Build WTF did I buy - Project do it right the second time

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Goforth said:
My first cruiser. I know the rule is to never buy the first one you see, but I failed following instructions. A lot of you are experts with a lot more experience than me. Any advice and comments no matter how brutal are appreciated.

What the heck did I buy? For starters it's a 1967.
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Looks like a nice unmolested specimen, which is rare. Congrats on your score. Hope its as good as it looks, and welcome to the cult. :beer:

BTW, here's Mushro's FS listing from several months ago. May contain additional info that you didn't get from the local seller.

FJ, FJ40, FJ45 & FJ55 Toyota Land Cruisers Call 24/7 (313) 414-3540
 
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Wow, that looks terrific!

If you scored the doors and top, even better.
The closest thing I've seen to that in my area needed a complete restoration and must have fetched close to $10K in a weekend.
The ad disappeared within 3 days.

The things that are frequently butchered or missing all seem to be where they belong.
A lot of the mechanical & hydraulic parts can be bought any day of the week and are not terribly expensive.
The vehicle-specific stuff that makes up the body, interior & electrical system are harder to find.

You still have the vertical seams on the rocker panel at the front & back of the door opening, good sign.
If someone is slathering on the Bondo for a quick paint job, it is easier to fill over those grooves.

Unmolested & complete dash.
Un-cut rear fender wells.
Great looking floors that don't look like patch panels.
Original seats including rear jump seats.
Unmolested engine bay, (carb & hydraulics are easy to swap).
All lamps correct & present.
Original style wheels, even including the caps!
Tub, windshield & hood seem to be correct for year, many are compiled from assorted years.
Complete barn doors & spare carrier.
Even the exhaust is coming out in the correct place.

Consider it a WIN.
 
Cleg said:
Wow, that looks terrific!

If you scored the doors and top, even better.
The closest thing I've seen to that in my area needed a complete restoration and must have fetched close to $10K in a weekend.
The ad disappeared within 3 days.

The things that are frequently butchered or missing all seem to be where they belong.
A lot of the mechanical & hydraulic parts can be bought any day of the week and are not terribly expensive.
The vehicle-specific stuff that makes up the body, interior & electrical system are harder to find.

You still have the vertical seams on the rocker panel at the front & back of the door opening, good sign.
If someone is slathering on the Bondo for a quick paint job, it is easier to fill over those grooves.

Unmolested & complete dash.
Un-cut rear fender wells.
Great looking floors that don't look like patch panels.
Original seats including rear jump seats.
Unmolested engine bay, (carb & hydraulics are easy to swap).
All lamps correct & present.
Original style wheels, even including the caps!
Tub, windshield & hood seem to be correct for year, many are compiled from assorted years.
Complete barn doors & spare carrier.
Even the exhaust is coming out in the correct place.

Consider it a WIN.
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Sorry for the post of just a quote. Thank you all for the photo evidence responses. For the many that asked, I paid 14k. I can't say good or bad. I can say I have a smile on my face after YEARS of wanting to acquire one of these beasts.

I'll spend the next few days learning and appreciating the rattling death trap known as FJ40.
 
Sea Knight said:
Looks like a nice unmolested specimen, which is rare. Congrats on your score. Hope its as good as it looks, and welcome to the cult. :beer:

BTW, here's Mushro's FS listing from several months ago. May contain additional info that you didn't get from the local seller.

FJ, FJ40, FJ45 & FJ55 Toyota Land Cruisers Call 24/7 (313) 414-3540
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I appreciate the lead.

Also have to note I'm appreciating your story too! I'm sitting in a coffee shop, reading about your mother as my new to me cruiser sits just outside the window... on Mother's Day. A bit of dust must be in the air here...
 
Beautimus! Do you know the complete history of the vehicle? Would be interesting to understand how it remained so original, well compared to mine anyway. Other than rerouting an exposed wire here and there one of the first things I'd do is change the location of the fuel filter to the other side of the engine bay away from the exhaust heat. Don't expect me to tell you why I suggest this. I was lucky, you may not be.
 
Sorry to be a Debbie downer but this looks like some rust bubbling through to me. Also, in perusing the other photos of it, the spot welds appear to not be on the rear quarter panels so probably a little bondo there. I'm not sure about a frame off restoration with some signs of overspray but otherwise looks pretty solid. Congrats and enjoy that thing!

IMG_8474.webp
 
ginmtb said:
Sorry to be a Debbie downer but this looks like some rust bubbling through to me. Also, in perusing the other photos of it, the spot welds appear to not be on the rear quarter panels so probably a little bondo there. I'm not sure about a frame off restoration with some signs of overspray but otherwise looks pretty solid. Congrats and enjoy that thing!

View attachment 1459594
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I definitely appreciate the comments. I'm no expert so anything you all with more experience see, that helps me. You're right, there are a couple areas on the truck that will need attention, not to mention the awful Rancho shocks.
 
Cegoforth, what I see in the photo ginmth posted above is:
Downey's original "early" spring shackles (now antiques) from when we made them with 1/4" vertical plates instead of 3/8".
Rear springs that need to be disassembled and painted between the leafs.
Shock boots that trap and hold water until their rusty shafts destroy the shock oil seals.
Rancho 5,000's that are the arm pit of all overly-stiff shocks.

On the positive side, I hate you owning this righteous rig instead of me.
 
Even with the blemished paint if the truck has indeed had most of what is claimed done and considering the unmolested state 14k was an honest deal. Congratulations on a fine rig.
 
Congrats, another ATXer. I saw that on CL and thought it looked pretty darn good. You got a good deal from their asking price. I'd consider doing a front disc conversion if it isn't already done.
 
ginmtb said:
Sorry to be a Debbie downer but this looks like some rust bubbling through to me. Also, in perusing the other photos of it, the spot welds appear to not be on the rear quarter panels so probably a little bondo there. I'm not sure about a frame off restoration with some signs of overspray but otherwise looks pretty solid. Congrats and enjoy that thing!

View attachment 1459594
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Ad says:
"100% metal no rust or bondo"
"33,941 original"

Truly nice Cruiser but these are extraordinary claims.
 
whats shocking is mushro says, "the only weakness is paint prep and paint are not for show, but for fun"

its seems the mushroom didn't do any of the work, so that is a huge plus ;)
 
Landpimp said:
whats shocking is mushro says, "the only weakness is paint prep and paint are not for show, but for fun"

its seems the mushroom didn't do any of the work, so that is a huge plus ;)
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Hah, so anyone like Mushro happen to have a history of this rig? I'm told I'm 4th owner. Love to know more about it. Is there a registry to query? Here's vin

IMG_4748.webp
 
The registry is in its build stage...

Link: 40 Series Registry

This cruiser is not on it... I do remember this from when mush was selling it ... it was for sale for quite awhile

It is a great looking runner with the way prices are these days for our cruisers for the price it doesn't look all that bad ... mushro has a VERY BAD reputation
 
When I say VERY BAD I'm being kind :meh:
 
cruise looks good - enjoy :cheers:

don't tear into it until you drive it some and really got to know each other :steer:
 
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