Looking for fj40 in NC

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FJEnthusiast123

FJEnthusiast123

10 Year
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Threads
49
Messages
420
Location
Charlotte, NC
Hi there everybody, my name is Brysen, and Im looking for an Fj40 for my first car. Im not some kid whose in way over my head. I've done my homework. I know that since they're older I can expect more problems out of it. Im ready to take on those challenges. Im looking for an Fj40 that has the ambulance doors, a hard top, and one that isn't a complete rust bucket. I also would prefer a 4 or a 5 speed. V6 or V8(would be 1st choice) but doesn't really matter. I also could use some much needed advice on 40's in general. Price range is around or preferably under 8,000.
 
My first piece of advice would be a new driver NOT get a V8 powered FJ40. That's like the power of a sports car wrapped into the handling of a dump truck - accident waiting to happen. With that said, you don't really see many v6 swaps in 40s, but honestly a well running 2F is just fine for the most part. You won't be setting any land speed records, and 70mph is about the max cruising speed, as a stocker, but a V8 swap is a lot easier later down the road, than rust repair. Focus on the body of the truck - solid tub is priority one.

I don't know of any currently on the market since NCNole just snagged up the best deal around. Good luck and just post for feedback on here on any trucks you are looking at. We often have folks in different parts of NC and SC, and surrounding areas, who are more than willing to look at local vehicles to keep you from wasting time looking as misadvertised trucks that are a ways out.

:beer: R
 
Where are you? That's a nice bit of info to have in your sig line/user info, otherwise nobody will want to waste their time helping somebody who might be on the other side of the world. I'm not trying to be a tool, just help a noob.

There's a sh!t-ton of great info in the 40's Tech section of the main site under the FAQ sticky that will give you a few nights of reading at minimum.

Most folks here will be happy to help.
--john
 
Not knowing you i'd back up Ramon about the V8 thing, but that certainly isn't true about everyone. My first car was a 69 firebird that had a pretty built 400 in it. Its all about the person.


As far as your transmission choices they only came with a 3 or a 4 speed from the factory so a 5 speed would most likely be a H55 or a NV4500.

The engine choice for the 40 was also only a I6 in the US so if you wanted a V6 (i'm sure you meant I6) or a V8 it would have to be custom.



The biggest question of all is can you work on cars???? All the muscle cars I used to have taught me how to work on cars and I didn't know much going in but had some friends that did know a lot.


My favorite type of car is one that is built not bought. I'd buy a beat up 40 for cheap any day over one that is super nice but has a big price tag with it. It will also teach you vehicle maintenance if you buy one that you have to work on as well as give you a bigger sense of ownership pride.

Where are you located??
 
Just a heads up that if you ask for what people think about something you are going to get real answers from us. Esp me. I will not sugar coat any answer I give . Good luck. And do not rush into this or you will hate life.
 
Welcome to the Land Cruiser Cult! My name is John and I am a life long member!

I would strongly agree that you stay away from V8 trucks. I built one myself and would rather have a stock Toyota. You are more likely to find a good running stock truck as 75+ percent of V8 swaps are poorly put together and over heat or they are well engineered and break stuff. Growing up my friend Jimmy Jones had a V8 Fj40 that ate transmissions and transfer cases as well as third members.

EDIT: Having said that, my next truck will likely have a V8...but that is a long story.

Get a Land Cruiser mechanic or club member to look at what ever you buy if possible. http://canuckscruisers.com/ is down south of Raleigh.

I would be glad to check out any truck you can bring to me, I don't have time to travel and I am located in N. Raleigh. My fee is a cup of coffee :D but your time would be well spent taking it to a pro. A good plan might be to get a local Cruiserhead to check it out for you and then take to a pro for a full look over - compression test, etc. There are club and TLCA members all over the state.

Don't just focus on 75 and newer, the best Fj40 I ever owned was a rust free 1972 that looked like it was just a few years old. I sold to a guy who became a close friend and he still drives it 15 years later. I also have owned a really clean 64 FJ45 and I 69 FJ40. I have regretted selling all of them. There is nothing wrong with the early trucks. You can upgrade the brakes pretty easily.

Most trucks are slathered with Bondo and a cheap paint job. I'd rather have a truck with a few rust bubbles and even some small rust holes in the factory paint that an Earl Schieb or Maaco special. The patina of a nice old truck is way cooler than a crappy restoration. This of course, is just my oppinion!

Some rust on a Fj40 is normal. It's like wrinkles on a 40 year old super model. Deal with it or be willing to spend a ton of money!

Enjoy the hunt!

-Stumbaugh
 
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lt1fire said:
My favorite type of car is one that is built not bought. I'd buy a beat up 40 for cheap any day over one that is super nice but has a big price tag with it. It will also teach you vehicle maintenance if you buy one that you have to work on as well as give you a bigger sense of ownership pride.

Where are you located??
Click to expand...

This quote describes my perspective exactly.

If you have $8000 to spend, buy a $3500 Land Cruiser and spend the rest fixing it up. That has been my hobby for the last 30 years.
 
Thanks all for some much needed info/advice!!! Please keep it coming! I'm trying to learn everything I can about them. Please don't "sugar coat" anything. I want to be told straight up how it is. For all of ya'll that were wondering I'm in Charlotte, NC. I'm pretty much willing to come look at anything in NC or SC. I'm just having a real hard time finding an FJ40 anywhere around. But hopefully ya'll can help me out with finding one and give me some more mich needed info and advice. My number is 704-516-4029 so ya'll can shoot me a text anytime or email me at tennisfanbrysen@yahoo.com or reply to this thread or pm on here any of those work. thanks alot!!!
 
I just bought my first 40 a few weeks ago and let me just say, these guys know their stuff and are a wonderful resource. You also need to be very patient, as hard as it is. I searched for months and just happened to get really lucky as a club member was selling his and I was able to jump on a great rig! It takes a lot of time and patience and looking to find the right one but everyone on here was willing to help me out whenever I had a question. Also, watch out for eBay and Craigslist and ppl who don't know 40s bc they like to price them way too high. Just take your time and you'll find a good one!
 
NCNole said:
I just bought my first 40 a few weeks ago and let me just say, these guys know their stuff and are a wonderful resource. You also need to be very patient, as hard as it is. I searched for months and just happened to get really lucky as a club member was selling his and I was able to jump on a great rig! It takes a lot of time and patience and looking to find the right one but everyone on here was willing to help me out whenever I had a question. Also, watch out for eBay and Craigslist and ppl who don't know 40s bc they like to price them way too high. Just take your time and you'll find a good one!
Click to expand...

Funny, when I bought Dozer back in '95, I had looked for about a year. I left a note on a windshield in Chapel Hill, and 6months later the owner called me wanting to know if I was still interested. At that point, my '78 had less than 70k original miles and I was to be the second owner. I won't mention what I paid for it out of fear of hatred :D

Patience is the name of the game.

:beer: R
 
unless you are totally hung on the soft top plan.....consider an 60 or 80....nicer riding and cheaper to get...
 
Call this guy: Gabe Villareal 252-725-2251 He's down in Morehead City and has a 40 that he was trying to get rid of. I don't know anything about it, but I went to high school with him. Tell him that you got his number from Terry Pratt.
 
Have you made use of www.searchtempest.com ?

Allows you to do a craigslist search over any search area you wish? I did a quick search inside a 300 mile radius and found roughly a dozen 40's listed. Too much $$$ for most but they are out there.

Like everyone else has said; be patient and take someone with you to look over any potential picks.
 
Have you driven an FJ40¿ Seems odd to ask, but when the obsession hit me-Id never even driven one -nor did I have ANY mechanical knowledge. But I'm stubborn.. and willing.. my 74 fj40 is forgiving and solid. You're Lucky to be in Charlotte - I can think of several in the club who are close and would be more than happy to show you their 40s - it'd definitely help your base knowledge of a fine vehicle.
 
I might be going to look at one in Charlotte next week, that is not finished but the owner may be ready to sell. I'm going to look at some left over parts, but could take pictures if you need. I think he said it was a 79, but don't know any more.
Shane
 
coinoperated40 said:
I might be going to look at one in Charlotte next week, that is not finished but the owner may be ready to sell. I'm going to look at some left over parts, but could take pictures if you need. I think he said it was a 79, but don't know any more.
Shane
Click to expand...

Shane,
Let me know when and where you are when you come to CLT. We can grab a beer or a bite if you have time. And there might be some other locals with flexible schedules that see this, too... We've been know to throw together a midday meeting.

--john
 
FJE123,
Keep your eyes on the ONSC forum for any Charlotte meetings. We try for once a month on a Sunday and usually have a good turnout of all models, 40's included.

I'm in town about half of each week and would be fine with meeting you to check out my 40. It's fairly stock except for the motor so it's a good example of a few things. Send me a PM sometime.

--john
 
JohnVee said:
Shane,
Let me know when and where you are when you come to CLT. We can grab a beer or a bite if you have time. And there might be some other locals with flexible schedules that see this, too... We've been know to throw together a midday meeting.

--john
Click to expand...
John,
I'm in Charlotte every frek'in day from 8-5. Salisbury is where I hang my hat. I'm on the west side, West Morehead St. but get all over the city when the need arises. The 40 is near Rea Rd and 485 and I am going to meet the owner during lunch next week. Pinky's is just down the street along with a few other food houses.
Shane
 
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