Think I might have found a '75 FJ40 for me, what do you guys think? PICS (1 Viewer)

[Joe Link]

Think I might have found a '75 FJ40 for me, what do you guys think? - I BOUGHT IT!

So I think I might have found another candidate for my first FJ40.

I'm going to copy and paste most of what the owner has told me here.

> Hello,
>
> I was just about to list my 1975 FJ40 when I saw your ad on craigslist.
>
> This is what I am going to post... I am going to take pictures tonight:
>
> I purchased this FJ40 about 4 years ago. This is the cleanest FJ40 I
> have ever seen, no rust holes, very minor surface rust, no frame damage
> of any kind and only very minor bumps and bruses in the body. I put a
> new Chevy 350 V8 crate motor and rebuilt Turbo 350 automatic
> transmission in it. Mated to the original Toyota running gear with an
> Advance Adapters adapter plate, crossmember and motor mounts. I also
> put in power steering. I "redid" all of the wiring, brakes, cooling
> system, etc... I sandblasted and treated and surface rusted areas and
> painted the Cruiser with a hammered glass filled epoxy paint, I wanted
> something that was durable but also easily touched up in case of any
> scratches or scrapes. I put a Tuffy center console in, with a CD/MP3
> player stereo and CB in the center console. The front seats are very
> comfortable and nice from a 2001 Subaru Forester, the rear seat is a
> brand new folding rear seat from a Jeep, which is also quite
> comfortable (not a cool looking as the original jump seats but WAY more
> comfortable). All original switches and gauges work except I put in a
> new oil pressure, water temp, and voltage gauges - mainly because the
> original ones are not very accurate. The rear end has a Lock-Right
> locker and the front drive shaft is a very heavy duty small diameter
> drive shaft All differentials and the transfer case breathers have
> been routed under the hood so they do not suck in water when
> fourwheeling or just wet driving.
>
> Cons:
> -Cruiser has a slight drip in the transmission pan gasket, easy fix but
> no time.
> -KC lights have surface rust on outside chrome housing.
> -2 chrome front tow hooks have surface rust.
> -Power steering box has leak around seal - need to add fluid every 6
> months or so.
> -Passenger side door needs to be finished... I was in the process of
> repainting the hardtop and doors and I only finished the hardtop, rear
> ambulance doors and the driver's side door. I replaced all of the
> weatherstriping and window channel felt on the doors, which I have for
> the passenger door.
> -Cruiser could use some touch up here and there.
> -That's all I can think of for now...
>
> My wife and I have been driving this Cruiser for about 3 years now and
> we hate to sell it but we just purchased a new house and could use the
> extra money.
>
>
> Here are the specs:
> 1975 Toyota FJ40 LandCruiser / Land Cruiser
> New Chevrolet 350 V8 crate motor
> Heavy duty Advance Adapters motor mounts
> HEI "point-less" ignition distributor
> New rebuilt Turbo 350 automatic transmission with transmission cooler
> Heavy duty Advance Adapters transmission crossmember
> Original Toyota transfer case
> Heavy duty Advance Adapters adapter from Turbo 350 to Toyota Transfer
> case
> Saginaw power steering conversion
> Heavy duty custom small diameter front driveshaft
> Rancho 4" lift
> Powertrax Lock-Right locker in rear
> New tires, ? size, perfect for this narrow wheel based vehicle
> Original Toyota radiator, no cooling issues
> All new rebuilt brakes dual master cylinder
> All differentials and transfer case breathers routed under hood for deep
> water driving
> New poly gas tank, all new fuel hoses, filters and mechanical fuel pump
> New fuse panel with all wiring completely gone through
> New windshield washer tank, lines and pump
> New custom front bumper
> New custom rear bumper
> Original rear spare tire carrier
> Original hardtop, doors and ambulance doors
> Tuffy lockable center console with stereo
> Nice front bucket seats (tan)
> New rear folding bench seat (tan)
> Cool Cruisers seat belts on all seats
> New bikini top

I asked him for some pics of it and how much he wanted for it.

> At this point I would sell it for $6500. In about a week and a half
(which
> is when I will list it on craigslist) I am going to start it at $7500. I
am
> going to finish / fix everything on it next weekend, if I don't sell it
> within the week - there are a few people interested now and I would love
to
> just sell it and put the money into paying off some bills.
>
>Here are some photos from a few years ago... I will try to get some
>current photos too, since it doesn't look quite that good anymore.

I told him it looked good so far and that I wanted to see some current pics.

Joey,

I can't find my digital camera, arg... but I am highly motivated to sell this land cruiser, would you like to come take a look at it?

My reply:

Hey Bobby,

Actually I would like to come take a look at it. It's about a 40 minute drive from Portland according to mapquest so I just need to check my schedule. When are you available to show it? Evenings work best for me. In those pics you sent it looks like you did quite a bit of work on the rig. You also said it doesn't look as good as it does in those pics, could you please elaborate? How is the paint now? Where are the aftermarket gauges located? I know most people don't pay any attention to this, but what kind of MPG are you getting with it? How many miles does the chassis have on it? How about the engine/tranny?

Thanks,

Joey

When I say it doesn't look as good, I am refering to the surface rust on the kc lights and tow hooks and the fact that the paint has not held up as well as I would have liked. The truth is that if it does not sell this weekend, I am going to start the process of repainting it next weekend. It's not that it is rusty it just looks non-glossy, kind of old looking.

The aftermarket gauges are located inside of the center of the lower part of the dash - I think it looks pretty good.

Roughly 13.5 MPG

Chasis has 128,000 miles.

Engine and transmission have about 4,000 miles.

So now you guys know exactly what I know. I've uploaded the pics of the rig here:

http://www.joeylink.com/gallery/album50

Those pics were taken in 2001. What do you guys think?

 

[clemson55]

Looks like a winner to me but I would say that about anything cruiser. If you think its worth the money pick it up man youll never regret it nothing but fun working on it and meeting other cruiserheads.

 

[sonoranfun]

The 40s are tough to price out and this is one of those things that depends on where you put value. I baseline things and add from there, what's the cruiser worth as s***? Then what's the paint, seats, motor, trans, PS and such worth to you. If you can't touch any cruiser up there for under $4000 then the price is more fair. I think $6,500 is a fair price on it, more I'd feel like I paid too much but if you got it under $6,000 I'd feel very good about it. Remember, for most these aren't DDs so the people selling them aren't as motivated and don't need the money as bad.

 

[brian]

depends how good you are with the wrenchs. if you can tinker with stuff, then fine.

but if you have no skills, then i would wait for one with an oem engine.

 

[Romer]

Looks like someone who cared. If its as good as the pictures and the engine is strong, I'd go for it. The only thing I don't see is a front axle rebuild. If its been done, I'd go for it. I have a stock motor and am happy, but I would have gotten a different motor if it was in the right condition.

 

[Mr. Toad]

Factor a new, decent paint job into your purchase budget. If a V8 is what you're looking for--and if you think that a V8 swap adds to the value of a FJ40--then it's not out of the ballpark at $6,500.00.

From his e-mail messages, it looks like the seller is either putting the hard sell on you or he really needs to sell it fast. If you even suspect that it's the hard sell, then you should be really careful to check how good a job he did on the wiring, engine transplant, and other "enhancements". Did he do about as good on those as he did on the paint, which he says looks bad at less than 4 years?

Caution is good. So is a good deal on a nice 40. Good luck.

 

[Joe Link]

Mr. Toad - I know exactly what you mean about looking for places he cut corners. I guess it still looks good, just not as good as he'd like it to look. I'll definately watch out for the hard sell.

brian - I am good at wrenching, no problem there. I also have a full shop.

sonaranfun - That's exactly how it is up here, can't touch one under $4k, that I've seen at least and I've been shopping for a few months. I think it sounds like a pretty good rig for the price if everything checks out.

Guys he says the PS box is leaking, what's it take to fix that? does it have to be professionally rebuilt or is it something I can do myself? How much does it cost?

 

[74fj40]

id go for it

 

[sonoranfun]

I would assume you can get the stearing box from rockauto.com for less then $100 new so I wouldn't sweat that in the least. The 40s are tough cause you seem to pay up for the first one then deal hunt after that. I picked up the 1965 at what I'd consider an excellent price. They're all over the board though so you have to decide what your time is worth mostly. Main think I think is to make sure you're starting with a clean body.

 

[Mr. Toad]

joey93turbo: After reading your reply post, I second clemson55. FJ40s are expensive where I live too, and I've seen many lesser ones going for what your seller wants for his. Enjoy!

 

[Joe Link]

Well guys, I went and checked it out today. Let me put it this way, a nice paint job and this would be a $10k FJ40, NO PROBLEM. It's so clean inside and under the hood I couldn't believe it. I put a $100 deposit on it so he'll hold it until I can get to the bank on Tuesday. I'm so happy, my first FJ40!! It needs a few things here and there but overall I can't believe I found one this clean. My project this winter will be repainting it. I'll post pics when it's in my driveway.

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

Congrats. PICS WHEN YOU GET IT HOME!