vibrating tail?

So I am looking at an early 70's 40.....

good looking truck (in the pictures) I was about to go see it and the seller said he felt a vibration in the rear when he took it to get it's fluids changed, said the sale was on hold until he (get a mechanic) to look at it. He said that he thinks it is aftermarket shackles (needed shims), got an email saying the stock shackles are back on and the vibration is reduced. "reduced" should I be concerned? what could the vibration be? the 40 is a good drive away. He also said the F2 motor would do 75-80.

Ohh, and thanks steve for making me want a v8 instead of the inline 6 this one has.

How far a drive are we talking? I would want to check it out in person if the price looks right.

it would be a 600 mile round trip! I did a 1600 mile trip for the 07 trd.

Man, that's a pretty good distance. Personally, I'd be skeptical about it, but that's just going by gut. The guy should provide a better description of the improvement than "vibration is decreased!" A few years back, my dad purchased a 72 FJ40 on ebay just based on the shotty description and rough pictures (I want to say he paid about $4k). He drove all the way from Winston to Tennessee, and was completely let down by the low quality that he had already paid for. Still though, he restored it drastically and turned it around for about $15k a year later.

It could possibly be the bushings in the shackles are pretty shot and cause a death wobble in the back end. Or the driveshaft may have been making the vibrations because of the aftermarket shackles changing the pinion angle; so putting the stock shackles back on put it closer to factory spec again.

I HATE making decisions.

tbulluck wrote:

I HATE making decisions.

LOL! Post more info on the truck and we can help persuade/dissuade you!

OK..1971 FJ 40....4 hours and 47 minutes away.

Items that have been updated..f2 motor w/4spd trans, disk brake front end.inside has been coated with herculiner painted about a year ago. has the hardtop and bikini top.

the truck still drives ok it just vibrates around 50-60mph the mechanic thinks it a rear u-joint, says the top speak is 75-80 mph

Frame rust is the one of the biggest things on an old toyota. Also on those 40's they rust around the windows, top, and door areas too. Just something else to look for.

that is if I make the 8 hour round trip...

any thoughts about the engine and gas

85runner wrote:

Frame rust is the one of the biggest things on an old toyota. Also on those 40's they rust around the windows, top, and door areas too. Just something else to look for.

Agreed 100%. Rusty floorboards are also a big issue (which can easily be covered up by something inexpensive like Herculiner )

As far as the engine goes, if that 4spd F2 is in good shape, you've got a very solid engine to work with. As far as I know, this is the preferred engine that enthusiasts look for (outside of the small block Chevy fans).

You mind telling how much this guy is asking? Do you have any pictures? If he can't provide pictures of the frame/underbody, I wouldn't drive a mile to check it out. There's a ton of 40's out there, both restored and not restored, so you should be able to be selective!

The 2F's are good engine's. I don't think it's a speed demon by any means. I'm not too familiar with those transmissions either, but being that it's only a 4sp with no overdrive you'll be screaming down the highway in 4th gear. I'd say if there wasn't any rust on it and it runs and drives decent you should scoop it up because they are becoming harder to find it decent condition.

he is asking $6K. I was encouraged by 2 people to walk away, because the "reduced vibration" sounded like a safety net when the real problem hits (that the seller is not releasing to me).

[img][/img]

I won't lie... it looks freakin GORGEOUS, and the price is not bad at all. But if the seller can't provide any other pictures of the underside, I would be very hesitant. New paint jobs can cover up old problems. Not trying to be negative, just trying to look out for ya!

you ARE NOT going to hurt my feelings (i have a wife for that). I feel the same way about covering up old rust and not telling me where the vibration is really coming from. I want to spend $6k and be able to play in it not under it.

[img][/img]

i do not know the number of owners, where the car came from, or seen undercarriage pics

tbulluck wrote:

you ARE NOT going to hurt my feelings (i have a wife for that). I feel the same way about covering up old rust and not telling me where the vibration is really coming from. I want to spend $6k and be able to play in it not under it.

I hear that! These guys are always going to need some sort of work done I feel like, but I'd much rather limit future spending in as many aspects as possible. The price is good though, so I wouldn't give up on this... maybe the seller can open up a little bit and tell you some history of the truck?

it sure is purdy.

tbulluck wrote:

you ARE NOT going to hurt my feelings (i have a wife for that). I feel the same way about covering up old rust and not telling me where the vibration is really coming from. I want to spend $6k and be able to play in it not under it.

[img][/img]

It is indeed. In fact, it's much purdier than most early 70's FJ's I've seen selling for a lot more... a LOT more...

The U-joints seem to be farely inexpensive from Man-A-Fre:

http://www.man-a-fre.com/parts_accessories/ujoints.htm

And the description even explains the vibration effect.

if i had the money id offer him 5K and if he took it i wouldnt worry about a vibration...not til i got home to look it over...probably not a big thing anyway...drive shaft ma be out of balance...shims are an easy easy fix...springs may have a bit of sag on one side or the other...and it could very well be tires...you never know...but i wouldnt hesitate to buy it if he took 5K...looks like its in pretty good shape...pay attention to the area below the rear windows and for sure the floor boards...dont just look at the floor from inside the truck...but get underneath and inspect them...look around the seal where the top attaches...water can accumulate there too...try to figure out where the owner actually parks it...look for fluid spots on the ground...just my $.98 worth..(inflation)

it certainly is a good looking truck..and i would be very very tempted...if i had the money...but honestly if it ran and handled decently i wouldnt hesitate..not for that money...part of owning a 40 is the working on a 40....

It's one purty 40.

bigdogdewey2 wrote:

part of owning a 40 is the working on a 40....

Amen to that brother!