I'll bet she was thinking the exact opposite!foxfab said:
Nick
Why the FJ-25??
- Thread starter LandCruiserSteve
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Nick
I'm still out of town...
Why 25s? I didn't know what one was till we bought a soft top, bows and doors setup that just happened to be affixed to a 25...heck, it only needed a few parts, and there's a fella selling a couple of parts rigs, and one of Them only needs a few parts...so there's another fella selling a parts rig and a freind of his is selling a parts rig (and it isn't so bad, might need a few parts though), then the Cruiser Chick feels left out so She buys a parts rig and I can't be out done so here's another rig...not to mention the 2 FJ40 parts (heck, one is a runner!) rigs for the '61 40 that I got for the Cruiser Chick that started the whole thing...
I dunno, somewhere along the line the parts quest turned into something more...some have suggested insanity, others indicate some sort of Messiah Complex, neighbors just shake their heads...
Whatever it is, we got it bad....
Why 25s? I didn't know what one was till we bought a soft top, bows and doors setup that just happened to be affixed to a 25...heck, it only needed a few parts, and there's a fella selling a couple of parts rigs, and one of Them only needs a few parts...so there's another fella selling a parts rig and a freind of his is selling a parts rig (and it isn't so bad, might need a few parts though), then the Cruiser Chick feels left out so She buys a parts rig and I can't be out done so here's another rig...not to mention the 2 FJ40 parts (heck, one is a runner!) rigs for the '61 40 that I got for the Cruiser Chick that started the whole thing...
I dunno, somewhere along the line the parts quest turned into something more...some have suggested insanity, others indicate some sort of Messiah Complex, neighbors just shake their heads...
Whatever it is, we got it bad....
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
Why the FJ25?
I bought my first Cruiser in 1974 and still have it today, a 1968 FJ40 hard top. That was the only Cruiser I had until the mid nineties when I started collecting Cruisers. About five years ago I decided to restore one to original. The 68 had to many mods and wasn't that rare any way. I have a FJ45LPB but doesn't have the stock engine that is stamped on the VIN plate, so that was out. Had a FJ45LV but the wheels wells had been trimed, I came across one in a junk yard that had all the parts my was missing, a week later it was gone. It took a while till I found out who bought it and I sold him mine because the two looked like they were perfect to make one.
If I was going to all the work to restore one to original I would pick one that is among the rarest on the planet. Four choices BJ, FJ28, FJ35 and the FJ25. Well the first one is out of the question unless your Marv Specter. The next two would have to start as a FJ45LV and then make all your parts. So I pick the easiest of the rarest, the FJ25. Even thought the FJ25 looks a lot like the FJ40 it is a beast all it own. After passing on the first two I found I bought the third one in 2002. All stock running gear, but chrome wheels, Kayline soft top, channel iron bumper. But it did have a Ramsey PTO winch that was using the OEM PTO. Well three more 25s later and I've almost all the parts I need. I guess I picked the 25 because it is different and everybody tells me I'm a little different. I think they are just being nice, but being honest is this something a normal person would do. Anyway I just think it was a perfect fit.
John
I bought my first Cruiser in 1974 and still have it today, a 1968 FJ40 hard top. That was the only Cruiser I had until the mid nineties when I started collecting Cruisers. About five years ago I decided to restore one to original. The 68 had to many mods and wasn't that rare any way. I have a FJ45LPB but doesn't have the stock engine that is stamped on the VIN plate, so that was out. Had a FJ45LV but the wheels wells had been trimed, I came across one in a junk yard that had all the parts my was missing, a week later it was gone. It took a while till I found out who bought it and I sold him mine because the two looked like they were perfect to make one.
If I was going to all the work to restore one to original I would pick one that is among the rarest on the planet. Four choices BJ, FJ28, FJ35 and the FJ25. Well the first one is out of the question unless your Marv Specter. The next two would have to start as a FJ45LV and then make all your parts. So I pick the easiest of the rarest, the FJ25. Even thought the FJ25 looks a lot like the FJ40 it is a beast all it own. After passing on the first two I found I bought the third one in 2002. All stock running gear, but chrome wheels, Kayline soft top, channel iron bumper. But it did have a Ramsey PTO winch that was using the OEM PTO. Well three more 25s later and I've almost all the parts I need. I guess I picked the 25 because it is different and everybody tells me I'm a little different. I think they are just being nice, but being honest is this something a normal person would do. Anyway I just think it was a perfect fit.
John
- Thread starter
- #24
Thanks, John. Good story.
I just realized that I haven't answered my own question yet.
Just before I turned 16 in 1967 (oops - I just dated myself
), I was looking for my very first vehicle to buy. A couple of guys at school had CJ-2s and CJ-3s and I wanted one real bad, but no decent Jeeps around at the time to buy.
The local Chevy dealership had a used '59 FJ25 that they had just painted midnight blue, only had 26k on the clock, perfect OEM soft-top and doors, and it looked mighty purty. In my quest to be a little different, I "settled" for it, even though it wasn't a Jeep for $750.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=464904&postcount=11
Even though I loved it to death, few girls in high school in the 60's would have anything to do with me because they thought I was some sort of a hick farmer or something driving a truck like that.
Yep, you guessed it. I sold it a year and a half later and bought a '63 Galaxie just to get a date. (The things we do for women and love . . .
)
Got back into Cruisers almost 20 years ago out of the sentimentality of my first truck, and I've owned and restored 14 FJ40s over those years. (Currently have a nice '78.) I even had a 2000 100-series for a while that ended up too expensive for my needs. But I've been looking for another FJ25 ever since.
Then I stumbled across this burgandy '59 on eBay, saw some dude by the name of "FoxFab" bidding on it, knew I just had to have it, paid too much for it, and the rest as they say, is history . . . .
Anyway, I've "come home" full circle and now have a new love of my life.
And I still can't get a date!!
I just realized that I haven't answered my own question yet.
Just before I turned 16 in 1967 (oops - I just dated myself
), I was looking for my very first vehicle to buy. A couple of guys at school had CJ-2s and CJ-3s and I wanted one real bad, but no decent Jeeps around at the time to buy.The local Chevy dealership had a used '59 FJ25 that they had just painted midnight blue, only had 26k on the clock, perfect OEM soft-top and doors, and it looked mighty purty. In my quest to be a little different, I "settled" for it, even though it wasn't a Jeep
for $750.https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=464904&postcount=11
Even though I loved it to death, few girls in high school in the 60's would have anything to do with me because they thought I was some sort of a hick farmer or something driving a truck like that.
Yep, you guessed it. I sold it a year and a half later and bought a '63 Galaxie just to get a date. (The things we do for women and love . . .
)Got back into Cruisers almost 20 years ago out of the sentimentality of my first truck, and I've owned and restored 14 FJ40s over those years. (Currently have a nice '78.) I even had a 2000 100-series for a while that ended up too expensive for my needs. But I've been looking for another FJ25 ever since.
Then I stumbled across this burgandy '59 on eBay, saw some dude by the name of "FoxFab" bidding on it, knew I just had to have it, paid too much for it, and the rest as they say, is history . . . .
Anyway, I've "come home" full circle and now have a new love of my life.
And I still can't get a date!!
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lol, it was only a 1/2 hour from me. I couldn't resist 
Wow Steve, now that is a great story. And man are you old or what?
Thanks, you made me feel better. I was only 7 at the time.
After owning a 25 back in the day and the pain thru the years from selling it, you certainly deserve the one you bought. I still don't get the "can't get a date in the 25" part though. Out here in California, women love 'em.
The only 25's I saw for the longest time were beaters that were not taken care of. It's really cool to see 25s like yours, Jim's, Mikes, and others that look brand spankin' new. One day (prolly 5 years or so) I've got to get me a real one. Until then, I'll just have to do the tub-ectomy to complete the 25 body on my 40 and be happy with that.
Thanks, you made me feel better. I was only 7 at the time.
After owning a 25 back in the day and the pain thru the years from selling it, you certainly deserve the one you bought. I still don't get the "can't get a date in the 25" part though. Out here in California, women love 'em.
The only 25's I saw for the longest time were beaters that were not taken care of. It's really cool to see 25s like yours, Jim's, Mikes, and others that look brand spankin' new. One day (prolly 5 years or so) I've got to get me a real one. Until then, I'll just have to do the tub-ectomy to complete the 25 body on my 40 and be happy with that.
- Thread starter
- #27
Land Cruiser Junky said:
I really needed to hear that. (Damn young whipper-snappers.
)I'll be another year older tomorrow, so it must be my age that I can't get a date . . . . or maybe because I don't have a t-bird emblem yet. (Birthday present hint for an old lonely man.
)Steve's older than dirt, but he's a pretty cool guy. Plus he's got an awesome job.
cruiserman said:Plus he's got an awesome job.
When I grow up, I want to have Steve's job.
;p
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
Happy Birthday Steve
Let be be the first to wish you a happy birthday Steve
. It sure is nice to have somebody from my generation on the 25 forum. At least we lived the sixties even if we don't remember them . So are you trying to get transfer to NM? That would put you a lot closer to home, or are you trying to get to NM to track down the blue 25 that was posted on here a while back
John
Let be be the first to wish you a happy birthday Steve
. It sure is nice to have somebody from my generation on the 25 forum. At least we lived the sixties even if we don't remember them . So are you trying to get transfer to NM? That would put you a lot closer to home, or are you trying to get to NM to track down the blue 25 that was posted on here a while back John
- Thread starter
- #31
Living in the Past said:That would put you a lot closer to home, or are you trying to get to NM to track down the blue 25 that was posted on here a while back
Dear fellow geriatric patient - - thanks for the birthday wishes, John.
"FLETC West" is in Artesia, NM and we're building a new 4x4 training facility out there, and for some reason they want me to come out and screw it all up.
Yep, it does put me driving distance from home (and Moab and SW Colorado). And what the heck . . . might as well see if I can tack down "old Blue" while I'm out there.
- Thread starter
- #32
cruiserman said:
Ah shucks . . . thanks, Eric. Just remember that when you get to be my age, you'll be bald and pudgy, too. Wait a minute . . . you already are!!
- Thread starter
- #33
Matter of fact, I notice that you always wear a hat or a truck hood to maintain your secret identity.
Good one, Steve . Bald guys need hats or hoods in the summer time. We're off to the coast for a week.
. Bald guys need hats or hoods in the summer time. We're off to the coast for a week.
- Thread starter
- #35
cruiserman said:
Have a safe trip. And keep that bald head covered . . . it gets sunny out there.
Did a lot of pondering on this one while driving around for three days in some of the foulest weather I've ever had a chance to vacation in ............ damn glad I own a 100. So why do I waste so much of my time on a bunch of crusty 45 year old iron? 
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
Well Jim if your going to compare the 25 series with the 100 series. I don't know what to tell you. If your planing a lift and bumpers for 100 maybe it's time for a change. Would I enjoy a three hour drive to the cabin on weekends in my FJ25 as much as I enjoy driving the 4Runner (only two hour drive in the 4Runner), no. But do I enjoy driving the 4Runner around the old forset roads as I do the FJ25 the answer is no. If I could have just one I would have to keep the 4Runner but I don't have to so I'm keeping both. But if your like me and the 25s are a hobby then it's time to evaluate your hobby. My neighbor at the cabin has three horses. He has to feed them, clean the stalls, pay vet bills , etc, etc, etc. He can't decide he is tired of it this week and just quit. He doesn't have any real control over time and money he spents on his hobby with out selling something off. I would put everything on hold for a while, their not going anywhere and figure out what's best for you. I'm not to far away from retirement and my wife doesn't like to travel so I found something I want to do that's works for us. After my 25 spent all summer in Phoenix I got a member of the CSC club to weld the frame on it for me (thanks Rhino) and got it back up to the cabin last weekend. I can't tell you how much I missed not gettig to drive it all summer.
So Jim if you sell out and go to the dark side I'm first in line for your rare parts
John
So Jim if you sell out and go to the dark side I'm first in line for your rare parts
John
You're right John. I have to stop looking at new projects, that's what gets to me, looking at a bunch of stuff half done. That, and I spent a few hours with the neighbor looking at his restoration stuff that he started twenty or thirty years ago.................. now that he's retired he's looking at about five or six projects that are in worse shape than when he started.................... he's doing the math in his head and it doesn't look like he'll ever finish.
That, and I spent a few hours with the neighbor looking at his restoration stuff that he started twenty or thirty years ago.................. now that he's retired he's looking at about five or six projects that are in worse shape than when he started.................... he's doing the math in his head and it doesn't look like he'll ever finish.
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
I don't think I should being hanging around Jim (Cruiser_Nerd) anymore. Now seriously thinking about selling the Tundra and buying a used 100 series. Next thing you know I going go think I don't need these old 25s anymore. That reminds me where are the pictures of the two 25s for sale. But I am seriously thinking about a 100 series. The one cruiser I can get support from my wife. She's ready to start looking now. I think it has something to do with the Tundra I rolled on a icey road and totaled. Plus the fact there's more room inside for grandkids then the 4Runner. I bring up any other cruiser I get the "you really don't need it" line, of course that's never stopped me before. So Jim what's a four or five year old cruiser worth? Maybe I should wait for the new FJ Cruiser. Just kidding!
John
John
Living in the Past said:
Seems to be going down by the minute. Trade you a '00 for a low mileage 80 and some Cruiser junk.
