The Search Begins (2 Viewers)

[jpneely]

Hey guys, been reading a lot of y’all’s builds and just want to start off thanking yall for the entertainment and knowledge. I started looking a few months ago seriously and a couple of 40s are close enough to go touch and feel. The most recent one seems like a decent truck and has been relatively taken care of. I’ll attach a couple of pictures of the areas of concern. Big thing was, she cranked and ran extremely easily after sitting for a couple of weeks.

What do y’all think. Would y’all touch it or no? There was only one concerning portion of the frame on the rear driver side before the leaf spring. The paint looks pretty fresh so I’m thinking stick on a pig but overall it doesn’t look terrible.

Thanks for y’all’s input. Looking forward to getting started on a 40.

 

[diesellibrarian]

it doesn’t look terrible.

It does look terrible.

That frame is toast. Also that body mount bracket looks bent. Keep looking.

 

[JackA]

If the frame is that bad, I'd be worried what all that bondo and paint is hiding.

 

[wimberosa]

well....thats rust under bondo and that frame looks like it needs serious help.

 

[aging fleet]

Would not touch.. No telling how much body filler is there and it needs significant frame repair.

 

[charliemeyer007]

So is that bondo crack 1/8 or 1/4 inch deep. Frame looks broken/rotten away - if you are a good welder I'm sure it could be fixed.
Price is the important part.

 

[brian]

That's an easy pass

 

[jpneely]

It does look terrible.

That frame is toast. Also that body mount bracket looks bent. Keep looking.

Haha It looks like all the other matte paint jobs I’ve seen minus the cracks around the bondo. I agree that does look like s***. I thought the same about the body mount which is why I got a picture of it. There’s no repairing that section of frame? Really that little stretch was the only noticeable section.

If the frame is that bad, I'd be worried what all that bondo and paint is hiding.

Also my concern.

This is the least rusty one I’ve seen around my area so far.

 

[jpneely]

Thanks guys. I’ll find another and come back for round two. Seriously appreciate the input.

 

[diesellibrarian]

There’s no repairing that section of frame?

I'm all about rescuing Land Cruisers that most people would pass off as parts rigs. I can't tell you how many square feet of rust I've cut out of the trucks I own. I think they're all worth saving -- but even I would not touch that frame, not with a 10-foot pole. Nothing but misery lies down that road.

I think it was @CruiserTrash who said that it's better to find an honest rig with visible rust (and ideally a known history) than a rig that looks good on the surface but is full of Bondo covered by a cheap respray. Check the classifieds on this forum, or put out feelers to your local enthusiast's group. You'll find something that you won't regret buying.

 

[jpneely]

I'm all about rescuing Land Cruisers that most people would pass off as parts rigs. I can't tell you how many square feet of rust I've cut out of the trucks I own. I think they're all worth saving -- but even I would not touch that frame, not with a 10-foot pole. Nothing but misery lies down that road.

I think it was @CruiserTrash who said that it's better to find an honest rig with visible rust (and ideally a known history) than a rig that looks good on the surface but is full of Bondo covered by a cheap respray. Check the classifieds on this forum, or put out feelers to your local enthusiast's group. You'll find something that you won't regret buying.

I’ll keep looking thanks guys. I’ll be back.

 

[45Kevin]

Don't know your budget but this looks like a good deal.

SOLD - Atlanta, GA: 1970 FJ40 Roller

Selling my 1970 roller… I was very excited to do this build, have all the parts together, pulled the leaky 305/turbo400/willys transfer case, bought a 5.3/4L60e, and a split case with an adapter and then ended up buying a rig that was already swapped. This roller is perfect patina IMHO, toyed...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[jpneely]

Don't know your budget but this looks like a good deal.

SOLD - Atlanta, GA: 1970 FJ40 Roller

Selling my 1970 roller… I was very excited to do this build, have all the parts together, pulled the leaky 305/turbo400/willys transfer case, bought a 5.3/4L60e, and a split case with an adapter and then ended up buying a rig that was already swapped. This roller is perfect patina IMHO, toyed...

forum.ih8mud.com

I did not see that one, but I’m hoping to find one that I can drive while I fix things here and there. That thing has some amazing patina though. Guess I’ll see if someone has a running 2f set up their looking to get rid of.

 

[brian]

There’s no repairing that section of frame? Really that little stretch was the only noticeable section.

anything is repairable if you want or need to....how well versed are in you in the dirty arts?

 

[jpneely]

anything is repairable if you want or need to....how well versed are in you in the dirty arts?

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Not very, but Its been on my short list of skills to pick up. I figured getting one of these I’d have to get familiar with it sooner rather than later! Nice patch jobs.

 

[jpneely]

Any of yall know anyone around Alpharretta that could put eyes on another one for me?