My new(if I can get it here) 40

[Copenhagen1]

I say take the train and the 16 year old and go get it!

I say drive it also. I purchased mine from a guy here on mud and drove it from Salt Lake to So Cal. I was able to talk my buddy into a road trip and it was an adventure I will never forget.

When we topped off the gas we found a big leak around the sending unit. Needless to say he was a little concerned when his feet got wet. When we got on the freeway I learned first hand what death wobble was. Wow, white knuckle ride the whole time. We did it 4th July weekend with the hardtop. I think it was 113 degrees at one point. We had a cooler full of Gatorade and drank a ton of it and never had to piss.

It was scary at times and it died about 30 miles from home. Eventually got it going and made it home.

Would I do it again?

Hell Yes!

Bigassbike... that is a great story. I really enjoyed reading it. It would be great if someone started a thread about the most harrowing experiences while picking up a project. If you put in the story what you did to make it road worthy and what you did to repair it on the ride home, that would make it tech and not chat.

I would start the thread but have not personally had the experience that some have had. I bought mine about two hours from the house and took a Dodge diesel and trailer to bring it home. Very uneventful.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

I picked up a 79 40 parts truck about two hours from my house using a car dolly and had the rear tire (40) shoot across the freeway. Thank God I just payed the toll and was only going about twety miles per hour. I was only about twenty minutes from my house, and my buddy came to get it with his tow truck. The worst part about it was I had my wife with me so I had her telling me why I need to stop doing this "childish" stuff anymore. My comeback to her was "you stop shopping, and I'll stop wrenching." She shut up after that.

 

[Texx]

Before you start out to drive it, you better read nlxtacy's post about that turd of an FJ60 he tried to drive home! Take the F350. Takes all the drama out of it to trailer. That way, you get it home exactly like it started. No adventure to a nuked out truck in the middle of nowhere. lotta nada between there and your place. I've driven lots of trucks back 500 miles, but you're talking about a hell of a lot more than that! You wouldn't even have cell service in lotsa places out west.

 

[NCjeff]

Very similar

Great find. I just got the exact same deal 2 weeks ago. 1974, with a 350 rebuilt 5000 miles ago for $2500, a little more rusty than yours. I was pretty excited about mine, so I bet you cant wait to get it home. My vote is to drive it back.

 

[CruisinMT]

Drive it. Drive it. Drive it. but make sure you have AAA.

 

[1979fj40]

Well after figuring up tickets out there, gas and hotel room and such I believe Im going to have it shipped. Its Going to my uncles this monday and hitting the truck about thursday. Besides ,the guy also has a 45 I didnt know about and is sending pics, so I might be getting 2 hauled in.

 

[Hogan]

I would get on the train and drive it back.

Fill up the brake reservoirs, check all your fluids, take it on a shake down ride for a bit and look things over again and drive it back.



20 years from now you will look back on this time and likely think about the good times you had and the great experiences you gained along the way.

Even better if you have a friend that you want to road-trip with who wants to share in the adventure.

X2, Thats what I would do. I hope to do something like that once my childern are grown. Than I'll have a little more cash and time. Some day, some day

 

[Ron B]

Well it finally got here!! has a 350 sbc sm465(to my suprise) and about a 4in lift. Rained all day today so couldnt get much done but I did get the tires swapped and fixed a altenator issue. The PO installed a new altenator and wired it up wrong. wasnt charging. Its a 74 with a 79 or up bibb and bezel. the doors are newer style and the windsield frame is newer style with the wipers on the bottom. has rancharo 9000 5 way adjustable shocks has some rust aound the rear sill but not to bad. Ill try to get some pics up tommorow (burning a VAC. day tommorow and ya I changed my screen name).

 

[Martian]

Drive it. Drive it. Drive it. but make sure you have AAA.

And sign up for AAA at least a few days before you think you might need it. I think they have a 48 or 72 hour waiting period. Used AAA on the drive home from picking up my 40 when the tcase went tango uniform.

 

[destin]

i used these guys

State 2 State Auto Transporti

600 bucks, 3 days from colorado to oregon

 

[Ron B]

And sign up for AAA at least a few days before you think you might need it. I think they have a 48 or 72 hour waiting period. Used AAA on the drive home from picking up my 40 when the tcase went tango uniform.

i used these guys

State 2 State Auto Transporti

600 bucks, 3 days from colorado to oregon

its already here.

 

[jackbrad]

Agreed very good anf un sounding deal.