So yea i bought this 1970 landcruiser for $3,250 was it worth it and what should i do to it this is my first car and dont know much about them.Please help me.
My new baby, What should i do?
- Thread starter DreamCar66
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I need friends so add me 
im alone here hahah.
im alone here hahah.
DanS HJ-45
SILVER Star
Welcome!
It's your first car? Impressive. I wish I could say my first vehicle was a cruiser.
Only you can answer if it was worth it--and you probably won't know that for a while yet.
Couple of questions:
- Does it drive?
- Does it steer?
- Does it stop?
Don't even think about future plans or modifications until you can answer all three of those with a solid "yes." Even if you have never really worked on cars, you can do all of those things yourself. I would make sure you buy a Factory Service Manual (FSM) right away, because it will tell you TONS about your cruiser. They cost a lot more than the manuals you can find in the local auto parts store--but they are more than worth it.
Then read here. A lot.
Once you have it safely driving, steering and stopping, drive it for a while. A stock cruiser is a TON of fun, and very capable off road too if that's your bag. The hard part is that you won't know what you want it to do until you've tried it out for a while. Don't be in too much of a hurry to lift it, lock it, put huge tires and shiny wheels on it, put a stereo in.... Just make sure it's safe to drive, then drive it. It'll tell you what you need to do after that.
Looks like a great truck! After you get it driving safely, I might suggest learning how to do some body work--because you've got what looks like typical cruiser rust starting up there, and the diamond plate quarter panels are virtually guaranteed to be hiding more rust under there. Doesn't make it safe or unsafe on the road, but something you'll want to attend to at some point probably.
Dan
Welcome to 'Mud!
The first thing that you need to do, that doesn't require any money, or a service manual, is flip the bezel.
[headlight surround...its upside down]
Great first ride! Many of us wish that our first Land Cruiser was that nice, let alone our first vehicle.
By NE coast standards, it looks like you've done pretty well for that price, from what I can see.
The first thing that you need to do, that doesn't require any money, or a service manual, is flip the bezel.
[headlight surround...its upside down]Great first ride! Many of us wish that our first Land Cruiser was that nice, let alone our first vehicle.
By NE coast standards, it looks like you've done pretty well for that price, from what I can see.
Dan's right on point....two kinds of vehicles I can't stand. The ones that don't start and the one's that don't stop. Make it safe and 
Welcome!
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Here's my suggestion:
(if it runs) Hop in, give it 30+ minutes of road time, and feel how it handles.
then ask:
does it run well?
how's braking?
is it squirly on straight roads?
does the tranny try to grab in nuetral?
open up the hood, the doors, everything, and comb it for every detail, bolt and rivet so you know where you stand structurally, and mechanically.
Most of all: Have fun, that's what 40's are all about.
Welcome to 'Mud.
(if it runs) Hop in, give it 30+ minutes of road time, and feel how it handles.
then ask:
does it run well?
how's braking?
is it squirly on straight roads?
does the tranny try to grab in nuetral?
open up the hood, the doors, everything, and comb it for every detail, bolt and rivet so you know where you stand structurally, and mechanically.
Most of all: Have fun, that's what 40's are all about.
Welcome to 'Mud.
70
what engine/tranny combo does it have ? The floor shift is not stock
what engine/tranny combo does it have ? The floor shift is not stock
FJ40 MNTCRZR
SILVER Star
Welcome to MUD ,,
Be prepared, 40's are chick magnets don't let them fool ya, they just want to ride in your Cruzaaa ,,
Welcome ..
Be prepared, 40's are chick magnets
don't let them fool ya, they just want to ride in your Cruzaaa ,, Welcome ..
It looks like you did pretty good if it runs and drives OK. Hope you have tools or access to them and stay connected to this site and you will do pretty good.
73fj
Tho at sumbitch in ayer!
44" Boggers 
. Nuff said.
. Nuff said.
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
I need friends so add me
where in VT are ya?
so much cleaner than mine
hey, welcome to the zoo...nice rig for starts. mine is a bit less than yours in the clean and rust department. but i'd get a hard top and doors and make it daily usable. maybe a complete soft top and soft doors.
hey, welcome to the zoo...nice rig for starts. mine is a bit less than yours in the clean and rust department. but i'd get a hard top and doors and make it daily usable. maybe a complete soft top and soft doors.
DanS HJ-45
SILVER Star
I wasn't going to say it, but.....
Seriously, don't tempt the Cruiser Gods.
They don't like it, and they'd probably take it out on your coarse spline birfs.
Any pics of the engine? I have a feeling looking at that transmission shifter/boot and tachometer than you've got a V8 conversion already.
Dan
oh man... this is how it all started for me, well, except for there was no internet. 16 years old with a cruiser, no top, stopped at a stoplight minding our own business when 2 girls piled in the back. 25 years later and I still call one of them ex-wife #1 and am putting the offspring through college.
Dreamcar66....FOR GOD'S SAKE....FOCUS ON THE CRUISER! Get an FSM, get 3 of them! Buy every tool, part, tire & wheel you can get your hands on and spend every bit of free time on the cruiser. Then, when you're 30, then worry about finding a girl!
Just kidding, Have a blast and put that thing in 4low every chance you get!
Dreamcar66....FOR GOD'S SAKE....FOCUS ON THE CRUISER! Get an FSM, get 3 of them! Buy every tool, part, tire & wheel you can get your hands on and spend every bit of free time on the cruiser. Then, when you're 30, then worry about finding a girl!
Just kidding, Have a blast and put that thing in 4low every chance you get!
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- #16
So yea it needs the steering box tightened it starts right up just replaced the gas tank and the slave cylinder and electric fuel pump.it is nice with the locking front hubs it has an inline 6 but I want to put a chevy 350 small block in it I have a hard top and half doors and I'm in manahawkin new jersey I moved
DanS HJ-45
SILVER Star
See above again.
Brakes and steering. Period. The End.
Dan
Welcome to Mud!
Keep that bezel right where it is! Don't flip it! The Cruiser gods could care less if it's flipped or not! The only ones who care are the facist bezel police!
What you do with your 40 is up to you! Just remember, Land Cruisers are more addictive than crack and ten times more expensive!
As stated before, have fun with it!
Keep that bezel right where it is! Don't flip it! The Cruiser gods could care less if it's flipped or not! The only ones who care are the facist bezel police!
What you do with your 40 is up to you! Just remember, Land Cruisers are more addictive than crack and ten times more expensive!
As stated before, have fun with it!
Unless it's been converted to disc, the drum brakes on your early cruiser are likely to be your first and most expensive/comprehensive problem. As stated, you want the brakes to work properly, and it's a bitch getting that to happen with four drums. Doable, but not desirable. Ultimately, you'll probably want a disc brake front axle or conversion. Brake and report back! Seems like a plenty fair price.
Make sure it's safe to drive and then Drive It...
Since it's your first car, I strongly suggest spending the next few months just driving it and learning about it.
Don't launch into any big ideas for upgrades yet. Give it a little time, plan carefully after you learn it's driving habits and save your money. Every project you want to do will cost you more than you think it will, guaranteed.
Nothing is more sad than a good running Cruiser getting torn apart for an upgrade, only to be sitting on jack stands for months or years because the owner had more enthusiasm than money.
Welcome to Mud.
Phil
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