One way ticket to bring home a 40...

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SAB

SAB

10 Year
Joined
Dec 5, 2015
Threads
33
Messages
183
Location
New England
Well, After a year of searching, I think I may have found her. If all goes well, I'll be making a 1,200 mile trip back home after flying out to pick up this '77 BJ40...number bj40011906.

The seller (Eddie Hayes) has imported quite a few of them from Costa Rica, and we spoke at length regarding the restoration. It appears as though everything is in order. The body was completely removed and the frame was refinished to the same quality as the exterior/interior. Fresh tune up on the BJ engine and no known issues to address. She's already been titled in the US, so import duties/headaches have been handled.

Of course, if anyone see's any blatant red flags, your insight would be appreciated.

Fingers crossed! It's been a long year of searching!

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Looks like it has drive flanges rather than locking hubs. If it were me I would pack a set of Aisin hubs and install before the road trip. Unlocking those hubs will save you some fuel and also wear and tear. I would also be peeking under that stainless steel they put on the rockers/fenders. No idea why someone would do that unless they are hiding something. Also bring a magnet and make sure its not full of body filler.
 
Costa Rica is not known for high quality (or honest) restorations. There have been a few in NC that are truly terrible. A search here for "Eddie Hayes" only brings up 6 hits, so that's a big flag. But it's not like used car dealers and importers are ever sketchy, right?
 
I would ask for a complete set of of before pics... what did it look like before the "restoration"? I'd also ask for a thorough set of photos of the "during" process. The shop that did my restoration takes exhaustive photos before and during every restoration... as well as at the end obviously. But you can see metal cut out, welded in, and refinished properly. You can see the paint removal and sand-blasting, etc. that was done.

Without any reference photos for how it ended up looking like it does today... I'd be unwilling. A proper restoration is only done by people proud and smart enough to take those steps in my opinion.

Other questions:
1. Do the engine number and VIN correspond?
2. What do the floors look like under the mats?
3. Do you have detailed photos of the steering box, the transmission, the transfer case?
4. Do you have video of it running, at least the engine idling?
 
I would have to fly out and go over this truck in person before committing what I am sure is a good chunk of change! All the above concerns are relevant, you are gonna want a heater in NE, and the #s on the truck should match. You could drop the front DS for the trip home, but if you do you are sure to run into snow.
Look for a supporting vender, or an experienced member of MUD who is close enough to check out the truck first, a little money spent with them may save you a LOT . You drive off with this truck, and it is yours, warts and all.
PS, many locations around the globe are not know for preventive maintenance habits, and SA is one of them !
My .02 for what it is worth.
 
Imho

Have a mudder that is near the truck check it out ... or a reputable cruiser shop if near by

... before making the trip
 
You have just received a slew of sound,well thought out advice from some very experienced, smart Mudders. Only a fool would ignore these dudes:confused:
 
Fair play on the replies gents. Thanks for taking the time to educate. I know everyone has better things to do than to spend their weekend giving advice to a future rig owner. There hasn't been an exchange of money yet. My flight isn't until tonight, but with these responses perhaps I will reconsider.

As for the questions asked, there isn't a spec of rust on it. It's solid and clean under the tacky chrome trim (Which from my understanding isn't entirely uncommon on the BJ40's...there is another in CA right now with the exact same trim package on it. Granted, it looks terrible.) That said, I don't have pictures of the work that was done. So, I suppose it could be entirely made of bondo. There is no smoke from the engine and everything is in good shape from the pictures I've been sent so far.

At 16k I thought it was a sound deal, but maybe I'm shooting from the hip and being overly optimistic. Arsebiscuits...
 
There are far better deals to be had than that one at $16k. A decent paint job and metal work that is done properly will be around that number. With that budget, if your heart isn't set on a BJ, you'll be able to find a rust free rig that isn't hiding any surprises that might need some minor mechanicals. Be patient, the right one is out there. I'd run from this one.
 
Nope, stay clear.

I guess the E painted on the bib must stand for engine.....
 
SAB said:
Fair play on the replies gents. Thanks for taking the time to educate. I know everyone has better things to do than to spend their weekend giving advice to a future rig owner. There hasn't been an exchange of money yet. My flight isn't until tonight, but with these responses perhaps I will reconsider.

As for the questions asked, there isn't a spec of rust on it. It's solid and clean under the tacky chrome trim (Which from my understanding isn't entirely uncommon on the BJ40's...there is another in CA right now with the exact same trim package on it. Granted, it looks terrible.) That said, I don't have pictures of the work that was done. So, I suppose it could be entirely made of bondo. There is no smoke from the engine and everything is in good shape from the pictures I've been sent so far.

At 16k I thought it was a sound deal, but maybe I'm shooting from the hip and being overly optimistic. Arsebiscuits...
Click to expand...

When you say there isn't a spec of rust how did you determine that without inspecting it? Because the seller told it was rust free? Everybody's option of rust seems to be different. Hate have you fly out only to find rust and the seller say compared to other cruisers from Costa Rica it's rust free. Or worse buy and have rust bubbles appear later.
 
any pics of the back side of the running board/ tub area and detailed shots of the back side of rear sill and inner fenders... also pic of interior top wheel well to side seam ... those areas will tell you a LOT of how much BONDO i bet is there... I would not fly out without at least 50-100 detailed close up shots of problem areas! Good Luck But I would keep your hard earned money for a different one.. My2c
 
At 16K it couldn't have been a restoration. Maybe a repaint and detailing. If he has pictures of the restoration, make darn sure they match the vehicle he is selling. I would rather spend 16K on an original driver that has the original paint and original rust. At least you know what you are getting. Trust me when I say, that you cannot tell the condition of the body, until it has been sandblasted.
 
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