BadReligion
SILVER Star
So the timing is not great (new baby, just bought a 200, garage at max capacity, etc) but my insurance agent who actually is my neighbor (and state farm too, ha) has a client who is selling their 1974 FJ40. She knew I was into landcruisers and gave me their contact info. I know quite a bit about 80s/100s and am beginning to learn the 200 but i am somewhat clueless on 40s. Therefor, @lelandEOD offered to join me to check it out. The owners are the original and it is a factory soft top with a claimed 36000 mi. Lee was a bit skeptical about the mileage but after looking at the overall condition of the truck, this may very well be true. It is being sold because the husband is in poor health and cannot drive it, and the wife has no use for it. There is no immediate family to claim it either.
It truly looks like it sat in the garage for 43 years with just occasional usage. It was unfortunately "upgraded" it the late 80s, early 90s with some ungodly bits of chrome, rear fender flares, and other strange add ons, but all of these look like they can be semi easily removed. The wife did say it was hit on the trail by a Jeep and had to have some body work done to the PS rear rocker. It was then repainted at this point. Some bondo was observed in this area but overall there is not a spec of rust ANYWHERE on the truck. Lee thinks it may still even have the original exhaust system. If the dash is original, there is not a crack on it either. Engine looks pretty good and ran smoothly for a little test drive around the neighborhood. This was my first time driving a 40 and 35mph never felt so engaging! It was really fun to drive.
There is some hideous "custom" interior carpeting too and while on any other truck I would worry this was placed to hide rust, I don't think that is the case here. Upstairs in the attic, I was able to visually confirm the presence of the doors, soft top bows, and canvas for the soft top. I don't know the condition of the canvas. From what we gathered, I believe they are the original owners (have all parts and documentation to support this) and the mileage is correct. I initially did not love the idea of buying a soft top but it looks like a hard top can be fitted as well and the soft top models are much more rare. I don't think there are many original owner, rust free, sub 40k mi 40s out there so if the price is right, I may have to go for it. It will probably sit in storage for 1-2 years until my planned workshop is built, after which I can start restoring it. As for price, I told the seller I would get back to her on an offer. She did not have anything in mind but I think she was thinking low $20s based on some printout she had. I would be more comfortable at $15k. What do you guys think?
Sorry, not the best photos as I was chasing my 2yo son around and only have one shot showing the whole truck. The rest are close ups (some blurry) of specific areas. Lee may add a few to this thread too. I have these 5 to start and am working on uploading another 10 or so.
It truly looks like it sat in the garage for 43 years with just occasional usage. It was unfortunately "upgraded" it the late 80s, early 90s with some ungodly bits of chrome, rear fender flares, and other strange add ons, but all of these look like they can be semi easily removed. The wife did say it was hit on the trail by a Jeep and had to have some body work done to the PS rear rocker. It was then repainted at this point. Some bondo was observed in this area but overall there is not a spec of rust ANYWHERE on the truck. Lee thinks it may still even have the original exhaust system. If the dash is original, there is not a crack on it either. Engine looks pretty good and ran smoothly for a little test drive around the neighborhood. This was my first time driving a 40 and 35mph never felt so engaging! It was really fun to drive.
There is some hideous "custom" interior carpeting too and while on any other truck I would worry this was placed to hide rust, I don't think that is the case here. Upstairs in the attic, I was able to visually confirm the presence of the doors, soft top bows, and canvas for the soft top. I don't know the condition of the canvas. From what we gathered, I believe they are the original owners (have all parts and documentation to support this) and the mileage is correct. I initially did not love the idea of buying a soft top but it looks like a hard top can be fitted as well and the soft top models are much more rare. I don't think there are many original owner, rust free, sub 40k mi 40s out there so if the price is right, I may have to go for it. It will probably sit in storage for 1-2 years until my planned workshop is built, after which I can start restoring it. As for price, I told the seller I would get back to her on an offer. She did not have anything in mind but I think she was thinking low $20s based on some printout she had. I would be more comfortable at $15k. What do you guys think?
Sorry, not the best photos as I was chasing my 2yo son around and only have one shot showing the whole truck. The rest are close ups (some blurry) of specific areas. Lee may add a few to this thread too. I have these 5 to start and am working on uploading another 10 or so.
