Looking for fj40 in NC

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Did you look at any of the links i posted on your other thread? There is one here in SC been for sale for along time well under your budget. It needs body work but you could get that done with the other $$$
 
the gimpey one said:
Did you look at any of the links i posted on your other thread? There is one here in SC been for sale for along time well under your budget. It needs body work but you could get that done with the other $$$
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I saw the links on the other thread, but the two last one's I'm afraid are gonna need way too much body work, not too mention the electrical and mechanical work it's gonna take to get them going again. I don't think I have that kind of $$$. I'm looking for one that doesn't have any rust, or one with minimal rust. Whichever one I get it's gonna be my daily driver, and an occasional offroader (maybe, but I would only take her on dirt.)
 
No offense - but if you're looking for one that only has minimal or no rust - youll have to get lucky - or be very patient in your search.

I feel like I got a great 'starter' 40..but to be honest your expectations may be a little high. 40s will run forever - given time and attention, doing the job right. For example, the springs were original on mine - when I got new ones, I also put money into shocks - sanded and lined the exterior undercarriage while I had it jacked up. Every time I work on my 40 I replace all the old hardware (most of the time, I strip an old rusty bolt or two anyway) They're not easy to replace parts on - unless you have a good network or a FAT wallet. I'll probably get the bird for this - but for the money, you might as well get a H**P. Theyre a dime a dozen.

I paid $5500 for mine - and from what Ive seen 'out there' I feel I got a great deal. Still yet, Ive got a funny high pitched whine from the drivcetrain and Im about to replace all the weatherstripping and do a repaint.

IMHO all 40s for sale either need body work or transmission or engine work and if youre unlucky - just electrical work. This doesnt factor in whatever some penny pinching previous owner did to patch something up. Im not being negative - I just want you to be very clear on the amount of dedication that is required to keep a respectable 40 on the road. All that being said, I wouldnt buy a 40 again unless it came from a club member (which is what I did the first time too!)..the attention to detail and the fervent desire to do it 'right' are generally pre-requisities. and a healthy part of the reason we say "welcome to the madness"

If you are still in after all of that - Ill keep my eye open - how far are you willing to drive to pick one up?:D
 
Yeah you are going to have to be patient.
 
sarca said:
No offense - but if you're looking for one that only has minimal or no rust - youll have to get lucky - or be very patient in your search.

I feel like I got a great 'starter' 40..but to be honest your expectations may be a little high. 40s will run forever - given time and attention, doing the job right. For example, the springs were original on mine - when I got new ones, I also put money into shocks - sanded and lined the exterior undercarriage while I had it jacked up. Every time I work on my 40 I replace all the old hardware (most of the time, I strip an old rusty bolt or two anyway) They're not easy to replace parts on - unless you have a good network or a FAT wallet. I'll probably get the bird for this - but for the money, you might as well get a H**P. Theyre a dime a dozen.

I paid $5500 for mine - and from what Ive seen 'out there' I feel I got a great deal. Still yet, Ive got a funny high pitched whine from the drivcetrain and Im about to replace all the weatherstripping and do a repaint.

IMHO all 40s for sale either need body work or transmission or engine work and if youre unlucky - just electrical work. This doesnt factor in whatever some penny pinching previous owner did to patch something up. Im not being negative - I just want you to be very clear on the amount of dedication that is required to keep a respectable 40 on the road. All that being said, I wouldnt buy a 40 again unless it came from a club member (which is what I did the first time too!)..the attention to detail and the fervent desire to do it 'right' are generally pre-requisities. and a healthy part of the reason we say "welcome to the madness"

If you are still in after all of that - Ill keep my eye open - how far are you willing to drive to pick one up?:D
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No worries! I need someone to tell me how it is so I can know what I'm getting into. I live in Charlotte, so anywhere in NC really I'm able to come look at given I'm available and not busy. Other than that, I'd drive to to SC or GA and maybe Va as well given the day.
 
Nope. $4k isn't enough to make that one decent. That thing is rough. It's missing a lot of stuff and what's there is in poor shape. I looked at it. What a shame...
 
http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/3694036450.html

as my friends in So Cal would say, "East Coast Mint"

I think it is possible to do a lot for $4000 if you are hard working, motivated and handy AND you are patient and wait for good deals to come along on used parts and are patient with yourself for the project taking for ever.

No such thing as good work, done quickly for cheap. Even if you do it yourself.

It's also about setting of expectations. Do you expect a top notch restoration done by a shop or do you want a reliable truck that looks decent and has a Maaco paint job that you built in your driveway.
 
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kulangot said:
http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/3694036450.html

as my friends in So Cal would say, "East Coast Mint"

I think it is possible to do a lot for $4000 if you are hard working, motivated and handy AND you are patient and wait for good deals to come along on used parts and are patient with yourself for the project taking for ever.

No such thing as good work, done quirky and for cheap. Even if you do it yourself.

It's also about setting of expectations. Do you expect a top notch restoration done by a shop or do you want a reliable truck that looks decent and has a Maaco paint job that you built in your driveway.
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He is calling that a solid body with little rust. How about not many body panels not touched by rust !
 
krzyabncanuck said:
He is calling that a solid body with little rust. How about not many body panels not touched by rust !
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I agree

I hope the sarcasm came through on the "east coast mint thing" I should have used this after it :rolleyes:

I'd also have to call the price about double what it's really worth and it would have to run well for that.
 
I went to an auction last saturday and it is stupid what people is paying for a rust bucket. They got a 40 in very bad shape for $3200 one without title for $2500. I just left.
 
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I disagree with a lot of these posts. If you have 8K find the nicest rig you can for 8K that meets your needs/wants and as long as it is driveable, buy it, drive it, and fix it up and throw money at it as time goes on. That way you can still enjoy it and you will have a better idea of what you want. Sellers rarely get their money/labor back out of a vehicle so you are getting a deal the more you buy "generally". Your right on that line. For around 4K you can find a nice POS that is going to take a lot of work. For 8K you have those nice rigs that come up and are worth every penny and you get a steal but you also have those jack holes that try polishing a turd and you end up paying 8K for a 3K vehicle. It seems to me when you get above 12 you get into some pretty decent rigs and have less of the CRAP to weed thru.

Just my 2 cents. Just remember opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one.
 
addicted56 said:
I disagree with a lot of these posts. If you have 8K find the nicest rig you can for 8K that meets your needs/wants and as long as it is driveable, buy it, drive it, and fix it up and throw money at it as time goes on. That way you can still enjoy it and you will have a better idea of what you want. Sellers rarely get their money/labor back out of a vehicle so you are getting a deal the more you buy "generally". Your right on that line. For around 4K you can find a nice POS that is going to take a lot of work. For 8K you have those nice rigs that come up and are worth every penny and you get a steal but you also have those jack holes that try polishing a turd and you end up paying 8K for a 3K vehicle. It seems to me when you get above 12 you get into some pretty decent rigs and have less of the CRAP to weed thru.

Just my 2 cents. Just remember opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one.
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I would say that this is really excellent advice if FJEnthusiast123 is not handy and does not have access to a workshop and mentoring.

We need to find out more about FJEnthusiast123 situation in order to be able to give him good advice and steer him in the right direction.

Are you handy? The kind of guy who carries around a multitool? Love tools?

Do you have access to tools and a work shop?

Are you planning on doing most of the work yourself? Or hire a shop?

Have you been around car repair? Hang out with a relative that does it?

Are you taking autoshop in high school or have your gone to Lincoln tech or a similar school?

Do you like to turn wrenches? Want to learn about welding? Body work?

Or do you want to drive a 40, and work on it only as much as you have to keep it on the road? Or not at all?

After you spend the $8000 are you going to have more cash to put into the truck or is $8000 your max budget? My friend took his fully operational FJ40 to a Land Cruiser shop and they wanted to put $6500 of work into it. This is not a cheap hobby. Lots of people on this board pay for work with credit cards or have a lot of cash OR they do most if not all of their own work.

Do you have a dad, uncle, mom, sister, etc who is a mechanic or TV repairman (ref. to fast times) with a huge set of tools and who wants to tear into a project with you?

If you don't want to work on it a lot, then by all means, take this guys advice - it's really good advice. In fact, save up your money because FJ40 in the low teens are really nice compared to the $5000 to $8000 price range . However, if you don't want to work on your truck a lot then I'd really have to point out that you'd either better have a lot of money or you'd be better off with a 4Runner or FJ Cruiser because even a $8000 Land Cruiser is going to need work.

For me, even when I was 16 - I wanted to fix up a 40 - I wanted a project. I grew up around a dad, step dad and uncles who were super into cars, motorcycles and airplanes. I bought a truck that was rusty but safe to drive and learned to weld and started fixing it up. I figured if my dad could build an aluminum WWII style airplane from scratch then I could restore a truck. For me, welding, auto body, paint, electrical, mechanicals, etc is my hobby. That is what I like to do! I'd rather do that then play golf or go fishing. I'd also rather start out with a cheaper truck and do it my way rather than deal with the PO's idea of how to build the truck up. 30 years after I got my first project and I'm still into it. By the way, I also do this with houses and motorcycles - I am a glutton for punishment.

I'd much rather buy a truck that was a little rough around the edges and start fixing it up. But that is just what I like.

However, like addickted56 said, that might not be best for you. And in fact taking advice from guys like me may not be what is right for you. Up for you to decide and a very good point to take into consideration.

This is the conundrum of the internet - lot of free advice from lots of people - everyone can publish their opinion. You need to figure out what is relevant to the situation you are in and what your goals are.

I assure you that no one here is attempted to lead you astray, but this hobby can be a slippery slope and they are just telling you how they do it.

Once again, if you find something in Raleigh I'd be more than willing to give a look over for you.

Good luck with your search!
 
kulangot said:
I would say that this is really excellent advice if FJEnthusiast123 is not handy and does not have access to a workshop and mentoring.

We need to find out more about FJEnthusiast123 situation in order to be able to give him good advice and steer him in the right direction.

Are you handy? The kind of guy who carries around a multitool? Love tools?

Do you have access to tools and a work shop?

Are you planning on doing most of the work yourself? Or hire a shop?

Have you been around car repair? Hang out with a relative that does it?

Are you taking autoshop in high school or have your gone to Lincoln tech or a similar school?

Do you like to turn wrenches? Want to learn about welding? Body work?

Or do you want to drive a 40, and work on it only as much as you have to keep it on the road? Or not at all?

After you spend the $8000 are you going to have more cash to put into the truck or is $8000 your max budget? My friend took his fully operational FJ40 to a Land Cruiser shop and they wanted to put $6500 of work into it. This is not a cheap hobby. Lots of people on this board pay for work with credit cards or have a lot of cash OR they do most if not all of their own work.

Do you have a dad, uncle, mom, sister, etc who is a mechanic or TV repairman (ref. to fast times) with a huge set of tools and who wants to tear into a project with you?

If you don't want to work on it a lot, then by all means, take this guys advice - it's really good advice. In fact, save up your money because FJ40 in the low teens are really nice compared to the $5000 to $8000 price range . However, if you don't want to work on your truck a lot then I'd really have to point out that you'd either better have a lot of money or you'd be better off with a 4Runner or FJ Cruiser because even a $8000 Land Cruiser is going to need work.

For me, even when I was 16 - I wanted to fix up a 40 - I wanted a project. I grew up around a dad, step dad and uncles who were super into cars, motorcycles and airplanes. I bought a truck that was rusty but safe to drive and learned to weld and started fixing it up. I figured if my dad could build an aluminum WWII style airplane from scratch then I could restore a truck. For me, welding, auto body, paint, electrical, mechanicals, etc is my hobby. That is what I like to do! I'd rather do that then play golf or go fishing. I'd also rather start out with a cheaper truck and do it my way rather than deal with the PO's idea of how to build the truck up. 30 years after I got my first project and I'm still into it. By the way, I also do this with houses and motorcycles - I am a glutton for punishment.

I'd much rather buy a truck that was a little rough around the edges and start fixing it up. But that is just what I like.

However, like addickted56 said, that might not be best for you. And in fact taking advice from guys like me may not be what is right for you. Up for you to decide and a very good point to take into consideration.

This is the conundrum of the internet - lot of free advice from lots of people - everyone can publish their opinion. You need to figure out what is relevant to the situation you are in and what your goals are.

I assure you that no one here is attempted to lead you astray, but this hobby can be a slippery slope and they are just telling you how they do it.

Once again, if you find something in Raleigh I'd be more than willing to give a look over for you.

Good luck with your search!
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You pretty much won't find advice more solid than this. Nicely said.
Rice
 
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