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drohweder

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Oct 5, 2003
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149
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1,144
Location
Golden, CO
Give me some straight talk about the 40 I may be buying....

Its a 74 with a 283 sbc V8 mated up to a Turbo 350 Auto and 3.70 diffs. Has a 4 inch confer lift, Power steering, new black rock crawlers with 32x11.5 BFG AT (brand new) and kayline rear tire and tank carrier. Paint is rough but the body is in good shape. No body rot and very little surface rust. Floor boards look great and no dents--just tons of chips and faded paint. Hard top in good shape and all the glass looks great and has new seals.

Its got this funky dual exhaust that exits just behind the doors on BOTH sides its routed outside the rails. The tranny worked well but the linkage sucked and would need replaced. Its got a 6pt roll bar and nice deck with cheap speaker boxes. The frame is very clean and straight.

On test drive: Brakes suck ass and will need a front disc conversion immediately! Surprisingly less power than my 350 in the 55. Its got a 2 barrel carb--can that be swapped for a 4 barrel and get more hp? Engine started right up and purred nicely.

Big grind with the tanny in N when locking in the t-case (is that concerning or normal?)

Electrical is funky. The lights work but turn signals are shorted. Guy has everything split up since he couldn't figure out the short. Toggle switches activate the radio feed, dash feed and electric fan. Dude just spent $1200 on drive line rebuild and $900 on tires and wheels.

I'm not looking for the perfect cruiser...in fact a bit of a project is desired

What do you think its worth in Nor Cal area. He is asking $6200
 
For $6200 you can get a better built cruiser IMO. If it's already obvious to you the PO has taken shortcuts in his build up you'll find many others as you own it later.

Be patient, after you buy one it will always look like there is a better one available.

Dave
 
I'd not buy it. Honestly, if you want a truck to drive and work on, get one with an F or 2F.
I didn't know anything when I started, (not much better now,) but I still screwed with my motor all the time. It always got me where I needed to go, and in 2 years has never left me stranded. Not once.

I much prefer mechanical work over body. I would look for one that doesn't need a paintjob, with little rust, and a stock motor. I prefer working from worn out stock instead of modifications. It is always much more straightforward and has less suprises.
 
Yup. Too much. No point in having a little chevy engine. If the thing's converted, it should be the bigger one. I checked out a fj55 with that 283 in it, too. Anemic, as you say.

Keep looking.

GL
 
like they said, too much money for what your getting. sounds more like a 3k and under rig. drum brakes will stop well enough when working properly, sound a bit neglected.
for that much money have landpimp find you an early 80 fj40 :)
 
I don't know where the hell you guys find your cruisers becuase I have been looking for 6 months and can't find the kind of deals you all claim exist. I'm not planning to pay what the guy wants for the truck. My uncle sells crate engines so the 283 won't likely be in there too long. Antoher nice thing is its a local truck. What kills me is there was the perfect cruiser well priced just across town but the guy sold it a week before my truck sold......ugg!
 
fsusteve said:
You're not all that far from Pimp, put him on the case.
Click to expand...

ha ha, good call steve


i would seriously look for something else unless you can get him to drop it significantly.

the number of times that 'funky' or 'weird' and other words not associated with good $6200 cruisers came up in your own description would make me a little wary.

and i understand about the great cruiser deals everybody gets. i paid 'too much' for mine, but it was local and i know that i got a good deal, so just keep that in mind


have a good one, and keep up the hunt!

malphrus
 
How much would you pay for a cruiser without the engine with electrical problems, lousy brakes, good body, but bad paint. That's what you should ask yourself since you plan on swapping the underpowered engine. I'd put that with the new tires and other stuff around $3K.

I have seen several 40's posted here with no or poor engines for under $1500.
 
Guess I must stay my desire for instant gratification....the hunt goes on. I may just offer the guy 3K and see what he says...I guess I can just piss him off and be done with it or pick it up for 3K and have a cruiser and some immediate projects.
 
might help to take a list of what needs repaired
paintjob in the range of 2-4,000 for someone else to do it
brakes depends whats wrong estimate $400 buying new parts or more if master and booster bad
electrical if its real messed up might be better off replacing the harness $300 for a painless or similar harness


if he doesnt take 3k id look elsewhere. there was a 78 for $4,000 listed in for sale here not long ago that looked in good shape.
 
The grinding in neutral is normal for what you tried to do--you got to change t-case gears with an auto in park or the input shaft will spin and the t-case is not syncro'ed. I would make an offer you can afford based on the needed up grades and let him know you primarily want the body and the rest is for the parts heap.
 
Blinkers on the blink can often mean new wiring harness...about $1300 unless you do the install. Price is way high by Texas standards.

Did you sell the pig? If so, I missed the thread.
 
Ughhh...that information has not been fomally released, check out VOR...

Don't hate me yet, the complete story will be forthcoming.
 
ah. I wondered if that was your truck!
 
Its an awesome truck to drive. No matter what, I will be taking a step down in luxury:) I really want at least a SOA 40...the rest I can do on my own over time.
 
IDave said:
ah. I wondered if that was your truck!
Click to expand...

Wait, not the one with the wooden roof rack? That's not yours, is it????

Anyway, you sold it back to the V.O.R. S.O.B.?

Yes, the full story needs telling.

And I'd pass on the $6200--plenty of project vehicles out there for much, much less, even if you have to have them trailered.
 
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