UH oh...I might have found a piggy

[CandyPants]

Advice please on this:

1973 FJ55, weber carb, F engine, new brakes, runs well, good bdy, little rust. $4500.

I would totally buy this...

 

[Southeast Overland]

Is this out of Atlanta? I think I've seen it listed before...

 

[1phrogguy]

Where did you find it? Very nice, the price looks right too.

 

[CandyPants]

craigslist and it's in Canton, outside of Atlanta. I don't know much about these beasties, but I sure do know that it looks really clean. It also does run and runs well from what the owner said. Same owner for 30 years. I am going to look at it tonight.

 

[CandyPants]

Oh, and the other thing is that it's never been wheeled. Older couple owns it and only drove it about 500 miles a year. However, the odometer is dead at 99000. That means that even if they got it that way, it's got no more than 115K on it.

 

[steenh]

Wow Heather... that looks spotless!

Good luck!

 

[1phrogguy]

Awesome! Please post up what you find, and take some pics too.

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

cool heather.........there was a thread on this cruiser in the 55 section a few weeks back

let me see if I can find it


here you go : https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=129023

 

[CandyPants]

thanks jp. in the truck on the way to see it. will report back. suggestions on what to look for on this particular pig given the info on it so far? fair price?

 

[jfz80]

heather if that falls through here is another.... not quite as nice in FLA.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=133172

 

[clemson55]

I'd look at the usual rust spots, bottom of front fender right near the door. Rear fenders on the very bottom at the very back where they wrap around. The lip on the rear wheelwell. Check and make sure the rear window works. The drip rail, and just look close on the whole rest of the body could just be lost of bondo and stuff hiding rust. Also I'd definitely fire it up but a compression check should always be in order before any $ changes hands. Good luck, we need to expand the pig fleet further for the upcoming pig run.

 

[informationjunky]

Hehehe, I sent a e-mail to marshal about it a few weeks ago...it was higher priced then. Sound like a good deal.

 

[Trollhole]

Heather get a 40! Nothing beats driving with the top off. A pig will be fun but a 40 will be funner.

 

[clemson55]

Heather get a 40! Nothing beats driving with the top off. A pig will be fun but a 40 will be funner.

You should have your pig taken away for a comment like that. Pigs are the best landcruisers ever.

 

[Trollhole]

When she is in Hotlanta in the middle of summer and no A/C she will be wishing she had a 40. 55's are great don't get me wrong but if I had to pick it would be a 40 first every time.

 

[Gundy]

start your collection now

Heather get a 40! Nothing beats driving with the top off. A pig will be fun but a 40 will be funner.

Grab the Pig now. Get that 40 later. I told ya'll I sensed a hoarder being born.
Marshall's right about NOTHING is like a 40. Hands down most fun you can have
on 4 wheels in da dirt. Pigs are cool...but they ain't a 40. Iron Pigs are a whole
different animal. VERY COLLECTABLE and sought after. Mucho cool
Ohm....cruiser,cruiser,cruiser....Ohm

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

yep nothing against the pigs..........but a 40 is where it is at

 

[fj40z]

Im kinda partial to the 40 myself, but if I was interested in a pig at all that looks to be a good one to get a hold of. Either way good luck.

 

[clemson55]

In the summer in Atlanta it doesnt matter if you have the top off or not. Lets be realistic 100 degrees in an asphault jungle it doesnt matter if you have a convertible the only thing that matters is how cold your ac gets.

 

[CandyPants]

Soooouuuuuiiiieeeeee!

Y'all are great to have around, you know that?

Yes, a 40 would be more fun in the "drive around with your top off" sense. And one day I will have one in the stable.

But to be honest, I actually felt like I couldn't let anyone else have this pig today. I don't know if y'all have ever had that happen, but as I looked around and poked and prodded...I knew it was to be mine.

So, here's the deal in the eyes of a newbie:

• Paint job sucks. Maaco 15 years ago. Will have to go.
• Rust on the 4 corners, seems typical of where the 55's rust from what Dan tells me and from what I read. Seems pretty minimal given the age. I think it can be dealt with.
• Frame has NO RUST. Nothing.
• Floor boards are great underneath, and a little surface rust under the mats. Completely controllable.
• Nothing is leaking. NOTHING.
• Carb sucks. Needs to be replaced. I want stock.
• Door seals need replaces
• Front seat needs reupholstered
• Aftermarket radio sucks
• Man-a-fre tube bumpers front and back from WAY back
• Gas tank was pulled and repainted and checked inside, all good

Here's the stinker. It didn't start well. Granted it's colder than crap outside, but still. I think it's just carb stuff. Sounds like the engine isn't getting enough fuel. But that's a newbie ear...so who the heck knows.

So, the next step is to wait for a warmer day and go crank it up again. I already told these folks that I wanted it, but that I wouldn't know how much to offer them since they say it will run but can't get it to. I do think their price is too high. It's gonna need some work.

Dan lives literally righ around the corner, so I am relying on his help with this one. Cross your fingers!

Oh, and I won't be wheeling this beauty, this is one for me to tinker with, learn about, and fix up back to perfect!