Buy an FJ40 or Spend $$ on the Taco?

I just sold my old Toyota pickup and got a $2000 to play with and now I don't know what to do with it. I've ALWAYS wanted and old ('70s era) FJ40 Landcruiser and thought maybe now's a good time to get one. I found a few online in the price range I'm looking for. I want an FJ to do a little wheeling with and to give me a little side project to work on in my spare time. I want something I'm not afraid to scratch or put a dent in (don't want a restored one anyways, they're too expensive).
I've also been wanting to do some more mods to my Tacoma such as, new wheels, Wet Okole's, custom bumper, ARB, Line-X, etc. I could go on and on.
I'm afraid if I get the FJ that I'll spend my extra time/money on it and my Tacoma will suffer by staying "as is" for a while.
Please help...

Here's a couple pics of my truck as it sits now.

 

id say spend it on the tacoma. If you buy that FJ, you will spend more money on the long run, including having to mod both vehicles, insurance on the FJ and so forth on having a new vehicle. Upgrade your tacoma, your love for it will continue to grow with each mod

 

I'd go for the FJ. The money you put in mods will not be relaized in resale if invested in the Tacoma, where as the FJ + mods will usually bring more. Besides you Tacoma looks plenty capable now.

Maybe it's just me but I'm hesitant to really wheel somthing I'm making payments on. Maybe a few trail rides and some exploring, but I'd save Tellico / Badlands / Rubicon for the Fj.

I forgot another good reason, topless Fj's in the summer.

PS: A good body man might could straighten that rear bumper for cheap / free.

 

how long do you wanna keep the taco? forever I'd assume
and how much do you like wheeling?

if it were me, i'd get a set of sliders, some wheels, a front bumper, bed bar and a hi-lift.
and some goodies like a new shovel, axe, cb radio,
other things you might enjoy on the taco are a winch, a grille, rear bumper, stereo system.

my .02 let us know what you decide

 

Do it to the taco...

 

hey i love a old fj as much as the next guy but id fix up the taco

 

Save your money. With this economy....you never know when you'll need that $2000 for something else.

Are you really ready for a full-blown project? The FJ's are sweet, but they are old and gawd knows what types of work you'll need to do initially to get it where you want it in terms of maintenance and mods. Used vehicles ALWAYS need initial TLC and maintenance. The older the vehicle, the more they need. Can you find one that isn't infected with rust?

If you don't have a lot of time on your hands and if you don't have a lot of money - it's not a good idea to even think about a project rig. I've seen countless people buy project rigs and they sat in their garages untouched for years because they didn't have the time (or the money). It's a total waste to buy a project and let it sit.

I'm not saying you would let it sit...but you really should think about the time you can take to invest in it.

 

Janster has a good point. But additionally, once you start getting an FJ going, your Tacoma becomes redundant. Nobody needs two off-roaders, so sooner or later you'll have to get rid of one of them. Spend the money on the Tacoma. And although it seems unwise to spend money all the time, you might consider making your choices soon, because I have a feeling that inflation is going to become a serious problem in the near future.

 

Here's the FJ I'm really leaning towards. He'll get rid of it w/o the wheels/tires for $1600 and I already have the perfect set of 33x12.50s on polished AR Atlas 15x10 rims to put on it that came off my Toyota Pickup I sold already:

Here's how it is listed: "I have an almost trail ready Toyota with brand new Super Swampers. Truck has SOA lift and 33 x 15 x 15 Boggers in rear and 33x12.5 in front. 4.10 gear ratio, inline 6 F2 engine (locked up)with 4 speed, headers and updated carb. Brand new Racing aluminum radiator, fresh valve adjustment. I have the rear doors and good windshild with frame for it and power steering parts. Put an Engine in and hit the trails
I will sell without wheels and tires for less. Not much less. "

 

Yup!
You'll get rid of the tacoma to buy a fullsize truck & trailer to tow the FJ with.

And that, is even more money.

 

One reason I want the FJ.

I plan on keeping the Taco for a long time. It's paid for. I very much like wheelin', but haven't got into anything too extreme with the Taco like I did my older less expensive Toyota trucks ('85 and '92), but I don't have either one anymore.

I wish I had a big shop to work on it in - that's the main downfall. This one looks pretty solid body wise and has lots of extra parts, but needs motor rebuilt/replaced. Not sure how much that would cost me, but I'm guessing another $1000+

The Tacoma's my daily driver, but I see your point.

Don't want a fullsize or monthly payments. Tacoma's paid for. You don't think it will pull a trailer?

 

I change my vote, damn that thing looks like a blast! your truck is super nice already, figure out the whole cost to get that thing happy and then make your decision.

 

Dammit! I almost made up my mind to spend the money on the Taco, but I keep looking at those pictures and you're right, it DOES look like a blast! I'm so torn. Maybe he'll just sell the damn thing to someone else before I can decide. That'll make my decision easier!

 

Maybe this is fate... I just looked up the guys online ad again and he's dropped to price to $1700 for everything (wheels/tires included). He wanted $2000 for all just a couple days ago. Anyone wanna buy some Super Swampers if I go and get it??

 

Find an FJ guy who has a spare motor and trade him the swampers. The non pureist V-8 swap guys will can a good 6cyl in a minuite. I'd secure a Fj Parts / engine source before making the deal.

If you do it set a time line and stick to it.

 

You got the 4.0L with towing package? (tranny cooler, engine oil cooler, etc)?

The towing capacity is 6500lbs and you'd need the lightest trailer you can find (1200lbs). A built rig will weigh anywhere between 4-5000lbs. You'd want weight distributing hitch, trailer brakes, etc etc etc.

If you're gonna tow it on a regular basis, I'd get a fullsize.

 

if you've got the room, and the time to build the fj, and your satisfied with how your taco sits right now, then go for the fj! that's a real good price as long as everything checks out.

 

If I for some reason never got the time to fix it, I figured the price couldn't be beat and I could always re-sell it for a profit or at least not lose anything from it...

How about this one? I just found it for $300! Body is rough, but he said the interior was all there and floor pans were solid. Motor turns over, but does not run. $300...

 

whats the undercarriage look like? if the body is that rough, count on alot of stuff breaking once you start wrenching on it

 

i'd pass on that one, thats more than a hobby project thats a full deal resto