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

[knuckle47]

Reading this collective has shown me how absolutely lucky I have been in buying my Land Cruiser a few years ago. I had gone to see a few of them locally but purchased one 3000 miles away from photos. Mine was from a MUD member here with whom I’d spoken with on the phone after meeting on line and made a decision. It wasn’t even his truck…but the father of a friend. He did not mis-represent any thing and the seller was a really nice lady

Fortunately I was not a novice FJ40 buyer and had several over 45 years. My 40 is a beauty as a result of dealing with some great people. You will find what your after so best of luck…but hurry up!!

 

[SteveH]

I hate to paint with a broad brush, but every Hemmings FJ40 I have seen online (dozens) seemed very sketchy. Far less appealing than BaT rigs. Many are clearly 'fix and flip', many are re-imports, and seem overpriced by 10K+. Wish it weren't so.

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

Reading this collective has shown me how absolutely lucky I have been in buying my Land Cruiser a few years ago. I had gone to see a few of them locally but purchased one 3000 miles away from photos. Mine was from a MUD member here with whom I’d spoken with on the phone after meeting on line and made a decision. It wasn’t even his truck…but the father of a friend. He did not mis-represent any thing and the seller was a really nice lady

Fortunately I was not a novice FJ40 buyer and had several over 45 years. My 40 is a beauty as a result of dealing with some great people. You will find what your after so best of luck…but hurry up!!

Great story. I've had good luck buying from a distance, mostly. One time it didn't go great, but the damage was minimal, and I wish I still had that 81 911 The others have turned out very well. I bought a BMW GS1150 years ago when I lived in Seattle from a guy off of the ADV riders forum. He was the most stand up guy ever. He also lived about as far away as he could get. His wife was a US Airlines pilot. She got me a ticket timed to meet me at the airport when she was finishing a trip, took me to their home, fed me, I slept in the guest suite. They became long distance friends and I bought another bike from him years later. I rode home from NE Maryland to Seattle and had an epic trip. I'd be open to another adventure like that. The pic below is both of the bikes I bought from him. The other is from the trip home.

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

I hate to paint with a broad brush, but every Hemmings FJ40 I have seen online (dozens) seemed very sketchy. Far less appealing than BaT rigs. Many are clearly 'fix and flip', many are re-imports, and seem overpriced by 10K+. Wish it weren't so.

Thanks. I wasn't even sure what the Hemmings thing was. Maybe an "inspection" by an appraiser hired through them or something. The seller bought it from a dealer, who bought it from an estate. No history.

 

[knuckle47]

@jhynesrockmtn That ride back was solo? Ballsy move …. I rode my 1925 Henderson about 200 miles but that was with 2 other friends who could fetch a tow if needed….no cell phones back then haha

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

@jhynesrockmtn That ride back was solo? Ballsy move …. I rode my 1925 Henderson about 200 miles but that was with 2 other friends who could fetch a tow if needed….no cell phones back then haha

Balsy with the GS? Or did you mean the /2? I did several longer solo trips plus some with my son. The /2 I had shipped out and rode that locally.

 

[knuckle47]

Balsy with the GS? Or did you mean the /2? I did several longer solo trips plus some with my son. The /2 I had shipped out and rode that locally.

I mean for me, I don’t think I’d chance a 3000 mile ride alone. I have done NJ to Daytona and back 8-10 times solo but…your really never alone on RT95. Out in the Rockies…I’m guessing that can be REAL solitude

 

[SteveH]

@jhynesrockmtn Thanks. I wasn't even sure what the Hemmings thing was.

You must be young . Hemmings was 'it' long before the Internet. In the 1970s/80s/90s, you pored over the tiny print in the thick, newsprint catalog and dreamed of cars you'd never own because they were in another state.

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

@jhynesrockmtn Thanks. I wasn't even sure what the Hemmings thing was.

You must be young . Hemmings was 'it' long before the Internet. In the 1970s/80s/90s, you pored over the tiny print in the thick, newsprint catalog and dreamed of cars you'd never own because they were in another state.

Ha, I'm not young. Will be 62 soon. I'm familiar with Hemmings as a publication. Just not these individual vehicle reports. I do know a guy who restores cars and is an independent appraiser of classic vehicles. He knows a lot, but doesn't have deep knowledge about all of them. This is the sort of thing I'd expect to come from something like that. A fairly generic appraisal/"inspection" report.

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

I mean for me, I don’t think I’d chance a 3000 mile ride alone. I have done NJ to Daytona and back 8-10 times solo but…your really never alone on RT95. Out in the Rockies…I’m guessing that can be REAL solitude

I like the solo aspect of it. I can be a bit of a loaner at times It does suck if you break down though. Sadly, the bikes are gone. Partly why I'm looking at an FJ40. The ability to get off the beaten path for a bit. Throw a sleeping bag and tent in the rear and spend the weekend solo in the woods.

 

[1911]

I like the solo aspect of it. I can be a bit of a loaner at times

I have been riding for almost 60 years, and have always loved riding solo. I ride to escape from stress, and it gives me time to think. I haven't been to a big rally since I was a young scooter tramp. You couldn't pay me to go now.

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

The seller of the 82 asked me to come drive it today. I have to say, it runs well, shifts great, stops good, seems tight and has factory power steering and aftermarket AC that works. If the rust wasn't lingering the way it is, it would be a good possibility. Maybe at the right price, could still work. He's at $30k at this point. I'm checking out a sort of local 77 on Friday.

 

[Skreddy]

The seller of the 82 asked me to come drive it today. I have to say, it runs well, shifts great, stops good, seems tight and has factory power steering and aftermarket AC that works. If the rust wasn't lingering the way it is, it would be a good possibility. Maybe at the right price, could still work. He's at $30k at this point. I'm checking out a sort of local 77 on Friday.

Is the 77 the one in Curlew? If so, the Knotty Pine in republic has pretty good burgers.

Not sure how you’d get it home if you bought it, but I have a flatbed trailer and straps if you need it.

 

[EWheeler]

The seller of the 82 asked me to come drive it today. I have to say, it runs well, shifts great, stops good, seems tight and has factory power steering and aftermarket AC that works. If the rust wasn't lingering the way it is, it would be a good possibility. Maybe at the right price, could still work. He's at $30k at this point. I'm checking out a sort of local 77 on Friday.

$30k is still to much IMO. I'm not afraid of a little rust on any cruiser, but paying the bucks for a "nice" 40 and then having rust bubbles and bondo cracks appear a couple years later would really chap my ass. I'd prefer all original paint and sheet metal with blemishes showing if at all possible, and like what was pointed out earlier, no undercoating or bed liner on the inside or bottom of tub. Highly likely that easy to apply coating is hiding some not so easy to repair issues.

What are you after in a 40? Something to tinker on? Restoration project? A rig to get out in the hills with or just a cars and coffee rig?

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

Is the 77 the one in Curlew? If so, the Knotty Pine in republic has pretty good burgers.

Not sure how you’d get it home if you bought it, but I have a flatbed trailer and straps if you need it.

It is the one in Curlew. I'm taking the wife and pups, we're making a day out of it. If it is great and I want it, I'll give him a deposit and go back and get it later. I have access to a car trailer I sold my buddies a few years back. I appreciate the offer.

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

$30k is still to much IMO. I'm not afraid of a little rust on any cruiser, but paying the bucks for a "nice" 40 and then having rust bubbles and bondo cracks appear a couple years later would really chap my ass. I'd prefer all original paint and sheet metal with blemishes showing if at all possible, and like what was pointed out earlier, no undercoating or bed liner on the inside or bottom of tub. Highly likely that easy to apply coating is hiding some not so easy to repair issues.

What are you after in a 40? Something to tinker on? Restoration project? A rig to get out in the hills with or just a cars and coffee rig?

I appreciate the feedback and it makes sense. He's a guy who paid $40k and hasn't realized he has a $25k or less rig on his hands I'm looking for something that isn't a big project. I have learned, sometimes the hard way, to buy from owners who care about what they have and have made some improvements, sweat over it a bit, care, etc. I don't want a big project, I have enough of those. I have read enough to want one with a later engine, 4 speed and disc fronts. Something I'll actually drive to the woods, camp, my dogs will be in it, grandkids puking in it (a man can dream), a driver which doesn't have a bunch of needs.

 

[knuckle47]

I have been riding for almost 60 years, and have always loved riding solo. I ride to escape from stress, and it gives me time to think. I haven't been to a big rally since I was a young scooter tramp. You couldn't pay me to go now.

@1911 I agree with you about it being out of hand. My last big event was about 2001 again in Daytona and you could see the big differences from my first time in 1991. However, parking my butt on Main Street and people watching for hours never fails to amuse me. Some of the oddest people and things pass by every few minutes

 

[Skreddy]

I appreciate the feedback and it makes sense. He's a guy who paid $40k and hasn't realized he has a $25k or less rig on his hands I'm looking for something that isn't a big project. I have learned, sometimes the hard way, to buy from owners who care about what they have and have made some improvements, sweat over it a bit, care, etc. I don't want a big project, I have enough of those. I have read enough to want one with a later engine, 4 speed and disc fronts. Something I'll actually drive to the woods, camp, my dogs will be in it, grandkids puking in it (a man can dream), a driver which doesn't have a bunch of needs.

I need to pm you, but we should meet up next week when I’m off work. You can drive mine. I’ve got the F engine, but a 4 speed and I put the Holley Sniper EFI on it. Small lift and bigger tires, I added disc brakes and other minor mods I wanted.
I have restored a few and every time I sold it because I knew I wouldn’t use it how I wanted: put a Xmas tree on the roof, kids and dog beating up the back, dead elk crammed in there….

 

[Mark Jennings]

This one just appeared on Craigslist….this is a true overlander!

1984 Toyota FJ45 Landcruiser for sale by owner - Damascus, OR - craigslist

1984 Toyota FJ45 Land Cruiser 449,500 kilometers (281,000 miles) Right hand drive PS, PB, A/C Fiberglass pop top, canvas sides, excellent condition ARB fridge/freezer 12 volt or 120 volt Two battery...

portland.craigslist.org

 

[jhynesrockmtn]

This one just appeared on Craigslist….this is a true overlander!

1984 Toyota FJ45 Landcruiser for sale by owner - Damascus, OR - craigslist

1984 Toyota FJ45 Land Cruiser 449,500 kilometers (281,000 miles) Right hand drive PS, PB, A/C Fiberglass pop top, canvas sides, excellent condition ARB fridge/freezer 12 volt or 120 volt Two battery...

portland.craigslist.org

Very cool.