Need opinion/ Help with Looking at FJ40 in North Ga

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FJEnthusiast123

FJEnthusiast123

10 Year
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Threads
49
Messages
420
Location
Charlotte, NC
Hey there's a couple 40's that I'm going to look at in North Georgia. Ones an 83, and the other ones a 73. The guy said he'd let me have them both in a package deal for 9500. The 83's in good shape overall. Has some rust on the rear quarters, and a couple of other small spots. It needs a paint job. It's lifted a lot and is sitting on 38's. I'd want to take it down and run 35's on it though. The tops in decent shape, other than the po cut a sunroof in it and ruined it so its not perfect anymore. The guy also said there is a popping noise coming from the back that is the ujoint. Those are an easy fix right? That may not be all though so I'm a bit weary. The 73's a different story. It's really damn rusty. It basically needs a new tub. He has the tub for it but said he'd let it go for 1000. 10000 is out of my budget, and if I got the tub too it'd be 10500. The 73 has a 2f in it. He said it needs a new fuel pump. Is there anyone that would be interested in coming with me and my parents to check it out? We're going sometime this friday or saturday morning. It's about 15 or 20 minutes outside of chatanooga, Tennessee. Just to clarify I'm looking for a 40 for my first car (not the best choice right). I want to learn and be able to work on it myself. I'd like to have a project one on the side too (here's where the 73 comes in), and use the 83 as my dd. I know some about them (ive been on mid a while and ive talked to several cruiser heads) but my parents don't, and I'd really appreciate if someone would go with us that knows about them and could check out the work and help us negotiate. Let me know. Shoot me a text or a call at 704-516-4029
-Brysen.
 
Throw this post on the TN page as there are several members in the Chattanooga area that may help you out, the vast majority of our group is in metro ATL. The popping noise could be anything from a bad u-joint to a broken ring and pinion so be careful and thorough on your inspections. I suspect the 83 is going to be all the project you want...
 
tkinze said:
Throw this post on the TN page as there are several members in the Chattanooga area that may help you out, the vast majority of our group is in metro ATL. The popping noise could be anything from a bad u-joint to a broken ring and pinion so be careful and thorough on your inspections. I suspect the 83 is going to be all the project you want...
Click to expand...

Maybe a lunch box :idea:
 
Since you seem young, I'll throw this in there. buying a first car that needs plenty of work, that gets poor mileage, and is costly to repair is a recipe for disenchantment. If you had a fuel efficient beater for DD, and the 40, you'd be able to save gas and repair when funds were there.

Many of us have been on this road (a 70 model FJ40 was the first thing I test drove at 16). Usually it ended in the same result. you dump money in the ride trying to get it/keep it road worthy, and eventually realize you'll never have enough to fix it if you keep dumping money in the gas tank, and/or paying tow truck fees to get it home when it lets you down. so after a long time getting almost nowhere, you sell it for a loss and end up in something that gets you around, but that you didn't want.

So think hard about how you're going to maintain progress on the ride.

I bought my 80 a couple years ago, and while it was in decent shape, I've still dumped near $3,000 in the drivetrain, and could spend another $1,000 instantly, and still haven't done any of the needed body work.

BTW, here are a couple links to some 40's on CL for comparison:


http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/cto/4019029567.html

This one's higher than your $10K budget, but you'll have more than $10K spent pretty soon with the other, from your description
http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/4020901201.html
 
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