My first car is going to be a 73' FJ 40!

[Lukearm123]

Hello there everybody! First post here on this forum and I would like to share some very exciting news. My father knows the owner of a very nice car dealership. He found a Land Cruiser in pristine condition. The color is Sandstone, and the interior is Charcoal. He just rebuilt the motor for it and wants 10,900 for it. I know pretty sweet for my first car! When I first got in it, it was like love at first sight. The interior is all stock with even the AM radio still in it! There was something about it that was magical. I like the industrial look of it. Anyways, are there any tips for these cars? Is there anything I should know about them? I plan on getting this manual for it and keep it in their at all times.
>http://www.jtoutfitters.com/images/HMA92055.jpg And of course read it front to back at least once or twice. Thanks for all your help!

Luke

 

[bikersmurf]

1) Buy some tools and be prepared to get dirty... it's no honda civic.
2) It's no race car but it'll get you there every time if you take care of it.

Mine was my second car and I still own it close to 20 years later.

 

[nick]

Post up some pics.
And your bezel better be on right!

 

[yotawheeler]

My first truck was also a cruiser, a '74 FJ40, these things are awesome to work on for a beginner because most things are simple and its a pretty solid vehicle. if its stock and in good condition i would try to leave it as is and it will be worth so much more in the end...mine was a hack job so its being modified for wheeling. i agree with getting some tools for sure and look for a toyota oem manual...much much better than the chilton or haynes manuals but they are ok in a pinch. also find a covered place to work on your truck no matter how nice it is im sure you will find SOMETHING to tinker with, even if it runs like a top there will be things that you want to add to it im sure.

enjoy the 40 she's a classic! congrats

 

[Lukearm123]

Oh man, sorry I didnt post pics! Heres the dealerships website with detailed pics of every angle of it. Land Cruiser Toyota 1973 Sandstone :: DC Motors 4530 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim Hills, CA 92807 Thanks for all of the tips so far! I am so excited to get it!!!

Luke

 

[StaleAle]

Hello there everybody! First post here on this forum and I would like to share some very exciting news.... I know pretty sweet for my first car! When I first got in it, it was like love at first sight. for it and keep it in their at all times.
Luke

Congratulations Luke! My first 'car' was a '67 FJ40 factory rag top, bought it for $1100 back in '75 while I was in high school (that's it in my avatar). Been in love with 'em ever since. I'm rebuilding a '71 FJ40 that I picked up last December. Trailered it home in a snow storm. There's something about 40's that makes every little trip an adventure...so many good memories. I can't believe that machine survived my fearless teenage driving. You are in for some great memories if you just let her take you where she wants to go...and you don't get in a rush to get there! Have fun!

 

[FJforty]

I would suggest you start by reading up on how to check fluids and lube it. Even if you don't do the work yourself this will lead you to where things are and what their called.

 

[crotalusatrox]

Hello there everybody! First post here on this forum and I would like to share some very exciting news. My father knows the owner of a very nice car dealership. He found a Land Cruiser in pristine condition.

Luke

pristine? picture #16 shows some rust in the rear cargo and sill,,,, plus the diamond plating could be band-aids. regardless, congrats and cheers on the new rig!

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Nice 40.

If you need better tunes than the AM radio, consider getting a Tuffy or other console with stereo slot. Keep that sweet AM radio in the dash and no one will try to steal it.

You definitely want the factory manuals.

Good luck

 

[Brasco20]

Congrats man, thats a sweet first rig! Do a lot of reading on this site. I bought my first 40 a few months ago, and cant believe the amount of info that ive learned here. I bought the manual that your looking to buy, and for me its ok, im not a master mechanic and dont do most of the work myself. As far as that website goes, if you can get the same thing somewhere else, i would do so. It looks like a great site, but their product is not the best, especially the stuff that they make, and their customer service sucks.

A 40 for a high school kid is perfect, nice and slow. I had a mitsubishi eclipse in high school. 16 years old and a sports car, not a good combination! When i was in high school i would have drooled over that 40 you're getting. Im 25 and your cruiser is way nicer than mine. As long as you're in school and dont have bills, get a part time job, if you dont have one, and you'll have all the money you want for the 40.

You're gonna love it, Congrats

 

[shelfboy1]

my first new vehicle was a 73 fj40 ,bought it for 3600.00 in jan of 73 still have it .good luck

 

[Trollhole]

Plan on replacing the rear sill. Plus probably the front fenders. They look like they have a good bit of bondo on them.

Get a FSM not that Haynes crap. Go and download VUZE off the internet. From here.
Vuze: The most powerful bittorrent client in the world.
Install it.

Then go here and download the Bit torrent for the F motor FSM chose the second one.

Toyota Workshop & Repair Manuals - Page: 2

Then go here and download the 1971 FSM It covers a majority of what you have.
Toyota Workshop & Repair Manuals - Page: 3

Once you download the bit torrents just double click on the file on your computer. Vuze should open up and start downloading the files. Depending on how fast your internet is or how many people are sharing the files.

If you insist on buying the Haynes then use it as a quick reference for bolt specs and capacities when your in the shop and don't mind getting something dirty. Though you could probably take the files you downloaded above to kinkos and make two copies each hole punched and in a binder for less than 20 dollars.


My first cruiser was a late 73 back in 93. I loved that vehicle. I ened up buying it for 2400. It broke down on me twice getting it the 3 miles to the house. Even then I still loved it. After that it never left me stranded.

 

[jkl72-40]

Kewl!!! check your tail gate door for rust too, but all in all its sweet!!!
At least they got the bezel right

 

[JohnnyC]

thats the nicer of all three they are selling....dont get the black one...the rear body is VERY sketchy.

look foward to seeing more once you get it

 

[The911s]

Hey Luke,

Looks like a pretty sweet FJ in good condition. Even though it's got some rust it's nice that it appears to be about 95% intact. I'd say that $10.9k is a decent deal, but try offering a bit less... always bargain. There are ALWAYS things you didn't know were wrong and you'll have to spend money on.

As for what you should know, just keep in mind that it's not a modern car w/ regards to safety features... you will not come out on top in a serious accident, despite the weight. No crush zone, no accordion steering column, no airbags, no shoulder harnesses. These things DO exist for a reason. Notice the fuel tank under the passenger's seat? Almost as good a bomb as that car in Times Square. So I know it's hard in HS, but try to drive safely. OK, I'm lame but someone had to point this out. I'm as surprised as anyone that I survived high school driving the way I did.

Aside from that, you should have fun with it!

 

[The911s]

I guess the only other thing I would say is I second everything Trollhole said... very good advice. But I disagree that the Haynes manual is useless. It's pretty good reading, just make sure to cross-reference everything between manuals if possible. You can never have too many manuals.

And try to do everything yourself... it's as simple as a car can get and you can do just about everything on your own.

 

[KineSD]

Congratulations. But to be quite honest, the creepy robot voice on the website scares me. Does that come standard with the 40? haha

 

[camcruiser13]

give it to me before you total it.

 

[mattcamp]

I had a 69 fj40 in high school and it was by far the coolest rig of anyone, it made my senior year alot of fun, even though my prom date refused to go to prom in it, so I had to borrow my Grandfathers car. That one looks pretty clean, much cleaner than mine now at age 36, but beware of what lurks under floor coverings and diamond plate. It doesn't necessarily mean some one is hiding something, but a lot of people do.

 

[KY Longhunter]

That's a sweet rig! Price maybe a little high but it's worth what your willing to pay,
or at least your father.

Im sure there is more than one of us that is a little envious. My first car was a 1972 Volkswagon Super Beetle my father got me even after finding a sweet PORSCHE 914 for roughly the same price.

Have fun and be careful !