Possible Purchase needs nit picking, questions to ask, etc.

[jhynesrockmtn]

I posted a new member intro about starting to look for an FJ. This 1982 is local to me. It's a FB marketplace ad with little information other than a few pics and this Hemmings thing. Steer clear? Look but don't buy? Maybe a good deal? I need some expert advice. Looking for a driver, not a show car, will see trail use and occasional daily driver status in town.

 

[Cal40]

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I am not an expert.

Rust + respray (especially where the description implies a hasty job) would give me caution, because I am not skilled with welding and auto body. Others here would have no problem. You’d have to see it in person because definitions of rust severity are subjective. Nothing glaring in the pics.

I have yet to read a good thing about a non-Toyota/Aisan carb.

The seller has owned it for a year, so they may be limited in ability to give details on the work done previously.

If it’s close, go see it. Seeing cruisers in person, and if possible, driving, will start building some data that you can see and feel to rely upon as you make your decision. I generally don’t ask to test drive a vehicle I’m not ready to buy, but I would let someone drive mine if they were nice but not that serious yet.

 

[3_puppies]

don't buy it without looking at it in person, or have a trusted person look at it who knows 40 series.
where is it located now?
check with a local club and see if someone is willing to look at it that is close by

 

[45Dougal]

Looks pretty nice.
People won't like you calling it an FJ though - better stop that
Maybe the guy got carried away buying a front bumper online?
The speakers are notable - are these young guy cool speakers, old guy deaf speakers, or 40 series inaudible speakers?
Has aircon and power steering? How's the engine temperature reading?

 

[EWheeler]

I posted a new member intro about starting to look for an FJ. This 1982 is local to me. It's a FB marketplace ad with little information other than a few pics and this Hemmings thing. Steer clear? Look but don't buy? Maybe a good deal? I need some expert advice. Looking for a driver, not a show car, will see trail use and occasional daily driver status in town.

View attachment 3742531

View attachment 3742532

It looks decent from the photos, but not $32k worth. It depends on what you're after, but I think there are FAR better deals to be had by broadening your search and being willing to ship a truck to you.

For instance, this red one is similar price point, but appears to be in far better condition body/rust wise.

For Sale - Dayton, OH - 1974 Toyota Land Cruiser - FJ40

Full frame off restoration completed by Scott Gesick at www.RestoredFJ40.com out of Lincoln City, Oregon. Features include: Rebuilt 2F engine by Portland Engines, four speed manual transmission, Toyota power-steering, Toyota PTO winch (rare), original Toyota factory Freeborn Red color, front...

forum.ih8mud.com

This blue one just appears to have sold at an almost 50% discount to the one you are looking at and appeared to be a fantastic value.

SOLD - Traverse City, Mi 1977 FJ-40

I've owned this vehicle since 2017 and it is garage kept plus put away from October to May each year to avoid snow & ice melt products, the previous owner used the vehicle at a camp where it was also stored.. The de-smogged 2F engine & drivetrain is in very good condition along with steering &...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[charliemeyer007]

Buy the truck not the story. Looks good is not the same as actually being good. +1 for having a real landcruiser car person look and test drive it with you before buying.

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

It looks decent from the photos, but not $32k worth. It depends on what you're after, but I think there are FAR better deals to be had by broadening your search and being willing to ship a truck to you.

For instance, this red one is similar price point, but appears to be in far better condition body/rust wise.

For Sale - Dayton, OH - 1974 Toyota Land Cruiser - FJ40

Full frame off restoration completed by Scott Gesick at www.RestoredFJ40.com out of Lincoln City, Oregon. Features include: Rebuilt 2F engine by Portland Engines, four speed manual transmission, Toyota power-steering, Toyota PTO winch (rare), original Toyota factory Freeborn Red color, front...

forum.ih8mud.com

This blue one just appears to have sold at an almost 50% discount to the one you are looking at and appeared to be a fantastic value.

SOLD - Traverse City, Mi 1977 FJ-40

I've owned this vehicle since 2017 and it is garage kept plus put away from October to May each year to avoid snow & ice melt products, the previous owner used the vehicle at a camp where it was also stored.. The de-smogged 2F engine & drivetrain is in very good condition along with steering &...

forum.ih8mud.com

I saw the red one and sent a message. Thanks for your reply!

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

don't buy it without looking at it in person, or have a trusted person look at it who knows 40 series.
where is it located now?
check with a local club and see if someone is willing to look at it that is close by

It is a few miles from me, so I'll take a look.

My daughter's boyfriend is in Austin and has a fair bit of experience and has a 77 currently. He's helping from afar

 

[Skreddy]

Definitely looks bubbly in the rear sill. I wouldn’t be a big fan of the aftermarket wiring harness (if that’s what that painless box is on the firewall). Also wouldn’t be thrilled with the bedliner or whatever on the interior floors. It doesn’t look too bad overall in the pics though and things like wrong color paint on gauge cluster, etc are easily changed.

Some big points for it in my mind would be the power steering and AC (especially here in Spokane).

I’d definitely look for signs of bondo over rust and things like overspray on window seals to indicate quality of the respray. If you zoom in on the pic from the rear, you can see the seal between the hardtop cap gutter and hardtop sides is painted body color, which tells me it was painted assembled.

My gut without seeing it in person is upper teens to low $20’s. If it were original seats and wiring and didn’t have the bedliner on the floors (if that’s what it is), I could see mid to upper $20’s or more because the early 80’s cruisers are more rare.

What area of Spokane are you in?

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

Looks pretty nice.
People won't like you calling it an FJ though - better stop that
Maybe the guy got carried away buying a front bumper online?
The speakers are notable - are these young guy cool speakers, old guy deaf speakers, or 40 series inaudible speakers?
Has aircon and power steering? How's the engine temperature reading?

Thanks, I'll research proper nomenclature It is right right up the street from me so easy to go see it. I would probably pull any big speakers out of it first thing. AC isn't huge on my list, but wouldn't be a bad thing if it doesn't cause any over heating issues as you point out.

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

Definitely looks bubbly in the rear sill. I wouldn’t be a big fan of the aftermarket wiring harness (if that’s what that painless box is on the firewall). Also wouldn’t be thrilled with the bedliner or whatever on the interior floors. It doesn’t look too bad overall in the pics though and things like wrong color paint on gauge cluster, etc are easily changed.

Some big points for it in my mind would be the power steering and AC (especially here in Spokane).

I’d definitely look for signs of bondo over rust and things like overspray on window seals to indicate quality of the respray. If you zoom in on the pic from the rear, you can see the seal between the hardtop cap gutter and hardtop sides is painted body color, which tells me it was painted assembled.

My gut without seeing it in person is upper teens to low $20’s. If it were original seats and wiring and didn’t have the bedliner on the floors (if that’s what it is), I could see mid to upper $20’s or more because the early 80’s cruisers are more rare.

What area of Spokane are you in?

New paint covering rust is one of my biggest concerns. Also something trading hands over and over. I'd prefer a long term owner thoughtful owner. I'm on the South Hill near Lincoln Park. Shoot me a PM if you are local and wouldn't mind looking at it. I'll happily buy you a beer at Perry Street or something for your troubles

 

[Godwin]

Thanks, I'll research proper nomenclature It is right right up the street from me so easy to go see it. I would probably pull any big speakers out of it first thing. AC isn't huge on my list, but wouldn't be a bad thing if it doesn't cause any over heating issues as you point out.

Nomenclature is easy, FJ40, or 40, and Cruiser people will know what model you are referencing.

 

[Skreddy]

New paint covering rust is one of my biggest concerns. Also something trading hands over and over. I'd prefer a long term owner thoughtful owner. I'm on the South Hill near Lincoln Park. Shoot me a PM if you are local and wouldn't mind looking at it. I'll happily buy you a beer at Perry Street or something for your troubles

I am local but pretty busy the next week or so. I’m on the north end, Wandermere area. I’d gladly look at cruisers with you if my schedule permits!

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

I am local but pretty busy the next week or so. I’m on the north end, Wandermere area. I’d gladly look at cruisers with you if my schedule permits!

I appreciate that very much. I will keep you posted and reach out if something comes along that I could use a second more experienced set of eyes on. And if you're ever just in the South Hill area, send me a private message and maybe we can grab a beer.

 

[RSVPDorsia]

Just here to say Porsche Land Cruiser gang... REUNITE!

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

I went and looked at this 82 briefly yesterday. It presents great initially. The owner unfortunately bought it from a dealer almost 2 years back with no records/history and paid a premium. It has rust presenting below the rear doors, rhino lined inside, underneath the floors have rust and cracks. See pic. The lower sections have filler, a lot based on my fridge magnet not sticking to anything in those areas. I asked a few questions and left. He seemed disinterested while I was there but followed up with several texts wanting me to come back for a test drive. I feel like a guy who isn't interested after a first date and is trying to gently avoid a second, ugh.

 

[45Dougal]

Nomenclature is easy, FJ40, or 40, and Cruiser people will know what model you are referencing.

Unless you have a long wheelbase or diesel powered truck like my HJ45 of course

 

[1969FJ]

I went and looked at this 82 briefly yesterday. It presents great initially. The owner unfortunately bought it from a dealer almost 2 years back with no records/history and paid a premium. It has rust presenting below the rear doors, rhino lined inside, underneath the floors have rust and cracks. See pic. The lower sections have filler, a lot based on my fridge magnet not sticking to anything in those areas. I asked a few questions and left. He seemed disinterested while I was there but followed up with several texts wanting me to come back for a test drive. I feel like a guy who isn't interested after a first date and is trying to gently avoid a second, ugh.

View attachment 3744081

1982 sounds like a good year, and it was. The truth is as years went on in the 1970's , gas mileage and emission's was coming. So, Toyota started getting weight down and being the 1970's , using recycled steel. I have seen a lot of late 1970,s and 1980,s rust a lot sooner than 1960,s. The rust is the pitted kind along with rot. The later drive trains were greater as long you still have a body/frame.

 

[Mark Jennings]

1982 sounds like a good year, and it was. The truth is as years went on in the 1970's , gas mileage and emission's was coming. So, Toyota started getting weight down and being the 1970's , using recycled steel. I have seen a lot of late 1970,s and 1980,s rust a lot sooner than 1960,s. The rust is the pitted kind along with rot. The later drive trains were greater as long you still have a body/frame.

The reason 70’s and 80’s rotted so fast was the use of scrap steel. German and Japanese cars used a tremendous amount scrap ‘non-homogenous’ steel (dissimilar metal) in their body panels that, adding even the slightest electrolyte (salt water), turned the entire body into a galvanic cell. Soon after, early 90’s, galvanized body panels hit the scene and helped (never fixed) the problem. Just getting the paint to stick in the early galvanized panels was a challenge. Although, they eventually fixed that….argh, I degress.

Just keep in mind, you’re purchasing a project, the legend, not the practicality

 

[Engineer8000]

My experience, run away from anything with bed liner inside. It hides a multitude of sins. This is some of my "bondo free" truck after scraping off the bedliner.