Need a scout on a potential purchase (1 Viewer)

[Phares]

I live down in Charlotte NC and found this on CL. I was hoping someone might be bored this week and be willing to do a little recon for me. If available just send me a PM and let me know how it looks, recommended purchase price, etc. Thanks a lot!

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/3264268305.html

 

[Stumpalama]

The seller is going to be ignoring a lot of offers. What's up with that engine bay? I get the feeling of a scam. You might start by contacting ACC, send the CL link to confirm his statement.
I'd love to check it out, but I live on the wrong side of the river.

 

[Blue77FJ40]

Engine bay looks like my '77. What do you see that sets off the funk-o-meter other than a missing rubber air intake hose?

 

[71-CRUISER]

It looks good in the pictures. And if it is rust free and original it's priced just about right.

Good 40s have been selling for 10-20k over the past year or so.

 

[John Smith]

A couple observations. Despite what the ad says, it has been repainted. Look at the body color brake lines under the hood against the firewall. It has no smog, if you want regular plates in a smog area you will have some work to do. I would ask for extensive pictures from under the truck. The condition of the engine bay does not match the brand new looking paint on the exterior of the truck. Urban LC has been out of the Cruiser business and into the Rover business for quite a few years now also. That is a red flag that they call them out in the ad.

 

[Stumpalama]

71-CRUISER: do you know this truck?
As far as the engine bay, it's more about the condition for a $15,500 truck. Rusty air cleaner housing, desmogged (adversely impacts value in my opinion), where is the horn? If one is looking to pay that much coin for an FJ40, they should be (at least) able to pass a visual safety/emissions inspection.

 

[71-CRUISER]

I don't know that truck. I just know that 40 prices have doubled in the past 5 years. Good unmolested trucks are getting harder and harder to find.

 

[kulangot]

A friend of mine spotted that truck at Fountainhead park last weekend. So I don't think it's a scam.

I don't have time to travel but if you can get the seller to bring it to me I'd be more than glad to look it over. I'm in Great Falls VA about ten or 12 miles from Falls Church. It's a nice drive down the Pike if he is motivated to sell it. Tell him there is a great ride right out of my yard if he is a ATB rider. I could also meet him in Tyson's around 4PM most days if that is closer for him.

I've done a lot of body work and rust repair so I have seen it all. Looks like a respray to me. An original truck would have a patina and a few small rust spots, even if from the south west or high desert and even if garaged. These trucks saw usage on par with wheel barrows and garden carts when they were new. Not many were rubbed with a diaper and kept in a garage with a dehumidifier running... As rusty as the air cleaner is, there was some rust on it that was fixed.