Journey to My First FJ40

[winnie]

learned a lot from your thread ... patience is a definite virtue when trying to find a 40 ... I looked at so many that were rust around a running engine (maybe) ... it seems if the engine runs the seller wants a lot of money, at least here ...I bought a 78 during the holiday season from a chap out west in BC and time will tell how things go, but I think I did okay ... good luck with your search ...

 

[sypd]

The Search Heats Up

I think I found my 40. [insert cliffhanger sequence]

….

Pre-Jan my posture was to research and only jump at an amazing deal. Although some wonderful deals did come and go, the money wasn’t there. Clients paying slowly and projects going long. That’s business.

Finally the cash flowed. I now have a much better feel for what a cruiser is worth to me. What I _can_ spend and what I _will_ spend are 2 very different things.

Like I tell my middle-school-aged son, don't let hormones make you stupid. I suppose in my case it's more "middle age" and "money". I'm pretty sure I'm losing hormones, but I digress...

So, I've moved from just watching classifieds and CL to engaging and pursing.

Lesson #1 - most people don't reply on CL

Lesson #2 - the photos in the ad are what they want you to see (duh). The hi-res images you will get next are better and worse at the same time.

Lesson #3 - some people flat don't want to sell to remote buyers.

Lesson #4 - most people don't reply

Lesson #5 - some sellers are punch drunk on prices

I have a folder full of FJ40s I’ve tracked and logged and looked at. As you probably know, CL doesn't archive for historical, and eBay only goes back a few months. So, keeping records like this help pull comps when determining some sense of cost/value.

Here's one:

1978 in Pryor, Oklahoma
$7500

Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/k7vsb54k4co26bj/sP1Q-sTddC

1978 Toyota FJ40 partially fixed up. Runs and drives. Top has rust on lower corners. Planned on replacing or doing soft top. Before doing bedliner, all rust was removed, primed and patched. Needs carb redone. Runs but doesn't want to get up to speed. Exhaust needs work. Don't know if it is manifold or exhaust fumes. Needs slave cylinder. Have glass for side doors but not ambulance doors. Has original 2F motor.

I got some additional details from the owner via text.

"My cousin lives in Colorado. He bought it there. He sent it back here and ot was sitting at his father in laws so I got it and started fixing it up. The title is still in his name but its no problem.”

For the price and what appeared to be a pretty stock setup, it was worth contacting him. The bedliner and what appears to be some pretty thorough corrosion ruled it out for me.

Owner was nice and super responsive. Glad to get out there and start talking more to sellers.

Looks like he either sold it or pulled the ad.

The white photos are the "before".

 

[sypd]

Oh, yeh, tech question about that one.

Is bedliner easily removed to return the tub to the original metal and restore it from there? Or should it be considered more of a one way street?

 

[AdamKFarmer]

Oh, yeh, tech question about that one.

Is bedliner easily removed to return the tub to the original metal and restore it from there? Or should it be considered more of a one way street?

Bedliner is a b*tch to remove. I have some home rolled on my resto and I curse the day the PO decided to apply it. Real bedliner is almost impossible to remove. Expect to pay out the nose to get it removed or prepare for days of chipping it away.

...via IH8MUD app

 

[sypd]

Bedliner is a b*tch to remove. I have some home rolled on my resto and I curse the day the PO decided to apply it. Real bedliner is almost impossible to remove. Expect to pay out the nose to get it removed or prepare for days of chipping it away.

Yeh, it seems like one of those things you should consider permanent, though it could be reversed with significant effort and cost.

Heh, that sounds like a general life lesson.

 

[sypd]

The Frisco Trio

Looking in the sub $10k range for a few weeks I was seeing lots of rust and not much integrity of vehicle. What has life been like above $10k?

As an aside, I hope these case studies will prove useful to others in the hunt. Just so long as you don’t steal my prey.


1976 in Frisco, Texas
$11,900

Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xr449w8bd8bjnzd/sefcDnKZYS

I am selling a all original sock 1976 FJ40. It has a great running 2f engine that has 123k miles and starts up every time. It runs very smooth. I just gave her a good tune up, with new air filter, new fuel filter, new oil and new oil filter, new battery, new spark plugs and wires, and flushed the radiator system. It has the original Toyota color, but it has been faded somewhat being out in Arizona. I might get it painted the same correct Toyota color. It has vertically no rust besides a spot under the rear ambulance door. The sill, floor plans, rear bed and underneath or in excellent condition. All gauges work except the oil gauge, I believe it is the sending unit, which is $60.
Tires are in great shape with 95% tread left.
No trades and FJ is being sold as is. Please only call if your serious and have the funds to buy. Scammers will be reported and low ballers will not get a response.

It had been listed for 2 days when I saw it. I hadn’t been watching Dallas. I called Paul, the present owner, and had a good conversation. He was seemed very forthcoming about his history with 40s, and his current strategy.

He owns and drives a 40, travels west for work, and brings them home to the Dallas area. He said he buys and sells a few a year.

I much prefer someone doing it at his prices than the typical dealer buyers running their game.

Within 2 hours it was sold.

He also had a red 1981 for sale, $15,900. Remember that first cruiser I posted with the scary frame? I’m scarred for life. I can never own a red FJ40.

Photos of the 1981: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jexk33clso5ouv5/ndh1zplZXo

About an hour later I found out the 81 was also sold. No big deal, I wasn’t hot for that one anyway.

Also of interest, remember the 1976 Olive Green with surface rust? Paul is a native of St. Louis and also checked that one out around the same time I did and passed on it.

He still has a 1979 for sale, asking $12,900. http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4344485206.html

I think the 76 could have been a strong candidate, but as a remote buyer the buying cycle is just much longer and without local support it’s very difficult to compete with a local buyer. I’ll never know.

During this time I’ve had some awesome new MUD friends talking to me offline, and helping me find and evaluate opportunities. That’s been invaluable, and I’ll be gladly paying that forward for years to come.

 

[watrob]

Ok, its been 6 months now, you could have bought the first FJ40 you saw, stripped it down, rebuilt it and sold and be on your second FJ by now, what's the hold up?


Unless you buy a fully restored FJ for big dollars you are always going to have to do some resto work on these vehicles, that's part & parcel of owning a 40?

 

[sypd]

Ok, its been 6 months now, you could have bought the first FJ40 you saw, stripped it down, rebuilt it and sold and be on your second FJ by now, what's the hold up?

Unless you buy a fully restored FJ for big dollars you are always going to have to do some resto work on these vehicles, that's part & parcel of owning a 40?

Haha, I know, right?!

Thing about journeys, they are really only well understood in retrospect. I trust this will be worth it.

 

[watrob]

Haha, I know, right?!

Thing about journeys, they are really only well understood in retrospect. I trust this will be worth it.

Just remember journey's cost money, cannot buy a 40 with Frequent Flyer points?

 

[winnie]

that 76 looked pretty good, from the pic ... they are out there ... I looked and looked and looked, and then one day kinda just fell into one ... I hear you about the distance thing ... luckily for me with the luck of a Mudder I respect very much, I found an inspector where the truck was ...

I don't care how much you pay, it seems there is always something to do re a 40 ... the frame is everything, to me, and I looked at plenty of rolling rust up here, where the seller wanted big bucks ... the tub etc can be fixed ...

I know you're trying, but find a "complete" semi-fixer with a good frame that maybe is showing its age, that is drivable, and have fun driving it while fixing it up ... or, pay $20-30k drive it, and still end up fixing it ...

 

[sypd]

I know you're trying, but find a "complete" semi-fixer with a good frame that maybe is showing its age, that is drivable, and have fun driving it while fixing it up ... or, pay $20-30k drive it, and still end up fixing it ...

I have a call tonight to hopefully close the deal on one. Think happy thoughts.

 

[AdamKFarmer]

I have a call tonight to hopefully close the deal on one. Think happy thoughts.

Which one?

 

[sypd]

Which one?

I'll share it the very moment I feel I have a solid deal. I've had it looked at, so not really anything to talk about here yet. #shy

In the meantime, there's Denver? Story and photos to follow...

 

[sypd]

Back to Denver

“And there in the blue air I saw for the first time, far off, the great snowy tops of the Rocky Mountains. I had to get to Denver at once.” — Jack Kerouac, “On The Road” (1957)

I rarely think of Denver without thinking of Kerouac.

At the same time I saw the Frisco trio appear, I also spotted this one in Denver.


1976 in Denver, Colorado
$17,500

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/4345578685.html

Rare original Cruiser offered by second owner. Restoration was done in 1991, including engine overhaul and respray in original Rustic Green. The 2f engine has all original accessories and factory carburetor was rebuilt in 2005. It has only been driven twelve thousand miles since 1991, always garaged and not driven in winter. Original transmission is desirable 4-speed and all running gear is in perfect condition. Additional refinements over older models include front disk brakes and ambulance style rear doors. The only rust is a couple of very minor spots in rear quarter panels. Interior is all original and all switches and gauges operate normally. Radiator and hoses are new.

According to Hemmings.Com FJ40s are becoming very desirable. RM Auctions sold a restored 1977 Crusier last month for $101,750. The FJ offered here is ready to go as a daily driver or as the base for a first class restoration. Spring is only a month away and the back roads are beckoning. Use email to contact.

I suspect that second paragraph will garner some reactions here.

I had a couple Mudders look with me, and the consensus was closer to $12k. Opinions?

You may recall my baby brother lives in Denver. I rang Jon up and had him schedule a visit. He said it ran strong, drove straight, stopped straight. 4 hi and lo worked fine.

Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0neu44mu0kwtu5q/yIAQImCkHO

There are well over 200 photos. Jon went nuts. When his camera battery died, the owner supplied his own digital camera and burned Jon a disc. Sounds like a nice guy.

Denver just had some snow, so I think that’s why the bottom has some wetness.

I am wondering about a few things I see.

When you see the rear differential wet like this, does that signal any potential issue and if so, what?

In the other photo, seems like some rubber piece is done for. I suspect it’s a simple maintenance thing to replace that? How long do those generally last?


But this is not my 40. I have my eye on another. When I get a deal in place, I'll share it immediately.

 

[AdamKFarmer]

Dave- I live in Denver too, If you need me to go with your brother let me know. First pic is the rear diff fill plug, needs a new crush washer. Second picture is the tie rods on the front axle with grease and road grime, probably needs a cleaning maybe new ends? The bottom arrow is the steering knuckle needing a rebuild due to oozing grease. All pretty simple jobs.

 

[sypd]

Adam, thanks! If I decide I need to pursue this one, I definitely will.

 

[FJ404345]

Ok, its been 6 months now, you could have bought the first FJ40 you saw, stripped it down, rebuilt it and sold and be on your second FJ by now, what's the hold up?


Im also confused that it takes so long.

How can one even live without having a Fj40 to look at, or to restore or to drive in ??!!?

 

[sypd]

First time I replaced the timing belt in my Miata it took seemingly hours, and I did it wrong. Second time it took like 15 minutes.

If I knew what you guys knew...

Looking back to when I started this and my FJ40 IQ was 0, what I would have bought then is not at all what I'm looking for now.

 

[ewright]

this thread makes for great reading. I am very excited for you, as I just closed a deal on my very first 40 myself last week! now for the inevitable shipping headaches....

 

[PrimeFJ]

I looked and researched for 2 months and jumped on one locally fast via craigslist since I didn't want to bother with shipping etc.

It is hard to find the"perfect" 40 but everyone's "perfect" means something different. People restores their rig differently. Also the word "restore" means different things as u may already know.

I found a '78 40 that was close to what I was looking for. PO installed and updated disc brakes all around. Installed 4.88 gears, vintage AC, Powersteering, front and rear arbs lockers, and rebuilt 2F, no rust since he powder coated frame and minimal rust bubbles on paint. I jumped on it so quick I forgot to tell the lady. She found out when I brought it home...

Since then I replaced mech fuel pump, clutch master and slave, fuel and air filter, brake pads and rotors, replaced all fluids.. These rigs will need maintenance and I love tinkering with em. Sorry didn't mean to steal your thread just wanted to share my experience. I hope you find your rig soon!


Pics since everyone loves pics..My babies. (Not fond with either red or yellow) but most importantly all original with some PO mods) yes it's an 85 EFI 22RE pickup.

The Lady's Infiniti got kicked out of the garage! Lol