Looking for advice on picking up a 40

[MidWestSurfer]

Hey guys, I’ve lurked here for a long time and I finally have an opportunity to pick up a fairly interesting 40, but I really don’t know if I should right now given my current situation, so I could use some advice.

Long Story short, every day for the past 6 months I have been driving by a black FJ40 at a luxury/sports car dealer. It was super out of place literally parked between an Audi R8 and a 911 Targa. Well, a week ago I was in a wreck and my absolute pile of a 2002 Nissan Xterra was totaled. So naturally I went to take a look at the FJ40.

Here’s the listing link, I was worried about someone else picking this thing up but if one of you does, then my delema is technically solved:1974 Toyota LANDCRUISER for sale in Ellisville MO from Luxury Sports and Imports

It is in ok shape, it’s missing some stuff but it’s not bad. The dealer didn’t know anything about the car as they bought it at auction. I did some digging (just googled the vin) and i found some interesting stuff. It was a Costa Rica car imported to the states in 2006, and somebody in Costa Rica swapped a B-series engine into it, so I guess technically it’s a BJ40. It has some small holes in the floorboards but a PO has bedlined the whole inside of the floor so it appears to have been contained. I stuck a magnet to the floor where the holes were and it appears that there’s no rust since it stuck without issue. The wiring is an absolute mess but I can handle rewiring the parts that need it.

Here’s where my issues come in. It needs all new weather stripping, everything is dry and cracked and it appears to be missing the gasket/seal thing that goes around the top of the sides under the roof. I test drive it and it drives and shifts just fine but it did smoke a little on startup. I’m pretty sure this was someone’s trail rig for a while since it doesn’t have mirrors and the brake/tail lights don’t work

I’m reasonably competent with a wrench but since i’d be making payments on it (insurance obviously gave me practically nothing for the xterra) I don’t know how much I will be able to spend on getting all the weatherproofing done.

I figured I’d come here and just ask for some advice from experts. Would this 40 be wasted on me if I can’t put any money into it for a while?

 

[tls3601]

Ok so what are your plans for it? Will it be a daily driver? Reason I ask is unless you don't drive really far to and from work they have a stiff ride and are not the best vehicle imo for longer trips. That said, maybe the plan is to fix it up and use it as a secondary vehicle, for that I think they are excellent and fun to fix up. So I guess what is your intent with the vehicle?

 

[ginmtb]

Seems a bit overpriced for the work that is necessary and it’s current condition. Unfortunately it sounds like you need something sooner rather than later. Just so many unknowns - restorations from those parts of the world are hit and miss... some good, some not so good.

It does come with a “wench” so maybe that makes it worth it...

 

[MidWestSurfer]

Ok so what are your plans for it? Will it be a daily driver? Reason I ask is unless you don't drive really far to and from work they have a stiff ride and are not the best vehicle imo for longer trips. That said, maybe the plan is to fix it up and use it as a secondary vehicle, for that I think they are excellent and fun to fix up. So I guess what is your intent with the vehicle?

Yeah sorry should have said that. I’d use it as a daily. I commute to work, it’s only like 10 miles but it takes a half hour due to traffic. I’m coming from a 1991 4runner and then a 2002 Xterra so I don’t really know anything other than stiff rides.

 

[tls3601]

It does not appear that original. What are they asking? Diamond plate is usually a rust hider. If the plan is to get mechanicals sorted and drivable, then eventually do more to fix her up with another vehicle as DD then it may be a fun project. They are easier to work on when they are not DD's.

 

[White Stripe]

That is worth about 9k in my opinion. Keep looking. Lots of 40s for sale accross the country, just have a mud member check it out for you if its far away and make a post like this about it and we can give you feedback. If you want a daily driver, you may want to consider one with a v8 conversion.

 

[MidWestSurfer]

Seems a bit overpriced for the work that is necessary and it’s current condition. Unfortunately it sounds like you need something sooner rather than later. Just so many unknowns - restorations from those parts of the world are hit and miss... some good, some not so good.

It does come with a “wench” so maybe that makes it worth it...

Yeah I already told the guy I’m not paying 17k for it. I’m actually ok on cars because I can borrow my parents’ 3rd car, but I’d rather not have it for long since it’s a Miata with no heat.

Yeah not only does it have a “wench” but they are trying to tell me the 37xxx miles are legit, not realizing there isn’t a 100k place on the odo

 

[MidWestSurfer]

It does not appear that original. What are they asking? Diamond plate is usually a rust hider. If the plan is to get mechanicals sorted and drivable, then eventually do more to fix her up with another vehicle as DD then it may be a fun project. They are easier to work on when they are not DD's.

Yeah I got under the diamond plate and stuck a magnet behind it. It stuck so it appears to have a repair there. But I don’t know why you’d put diamond plate down without rust

 

[tls3601]

@ginmtb It does depend on the "wench", my experience has been some "wenches" are better than others!!!

 

[jim land]

1- old dry tires at least 10yrs
2-no heater
3-alu quarter cover is a bad sign
4-crappy paint job , look at the cluster
5- bezel
6-run away
7-crappy wiring

 

[tls3601]

Not sure about parts availability for Toyota Diesel engines here stateside. You may want to research that. The more you know getting into it the better you will be down the road. There are always some surprises when you get into these things. Frequently I will start a repair, but the parts I need and then when I get into her I find like two or three other things that need attention. Just being honest. But if you are passionate about these things you will have the satisfaction of knowing it is now right and one less thing to wonder about.

 

[MidWestSurfer]

1- old dry tires at least 10yrs
2-no heater
3-alu quarter cover is a bad sign
4-crappy paint job , look at the cluster
5- bezel
6-run away

the tires appear to be in decent shape in person.

Yeah no heat or AC

The diamond plate looks like it’s only there for aesthetics, I checked behind them and it seemed solid.

Yeah the paint is crap but I can handle that, my brother in law is a car painter.

I flipped the bezel yesterday when I test drove it lol.

 

[White Stripe]

Here ya go...
Toyota Landcruiser FJ40 1970 For Sale

 

[MidWestSurfer]

Here ya go...
Toyota Landcruiser FJ40 1970 For Sale

I actually found one just like that here in St. Louis but I’d prefer a Toyota engine

CarGurus - 1974 Toyota Land Cruiser - $17,900

 

[JackA]

Run. That one looks like a pile. They couldn't even wipe the dust off the rear seats. Not to mention that awful paint job. There's much better out there.

 

[White Stripe]

I actually found one just like that here in St. Louis but I’d prefer a Toyota engine

CarGurus - 1974 Toyota Land Cruiser - $17,900

Thats a better deal than the black one by far. Looks like the shackle reversal needs some work on the front but thats no big deal. The toyota motors are cool, but for a daily driver they are pretty slow. You also save a lot of money getting a v8 fj40 because they don't hold value near as well as one with the straight 6 toyota motor. But for a daily driver gm v8 parts are cheap and plentiful and easy to upgrade the motor.

 

[MidWestSurfer]

Run. That one looks like a pile. They couldn't even wipe the dust off the rear seats. Not to mention that awful paint job. There's much better out there.

Is there better options for the price though? I was planning on offering 13k at the highest

 

[Living in the Past]

Run. That one looks like a pile. They couldn't even wipe the dust off the rear seats. Not to mention that awful paint job. There's much better out there.

Makes you glad you live in Arizona doesn't it?

 

[JackA]

I search CL everyday looking at FJ40s. Yes there are plenty of better options for the price range.

And yes L ITP, I love living in AZ. Its a bonus that we have rust free vehicles too.

 

[SteveH]

I know you need a car, but it seems you're in a bit too much of a hurry. I would skip both of those and find a bit more honest rig. That black diesel is just not it.