Why are there so many FJ40's still for sale?

[Unimogguy]

Like many markets ex. antique furniture, classic cars, etc the younger generations have no attachment or interest in them. They didn’t grow up with one nor do they have any interest in riding around in the woods in a glorified tractor. Many also didn’t participate in a high school auto shop class so they have little to no mechanical ability.

With many young adults not being able to afford to buy a house they surely can’t afford a 40.

When I was 17…29 years ago I bought my first 40 for $800 and it ran and drove. The FJ40 entry price point is simply not affordable to many individuals who’d like to own one. It’s an unfortunate situation because many of those people are exactly the type of people we want in this hobby.

I recently saw a video w/ a gentleman who was talking about the younger generations having no interest in classic cars. He’s been contacted by many people whose husband or father had passed and they were wanting him to buy or sell the car for them. He suggested that many older guys purchased restoration projects long ago for little money. If they truly have any interest in getting the younger generations interested in carrying the torch forward then they’re going to have to let the cars go for affordable prices.

 

[knuckle47]

I've been trying to find a stated value policy that lets me daily drive my 60 and keep it parked on the street since it won't fit in my garage and I don't have a driveway. With your experience testing the waters of all those insurers, do you think any of them would fit the bill?

Probably not…. Each of them asked me if the vehicle was garaged, some said NO OFF-ROAD use, and some said no more than 4000 miles a year. Since we control the dash cluster, that’s an easy one

 

[smtdvm]

The boomers are getting too old to wrench. The other generations for the most part aren't into restorations or maintaining them. Just my guess.

As a boomer and 40 owner, I think there is a lot of truth in your statement. I'm at a point in life where I am actually hiring people to do work for me and it is tough to find anyone to do the work.

 

[knuckle47]

This is exactly what has been happening to me… I did find a great talent and super nice guy as well to do some monster jobs on my 40…
Jesse at Rubber City Land Cruisers @Jdc1 . My 40 is running as great as ever

 

[1911]

The boomers are getting too old to wrench. The other generations for the most part aren't into restorations or maintaining them. Just my guess.

This is one big reason that I keep lifting weights every week - I want to be able to keep working on my sh!t.

 

[Living in the Past]

Probably not…. Each of them asked me if the vehicle was garaged, some said NO OFF-ROAD use, and some said no more than 4000 miles a year. Since we control the dash cluster, that’s an easy one

Another think is have another non classic as a DD, at least on my declared value policy.

 

[Jdc1]

Like many markets ex. antique furniture, classic cars, etc the younger generations have no attachment or interest in them. They didn’t grow up with one nor do they have any interest in riding around in the woods in a glorified tractor. Many also didn’t participate in a high school auto shop class so they have little to no mechanical ability.

With many young adults not being able to afford to buy a house they surely can’t afford a 40.

When I was 17…29 years ago I bought my first 40 for $800 and it ran and drove. The FJ40 entry price point is simply not affordable to many individuals who’d like to own one. It’s an unfortunate situation because many of those people are exactly the type of people we want in this hobby.

I recently saw a video w/ a gentleman who was talking about the younger generations having no interest in classic cars. He’s been contacted by many people whose husband or father had passed and they were wanting him to buy or sell the car for them. He suggested that many older guys purchased restoration projects long ago for little money. If they truly have any interest in getting the younger generations interested in carrying the torch forward then they’re going to have to let the cars go for affordable prices.

Saw the same- think he was talking about prewar cars but applies to all collectibles/hobby. The younger kids(i’m 45) don’t seem to be as sentimental or hoardy as GenX and older. I got into an argument with a 70+ hot rodder about riced out civics being definitionally a hot rod; cheap, affordable, attainable and fun.

 

[Skreddy]

I've been trying to find a stated value policy that lets me daily drive my 60 and keep it parked on the street since it won't fit in my garage and I don't have a driveway. With your experience testing the waters of all those insurers, do you think any of them would fit the bill?

Hagerty will give you stated value and let you not have it in a garage/shop, but you’re going to pay way more. They don’t say it can’t be your dd, they just say you need to have another non-classic insured somewhere else. I’ve been on the phone with them and they’ve “guided” me on what to say. “I primarily drive my 60 series”. “You mean it’s at the point where you take it to a lot of cruise ins or are doing a lot of tuning”. “The motor in the Chevelle is around 600 hp”. “I heard you say you’ve upgraded your engine”….
I daily my 60 (10k miles/year) and drive my 40 second most (5k miles/year). I’ve heard people say their premiums went up and mine did a little ($200/year?) but it’s still near $100 a month for 3 cars and a motorcycle with what I’d consider very high agreed values.

 

[sogncab]

Anybody else shudder a little bit every time Joe Rogan and a guest geek out about Landcruisers?

Listening to his episode with Jack Carr right now and they're going off

 

[charliemeyer007]

Maybe if he covered space cruiser!

 

[Wasatch Jay]

It seemed to be a capable a rig. It had some of the right parts. Several years ago? Try 14yrs ago and the interior was up graded 10yrs ago with a/c and a stereo. The suspension seemed odd, soa in the frt and 4 link in the rear. The rear suspension looked weirdly tall and the axle looked out of place in the wheel opening. In the video, the rear bounced pretty good coming off a little step. The frame and underneath components had a lot of surface rust for a 14 yr old build from a quality builder. Not my cup of tea.

I'm sorry you didn't like it.

I don't know if you've done this on your FJ40s, but a rear spring flip on a SOA conversion (which moves the rear axle back 4") is a fairly frequently done modification. That typically means the rear wheel opening is moved back as well, which obviously requires some sheet metal work. If you look at sogncab's build thread, you'll see he had Proffitts do that, and he thought is was a worthwhile modification.

Visually, I think the 4-Link mod done on the FJ40 in the BAT listing puts the rear axle in pretty much the same place.

 

[pb4ugo]

I'm sorry you didn't like it.

I don't know if you've done this on your FJ40s, but a rear spring flip on a SOA conversion (which moves the rear axle back 4") is a fairly frequently done modification. That typically means the rear wheel opening is moved back as well, which obviously requires some sheet metal work. If you look at sogncab's build thread, you'll see he had Proffitts do that, and he thought is was a worthwhile modification.

Visually, I think the 4-Link mod done on the FJ40 in the BAT listing puts the rear axle in pretty much the same place.

You don't have to apologize to me. I'm familiar with the rear spring flip, I did it when I went to a centered rear output tcase and centered the rear axle. Imo, aesthetically the rear axle placement looks odd in the wheel opening. Maybe it needs to be moved back a little more, larger tires or most likely the body/suspension needs to come down a bit.

 

[White Stripe]

Saw the same- think he was talking about prewar cars but applies to all collectibles/hobby. The younger kids(i’m 45) don’t seem to be as sentimental or hoardy as GenX and older. I got into an argument with a 70+ hot rodder about riced out civics being definitionally a hot rod; cheap, affordable, attainable and fun.

If I had a cruiser like yours to sell, I would take that ad from bringatrailer and make it into a classified ad for ebay or some other big site that does classified ads. List it for the price you want and see what happens. Can take some time to find the right buyer in a niche market.

 

[Jdc1]

If I had a cruiser like yours to sell, I would take that ad from bringatrailer and make it into a classified ad for ebay or some other big site that does classified ads. List it for the price you want and see what happens. Can take some time to find the right buyer in a niche market.

Awesome advice, we have some feelers out in some other areas right now as well. If anyone knows of anyone there is a finders fee at a certain number. PM me for details.

 

[sogncab]

and he thought is was a worthwhile modification.

It drives a heck of a lot nicer with the longer wheelbase.

I'm neutral on the looks. I don't really notice it one way or another.

 

[pb4ugo]

It drives a heck of a lot nicer with the longer wheelbase.

I'm neutral on the looks. I don't really notice it one way or another.

Yours is great, it looks more fitted and refined, than the one that was on bat. It appears they've gotten better thru the yrs. Imo.

 

[FloridaLife]

Awesome advice, we have some feelers out in some other areas right now as well. If anyone knows of anyone there is a finders fee at a certain number. PM me for details.

If I win the lottery and buy it myself, do I get the finder's fee?

 

[kenjera]

Yeah I’ve been noticing the massive price drops on 40’s too. Watching Mecum auction in Indy this weekend and prices are surprisingly weak on most all makes. Nobody has anything extra to spend on an extra vehicle these days. My auto insurance went up from $1600 to $2300 for the year for no reason. No tickets or claims and iv been with the same company for 27 years. Property tax evaluations have tripled in my county also in one year. Everything is way over priced except Landcruisers these days.

After 27yrs of loyalty they're taking you for granted, next time shop around before your next renewal chances are you'll save money.

l was looking around to compare prices & 1 company quoted £1500...Given l've not made a claim in 43yrs..(l'm of the mindset they should pay me) so they got the elbow another was near to my current insurers price..£452...fully comp, (breakdown, recovery, replacement vehicle etc).

 

[knuckle47]

I have to agree with you @kenjera …my Hagerty coverage for 3 vintage vehicles averaged about $ 700 for a few years until they hit me up for $1120 on a renewal…after shopping around my new company charged me $710 for the exact same coverage. My Homeowners coverage has been active for 48 years with the same company … come March…I’m going shopping again

Something I learned about Medicare supplement coverage as well… I have Plan G. By law, plan g is the same plan whether I get it from company A, B or C…. The difference is that each of them charges a completely different price for the same thing. As good as car dealers

 

[jesus888]

I have to agree with you @kenjera …my Hagerty coverage for 3 vintage vehicles averaged about $ 700 for a few years until they hit me up for $1120 on a renewal…after shopping around my new company charged me $710 for the exact same coverage. My Homeowners coverage has been active for 48 years with the same company … come March…I’m going shopping again

Something I learned about Medicare supplement coverage as well… I have Plan G. By law, plan g is the same plan whether I get it from company A, B or C…. The difference is that each of them charges a completely different price for the same thing. As good as car dealers

Who do you use besides Hagerty? And do they give you stated value? I have a few vehicles with them now...