Newbie Intro and FJ40 Decision Help

[Carp]

Hey guys,

I've posted in the newbie section already, and looked at most of the posts from the last year. I know that there's a ton of knowledge here, and I would like to pick your brains a few minutes.

First a little about me. My wife and I moved to Piedmont about 18 months ago. We're expecting baby #1 in the next 2 months. So, life's gonna get hectic real fast. I'd like to get a Cruiser before it (we aren't finding out the sex) arrives.

However, I have a few questions and this is where I'm hoping y'all can help. For reference, I'm hoping to find a cruiser between the 3-5k range, preferably with the 6cyl. I've been watching ebay, the classifieds, pirate4x4, iwanna, collectorcartrader, and craigslists, so I think I know what my money will buy.

How expensive are parts for a 6cyl FJ40? Am I looking at refinancing the house everytime I go to the parts store or Ralph Hayes (If I get one, I'm definitely joining UC)? Because that'll make it pretty hard for me to manage once baby gets here.

How much time, on average, can I expect to spend wrenching on a 40? I ask this knowing that YMMV but I was hoping for a ballpark figure. I plan on moderate off-roading with my dad and brother (j**ps) and y'all. I would probably drive the 40 about 3-4 days a week. I do all my own work, but I won't have every evening free.

What's it gonna take for me to keep up with my dad off-road? He's got a rubicon "dangler" with a 6" short arm lift and 35's, and winch.

OK, now on to my biggest question. Am I getting in over my head with buying a Cruiser? Should I get a "dangler" for the time being to cure my off-road bug until the little one is a bit older? Or should I bite the bullet and become one of the many in cruiserdom? Anyone else done what I'm thinking about doing?

Thanks for the help, and sorry for the long winded intro. I've just been going back and forth about this for some time, and I thought I would ask somebody else.

By the way, anyone want a Miata? It's gotta go first...

Thanks again,
David

 

[erymer]

welcome

First things first david. Welcome to Mud and UC. You are right about one thing. You will find all the info and help you need here. Secondly, congrats on the decision to get a 40. Good Choice. I've had mine for about a year now and haven't regretted it for a minute. I would definately go with a cruiser over a J**p any day. the Rubi isn't a bad vehicle, but it's real pricy. for a fraction of that you can get a decent 40 that is very capable offroad. I've taken mine up the tougher trails in Uwharrie with ease. I've had a j**p before so I do have a good reference. The cruisers in general are just better made in my opinion. Look at one parked beside a j**p and you'll see.

Granted you are going to have to do some work which it sounds like you are prepared to do, but it is well worth the time. As long as you are aware that you are going to have to do some work, you'll be fine. I mean it is a 30-40 yr old vehicle. I've driven several different j**p's but I just don't think they compare. There is just something about having a cruiser. Anyone can have a j**p, but a cruiser is just special. Once I got mine ready, I've not spent much time working on it at all. It took a while at first, but that's because it had been rolled by the PO. Good luck.

Eric

 

[clemson55]

I would say for the upper end of your price range you can find a pretty reliable vehicle that wont require you do a lot of wrenching beyond routine maintenance. Probably something mildly built. It will probably go everyplace his jeep will go without winching as well. I would say you should definitely get one and especially over a jeep. But then again anyone you ask on here is gonna tell you to buy a cruiser and that any time is a good time. Good Luck hope you find a nice one.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

I got a reliable one.......... completely rebuilt drive train and it is just in your price range

welcome and you can't go wrong with a cruiser.... way more style points than a Heep

 

[Carp]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Just what I was looking for, which is why I asked. Please keep the info coming!!

Thanks y'all!

 

[erymer]

Style Points....good choice of words JP. Heeps are just so cookie cutter. can't go a mile down the road without seeing one. usually driven by some schmuck or Highschool girl . Don't get me wrong though. A friend of mine has one and it is very well built and capable. Just like the "style points"

 

[89s rule]

My advice would come from your second statement...."expecting #1 in 2 months." Having been there and done that your free time is about to tank. You can still find time but it gets hard and there will be no more of this drop of the hat stuff...you will have to plan things out more. Especially financially, no matter what you look at you need to have extra $ set aside for the repairs or things your might break. (Yeah its a cruiser and not much breaks, but you always need to have yourself covered.) It also makes it very hard to participate in the club like you might want to. I get to go on a few trips here and there, but just cant do it all btwn distance to meetings/events and family.

On that same note. Wait until after ya'll have the baby. Take your time and be patient. See if you have time for this "hobby/addiction" at this point in your life. Be honest with yourself and your family and write it out if you have to, it usually makes more sense when you can see both sides down on paper.

I may get bashed or praised for this but a 40 isnt really a family vehicle. Yeah I think they are sweet and would love to have one/have considered it several times. But overall will it fit your needs, etc.? If you think it will great if not, then please dont go over to the J^^p crowd But we are all biased here arent we Check out a wagon or somethign if you think it may work out better for you. In that price range you should be able to find a nice 40 or if you do decide on a wagon 55, 60, 62, fj80 or a fzj80 should all be withing that price range.

Good luck whatever you do, especially selling the Miata. You have come to the right place for info, here and int he main boards there is tons of info.

 

[erymer]

I couldn't agree more. I love my 40 but there is no way we are getting a yougun in there. We are prolly going to go with an 80 or 100 once a little one comes along. The 40 would be cool once the kid gets a little older, 4-5.....If I were expecting, I would probably hold off on a 40 and look for a 60, 62, 80 or 100. Gotta take care of the family before get a 40. You definately need to have some extra cash stowed away, when you have one of these things.

 

[cruiser4life]

I couldn't agree more. I love my 40 but there is no way we are getting a yougun in there. We are prolly going to go with an 80 or 100 once a little one comes along. The 40 would be cool once the kid gets a little older, 4-5.....If I were expecting, I would probably hold off on a 40 and look for a 60, 62, 80 or 100. Gotta take care of the family before get a 40. You definately need to have some extra cash stowed away, when you have one of these things.

HIJACK - Hmm, reading this thread has me stumped. Did you end of buying JP's 40 or did that fall through??

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

didn't work out........ eric said it wasn't purty enough for his tastes


so I am currently repairing the damage from the flop and slapping new paint on her............ then off to Ebay!!!

 

[Carp]

JP,

PM Sent, I'd like to see it sometime next week, and ask you a few questions, before you put too much time and effort into repairing the flop...

Thanks

 

[cruiser4life]

Further hijack...

Well, it won't win purty awards but it's still a helluva 40! Too bad it didn't work out. Eric should buy my 80 or 100 - they are both purty.

Nice 40, someone is getting a nice ride!!

 

[erymer]

yeah I'll prolly regret not getting it, but it boiled down to money for me. There are a couple things that I would need to do to it, and I would be currently tapped out if I did. I definately liked it though. I am hooking him up with some parts to help him out though.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

yep, you da man eric......... it will be nice to have a windshield again

 

[Sputnik40]

JP had the Red 40 with wheel spacers right? I think it is a fantastic looking 40 exactly how it is pictured with the 34's (one of my favorite looking 40's in that tire size, especially with the front hoop and stinger - very capable rig (least over trees), but maybe it was the driver .

Further hijack...

Well, it won't win purty awards but it's still a helluva 40! Too bad it didn't work out. Eric should buy my 80 or 100 - they are both purty.

Nice 40, someone is getting a nice ride!!

 

[cruiser4life]

JP had the Red 40 with wheel spacers right? I think it is a fantastic looking 40 exactly how it is pictured with the 34's (one of my favorite looking 40's in that tire size, especially with the front hoop and stinger - very capable rig (least over trees), but maybe it was the driver .

Yep, that's JP's. You have the pic from my 100's adventure back on Jim's driveway? I never got to see those.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

JP had the Red 40 with wheel spacers right? I think it is a fantastic looking 40 exactly how it is pictured with the 34's (one of my favorite looking 40's in that tire size, especially with the front hoop and stinger - very capable rig (least over trees), but maybe it was the driver .

Thanks for the love Bill

she is getting new steel in the qrt panels and new paint so she will be shinning nice and purty for Ebay

 

[CruisinTiger]

David you need to buy JP's 40...it is one of the top rigs in our club...it has gone many a places others whimpered at....and with the drive train totally redone and the reverse shackle and the ful tread tires it is a trail ready rig...and it does very nicely on the road too. you will be very happy with it....you could find other rigs but you'd have to do a lot of work to make it anything like JP's. So go look at it and you'll be convinced...a lot of love and hard work has gone into this rig along with a lot of blood and sweet and feet.

 

[dsa03cjj]

Welcome! Good luck with a 40! i'll keep a look out

 

[blue98stang]

Someone should buy JP's 40. Eric and I would have loved to have it in our drive way. But when your talking "babies" adding another 40 to the pack just isn't ideal.

JP's 40 is just like everyone has stated. Great set up, runs great, Point and go rig. It needs little work for anyone in SC. Being that we live in NC we would have to do some changes to get plates, ect.