Wanting to buy a Pig! What do I need to know!

[zu13]

So i have owned a few vehicles and have worked on each one each at a different level, currently I have a 2010 JKUR and have been working on it myself! I want the FJ55 to work on and really get into in rebuilding, learning to weld, and fixing mechanical issues and what not. I know that the gas will be bad, I am assuming it will be the same loudness as my jeep with or without a hardtop... (dont really care both dont bother me haha). I also know they are prone to rust. But other than that, there really is not much on these sweet vehicles. What else should I know, I am a college kid (so I dont have unlimited funds), and I love wheeling/working on vehicles. Are there any chronic issues I should look for? Currently I have my eyes set on a 1975 pig that has has PS added to it and all mechanics (have supposedly) been ran through and all is in order. But its in Texas, I am in KY so i wont be able to see it until I have my friend look at it or I fly in to go pick her up!

Thanks for your time guys and I can wait to here what replies I get and whether yall think it is worth it to pursue.

SOrry for the book!

 

[J Mack]

I want the FJ55
I am a college kid (so I dont have unlimited funds)

IMHO 55’s are deceiving on the total amount of money and time they require, they are unlike similar vehicles that have aftermarket support and often times deep pockets and or a high level of mechanical skills are needed just to keep them going, if you search the forums you’ll see a lot of the projects never see the light of day and are sold for parts, the guys that finish theirs all seem to agree that the total build cost in time and money far exceeded their expectations.

If this doesn’t concern you then welcome to the sty I’m looking forward to your project!

 

[billstoudt]

Welcome to the sty. i agree 100% with J Mack. i dont want to dissuade you from a pig at all. however if you want something that is less hassle, cheaper to fix and less frustrating overall but still pretty cool consider a 40. but if you already have a jeep you kinda already have a 40 , if you feel up for the challenge and want something truly unique. get a 55.

all that being said i have just a few recommendations. i have a 75 and this is what i wish i knew going in.

55s are rust magnets so the less rust a pig has the better. while not impossible body parts are really hard to come by. bob M makes some really nice metal pieces that replaces many of the trouble areas but some places that get rust are a real pain to fix. welding while not 100% necessary will definitely be a useful skill. i too learned to weld just so i could work on my pig.

Find a pig that runs. even if your ultimate plan is to do an engine swap its nice to be able to take it out and put around town in a vehicle that most people have never seen.

Get a pig that has all of its glass in tact. once again glass is hard to find.

Plan on going 4 wheel disc brakes to me i cant imagine mine any other way.

For me power steering is a must. i had mine for a year without it and i cant imagine it any other way.

Get a 4 speed. i know some people may totally disagree with me on this but I almost bought a 3 speed and am so grateful that i didn't.

if i had to nail down just one trouble item with the 55 it would be the rear window. more likely than not you'll have some problem with yours. the main thing that breaks is this little plastic gear the good news is they make a plastic replacement as well and a very sweet brass one. but if your rear window already works when you test it its a plus.

if you find a pig with original mirrors that are in great shape put them up on ebay and you'll be able to fund a good portion of your pig. (half kidding and half not)

as far as learning to weld i have just a few unsolicited suggestions.
get a decent welder don't skimp too much on it. this is one tool that definitely quality counts. i think miller or Lincoln are the only way to go here. I have a Lincoln and i love it.
dual voltage isnt necessary for most body work but it is sure nice when you need it.
get a gas mig welder dont mess with flux core if you can avoid it.
there are two guys on youtube that i learned a lot from, jody @ weldingtipsandtricks and chuckE2009. there is hours of good material there.
you know how they say that when all you have a hammer everything looks like a nail. once you get a welder you start looking at metal in much the same way. welding is a heck of alot of fun.

at any rate thats just my 2 cents.
i hope it is helpfull

 

[Delancy]

I want the FJ55
I am a college kid

I'll make you a deal.

I'll give you ALL my Cruisers, ALL the parts associated with said Cruisers, any monies associated within the Cruiserfund, and the measly, minuscule request I ask in return is a trade for your college kid stature.

Plenty fair, right?

I want the FJ55 to work on and really get into in rebuilding, learning to weld, and fixing mechanical issues and what not.

That's the equivalent of saying:

"I want a woman, so I'm gonna pick one up at a mental institute, and marry her."

On a scale of 1-5, Pigs are an 11.

Not to dissuade, because I love 'em, too, but they're about as challenging as any you'll ever encounter.

 

[SAWTOOTH 55 LC]

Buy a good 55 to start....
Don't tear it down into a bunch of small pieces....
Instead work it and get it running first...
Things will need upgrading and fixing....
It doesn't cost all that much money, bend some metal by hand,do the work yourself, buy used parts....
When it is said that these are a money pit, it's usually because the owners make it one.
Time and determination to make it happen are far more important than the money. IMHO
Good luck my brother

 

[davegonz]

Get one with minimal rust (especially the body mounts). Focus on that and you'll be saving a ton of money and time.

 

[BBQ BOY]

Want some good advice? RUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!
Head the advice given above. These trucks are super cool and get a lot of attention when I drive mine. I have only had mine for about a month now or so and what I have learned is the parts are extremely limited. Fortunately, there are a couple people making body panels(bob) and interior door panels. That is the extent of it. Of course you can find drivetrain parts since its the same for the 40.
I started with a 40, then a 100 Series, then a 200 series and now the Pig. Would I give it up? Not really sure but I have gotten discouraged with it. I have often thought of selling to get either a 40 or 60 series again, but I have 3 children, so the Pig is very useful.
I enjoy the heck out of it but it can cost a good bit of money. Luckily I found one that is all original and hasn't bee messed with and the body has minimal rust. however, it will still cost me a pretty penny to get it looking very nice since I do not have the time to learn to weld. I will have to pay a professional to weld and paint her for me.

 

[onemanarmy]

Most of what that has been said above is true, but drivetrain wise they are almost identical to 40s of the same years, so keeping it running isn't an issue.

The body and interior bits is where you will go broke or crazy or both.

So get as rust free and complete as you can afford. But if anything breaks, be prepared to hunt for replacement parts.

They are easy to work on, but like all vintage vehicles they have their quirks. This site is a great resource.

Post some pics of the one you are looking at.

 

[Megadoomer]

Ill bite. I bought mine and it was modified a bit. Has chevy running gear and gutted interior. It isn't the desirable version of a 55 but there are some perks to it. The main thing is that if you get a mostly original 55 you will want to keep it that way and that is were it gets expensive. My truck is not very original and when I need something, I make it. Right now I'm designing a new back window to fit my needs. Another perk is that I have power, and lots of it. It's all jack up on mountain dew.

 

[Greyscale]

I've owned my '78 for about a year now. There's a lot I would of done differently had I known what I was getting into, but I'm still fairly happy with where I'm at with it today.

x.Elevnetybillion on finding one with very little rust. The first one I looked at was swiss cheese, and after tearing into mine to fix what I thought was "only a little bit" of rust I'm glad I got something a little nicer (by comparison). Expect to find 2-3x the rust that you think you have.

 

[bparker]

Best advice I can give is make sure that it's already got all the windows and weatherstripping besides a good body with minimal rust. Most of the drivetrain and mechanical parts are out there and can be easily had, but it's a waiting game when trying to find all the soft stuff. I'm complete with all the paint and body and it runs great, but I've been waiting almost a full year on getting all of the weatherstripping and interior parts rounded up. It'll all be worth it in the end though. Good luck with your search, there's some good ones still out there!

 

[Ferntucky]

Had a '74 40 in high school. Have a '76 55 now, and the more I tear into it the more rust I find. Thinking about going back to a 40...... but the Pig is sooooo cool.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Great advice here. Nothing as cool as a 55, but my suggestion is to look into a 60 series. Cheaper up front for a decent one, parts are way easier to come by and no s***ty rear electric window or defective door hinges.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

That's the equivalent of saying:

"I want a woman, so I'm gonna pick one up at a mental institute, and marry her."

On a scale of 1-5, Pigs are an 11.

AH hAR HAR HAR!!!you owe me a cup of coffeee, jerk.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

they are a labor.



















































...of love by a sick and obsessed fool...if you have those pre reqs, then climb on in. but just fair warning....I don't think many- if any- have been able to climb off this cosmic hayride...

 

[Delancy]

no ****ty rear electric window

I've the ultimate, unicorn cure for the ****ty rear window.

First $2k takes it!!

Midgaininc already rebuilt the ****ty hinges, too!

AH hAR HAR HAR!!!you owe me a cup of coffeee, jerk.

Cheaper than an iPhone screen and pain associated with a scalded nasal passageway.

I got off cheap!!

 

[Megadoomer]

Give those to Bobm to reverse engineer them first. With all the metal talent we have on here the hinge plates shouldn't be too hard to fab on a US pig. The doors are a different story, that's where Bobm comes in.

 

[onemanarmy]

got the taillights to go with it?

I see roof and bottom of door rust?

 

[zu13]

Thank you for all the advice guys!! I really appreciate it and I love all the opinions, I love the fj60 to but it's no pig. I have been wanting to ask someone after all my research, why have they not switched to the double rear doors like the Australian version, I figured there would be a conversion or a kit to change it to that so its no hassle!! That would be a great business to start.... (Million dollar idea!!). Does anyone have an fj55 in KY or TN so I can see one in person, for the first time!! Other than body parts is that all that is hard to come by?

 

[BBQ BOY]

Drive to South Carolina and you can drive mine.