Should I buy this or is it a waste of TIME & MONEY?

[josh.bunch]

I'm posting this is the 3rd gen section bc you are my people. I have the opportunity to buy this 65 land cruiser that is very rusty. I dont want to restore it to original quality, at least not right away. I only want to get it running so I can make it into a rock crawler. I realize I will have to rebuild the transmission, all new suspension, brake components, belts hoses, etc. It has been 10 years since the motor was started. It has just sat. I can get this for $400. Any input from those who have done this would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Nelsonmd]

I would say no unless you really want to restore an old land cruiser.

Even then, I have seen better deals on some old LC's that aren't running and might only require a new engine or tranny. It doesn't look like you could even part anything out from that thing.

 

[Edubsam]

One good bounce on the trail and your going to drop an axel or something. Too rusty to bring back IMO.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I say no way. that looks like a $20-30k restoration to me but I've never done one.

if you have that kind of money you should still start with a better base to work with.

 

[JohnsD90]

Frame rust could be worse, if you have the time too for $400 you can't go wrong buying any car cause you can get almost all your money back by scraping it. As long as you know how to weld and make motors crank I still don't see a reason why this is a bad idea, unless you can get ones in this state minus the rust for not much more....

 

[Outdoorlogic]

I have purchased many of ...Sweet deals that turned money pits... I say RUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNN

Unless you were in CA where that year would come in handy for smog reasons..

Find one that is complete and a running.. You will be thousands ahead.

I sold a 69 FJ40 That was CHERRY.... I wish I kept it but it was worse then an ex wife just kept asking for money lol............. Now if this were and 45 this would be a different story

 

[xskydivingdudex]

id say no since it looks to be pretty rusted out but if u are in the market for a restored fj40, i have a friend who has put in loads of money into it and is now selling it for 15k if ur interested.

 

[Hepar]

I would be on the no side too. If the rust was just on the body, that would be one thing, but it seems like not one inch of it doesn't have some sort of rust issue. That is just going to make everything you do to it that much harder.

 

[josh.bunch]

I'm not looking to restore it. I want to make it street legal and off-road worthy. I could care less about the body. I probably wont even take the time or money to rattle can it. I'm leaning toward getting it, dropping 200-400 more to try to get the motor to run. From what I see i would need battery, plugs, wires, oil change, take apart and clean carb, maybe distributor.
If I can spend a few weekends and a few hundred bucks to get the motor running I think it may be worth moving forward. The most difficult part will be rebuilding the transmission. I've never done anything like this. They current transmission is filled with water. His grandkids broke the shifter off and it filled up.
If I do all the work to the motor and can't get it running I would scrap it for parts, then take it to the crusher myself and get the money for whatever scrap metal is going for.
Is it realistic that I could get it road legal off-road worthy in 1 year and for less than $3000?

 

[Brignola85]

As mentioned before, you need to go over the structural integrity of the vehicle. If the frame is workable, and parts aren't liable to start falling off for no reason, it may be worth $400 to YOU in terms of it being your hobby. I know people that have spent A LOT more when it comes to hobby's.

If you're going to have to a full, ground up restoration, IMO you're better off looking around for a semi-decent one for ~$800.

 

[YotaZach85]

I say buy it! Pull it the body off and have the frame sand blasted to find out how bad it really is. Looks like most of that is surface rust and what isn't just surface rust you patch up and wheel the hell out of it!

 

[Running4life]

My vote is buy it. $400 bucks. Take it apart and rebuild it. Definitely take the body off and have the frame blasted. Repaint it yourself. You should be able to get it running for under $3k. Those will except a (don't flame me for this) Chevy 350 fairly easy. Take lots and lots of pictures.

 

[Pikeman]

1.The tub is completed rotted through in the back(dont care going to bash it) rust inhibitor to keep from getting worse

2. Frame looks all surface rust, sandblast and powder coat.
3. Springs- Man-A-Fre or Slee $600-1400 depending how wild you want to go.
FJ40 Mojave Leaf Spring Suspension
4. Engine- try factory small investment to run if not SB Chevy with tranny
5. Transmission- Manuals are fairly easy and inexpensive to rebuild.
6. Seats- Mastercraft or like $250 each.

Plan on 1-2 years with a $5-10k budget. replacement fiberglass/resin or aluminium tubs are available later on down the line.

 

[Bamf_CT2004]

Its ultimately your call since you will be doing all the work. Should be able to find a runnning 1f for $100 from someone who has done 350 swap. I would recommend you check out mud and do a little research before purchasing but thats just me.

 

[MTDewX8]

no cause you could buy mine. 76 FJ40 with a 350 conv.

shamless plug :fishing:

 

[YotaZach85]

no cause you could buy mine. 76 FJ40 with a 350 conv.

shamless plug :fishing:

For $400? I'll buy it for $400!

 

[chitown40]

I'd pass.

I restored a FJ40 many years ago that appeared 95% rust free when I started. Once everything came off, I was constantly battling with broken fasteners and rusted or worn out parts.

You will be into that thing minimum $2000-$4000 before it's road worthy and maybe a little more to have enough confidence in it to take on a longer wheeling trip.

 

[josh.bunch]

As far as long wheeling trips go...there will be none in it's future. Only things within1-2 hrs of home. I should mention I have a buddy that will go 1/2 with me on everything including work theoretically. This makes my monetary commitment much less.
Only reason I'm considering this is bc the starting price is so cheap. That may be short-sided and foolish since I dont know exactly what I would be getting myself into.
Also there is no title. The LC was sitting next to a house that was destroyed in a tornado 10 years ago and all records were lost, so I'm not sure what all is involved in getting a new title. I know I would need a Bill of Sale to prove purchase, beyond that I need to do more research.

 

[Rc4r]

Me and my dad went and checked one out and it was right hand drive lol.

 

[josh.bunch]

Me and my dad went and checked one out and it was right hand drive lol.

The blue one?