1981 FJ40 - It has the original motor and 4-speed tranny,
with a 3-speed t-case. The FJ has 113k original miles. The front knuckles were not turned. The perches were cut and remounted and the steering arms rebuilt to configure to the new height. All of the fab work was done by a shop called Over the Hill Offroad here in Portland. The rear springs have also been reversed. custom driveshafts have been built front and rear and a
custom traction bar installed on the rear axle to eliminate axle wrap.It does need a new carb.

I can get it for $4500 but I'll have to pay for shipping ($900)

what do you guys think:confused:

I think it is definately worth that if the rust is at bay under that nice paint job.

You should fly out on SWA and drive the sucka back. You will definately bond with your truck!

fly out drive home, that sounds like a beeeeeeeutiful dream. I wonder how long it would take to drive that sukka 3,000 miles home on 35's with 4.11's:D

Gotta agree, I don't think I would drop 4500 on a truck I haven't seen/driven in person. maybe one of the guys from this board can check it out if anyone is in the area-if you trust them not to buy it:D :D

I bet you could drive it back in a week or a leisurely 10 days. Not that I have done it.

Looks nice, and the price is definately right.

Yes, I would have someone from a local TLCA club crawl under it for me. I would rather do it myself but thats not really an option with 3000 miles between us. no hurry, just shopping


One way plane ticket.....$895
estimated fuel usage...$350
estimated drive time....43 hours :eek:

Shipping @ .50 a mile $1250:D

Over the hill is a Cruiser shop run by 'W' Harrold. He does nice work. Have you seen the 55 on airbags on the calendar?

Their site is: crap - I can't find the link uh here:

http://www.overthehill4x4.com/

Get someone from Cascade Cruisers to look at it (or maybe it was a members. For that matter call W

HTH,

Jim

Not to be the voice of dissent here, but be VERY CAREFUL about who you get to go check it out. People's definition of rust and condition vary wildly, I've seen some flaming POS's that others have considered great deals, and was once burned really badly while checking out a Land Cruiser for a friend of mine. Since that day, I rarely check on Land Cruisers for people and when I do, I am BRUTAL in my assessment.

The price seems right, I've driven other Land Cruisers with SO's from Over the Hill (the owner is W. Harold, the guy with the FJ55 abomination that's in this year's LC calendar) and the work was all right. Like Nolen pointed out, the BIG question here is the paint job, I am *paranoid* about paint jobs, they can hide a lot of stuff that will come back later. It's also painted a non-stock color, and this has a detrimental effect on the value of the truck (if you're interested, I usually don't care). This can be used to your advantage, I guess.

Follow the advice on this board and get yourself a cheap ticket, go check it out yourself. It will be worth the hassle.

I did not know that was "W"'s shop!

I saw his insane FJ55 on airbags in Toyota Trails. The current owner said this WAS "W's rig a few years ago and he bought it from him.

hey 60seriesguy how did YOU get burned:confused: story please...

Originally posted by FJ60
fly out drive home, that sounds like a beeeeeeeutiful dream. I wonder how long it would take to drive that sukka 3,000 miles home on 35's with 4.11's:D

Stock should be 3.7's on a '81. I can cruise doing 70-75mph on my '79 (3.7) with 33" tires on it. Not too bad on the freeway, but with that Kayline top I tend to go a little nuts after three hours of hearing the top drumming away! Shouldn't be an issue with a hardtop.

I bought MY cruiser sight unseen from Minnesota (actually had photo's of it). Still scared to death to see what it looked like in person, as vehicles we scrap for being "too rusty" in Texas, are "Great shape" in Minnesota! All rust was removed/metal patched, quality painted... thankfully! Be CAUTIOUS of any vehicle with new (less than 2 year old) paint. Hides rust well, but the paint blisters show up after a year.

Shop for the plane ticket. You should be able to get either a standby deal, or cheap flight for less than $300. Ahem, they charge a premium for short lead time/quick turn time... typically business folks. Book the ticket for saturday stay over (arrive Tuesday, depart Sunday). Blow off the return if you buy it... but if you need to return sooner explain the ticket agent your wife is sick, and you need to get home to take care of the baby! :D Usually they will wave the $75 change of flight fee if you are nice to them (especially when you mention you flew out to see your sister & newborn niece!). :D :D

Shipping: Check into "Auto Gator" for car shipping. Reasonable rates, mainly in the South... I've used them with good results.

Tom :usa:

Originally posted by 60seriesguy
Not to be the voice of dissent here, but be VERY CAREFUL about who you get to go check it out.

A fellow cruiser bud asked me to check a FJ40. Sounded too good to be true "'76 FJ40, Kept on farm lease, 18K original miles. $2000" Man oh man, what a find.

Arrived with my digital camera, and not book. I also have a FOUR PAGE check off list of what too look at and check. To really check over a rig takes about three hours.

So when I first pulled up... I spot a couple of rust buckets and ask about the FJ40, thinking it is in the barn. Nope, "this is the one". Ahem, 18K miles on a STEWART WARNER speedometer! It was one POS!!! Took some photo's, thanked the seller for his time, and got out of there". Had a good laugh when I sent the photos back with a description. Ya, some folks opinions can vary wildly. :D

Typically when I go hunting for something like a FJ40... odds are I'll walk away from 9 out of 10. :D Admitted hard to do when you never see any. :(

Still on that '81 for $4500... worth the flight to check it out!

Tom :usa:

I second Jim's opinion of W and his work. He and his shop have an excellent reputation here in the NW. I would give him a call and get his opinion. He is trustworthy and straight in my opinion.

roundrocktom, very typical for my area too:D I already walked away from three local trucks...

a 71 with brand new paint (rust bubbles already coming back) $7,000:rolleyes:

a 71 with a rattle can paint job that I'm still breathing gas fumes from $3500

a 73 with more rust than the titanic (seller never gave me a price).

I'm taking my sweet time and holding out for EXACTLY what I want

76 or newer ,stock 2F, Freeborn RED.

Are you sure it has a 3spd tcase in it? If so that is stupid. It came with a split case with 2.27:1 ratio. The split case is a lot stronger and has low gear options available.

sounds like a bad deal.

Three speed t-case on a 1981? not in this country. BS bastard truck. Too much to spend on shipping. You could find another truck (year) and form this truck.

Your in NC right?

drive to Chuck Whyatts (sp last name) near Asheville. 102K, 1982, and the guy needs cash. On JT outfitters board. Warning, guy is hard to get a hold of.

i was thinking post 80 should have a split case