Now I mean it -- new proud owner of a 76 FJ40

[drooartz]

So a deal was struck today and I'm now the owner of a 1976 FJ40 again, after 15 years away from them. This is my *second* new-owner posting, as the last deal I thought I had turned out to have issues at the very last minute.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/533372-got-cruiser-again-after-15-years-without.html

I found this one shortly after the first deal fell through, and since my first FJ40 was a '76 I had to look into it. HUGE thanks to MUD member Pighead for being willing to look it over for me in person. Nothing like a thorough look-over to help ease the tensions of buying long distance. Money has changed hands, insurance has been arranged, now I just need to go get it. Once it's home and I've gone through it I'll be selling my Honda Fit to pay for it -- and the cruiser will become my daily driver.

More pictures from Pighead's lookover here (page 2):
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/533372-got-cruiser-again-after-15-years-without-2.html

I'm flying out on December 3rd to pick it up and drive it back to Utah. Taking two days so I can take it easy. Figured a bit of an adventure was in order.

Also have to thank fellow MUD member Gundy who I know through our shared interest in British sports cars. It was through him that I found out about MUD, and he gave me good support as I decided to dive in and get a Cruiser again.

 

[Tim71FJ40]

Congratulations!!!

 

[Fast Eddy]

Cool stripes. That paint will shine up like you won't believe.

 

[nohuri]

Looks very nice. You can search here on MUD for some of the things you need to check before taking a long trip with a cruiser you really don't know everything about and also common sense things. Good luck.

 

[taro]

Congrats!!!

 

[Dbradford04]

Cool beans mate...it's an addiction. Just tell your wife it's a hobby not an investment.

D

 

[drooartz]

Cool beans mate...it's an addiction. Just tell your wife it's a hobby not an investment.

She does understand -- this makes my 18th vehicle in the same time frame that she's had 3.

If nothing else, she always knows where I am. Out in the garage.

 

[Eshu Elegua]

thats a very nice 40..great conditions after i saw the pics on the other page...you got a deal and a turn key TLC

 

[splib]

Congrats!

..and good job pighead!

 

[78crzr]

Congrats from a fellow British Car guy that just bought a '76 40 after selling my '78 about 7 years ago. Glad to hear it all worked out for you, and great looking 40 you have there!

 

[Fast Eddy]

great conditions after i saw the pics on the other page...you got a deal and a turn key TLC

Care to offer up what you paid for it? Just curious. The body is in amazing shape. The winch is worth $500. $5000 would be a great deal for it, IMO. It's probably worth $6k.

I'm pretty sure it wouldn't pass CA smog in this condition, so the seller dodged a bullet by selling it out of state. I'd be interested in buying the VSV as a spare if you aren't going to use it, maybe the computer too for the right price.

If you're going to desmog it, you can use the nut unions from the air injection manifold to redo the horrendous fuel line. I made very nice OEM copies out of 3/8" (I think) brake line tubing and a harbor freight bender. It took me a couple tries to get it perfect, but I sold the prototypes.

If you own it, you should let Pighead drive it around for a week to make sure it's not going to crap out on you on the way home. I'd be worried about cooling and brakes. Something about the new carb leaves me feeling uneasy.

 

[UZJ40]

Congrats! Looks nice!

 

[Big T]

Sweet looking ride. I like it.

 

[drooartz]

Care to offer up what you paid for it?

I'm pretty sure it wouldn't pass CA smog in this condition.

If you own it, you should let Pighead drive it around for a week to make sure it's not going to crap out on you on the way home.

I paid more than you're thinking, but again I was looking very specifically for a clean body and as few mods as possible, so that's okay for me -- besides, I have certain nostalgia for the '76 year in particular. Water under the bridge, as they say.

It's being driven currently and hasn't been sitting, so I'm not terribly worried about the running condition. And yes, it did just pass CA smog recently. Doesn't matter much to me, as that's not an issue where I live. I will go through all the fuel lines and such once it's home in my garage. If I do desmog I'm going to keep the bits just in case I need them down the road.

It'll be an adventure, that's for sure. I've got AAA with lots of towing (I do own an MG after all).

 

[duffontap]

Nice!!!!

 

[bikersmurf]

Congratulations, you've found a very nice rig.


Bring water, oil, and some tools... You'll be fine... It's a Toyota, and Lucas wasn't involved in building it.

 

[Bennett]

Look me up when you get home... I'm at the mouth of provo canyon...
2- 76's

Theres a couple other cruiserheads up your way, Andre in PC and some hard core cruiserheads down Charleston...


post up when you get back

btw* I got a tow bar you can borrow if you would rather tow her home ... just sayin

 

[drooartz]

Bring water, oil, and some tools... You'll be fine... It's a Toyota, and Lucas wasn't involved in building it.

Too true. Just have to figure out what tools I can fly with, or I'll stop at a Walmart and pick up a cheap set out there.

I took my MGB for a 650 mile road trip right after I bought it, and other than a poorly welded muffler bracket breaking (that's what bailing wire is for) it ran like a champ. I expect the same from the cruiser.

Look me up when you get home... I'm at the mouth of provo canyon...

I'll definitely look you up, and thanks for the offer of a tow bar. I considered towing it back here, but driving it will be more fun. Slow and noisy, but more fun.

 

[drooartz]

A good friend of mine just signed on for the fly-and-drive, so it's turning into a nice adventure trip. Not that driving on I80 across all of Nevada is all that exciting...

 

[Fast Eddy]

I paid more than you're thinking, but again I was looking very specifically for a clean body and as few mods as possible, so that's okay for me

Gotcha. I paid $10k for my '78 and a truckload of parts because it was original paint, he was the original owner and I got the books, records and even the window sticker. In retrospect I probably paid too much for the condition it was in, but I've sold a couple thousand $$ worth of parts. No regrets.

Enjoy the trip!