Official ONSC member buying/selling thread (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter southerncruiser62
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R
Pics of the shocks and springs:
Just saw this '74 FJ40 on Craigslist last night. Spoke with the seller today and am hoping to go see it tomorrow. Anyone up for joining me and pointing out all the problems and telling me how much I'd sink into getting it right?
The seller reminds me of Shultz on Hogans Heroes ("I know nothing!") although he did know it had drum brakes in the front as he spent $300 repairing them after realizing he couldn't get the darn thing to stop.
He says someone donated it to charity and he bought it online last year at an auction only dealers can access. From the pics he sent today, it seems to have a good bit of rust (says the diamond plate isn't hiding more) and he did tell me it is geared so low it topped out on the highway at around 50 mph.
Should at least be a fun way to spend a few hours on a Saturday.
The seller reminds me of Shultz on Hogans Heroes ("I know nothing!") although he did know it had drum brakes in the front as he spent $300 repairing them after realizing he couldn't get the darn thing to stop.
He says someone donated it to charity and he bought it online last year at an auction only dealers can access. From the pics he sent today, it seems to have a good bit of rust (says the diamond plate isn't hiding more) and he did tell me it is geared so low it topped out on the highway at around 50 mph.
Should at least be a fun way to spend a few hours on a Saturday.
What's the price and location?
Looks pretty good to me at a glance...
I went this morning with my wife and 4 year old to look it over. Lots more surface rust than expected (especially the hood) and a few more surprises upon closer inspection like the fact that the fiberglass roof didn't seem to be bolted on at all. Check out the Picassa Web Album and my comments. Got to run now so post questions and I'll try to answer them. Remember, I'm a novice at this.
Well it needs work that is for sure. But that is what would make me buy it if the price is right.
Most of your questions I can't answer since i've never owned a 40.
How much do they want for it??
A lot of those problems can be addressed with a new tub.. .but that depends on the purchase price and your budget.
Personally I think it's got character
Most of your questions I can't answer since i've never owned a 40.
How much do they want for it??
A lot of those problems can be addressed with a new tub.. .but that depends on the purchase price and your budget.
Personally I think it's got character
Yes, it needs some work.
Rust: The rockers are probably have more rust than showing and I'd still bet there's rust under the diamond plate. Would probably help to crawl under it and inspect these areas from the backside. The rear sill is rusted through on the ends too...another common rust out. Both fenders are typical rust out spots...you can either cut out the rust and weld in a section of metal, glop in some filler for now, or buy new OEM fenders (only OEM...the repro fenders don't fit well...~$500 for the pair shipped). The floors all around look good...is that just surface rust on the driver's floor?
Roof: The top along the driprail is toast...plan to spend at least $300 for a used fiberglass cap and drip rail in good shape. I know where you might be able to find one or two in the Charlotte area. Nice roof rack.
Seats need recovering, but hey it's a '74. If you get it you I'll give you some reproduction seat covers (like the ones in my 40) that you can have for free...but they are black...and they **might** fit (didn't fit my late '79 seats but might fit your early ones).
Oh yeah...those wheels have to go too.
If you get this truck ping "Jackbrad" here on the forum and go pick-up his spare 40 wheel over on the west side of Lake Norman...he may give it to you.
Not sure what that puddle was...oil or tranny fluid??
As long as his asking price is south of $4K it's probably a good deal. Not sure I'd go into the $5's. Wouldn't surprise me if the 75K on the odometer is actual miles.
Rust: The rockers are probably have more rust than showing and I'd still bet there's rust under the diamond plate. Would probably help to crawl under it and inspect these areas from the backside. The rear sill is rusted through on the ends too...another common rust out. Both fenders are typical rust out spots...you can either cut out the rust and weld in a section of metal, glop in some filler for now, or buy new OEM fenders (only OEM...the repro fenders don't fit well...~$500 for the pair shipped). The floors all around look good...is that just surface rust on the driver's floor?
Roof: The top along the driprail is toast...plan to spend at least $300 for a used fiberglass cap and drip rail in good shape. I know where you might be able to find one or two in the Charlotte area. Nice roof rack.
Seats need recovering, but hey it's a '74. If you get it you I'll give you some reproduction seat covers (like the ones in my 40) that you can have for free...but they are black...and they **might** fit (didn't fit my late '79 seats but might fit your early ones).
Oh yeah...those wheels have to go too.
If you get this truck ping "Jackbrad" here on the forum and go pick-up his spare 40 wheel over on the west side of Lake Norman...he may give it to you.Not sure what that puddle was...oil or tranny fluid??
As long as his asking price is south of $4K it's probably a good deal. Not sure I'd go into the $5's. Wouldn't surprise me if the 75K on the odometer is actual miles.
Yes, it needs some work.
Rust: The rockers are probably have more rust than showing and I'd still bet there's rust under the diamond plate. Would probably help to crawl under it and inspect these areas from the backside. The rear sill is rusted through on the ends too...another common rust out. Both fenders are typical rust out spots...you can either cut out the rust and weld in a section of metal, glop in some filler for now, or buy new OEM fenders (only OEM...the repro fenders don't fit well...~$500 for the pair shipped). The floors all around look good...is that just surface rust on the driver's floor?
Roof: The top along the driprail is toast...plan to spend at least $300 for a used fiberglass cap and drip rail in good shape. I know where you might be able to find one or two in the Charlotte area. Nice roof rack.
Seats need recovering, but hey it's a '74. If you get it you I'll give you some reproduction seat covers (like the ones in my 40) that you can have for free...but they are black...and they **might** fit (didn't fit my late '79 seats but might fit your early ones).
Oh yeah...those wheels have to go too.
Not sure what that puddle was...oil or tranny fluid??
As long as his asking price is south of $4K it's probably a good deal. Not sure I'd go into the $5's. Wouldn't surprise me if the 75K on the odometer is actual miles.
I'd have to agree, lowball him at 3K and see where it goes from there. The dash and such looks good. That could be a bypass, or just new rubber lines routed to the rear heater. The originals have multiple connections, and multiple old connections are more likely to burst hot coolant inside your cruiser (ouch!), I went with a straight connection. The driver side transmission cover rust is a common spot for cancer. All in all not too shabby! Have no idea what the bolts on the hardtop are....
Surfing craigslist and stumbled across this..I talked to the guy, Mike, really nice fella...said he has another 74FJ40 that he'd let go for 7K I think...the one on this post is a wrecked one that he bought for parts...worth a shout if anyone is interested..R
Toyota PARTS LandCruiser ****REDUCED FOR QUICK SALE****
Toyota PARTS LandCruiser ****REDUCED FOR QUICK SALE****
Bit much in my eyes.
Then again i never paid more than 2250.00 for any of my cruisers.
BACK AWAY FROM THE PIPE!
That guy is smoking some serious crack. $2500 for that POS! Don't think so.
Man, I have bought THREE running, driving trucks for less than $2k. No way I would spend that on a junker.
Thanks for all the feeback and input guys. I've got a few minutes so let me answer a few questions, ask a few questions and make a few comments.I'd have to agree, lowball him at 3K and see where it goes from there. The dash and such looks good. That could be a bypass, or just new rubber lines routed to the rear heater. The originals have multiple connections, and multiple old connections are more likely to burst hot coolant inside your cruiser (ouch!), I went with a straight connection. The driver side transmission cover rust is a common spot for cancer. All in all not too shabby! Have no idea what the bolts on the hardtop are....
1. How much does he want for it?? - He put $7,500 on his Craigslist ad, shooting for the stars, but know he realizes that's likely unrealistic from a knowledgeable buyer. $3k as a lowball offer sounds about right based on all the input received, although some of the later posters obviously have great negotiating skills. Doubt he would part with it for $3k, but with all that needs to be done, that's probably where I need to be.
2. Thoughts on a new tub - Where do you draw the line on repairing what's there and getting a new tub? I'd think it would need to be worse than this one appears but again, I don't have any experience.
3. Rust - I crawled under the cruiser but he'd conveniently gotten out in some mud recently and the residue covered much of the underbody and backside behind the diamond plate. I wasn't prepared to get too grimey so I didn't poke around too much (Note to self: bring change of clothes, flashlight and long screwdriver next time.) The rear sill definitely needs to be replaced and we all agree the area beneath the diamond plate likely does as well. Agree floors looked good - mostly just surface rust.
4. Roof - a used fiberglass cap and drip rail in good shape at $300 is better than I expected. Might need to take Lake Norman up on the lead (I heard you loud and clear on refurbishing on your own)
5. Seats - I was expecting about what I found. Reproduction seat covers for free?!? Thanks!
6. Wheels - Will certainly reach out to "Jackbrad" if I get this one.
7. Puddle - Seller said oil and I didn't think to second guess him.
8. Hoses on passenger side - I think you are right about them being new rubber lines routed to the rear heater.
9. I called and left a message on the red 74 FJ40 earlier tonight. Would like to see all the options and not make any hasty decisions.
I really appreciate the input and will let you know what comes of my email to the seller. Gut tells me to hold out for a FJ40 with a 2F and one in better shape, but I'm sure making all these repairs to one like this would be great experience. Maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll have something to drive to Uwharrie next Saturday.
It is a steep price for a wrecked FJ40...the listing said reduced...I assumed it meant reduced from the listed price...my bad
Check out Flinny's deal, she's getting rid of 2 for 5K....
That would be my advise also. Or wait a few weeks and I'll have mine ready for someone in the same price range...
is she still getting rid of them? Man those were nice trucks and they had killer soft tops.
Surface rust is do-able. its when you get the cancerous that is bad. oil leak is pretty common so I wouldnt fret about that too much. I would be willing to say that if your open to spending 5-7k on a truck that you can drive now and work on along the way, you can find something pretty nice. I would caution you though that as you start to look, try not to let yourself get "paralysis of analysis" . No matter what the truck you buy will be 30+ years old so it will have something that breaks or needs to be fixed which is all the fun.
That would be sweet to have a cruiser by next weekend though! good luck.
Surface rust is do-able. its when you get the cancerous that is bad. oil leak is pretty common so I wouldnt fret about that too much. I would be willing to say that if your open to spending 5-7k on a truck that you can drive now and work on along the way, you can find something pretty nice. I would caution you though that as you start to look, try not to let yourself get "paralysis of analysis" . No matter what the truck you buy will be 30+ years old so it will have something that breaks or needs to be fixed which is all the fun.
That would be sweet to have a cruiser by next weekend though! good luck.
Just lookin around to see if anyone has a V8 conversion kit for sale at a reasonable price since it looks like the junker i picked up to replace my blown motor also has a bad motor.
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roughnready I have a few of the pieces you will need, PM me and I will lead you in the right direction to get alot of these items in under costs of the larger companies kits.
