newbie question

[Jersey Joe]

Hi all...just found a local 1976 Land Cruiser for sale. He said it doesn't have a top. All the ones I've seen are hard tops. Did they make a "convertible " version? Its a 2f model if that means anything. I do know that is the engine type

Thanks in advance.

JJ

 

[cjgoode]

76 are good years, it should have 2f motor like you said, that is good, and it should have disc front brakes that is also good. They did come in soft tops, Pretty sure they still did in 76, but after 30+ years that means nothing. By now ones with hardtops only have soft tops, and once that were soft tops now have hard tops and lots have no tops. If it has barn doors, like split tailgate then it was likely a soft top, if the rear has plywood or no type of tailgate at all then likely a hard top. In 76 I think the hard top would have had ambulance doors in that back so when the hard top was removed they also had to be removed leaving nothing.

 

[justbecause]

best bet for a top will be to go OEM soft top or buy a best top (they look very jeepish though and personally i HATED my best top and it was BRAND spankin new when i bought my 40).... but i hated the top so much i dished out the cash for a hardtop in pretty rough shape... really wish id gotten on mud first and found out about the guys making OEM style softtops thats what im going to next... b/c i really like the style and like i said my hardtop is rough... best bet is sit down and write out what you want in a top hard tops have advantages but OEM softops just kick ass!! imho

btw to mud ( = welcome)
and we want pictures!

 

[rusty_tlc]

Hi all...just found a local 1976 Land Cruiser for sale. He said it doesn't have a top. All the ones I've seen are hard tops. Did they make a "convertible " version? Its a 2f model if that means anything. I do know that is the engine type

Thanks in advance.

JJ

I don't think your questions were answered directly so;

All FDJ40's are convertible, that is the hard top can be removed.

The model is FJ40 and the engine type is 2F.
​

My personnel preference is no top, with an after market soft top for really bad weather. That said mine is not a daily driver. I pretty much only use it for trail rides.
After a few years of horsing the hard top off and on I sold it and got a Kayline top, no longer available but great if you can find one. They were also sold by STC (Specialty Top Company) so you might find one being sold under that name. I do not miss the hard top at all, I kind of doubt I would even if it were my only car.

 

[cjgoode]

The hard top look is great, but when I was in high school and college mine was rarely on, a bikini top and a good winter jacket did the job, that was up in VA not down here in FL.

 

[JohnnyC]

factory soft tops:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/159334-canvas-maintenance-oem-soft-tops-2.html

 

[Jersey Joe]

Thanks for the replies! I have not seen it yet but hope to this weekend. I need to see if it's a project I can afford. It apparently needs work to make it road worthy. The price seems high but I don't know enough about them yet to make a reasonable offer. I'll pour over the web the next few nights to edumacate myself. Don't be shocked to see me back with more noob questions though.

 

[cjgoode]

Post up some pics, and ask what it is worth. You will get some good opinions along with tons of people who will say it is way over priced. You need to compare it to what is in your area, what a project one sells for on the west coast is not the same as the east coast. Once they are restored or in real good shape seems to even out. East coast seems to get a higher price for rough ones then the west since there are a lot fewer on the east coast and shipping one that needs a lot of work is not cost effective.

 

[Jersey Joe]

OK...I didn't get pics and couldn't see too much of it. It was covered in snow. He wants $2400 for it. It's wrapped in DP but it runs/drives he said as it was driven to his house. Is it worth it as a fixer upper? Figure good frame, original engine, dash looks all there, no top, front nose and hood look good. Sorry...I know it's not much to go on.

 

[jeffj40]

Welcome Joe!

76 is a great year with factory front discs and the 2f, but I'd be really leery of an east coast cruiser wrapped in diamond plate. Particularly one without a top. I'd get a good look at it before you pull the trigger, DP is almost always used as a band aid for for rust issues which were never repaired. Get some pics and post 'em up.....everyone here will be glad to help.

Good luck!

 

[Jersey Joe]

I will do my best to get pics. I guess my question is...if I concede to the fact I will need to purchase a new tub, top, and more than likely rebuild the engine at some point, is it still worth the $2400? I know enough about restoring other vehicles to realize I would probably save time and money buying one already restored but I don't have that kind of cash and I kinda like having a project. Its not a vehicle I need on the road right away. Thanks for your reply. The info on this BBS is great and the regulars are very civil and helpful compared to many enthusiast boards.

 

[DSRTRDR]

why does it have to be a show truck

make it road worthy, drive it some, decide whether you like it, and then start the modifications/restoration - or sell it for something you like better

if it drives, it's prolly worth the money

 

[jeffj40]

If youre planning to do a full resto on it eventuaually I'd pass and try to find one with halfway decent tub and a hardtop. If its operational and no parts are falling off 2400 seems alright for a part time driver/wheeler. I dont know what other vehicles youve worked on but these trucks will drain your bank account fast...its not uncommon to drop 20k easily even after starting with a seemingly intact truck.

If you like it buy it and drive it but before you tear into it know that you'll be lucky to get back half of what you spend on it and that the hobby will shortly turn into an obsession no one understands but you.

Dont ask me how I know

Yet we all keep doing it.

 

[Dedtruk]

I will do my best to get pics. I guess my question is...if I concede to the fact I will need to purchase a new tub, top, and more than likely rebuild the engine at some point, is it still worth the $2400? I know enough about restoring other vehicles to realize I would probably save time and money buying one already restored but I don't have that kind of cash and I kinda like having a project. Its not a vehicle I need on the road right away. Thanks for your reply. The info on this BBS is great and the regulars are very civil and helpful compared to many enthusiast boards.

In a word, no. New tubs are bux, whether aluminum or steel ($3500 - $4500). I'm not a fiberglass fan, but they're not much cheaper. Then you factor in the stuff you hadn't planned on (clutch, wasted brake lines, brakes,) and you've now got two to three times what you planned into it.

Ya gotta look at the frame and the tub. The mechanical stuff is cake to fix in comparison to the frame and tub issues. Take a look at my rebuild thread.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/357201-7-81-fj40-rebuild.html

I'm in south Jersey, so I think we're in the same market, and $2400 for a 40 with a bad frame and bad tub is no bargain, even if it is the desirable '76 model. If it's only one or the other, it's still no bargain. But if it is the tub only, the rest of the drivetrain is good (runs/drives), and it is complete except the top, then negotiate a price you can live with (meaning, if you want a hardtop, factor the price of one into your offer). Be prepared to walk away. Pics would really help! Just my $0.02. GL!

 

[Jersey Joe]

Two Jersey boys! Holy Hanna what a small world. Well, I thank you for the replies and if I move forward I'll be sure to check in with you. If you ever come across an f40 for sale in NJ LMK. Thanks again.

 

[Dedtruk]

Two Jersey boys! Holy Hanna what a small world. Well, I thank you for the replies and if I move forward I'll be sure to check in with you. If you ever come across an f40 for sale in NJ LMK. Thanks again.

Oh, we are not the only ones, my friend! Check out Taz's build too!

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/299247-1974-fj40-build-up-new-jersey.html

I see rigs around from time to time, but it really depends on what you want to do with the rig (rocks, mud, sand, all-arounder, V8, six, etc) and of course, how much you want to spend. I know of one about a half hour from me that looks like it went through a fairly extensive rebuild. I've never talked to the owner, but last time he had it up for sale (couple of years ago) it was in the $9.5-$10K range, but then, it was turnkey. Looked like it was basically stock, sitting on aluminum rims and 31s. Anyway, if I see anything, I'll pass it on. The best deals never hit the 'Net!

Just the same, try using the Craig's List search utility on this forum. Stuff is out there, you just have to be patient. Or if you're really ambitious, post up a Want To Buy here on Mud and look for a frame and title. Just a thought, but if you buy a bomb at $2400, what you've essentially done is bought a bunch of parts (that you fervently hope are rebuildable) and a title. Ask me how I know all of this ... (just see my rebuild thread for an answer!). Believe it or not, I knew all this before I bought this '81 POS that I'm rebuilding, but my enthusiasm got the better of me. I hope to help save you from the same fate!

And you are most welcome for the reply. There are a lot of cool dudes on this forum, and I've benefited mightily from them. Just trying to be a good Mud citizen myself! Have fun!

 

[Jersey Joe]

it really depends on what you want to do with the rig (rocks, mud, sand, all-arounder, V8, six, etc) and of course, how much you want to spend.

My intention is to use it for hunting(getting out to fields and such), light plowing like my mine and neighbors driveways, surf fishing down the shore, and as a third vehicle to drive on those nice days with the top down. No shows or serious off-roading for me. Those days are long gone. I see you have a little Yota PU. I still curse the day I sold my 86 Completely stock(except wheels/tires) barebones 4x4 shortbed that would leave the F-250's stuck in the mud Nothing beats that 22r.