- Year
- 1974
- Vehicle Model
- 40 Series
- Location
- Michigan United States
- Mileage
- 12345
Hey everyone,
I've been a long time lurker on here in hopes of getting my own fj40 eventually. I came pretty close about 5 years ago but then life happened so haven't really been able to do much for the last few years. In any event, I'm in a better position to buy and if I can find the right fit I'd like to finally make it happen. I lost out on another one to a guy who wired $$ site unseen for a vehicle before I could get to it after work last week. It's been a little disheartening to say the least. Seems like everyone either wants a billion dollars for a polished turd or there's a decent buy that gets sold within 10 minutes to a guy who has way more time and availability than me. Because of that, I figured I'd cast a wider net and see if someone knows anyone who's thinking of selling a 40 but hasn't gotten to it yet.
Anyways here is what I'm ideally hoping for:
-I want a driver. It can be a project but ideally I'd like something i can drive now and restore over time in the winters. Given my budget, I don't think i'll find a ton of 40's already "finished."
-Can't do a rock crawler. Something that's been modded to death is just not for me. Needs to be reasonably like a 40. If I wanted a buggy I'd feel much better hacking a jeep up than a 40.
-US spec. Not into imports.
-budget is around $15-25,000. Maybe can stretch a little if I find a diamond in the rough.
-Ideally 1970-1974. Older is ok too but not in love with the bench seat and no roll bar
-Must have a hard top and doors
-Rust is a given with these things but it needs to be repairable and reasonable. Can't get into having to replace/rework every panel on the tub or be dealing with frame rust at mounting points.
-Manual Transmission
-Engine swaps not preferred but ok if they're correctly done. Same with disk brakes, PS, axles swaps, etc
-steel body. Not interested in fiberglass or aluminum.
-dont care about color
-I'd rather rusty and mostly original so I know what I'm getting rather than the fly by night backyard paint jobs over bondo that get marked up. I value those less.
-I hate diamond plate with a burning passion. Just can't stomach it. If I know what's underneath and can pull it off as part of a restoration maybe but no one ever puts those on for a good reason.
-clear title (i'm not gonna drop money on something that's bill of sale only or applying for title)
If any one knows of anything that fits into this range feel free to reach out. I'm currently living in MI and these are much harder to come by than when I lived in socal but the dream still remains. Additionally, if anyone has any advice on trying to buy a nearly 50 year old vehicle (probably remotely) please let me know. Obviously I know the basic questions to ask but I'm more worried about the business side of things like how to safely put a deposit or pay to a buyer I may not live near given my location. I know people will probably say this is what a ton of people are looking for which is true but I figured you don't know until you ask/try
Thanks in advance for any help or advice guys!
I've been a long time lurker on here in hopes of getting my own fj40 eventually. I came pretty close about 5 years ago but then life happened so haven't really been able to do much for the last few years. In any event, I'm in a better position to buy and if I can find the right fit I'd like to finally make it happen. I lost out on another one to a guy who wired $$ site unseen for a vehicle before I could get to it after work last week. It's been a little disheartening to say the least. Seems like everyone either wants a billion dollars for a polished turd or there's a decent buy that gets sold within 10 minutes to a guy who has way more time and availability than me. Because of that, I figured I'd cast a wider net and see if someone knows anyone who's thinking of selling a 40 but hasn't gotten to it yet.
Anyways here is what I'm ideally hoping for:
-I want a driver. It can be a project but ideally I'd like something i can drive now and restore over time in the winters. Given my budget, I don't think i'll find a ton of 40's already "finished."
-Can't do a rock crawler. Something that's been modded to death is just not for me. Needs to be reasonably like a 40. If I wanted a buggy I'd feel much better hacking a jeep up than a 40.
-US spec. Not into imports.
-budget is around $15-25,000. Maybe can stretch a little if I find a diamond in the rough.
-Ideally 1970-1974. Older is ok too but not in love with the bench seat and no roll bar
-Must have a hard top and doors
-Rust is a given with these things but it needs to be repairable and reasonable. Can't get into having to replace/rework every panel on the tub or be dealing with frame rust at mounting points.
-Manual Transmission
-Engine swaps not preferred but ok if they're correctly done. Same with disk brakes, PS, axles swaps, etc
-steel body. Not interested in fiberglass or aluminum.
-dont care about color
-I'd rather rusty and mostly original so I know what I'm getting rather than the fly by night backyard paint jobs over bondo that get marked up. I value those less.
-I hate diamond plate with a burning passion. Just can't stomach it. If I know what's underneath and can pull it off as part of a restoration maybe but no one ever puts those on for a good reason.
-clear title (i'm not gonna drop money on something that's bill of sale only or applying for title)
If any one knows of anything that fits into this range feel free to reach out. I'm currently living in MI and these are much harder to come by than when I lived in socal but the dream still remains. Additionally, if anyone has any advice on trying to buy a nearly 50 year old vehicle (probably remotely) please let me know. Obviously I know the basic questions to ask but I'm more worried about the business side of things like how to safely put a deposit or pay to a buyer I may not live near given my location. I know people will probably say this is what a ton of people are looking for which is true but I figured you don't know until you ask/try
Thanks in advance for any help or advice guys!
