Thinking of buying my first 40... in Honduras

[bpeeps00]

I’m currently living in Honduras and found a nice 1980 BJ 40 for sale. I haven’t seen it personally yet but from the pictures and they seller’s description, everything looks really good. Engine running 100% (B engine), original interior, and from the looks of the pictures- no rust. He’s asking $9000. Besides a new paint job and some different tires/rims (personal preference), I’m considering taking a short flight to go and see it. I’ll post some pics, let me know what you think if you have some time. He’s
Asking $9k says he has a lot invested...

 

[Jetlander]

Be very, very careful. There are a lot of pretty looking FJ40’s in that part of the world that are disastrous “restorations”. A few minutes searching this site and you’ll see quite a few people have been burned. Not saying there isn’t nice rigs down there, but skepticism is your friend.

 

[bpeeps00]

Here are the pics

 

[bpeeps00]

Be very, very careful. There are a lot of pretty looking FJ40’s in that part of the world that are disastrous “restorations”. A few minutes searching this site and you’ll see quite a few people have been burned. Not saying there isn’t nice rigs down there, but skepticism is your friend.

Thanks for the advice. Uploaded a few pics. Will def take into consideration.

 

[Living in the Past]

Rear wheel wells are clearly not original which to me questions how the rest was restored.

I would ask for picture of the floor will. All the mats pulled out. If they don't want to do that I would pass.

 

[JAFO2014]

Buying something 'restored', I would request before pics. I would expect they don't have any, but worth asking. You just don't know what was done and how much rust or bondo is under the paint. But, also, the price is not outrageous. There is probably plenty of FJ40 there to equal $9k. But you don't know mechanically how sound all the pieces are. All you can do is look it over best you can. I was on the crazy side, as I bought mine without visiting it. I viewed about 40 pictures and spoke to the owner. He was in California, me in Virginia. I was very lucky in that the seller was extremely honest and it arrived in the condition as represented.

 

[reddingcruiser]

Buy a good magnet. A magnet should stick to almost every square inch of the exterior of a 40, except for windows and fiberglass top.

If it won’t stick, sometimes a look at the back side will reveal why. If it won’t stick to either side of a painted area, find another 40 to look at.

 

[bpeeps00]

Absolutely will do this. Thank you. If there is no rust found and engine is clean, 9k isn’t bad. Hoping to take back to the US with me at some point.

 

[bpeeps00]

Buying something 'restored', I would request before pics. I would expect they don't have any, but worth asking. You just don't know what was done and how much rust or bondo is under the paint. But, also, the price is not outrageous. There is probably plenty of FJ40 there to equal $9k. But you don't know mechanically how sound all the pieces are. All you can do is look it over best you can. I was on the crazy side, as I bought mine without visiting it. I viewed about 40 pictures and spoke to the owner. He was in California, me in Virginia. I was very lucky in that the seller was extremely honest and it arrived in the condition as represented.

Yeah, I’ll run a magnet all through it to make sure. I haven’t seen many posted for sale and especially that look this good, so I’m intrigued. Does the value go up in the states for something like this? Hoping to bring it back with me if everything checks out. Thanks!

 

[JAFO2014]

Yeah, I’ll run a magnet all through it to make sure. I haven’t seen many posted for sale and especially that look this good, so I’m intrigued. Does the value go up in the states for something like this? Hoping to bring it back with me if everything checks out. Thanks!

Well, as with anything , it is worth what someone else will give you. When it comes to an FJ40 there are plenty of potential buyers. People (myself included) love these old Riggs. But don't buy it as an investment. Buy it for the pleasure it will give you. Like today, coming out of the department of game and inland fisheries, my clutch fork spring popped off. I knew instantly , because all of a sudden I had no clutch pedal free play. The spring keeps the slave cylinder depressed. Without the spring it expands and keeps the clutch fork against the pressure plate.

 

[reddingcruiser]

Well, as with anything , it is worth what someone else will give you. When it comes to an FJ40 there are plenty of potential buyers. People (myself included) love these old Riggs. But don't buy it as an investment. Buy it for the pleasure it will give you. Like today, coming out of the department of game and inland fisheries, my clutch fork spring popped off. I knew instantly , because all of a sudden I had no clutch pedal free play. The spring keeps the slave cylinder depressed. Without the spring it expands and keeps the clutch fork against the pressure plate.

Folks that can't handle occasional surprises should not own an FJ40. Looks like you took it like a pro .

 

[JAFO2014]

Folks that can't handle occasional surprises should not own an FJ40. Looks like you took it like a pro .

The beauty of these older vehicles is the spring is something I can find at Ace Hardware. If I had been driving say an Audi, the part would be $300 and a special order.

 

[Mateo H]

Hey so whereabouts is the vehicle in Honduras? I have seen some very nice ones in the Copan area...I was living there but just moved recently to Roatan...hoping to ship my rig over soon! But this being Honduras....

 

[bpeeps00]

Hey so whereabouts is the vehicle in Honduras? I have seen some very nice ones in the Copan area...I was living there but just moved recently to Roatan...hoping to ship my rig over soon! But this being Honduras....

I’m actually in west bay right now on vaca. The BJ is in Teguc and I live in Ceiba. I’m trying to find someone to go check it out for me first before I fly there myself. There’s not too many posted for sale anywhere so it can be tricky to find one. You’d probably need to get yours to ceiba and shipped over on the freight ship. Look into Dip Shipping if you haven’t already.

 

[The Jade Bean]

Do you know anyone in Honduras you trust to check it out? Where in HND? We moved back from HND last Nov. We drove our 70 series back, but we knew the owner and people that knew him. There’s a lot of coverups there as stated above. -Daniel Kent

 

[bpeeps00]

Do you know anyone in Honduras you trust to check it out? Where in HND? We moved back from HND last Nov. We drove our 70 series back, but we knew the owner and people that knew him. There’s a lot of coverups there as stated above. -Daniel Kent

Hey Daniel, it’s me Bobby. I ended up buying a different one than this I’m sure you saw it on fb. Love it. Good luck with you 40 project as well looking forward to see progress pics. Take care.

 

[The Jade Bean]

Hey Daniel, it’s me Bobby. I ended up buying a different one than this I’m sure you saw it on fb. Love it. Good luck with you 40 project as well looking forward to see progress pics. Take care.

Lol! I see it now and it looks sharp!

 

[Mateo H]

Hey guys unfortunately I’m trying to sell mine now...know of anyone who might be interested in a 1980 BJ??

 

[1969FJ]

Well, It seems most on here are talking magnets and such , when in reality, that looks real good. Please look at a recent sale,(ebay) at the same price, AND, make your choice.