New FJ40 owner (1 Viewer)

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A

apbb2

Joined
Jul 30, 2008
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Hi All,

Been lurking around here a lot lately looking to buy and FJ40. Finally found one on Mud from CA. Really struggling to find someone to transport here but hoping to have it resolved soon. I am in Nassau County.

Anyway, it is a '73 and it will most likely be a road queen and I have a few questions.

1. Body Shop recommendations. It needs a paint job but from what I have seen mechanically it is in very good condition, has some surface rust.

2. Registration. Anyone register theirs as historic? Is it cheaper, less restrictive?

3. Insurance. Who do you use? Is there a better broker or company to deal with. I have a motorcycle with Progressive and the cars on Traveler's but I have not talked to them. I wanted to see if there is anyone specializing in older trucks.

That's it for now. Just very antsy to get the truck and start working on it.

Thanks all.
 
Welcome..... insured my 40 through Haggerty.

Paint...? depends on budget and required outcome... anything from rattle can to hot rod shop.

I'm in East Northport...

When do you expect to get the truck?

mark
 
Thanks Mark.

It (She) actually showed up yesterday, but I am traveling so I have not been able to get at it myself. My 12 year old son saw it took pictures and sent it to me. I think he is excited.

As far as paint. I want to do somewhere in between, but will not know until I really evaluate it. I just waned to know if there is a body shop that someone has specifically used that knows the truck well and be able to go through it top to bottom.

I grew up in Commack and now live in Roslyn.

Hope to meet you guys soon.
 
Well there is are a couple of mechanics in NJ that could go over it for you. Dave Crum is one and he's also the GCLC president. Otherwise find a mechanic that is sorta old school... one that's been around for 30 years that can say they know all about carbs...

For paint... same story, find somebody doing old school hot rods for your best service... otherwise the collision places won't want to do it... they like insurance jobs.
 
Hi,
dont know about a body shop for you, but if you want a good, honest mechanic to go over your truck from top to bottom and give you a list of what needs to be done to your truck, you should call jim debold at garden city goodyear in garden city south. 481-7133 he's an ex fj60 owner and he's been working on my 40's (and all my other cars) for about 15 years. not the cheapest, but he knows his stuff and he's a really good guy. his work is excellent. tell him John D sent you ... he'll take good care of you.
best regards,
JD
 
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Johnnymiz said:
Hi,
dont know about a body shop for you, but if you want a good, honest mechanic to go over your truck from top to bottom and give you a list of what needs to be done to your truck, you should call jim debold at garden city goodyear in garden city south. 481-7133 he's an ex fj60 owner and he's been working on my 40's (and all my other cars) for about 15 years. not the cheapest, but he knows his stuff and he's a really good guy. his work is excellent. tell him John D sent you ... he'll take good care of you.
best regards,
JD
Click to expand...

Great info!!

Thanks, I will give him a call.
 
Another option is Spencer in CT - 203 687-0030

He did the work on our 40:

FJ40fix%20064a.jpg
 
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Thanks all. I got some very good info.

I had sometime to go through the truck. The engine is very solid. Ran idle like a champ for a good 30 minutes with no issues. Cold start up is easy, two presses of the pedal and it fires right up.

Running through the gears seemed smooth. The body rolled a little bit more than I anticipated on a somewhat high speed turn, a least for this truck it was high speed. :D

Body needs lots of work and my 6'1" 250lbs frame is tight in the driver's seat, especially in second and reverse.

Overall I am still excited, just don't know if I am going to do it myself or get some outside help.

Took some pictures which you can see here. MobileMe Gallery

I totally forgot to take a full shot of the entire truck and frame pics. More to come when I get a chance.

Love to hear all of your feedback. Keep it coming.
 
dude,
that is a seriously nice rig. a word of advise, a california 40 with minor surface rust will turn into a new york rustbucket with terminal cancer in 1 winter if you let it slide. forget aesthetics, wire brush any rust and por 15 it. and do it yesterday! ask me how i know :doh:
oh, and they do lean a bit. but unless you do something stupid, like drive it like a porsche, it wont go over. slow down while going straight, THEN turn the wheel. they dont like to turn when on the brakes.

JD
 
apbb2 said:
Great info!!

Thanks, I will give him a call.
Click to expand...

+1 on Garden City Jim.

Jon told me to take my 40 there(when I had it) damn I want it back

anyway

Jim is the best...he went over the 40 top to bottom, he is very thorough and he will not let you half ass it either..just be careful the bills can add up,

PS Jon, I did buy that 69 Datsun Roadster I was thinking about... so much fun, and a great condition car....but I still want another 40.
 
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nice shack it's parked in front of. you sure your neighbors are gonna let you keep it there til it's painted? j/k
my neighbors (garden city) used to give me the stink-eye when i was outside, in shorts, workboots and shirtless with a welder tacking my old rusty 40 together.
the more pics you show, the more i like it. a few issues visible, but overall, a really nice looking rig.
 
Johnnymiz said:
nice shack it's parked in front of. you sure your neighbors are gonna let you keep it there til it's painted? j/k
my neighbors (garden city) used to give me the stink-eye when i was outside, in shorts, workboots and shirtless with a welder tacking my old rusty 40 together.
the more pics you show, the more i like it. a few issues visible, but overall, a really nice looking rig.
Click to expand...

that is clearly against the rules in that Town of yours.:p

when I first got my 40 it was in my in -laws driveway on Princeton for a few weeks, that didn't go over big.
 
Good luck with the 40, I love mine, but laughed when you mentioned the 6'1 height. I dont think the 40's were made with tall people in mind...
 
Nice rig with only a few issues that the pics show. Looks as though it has a rebuilt or gone threw engine and exhaust and it also looks as if it is pritty mechanically sound ie new driveshafts and master cylinder and fan shroud and heater box and new heater hoses. Who ever you bought it from was either working on it or had someone work on it. Nice find.

Hit that hard top while there is a hard top to hit. Slow the rust process down. other than that the truck looks real solid.

If you are up for a road trip IPOR can dismantle that have it painted and reassembled in no time.

Cam
GM IPOR
 
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