My wife did what?

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ToyotaTim

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Kent WA
Okay this is my first time to right on this forum. I usually just look at the 80 post since that is what I have. The story goes like this I told my wife of what I thought was a good deal on ebay for a FJ-40 in the parts-car section on ebay. Well, my wife is a go getter and she won the bid $1085. The only problem is that I believe this will be too large of a project for me. What do you think. I don't really have a place to work on except my dad's place 6 hours north. I am in chicago.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7909710534&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:MT:6
 
Looks like a good platform to build a trail rig. If you're thinking resto, I'd reconsider the purchase. My .02
 
man, screw tryin to find a girlfriend, i should just go straight for a wife
 
IIRC, this auction was mentioned in another post by someone who had contacted the owner about it with some questions...

If it's a 78 (or 77 for that matter) it should have disc brakes up front. If it doesn't, it's a 75 since he says it has ambulance doors. Not that I'd advocate screwing the guy on it, but if you're really having buyers remorse when you look at it, that may be enough to get out of the sale.

No matter what you do, it will be a bigger project than you plan for, so you have to do it for the love or it will end up in a barn with 2 flat tires...

Good luck and let us know what becomes of it.

Eric
 
i think you are just fine. people say stuff and mention that things are difficult and i say don't listen. i ask stupid questions in here when i over look something but all in all i know what i am talking about. i got my cruiser when i was 16, i am now 23 and still running it. (76 fj40) between my years of 16-19, i rebuilt the head, replaced the carb, learned proper distributer ajustment, figured out the whiring, rebuilt the axles, redone water pump, pulley, timing gear, replaced steering box (original), replaced entire suspension, rebuilt transmition, replaced transfer case, and a couple other things with zero prior knowledge. i've made my brakes work with ceranwrap, dental floss and gum before.

nothing in any car is complicated, i've never never encountered something that, once i had let frustration subside, found to be too difficult to do.

i think your wife had the right idea buyin it for you. not only does she think you can do it, which you can(no matter how bad it is) but its impressive to make a vehicle work by your own efforts. not only that but you will love this crusher more than a child when it runs correctly and you know why it does so. you will be satisfied with the fruits of your labor. go do it!!

there's always more to say, but i hope to leave you with encouragement. you'll be fine.
 
beanz2 said:
Good for her. Somebody on this list just lost a good set of OEM soft top bows after his brother tossed them in the dump when he wasn't there. :eek:

Dave
Click to expand...

This is definitely worth disowning him for! :mad:
 
$$$

I bought mine in slightly better condition but it all depends on how much time and money you have. Im a student and am lacking in both departments so needless to say my s*** is takin forever and is a huge PITA. But assuming the frame is good and you can afford and alum tub some new fenders and to paint it yourself then Id say its doable with some mechanical skill to get er running.
 
I was the one that asked about the drum brakes up front. It sounds a little shady if you want it for something other than parts! The title says '78 but it has drum brakes??? I'd be a little afraid of getting charged with receiving stolen property! It has ambulance doors but it's possible it could be an old frame/axles with a 78 body? Who knows, the guy was in a hurry to get it out of his barn though... i know he wanted it picked up within a week. I thought it was strange that he even stated in the auction to bring a trailer because he didn't want to have to stand around while you tried to get it started. Please keep us posted and let us know what happens!
 
... couple more things!

One more thing I thought was interesting was the lack of pictures! If this guy wanted it sold so badly and so quickly, why didn't he take more... and better pictures? And there are 2 more parts vehicles for 500 bucks... where are those pics? The buy it now price on this was $1,000, I was watching it and hoping it wouldn't go higher than the original price!
 
Offer?

I might be willing to give you a hundred bucks for it ;) It is only 40 miles south of me.

I was thinking of bidding on it but have no place to put a parts truck and I really do not need many parts.

Good Luck with it.
 
First of all........KEEP THE WIFE........she obviously loves you.

Second I would personally keep the 40 as well, though I would make sure that all the
paperwork is legitimate. If any of that looks fishy I would rat the guy out.
Never mess with Landcruisers! If someone stole one of mine I would become a vigilanty.
(How do you spell that anyhow)? I pity the fool that messes with someone elses baby.

It would make an excellent trial/romp in the muck vehicle. Although if it has all drums like mine
make sure you get your emergency brake working. The drums are nearly worthless after coming
out of the water!

If you have never owned a 40 you can at least get her running so you can experience it. I love my 40 almost as much as my wife and kids!
 
hard top is a 77+, no disc might not be all that wierd, I have seen a local 78 with drums...........it came up from South America........where they used drums much latter. Or someone swaped the disc axle and put back in a drum............but that seems like alot of work.........
 
From what I can tell in the pics it's a '75 (has amby doors but no window vents on hard top) - since he says it has a drum front axle. Nothing wrong with that. Buying an old vehicle sight unseen is always a scary proposition - but even if it had a bunch of pics it wouldn't matter much. You need to get out there and check it out, any 40 that's been sitting a while is going to take some work to get road worthy. If it turns out to be more than you bargained for I'd call him on the misinformation and walk away. You need lots of space and time to bring old iron back to life...so you're either going to have to make it, or find one in better shape.

Good luck - and don't give up (Cruisers are lots of fun)!

Tucker

Oops - didn't see the rear window vents before...could have a later top or be from imported from somewhere else.
 
Looks like a good buy. If it runs and drives you could bomb around in it just like it is and work on it a little at a time. Worst case, i think you should donate it to the auto program at Naperville Central. We'll take good care of it.
I wonder if the guy looked at the backing plates and mistook the discs for drums.
 
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