[John Smith]

Last set, sorry they're so s***ty. Not sure why that is.

The last picture, which shows the rusty frame says it all. They slapped a nice paint job over a rust bucket. I would ask for pictures of the frame, especially the rear section. Make sure the VIN on the title matches the frame rail VIN if you are seriously considering this truck. I would pass at that price based on these pictures.

 

[crushers]

$18K for rust?
and you are considering that?
get an independent inspection of YOUR choice done ..
if the dealer balks then run.

 

[Stumpalama]

Crushers gets right to the point. He may come off as harsh , but he is really a nice guy (we met at River Shiver in 07). He knows his s*** and is dead right. Don't let the pretty outside fool you. There is something not right about this truck... or somethings.

I would not trust a dealer to know anything about a truck this old... especially at a Toyota dealership. He just wants to sell a car and make a commission.

Rusty frame, speedo cluster missing a screw, dash light wires hanging down, rust in the corners of the rear door jamb and rust showing along the inner wheel well under the right jump seat.

The great paint and dirty engine bay, dirty hubs and visible rusty frame screams nightmare. There a quite a few other FJ40's out there that are much better candidates for what you are looking for. A solid frame with clean, quite running gear are good candidates. Minor rust are easy fixes on a 40 since the panels are mostly flat (few complex bends) and are fairly thick (16 gauge to 76 or 78 and 18 gauge later). I personally think a late 78 and up are the best years for a 40, certainly engine and drivetrain wise.

 

[SAS]

I agree with John Smith. That final image appears to be a very rusted frame--like on par with my 60.

 

[iptman]

Thanks for all the comments. I'm still waiting to see if a Windy City member can swing by and take a look for me and take some pictures underneath. So no chance that's original paint and the engine bay and under carriage is just a victim of the that region?

 

[crushers]

not a chance of a snowball ...
you can do better for that kind of money investment.

 

[iptman]

Ok, bummer....moving on.