Newbie in Charleston...FJ40 advice

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J

jtms

Joined
Oct 14, 2006
Threads
3
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14
Location
Charleston, SC
:) New to the website. I live in Charleston, SC and I am looking for a good FJ40. Would like to find one that has already been restored and in good shape. I have been looking on Ebay, and the prices seem to be all over the place. Anyone know someone in the area that is looking to sell or can you point me to a trustworth person/website that is selling. I do not mind paying a FAIR price, but I want to get one that is reliable and in good working condition. I have seen some pretty outrageous prices for restorations....Thanks in advance for your help.:) :) :bounce:
 
Hello and welcome to our site. Please check out www.upstatecruisers.net.

Not knowing what you consider a "fair" price it would be a difficult question to answer. IE: I once had a neighbor proudly comment (with an open checkbook in hand) that he will write me a check for my newly painted '71 FJ40. After some negotiation, I find that in his mind my vehicle was not worth more than 2.5K (because it's a 1971). Prices are all over the place because some people who work on 40's either do not know the value of what they have, they are over-priced, or are subject to local values. Unfortunately, the same holds true if you use the BLUEBOOK for pricing.

To find someone who is trustworthy I would limit my search to a member of a club such as UC, etc. Usually these members are caring, honorable people with a true passion for the Land Cruiser and people who share this vehicle. Their reputation is also at hand.

"I do not mind paying a FAIR price, but I want to get one that is reliable and in good working condition." Please consider that you may be paying $8,000 to $15,000 or more for a cruiser in this condition Many variables are at play here: year, body shape, bell and whistles.

Also, I may recommend that you can post your questions and concerns here for any of us to respond should you find a cruiser but are uncertain of the value. Please post photos as well.

I hope this is helpful to you.



jtms said:
:) New to the website. I live in Charleston, SC and I am looking for a good FJ40. Would like to find one that has already been restored and in good shape. I have been looking on Ebay, and the prices seem to be all over the place. Anyone know someone in the area that is looking to sell or can you point me to a trustworth person/website that is selling. I do not mind paying a FAIR price, but I want to get one that is reliable and in good working condition. I have seen some pretty outrageous prices for restorations....Thanks in advance for your help.:) :) :bounce:
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the responses. I have been looking for several months so I have a pretty good idea what I am getting into. I would like one that has been restored and is pretty much turn key. I would like to spend $8-$12k if possible. I could stretch it more if I fell in love with one that was more expensive. This will not be an every day driver, although I would like to have one reliable enough to drive every day. From my research, it seems like a 1979 is a good year for me. I want AC, power steering and prefer power brakes. I know many people have put aftermarket AC and power steering so I don't necessarily have my heart set on a 79'. Any opinions?

I have been looking on this site for the past week and that are not many for sale in our area. I really do not want to go across the country to get one. If I have to, I will, but I would rather find one in the SE US.

Any other sites I should check out? Thanks in advance for any help. FYI....there is one in Birmingham that only has 39k original miles for $26,900. If anyone is interested I can point you to the website. Apparently everything is MINT. Way out of my price range, but I am sure someone will snatch it up.:)
 
I bought mine from www.cruizers.com I live in VA had it shipped from IL. I would not suggest buying sight unseen like I did on a nice cruiser. I bought a fixer upper. I did grow up in SC though, and may move back there one day.

I think the 79 you could get the power steering and a/c as an option. I don't think it was standard but don't quote me on it.

Watch out on the low mile cruisers. The odometers only go to 100,000 and they are very easy to change out. I've seen pictures from one that was about 39k origanal miles that had wore out seats and the petals had a lot of wear on them. Come to find out that it was all offroad miles.
 
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Also what you ask for in this cruiser is nice but it is somewhat of a rarity to have all these options and find it in "mint" and low mileage condition. Not saying one isn't out there but you are probably gonna have to go outside the SE to find it. If you are mechanicily inclined you can always find one that has a few Character marks and buy it for a little less and then put a little money into it and make it even more what you want it. And in the end you've spent the same amount of money and maybe even saved a little money. And don't worry you put all of our heads together here in UC we can rebuild you one from the ground up...we are a wealth of knowledge..with Alan and Marshall leading the way...we can help you with anything you need to when it comes to buying or rebuilding one. Good luck!
 
Thanks a lot for the responses and the offers to help out. I really appreciate it. I found a couple that are a little more than I want to spend but they look really nice. I posted another thread. Please let me know what you think.....
 
my wallet is not even close to that big. nice cruiser though. some of the prices on ebay seem like they get out of control sometimes..i guess it is worth what someone is willing to pay!
 
I've done it twice now and while one experience was better than the other, I got pretty lucky both times considering the significant downside that exists...

Homework, research, networking, remote inspections, etc. can all help mitigate the risk of buying sight unseen but you can't eliminate ALL of the risk...
 
Thanks for the tips. I am researching like crazy and I don't think I could buy something of this value w/o looking at it in person. Not knocking others who have purchased sight unseen, not for me. There is a good looking one in NC that I might go take a look at this weekend.
 
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Thanks Wes1977. What is the deal with the 3 speed? I heard with the 4 speed that 1st gear is barely used b/c it winds so quickly.

The one in Salt Lake looks nice and the price seems reasonable. Not wild about the really big tires, but I am sure you can change that easily.

As far as the one in Greensboro...spoke to the owner yesterday and it is still for sale. It is higher than I want to spend, but from talking to the owner it sounds like it is in perfect condition with a recently rebuilt engine. Of course, I will have to get a mechanic to check it out.

How difficult and how much is it to add A/C? Thanks....this site is very very helpful!!!
 
If the 1 in G'boro is still for sale almost a half year later, I'd think he'd be ready to negotiate on price, no??

Also, go look up Rutbeer on the NC club board and send him a PM. He lives near G'boro, knows lots of people in the old school cruiser community up there, may know this guy who is selling (and could vouch for the 40) and will be able to help you find someone local who can give it a thorough once over.
 
jtms said:
Thanks Wes1977. What is the deal with the 3 speed? I heard with the 4 speed that 1st gear is barely used b/c it winds so quickly.


How difficult and how much is it to add A/C? Thanks....this site is very very helpful!!!
Click to expand...

My 4 speed is not like you described. I always use my first gear. There is a 4speed out there that is like you described they call it granny gear. It is a non US 4speed The US 3speed and the US 4speed have the same last gear 1:1, but spaced diffrently. A/C, all I know is you will be able to add it on. I think i've seen kits less than a grand like $600. If I were you and were plaining on getting a nice FJ-40 I would expect to travel. It seems like the best cruisers are on the west cost. It seems like every cruiser in GA is over priced. Sorry if I offend.
 
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