Buy an FJ40 or Spend $$ on the Taco?

I just sent him another email asking for more pics of the interior, undercarriage, and up close of the worst body rust areas. We'll see what that all looks like before I buy. It really just looks like a lot of surface rust. I can do a little body work, and I just want to murder it out with flat black rattle can anyways.

 

well ill give you an idea. when i bought my 89 4runner, it was in pretty bad shape..fenders were gone and the body rot was quite intense. much to my suprise, there was not one bolt on that thing that broke when i wrenched on it.

Even when I cranked the tbars, they went right up no problem.

Just be careful of what you get yourself into

 

Where is the rig located?

I wouldn't buy anything unless you go and look at it in person.

 

I think you are missing the point... That one is parts. Re~sell the axles and interior to cover your FREE engine / trans /t-case and cost of travel.

The axles alone bring $200 - $350 from Samurai guys.

Or (2) front axle shafts (2) lock outs (2) rear axle shafts (2) drive shafts for $40 each + 2 Diffs $50 each.

 

Well, after some hard thinking I finally made up my mind. Thanks for everyone's input. The kid in me wants the FJ, but the grownup in me wants to do the responsible thing and keep working on the Taco and not waste money when I don't NEED to. I figured by the time I rented a trailer and drove there and back I would be spending around $2000 just to get it and bring it home. Add another $1000 or so to get a motor and install it, along with anything else that could need replaced, extra taxes, insurance, etc. that it wasn't feasable to do at this time. It wouldn't break me, but I would probably be running low on funds for a couple months. So, I'm sticking with the Tacoma and doing a few mods here and there and not spending all my money at once. That doesn't mean I won't have an FJ someday! I think I'll start an "FJ40 fund" and put away some money here and there when I have extra and buy one sometime down the line.

[First thing for the Taco]: I just ordered my new wheels. American Racing Tactic 16x8s. I talked to one of the techs and he told me these should also help with my frame rub issue, because they are 4.5" backspacing, whereas the stocks are 5.5" This will set the wheel out from the truck another inch and should fix the frame rub. I paid $525 for 4 wheels with free shipping, free lugs, stems, and centercaps, and no tax. Should be here in 3-4 business days. I think they'll look pretty badass and I've also never seen anyone else with them.
Here's a pic of the wheels and a link to the site. You guys should really check it out if you're looking for rims. They have the best deals I've ever found online.
http://www.wheelsforless.com/


Ok, now I've that I've got the wheels covered, what next?

 

You made a good decision. An FJ is definitely more a hobby than a truck.

I had a 70 FJ. It was a lot of fun, but a lot of work too -- without any body rust issues. I used to take it desert camping. It didn't carry as much gear as my Taco and burned way too much gas. The best thing about it was it was simple and had plenty of room for mods.

When you do get one, get the 75 (I think) or later, with the vertically split rear doors and disc brakes. The drum brake version had eight wheel cylinders and I had to replace every one of them. The 4 speed tranny is also a lot better than the earlier 3 spd. If it needs an engine, I highly recommend a small block Chevy. Aside from better performance and mileage, it takes 150 lbs off the front end.

 

i woulda bought the FJ. i want nothing more than a nice FJ40. or one i could fix up and mod.

 

I would have gone FJ too.

Having a nice DD while having a trail rig that you can beat on >>>>>>>>>>> A DD on the weekdays and trailrig on the weekends.

 

I'd go Taco, it looks nice already so make it look even better!

 

time for some front iron. maybe a nudge bar or something. the westin brush guards are ok but they dont look as good as an ARB (mad expensive tho) or just a nudge bar.

after that, some lights, but not hellas, go with the cheaper PIAA or IPF ones, (like the IPF 968 CSG). ive never been a hella type guy. they just don't look good.

 

I was thinking about buying an ARB, but they're way expensive. I really want one though, so I might have to save up and wait. I think I might buy a MIG welder next and start making my own rear bumper first. If it turns out good I might try one for the front. There's several other projects I could do as well if I had a good welder...

 

do you have a bender as well? you will need one.

 

option 3 ..suzuki samurai cheap,fun and go topless what more could you ask for in a gir.. I mean ...er.... truck.