Looking for fj40 in NC

[JohnVee]

I'd love to ask to ride along to see any of these but I'm tied up with personal stuff this week.

I very much agree with whomever (NCFJ?) suggested dragging a trailer with you and having the cash on hand when you go to look. As long as you have cash to complete the deal, it proves that you are serious and people are more willing to negotiate in your favor when they can see without a doubt that you are serious. Worst case is you're out the trailer rental fee and some slightly worse MPG on the tow vehicle. You can also drag it there and return it there if a sale doesn't happen - that beats having to go find a trailer to rent and deal with in a new town/state.

Make sure to read up on proper methods for securing a vehicle to a trailer, and make sure to have the necessary straps, tie downs, etc (all available at Lowe's, WM, etc). Keep in mind that you'll want all 4 tires on the trailer - don't flat tow or dolly tow it. If you rent a trailer, they're probably not going to have the proper sized tire straps to wrap truck tires with. You can search for many threads on how to tie down a truck for towing. I know there's some good info in an ONSC thread from the last 6-12 months. It might have involved Sarca? Yes, it's more money for this stuff and nobody recommends saving money by buying cheap towing/securing gear but you'll have to make that call.

I'd also like to recommend AAA Gold or Platinum - free towing up to 200 miles, I think. Great for making sure you can always get home. CLT radio 95.7fm has a promo code for 1/2 price membership right now; check their website for the code. Have your dad get a family plan and include a card for you. NOTE: I'm not suggesting to have AAA tow your new truck home.
l
Also, Uhaul often wants to know what you'll be towing. They put it in the computer with your tow vehicle and tell you if they'll let you do it. They're often wrong. They once wouldn't rent me a trailer to tow a 3500lb car with a diesel Ford w/10,000lb tow rating and class 4 hitch. I'd lie to them as long as you know that you're not going to be over the limits of your tow vehicle. Maybe you're just picking an MG, or a 40 rolling chassis???

Penske will only rent a trailer if you tow it with one of their trucks.

I don't know anybody with a trailer and tow vehicle who could help you but maybe someone's out there. It really seems like you're honing in on this thing after meeting you and your dad yesterday. I think he's happy to see your commitment level. If he's seriously willing to pull you out of school to go see/buy a truck then you're that much closer. I hope we made a good impression on him. I forgot to tell him to call me anytime if I can help him; please let him know. And sorry for the long post.

--john

 

[FJEnthusiast123]

I'd love to ask to ride along to see any of these but I'm tied up with personal stuff this week.

I very much agree with whomever (NCFJ?) suggested dragging a trailer with you and having the cash on hand when you go to look. As long as you have cash to complete the deal, it proves that you are serious and people are more willing to negotiate in your favor when they can see without a doubt that you are serious. Worst case is you're out the trailer rental fee and some slightly worse MPG on the tow vehicle. You can also drag it there and return it there if a sale doesn't happen - that beats having to go find a trailer to rent and deal with in a new town/state.

Make sure to read up on proper methods for securing a vehicle to a trailer, and make sure to have the necessary straps, tie downs, etc (all available at Lowe's, WM, etc). Keep in mind that you'll want all 4 tires on the trailer - don't flat tow or dolly tow it. If you rent a trailer, they're probably not going to have the proper sized tire straps to wrap truck tires with. You can search for many threads on how to tie down a truck for towing. I know there's some good info in an ONSC thread from the last 6-12 months. It might have involved Sarca? Yes, it's more money for this stuff and nobody recommends saving money by buying cheap towing/securing gear but you'll have to make that call.

I'd also like to recommend AAA Gold or Platinum - free towing up to 200 miles, I think. Great for making sure you can always get home. CLT radio 95.7fm has a promo code for 1/2 price membership right now; check their website for the code. Have your dad get a family plan and include a card for you. NOTE: I'm not suggesting to have AAA tow your new truck home.
l
Also, Uhaul often wants to know what you'll be towing. They put it in the computer with your tow vehicle and tell you if they'll let you do it. They're often wrong. They once wouldn't rent me a trailer to tow a 3500lb car with a diesel Ford w/10,000lb tow rating and class 4 hitch. I'd lie to them as long as you know that you're not going to be over the limits of your tow vehicle. Maybe you're just picking an MG, or a 40 rolling chassis???

Penske will only rent a trailer if you tow it with one of their trucks.

I don't know anybody with a trailer and tow vehicle who could help you but maybe someone's out there. It really seems like you're honing in on this thing after meeting you and your dad yesterday. I think he's happy to see your commitment level. If he's seriously willing to pull you out of school to go see/buy a truck then you're that much closer. I hope we made a good impression on him. I forgot to tell him to call me anytime if I can help him; please let him know. And sorry for the long post.

--john

John,

Wish you weren't so busy with work cause we'd love to have you come along. Hypothetically speaking, if we did end up getting the one in pigeon forge, you think we should trailer it back? I agree with you, but do you think it would be fine to drive it back or probably not? I know my parents are AAA members, I just don't know to what extent. Do you think my dads truck that we drove yesterday could haul one? It's a dodge ram 1500 (doesn't have 4 wheel drive though) and it doesn't have a hitch on it so we'd have to rent one and the trailer too from uhaul or somewhere like you said. Y'all definitely made a great impression! I can tell he's a lot more interested and into it after talking to you guys and seeing them up close and getting to ride in them. He had a great time yesterday and we both enjoyed finally getting to meet you guys in person and y'all made my day. I can't say for sure yet but he might be joining in addition to me as soon as we've got the 40. I had a blast and can't wait till the next time!

-Brysen

 

[JohnVee]

I hear there's nothing like a road trip in a new truck but I'm not that adventurous, myself - especially 4 hours through the mountains (that really kills it for me, maybe not others). You'll have to prepare for every worst case scenario you can imagine and have the tools and knowledge to handle it. Only you know if that's a good idea.

Then again, if you can get it to within the AAA tow distance limit on your plan, they'll probably tow it back (for free). They don't care who owns it as long as the member's card is there. You'll need to ask to keep the PO's license plates for the journey if they're not expired.

Have you looked to see what club covers the PF area and seen if their MUD page has any info on the truck (classifieds thread?)? That might offer a world of good info. Not sure if I'd post a photo with the phone # if it's not already up, though, as that might clue in other people who hadn't seen it yet. Did Gimpey have any info or know anybody who does?

 

[FJEnthusiast123]

I hear there's nothing like a road trip in a new truck but I'm not that adventurous, myself - especially 4 hours through the mountains (that really kills it for me, maybe not others). You'll have to prepare for every worst case scenario you can imagine and have the tools and knowledge to handle it. Only you know if that's a good idea.

Then again, if you can get it to within the AAA tow distance limit on your plan, they'll probably tow it back (for free). They don't care who owns it as long as the member's card is there. You'll need to ask to keep the PO's license plates for the journey if they're not expired.

Have you looked to see what club covers the PF area and seen if their MUD page has any info on the truck (classifieds thread?)? That might offer a world of good info. Not sure if I'd post a photo with the phone # if it's not already up, though, as that might clue in other people who hadn't seen it yet. Did Gimpey have any info or know anybody who does?

Probably not a good idea but would be fun. i don't think my dad would feel comfortable driving the whole way back through the mtns like that either. I don't think gimpey did. . I posted up above what the owner told me and he told me to call him on Tuesday to talk about us coming to look at it. He's in Florida right now but gets back tomorrow night and he said he has tons of pics on his computer he can send me. Yeah I'll talk to my parents about what AAA membership they have and all that and I'll let you know what I hear. Let me know.

 

[FJEnthusiast123]

What about this one? It obviously isn't dd material right now seeing as it has no motor and is set up for a v8. But could be used as a parts car if I end up getting one of those 76's in pf or east bend and then can be either sold or kept as a project for later down the road. Of course Im focusing on getting my dd one that runs and drives but was just an idea. Ok. I couldn't resist posting it up since it was so close. It's in Lenoir. Let me know what you think.

http://hickory.craigslist.org/cto/4167103956.html

-Brysen

 

[roadstr6]

Brysen, I towed my 40 home behind my '03 Dodge Ram 1500 just fine. Mine has a hitch of course. I rented a Uhaul trailer. The provided straps did not fit around the 32" tires so I let the air out of them once it was loaded and the straps worked fine. Bringing a trailer to look at one is the best case scenario but if getting that all lined up is slowing you down another option is to go look in a regular car and strike a deal. Leave the guy a check for $500 to prove you're serious. Ask him if he will hold the vehicle and your check until you can get back with a trailer. BUT you'd better get back there within a couple of days to pick it up. That's what I did and it worked fine for me. Deals on these things don't last and you need to be able to move quickly. Don't let the lack of a trailer cause you to miss an opportunity.

 

[the gimpey one]

Buy the one in pigeon forge and the one here in sc. With all those parts you could have one to wheel and one to dd. Of course you could also let dad have one as well.

If anything rent a uhaul truck and a trailer to get it home.

 

[jfz80]

Jason,
Is that a 5.7 Vortec? If so do you know the year?

nope. it is the 1990 TBI unit out of the 45

 

[FJEnthusiast123]

Just to put this out there:

To anybody who thinks I'm not serious about getting a 40 just because I haven't been able to go look at every single one that has come up or because I don't have one yet or because I haven't called on every single one that I've seen you're wrong. I'm only a kid. It's not like I can just hop in the car with 10k in my pocket and go buy one then and there. If I could go hop in the car and look at every single one all over I would but I can't. I'm doing the best I can with what I've got and what my parents have said and what they can do. I'm 100% serious about getting one. It's a process that takes time. I'm a heck of a lot closer than I was when this all started and I'm gonna get one I can promise you that. Thanks to everyone that has helped me and continues helping me. I'm not mad or anything, it just gets to me when people don't take me seriously or think that I'm not serious about getting one because I am. You don't have to help me if you don't want to. Like i said I'm not mad, but I just felt like I needed to get this out there.

-Brysen

 

[the gimpey one]

Someone needs a snickers lol. I feel for you. I was the exact opposite of you when i bought my 1st 60 series. I overpaid and it was crap!

 

[Snowdogyyz]

But you can call/contact these leads quickly. I've seen numerous occasions reading this thread where someone gives you a good lead and they ask if you've contacted them, and you say no. In some cases a few days later. I know 3 people who are also looking for 40's. When a good one pops up at a good price, it's not going to last long. Everyone understands your situation and that you just can't show up with $10k and a trailer, but you do need to contact these leads or people are going to lose interest in helping. You are doing great in taking your time and asking advice and doing the best you can in not buying a mistake, but when a potential lead is given, you should try to contact them ASAP. Everyone reading this thread is pulling for you.

 

[FJEnthusiast123]

But you can call/contact these leads quickly. I've seen numerous occasions reading this thread where someone gives you a good lead and they ask if you've contacted them, and you say no. In some cases a few days later. I know 3 people who are also looking for 40's. When a good one pops up at a good price, it's not going to last long. Everyone understands your situation and that you just can't show up with $10k and a trailer, but you do need to contact these leads or people are going to lose interest in helping. You are doing great in taking your time and asking advice and doing the best you can in not buying a mistake, but when a potential lead is given, you should try to contact them ASAP. Everyone reading this thread is pulling for you.

I know and I really do appreciate it more than ya'll know. 90% of the time I do contact the lead, if I don't which I have been guilty of before (only on a few not all of them) it's because I've been so caught up in school, sports, scouts, church, or something else I do but again it's no excuse and I promise I'll do my best to contact as many of the leads that come up as possible from now on.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I'm only a kid.

-Brysen

You're buying a 30+ year old truck and asking a huge group of very knowledgeable people for advice. This excuse doesn't work anymore. You're stepping into the big leagues of vehicular maintenance and modification now.

I was in your boat around 2005, when I got my first 60. Mine was a gift that didn't run, so I didn't ask questions about what truck to buy, but tons and tons and tons of questions about what the problem might be and how would I fix that theoretical problem. Go read some of the threads I started around when I created my account on this forum. I was very much like you I think.

Long story short, we understand where you're coming from. We've told you what to look out for when buying a 40. Work with your parents to define a max price and find something that's at least $2k less than that to allow for repairs, modifications and maintenance. Once you get out to see a truck with them, then take a ton of pictures and share your thoughts with us.

Once again, good luck man. Make sure to keep us posted.

 

[roadstr6]

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/4145779619.html
Looks like a decent cruiser for $8,500. I'm sure he'd take less.

 

[the gimpey one]

Man that looks nice. Make sure you ask if he has receipts proving body work. Take some carb cleaner as well to fire it up. That one will not last long. Might be time you and dad played hooky from work/school and go on a road trip.

 

[NCFJ]

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. .

Just to put this out there:

To anybody who thinks I'm not serious about getting a 40 just because I haven't been able to go look at every single one that has come up or because I don't have one yet or because I haven't called on every single one that I've seen you're wrong. I'm only a kid.

See, this is the issue. You are a kid and you ask a group of men with considerable knowledge to help you. These men take their time to seek out sales for you and when you are put on the spot about not following up on the leads you respond with satements like you are too busy with school etc and "I'm only a kid".

Nothing wrong with being a kid, just don't come here and expect to be treated like a man. Respect is something that is earned. You don't have time to look at the leads, what makes you think you are going to have time to work on one?

You have also mentioned that your parents are putting up the money, what are you putting up? Are your parents also going to pay for all the repairs? Even if you find a clean rig, they are constant maintenance. 30 year old parts need replacing. 30 year old wiring is brittle, most could stand a new wiring harness, can you do this? Do you have a job to pay for all of this?

You seem like an OK kid, you also seem to be in over your head. If you can't wrench on it, count on a constant bleeding of money to keep it going. That is the hard reality.

I know that this is going to make me the big mean man, but sometimes the hard things need to be said.

 

[roadstr6]

NCFJ speaks much truth. If you look back to post #99, I basically told Brysen to go buy a TJ. I still think it's the best vehicle for him. It makes so much more sense than a 40 given his situation. However, you gotta give the guy credit. He does have impeccable taste. He knows what he wants (at least he thinks he does). His devotion to the FJ40 is unwavering. He seems like a good kid. He's involved with school, church and scouts. I respect that. He kinda' reminds me of myself back in '83-'84 when I was his age. That's why I continue to try to help him out.

I think a lot of us are frustrated with the fact that nothing has happened yet despite having given Brysen multple leads and seeing several good deals come and go with little or no action on his part. We are anxious to see him make a purchase and start turning wrenches. We want this to happen almost as much as he does. I keep trying to remind myself that when I start to feel frustrated it has to be ten times worse for him. His hands are pretty much tied. He's 15 and dreaming about his first car. You guys remember how that was for you, right? And nowadays with the internet and forums like MUD, a kid can go in and post about his dream car which serves to perpetuate his dreams. I remember as a 15 y/o getting the old paper Car Trader mags and trying to search out good deals. I had no money to buy a car but I bought the Car Trader every week just to see what was out there and to dream about what might be my first car. I think that's what Brysen was doing initially on this forum. He's in a little deeper now but he's still in "dream mode."

Bottom line: Brysen came on here too quick asking for purchasing advice when what he really needed was general automotive knowledge. Maybe he should have waited until he was really ready to make a purchase. The knowledge he has gained thus far will help him in his search but he jumped the gun by asking us for leads when he was not ready to move. I gave him a good lead yesterday on one in ATL. We'll see if anything comes of it. I will continue to assist Brysen because I think it's the right thing to do. Not too many kids out there interested in these vehicles. Most of them post up on the fart pipe tuner car forums. If we can save one then we should try. I'll do my part as frustrating as it may be at times....

 

[mtweller]

The 78 in Greenville is a good prospect. It is a know 40 and comes with a great many other parts that also have value. The parts can be sold off and that money can be used to finance repairs to the rig.

Quite frankly, if I had the money and were interested in a 40 I would buy up the entire lot.

Is that 5k for the entire lot? '78 is the best year ya' know.

R

 

[forrest5000]

It was 3500 as is but sale pending . I'm next in line.

 

[Roxx]

Just keep looking. We are all kids with big toys and you will know when the right one comes along. Your decision process is just different than the one in here and i understand because is your first big purchase. I will tell you that all of us have made a mistake at one point of another when buying this toys. Some know them better than others but at the end of the day we just like the truck in one way or another. Dont feel pressure by the group on buying something you dont like. Is they group wants to stop sending leads it is just more leg work for you! But at the end you will finish with something that you like.

When i bought my some people in the group thought i paid too much. Some people loved it and some didnt even turn their heads to see it.

My point is "if everybody likes the same we all be married with the same women". So keep looking and i hope you find your cruiser!!