So I'm thinking about a 40(?) series...

[RockyF75]

Saw this today while I was working and had a chat to the person in the shop.



Its a diesel (4spd?) I think, didn't drive it but I sat in it and 1st seemed to be where 2nd is on most gearboxes

SPOA with an engineers cert and 12 months rego. I was told he's asking $6500 but will take $5k.

Things that worry me, it has a fair amount of rust bubling through the paint under the windscreen, not on the removable part, but on the bit just above those vents.

Also, the guy has apparently been trying to sell it for quite some time. Although this is a small town and the number of people who'd want something that is essentially a toy would be pretty low, it's still got me thinking there is something wrong with it.

Any thoughts or advice? Whats the 4cyl diesel like offroad? I would be buying it as a toy, I've already got a 60 series I was going to mod slightly and use as a DD and weekend warrior. But I've always wanted a shorty 40 and this seems like a good price for one thats engineered.

[SteelArt]

Cool looking 40.

By the looks of it she is early 80's, I could be wrong but it it is then I would expect it to be a 3B diesel which is a 3.4 L 4 Cylinder. If that is the case and it has the factory 4 speed which should be a H41 and split case transfer . The H41 is the closest they came to a factory crawler box so it has a low 1st gear.
The 3B is seen by many, myself included as one of the best little diesel engines Toyota ever made, they go forever.

Are they 35's ?

If so she would be a pretty slow old girl with a lot of hills knocking you back a gear, that is unless they have changed to 4.88 R&P from the factory 4.11's

Rust ... I wouldn't worry to much about a little, they are a 40 and getting pretty old. They are good steel and pretty easy to repair.

If your worried about buying it get it inspected and see what they say.

40's are COOL !!

[RockyF75]

Awesome. Silly me was so excited I didn't even look at the rego sticker for a build date, or the dash for the K's I had in mind they where 33"s but I'm useless at telling what size tires are. Didn't bother to look at the sidewall either

Its a bit rough inside, but has new looking seats.

Doing my tax end of this week so we'll see if there's a big enough refund I might take it for a test drive

[RockyF75]

Ok, rang the guy up:

K's are unknown cause the odo only goes to 100 000

its a 1979 model, 3.4L diesel NA

Celica seats

4spd gearbox

12 Months rego

Engineers cert for the seats, the SPOA, and the Roll bar.

Tyres are 35's

And he told me 5k over the phone.

Does this sound like an ok price?

[shorty_f0rty]

I'd hit it!

if your not afraid of getting your hands dirty they are a good 40 to get started on. Preferably a 198x would be best but its still a good buy.

i'd see how it drives as a SOA as if they don't do a cut and turn it could make it a bit squirrelly on the road. Do you know if it has a trac-bar to stop axel wrap?

What are you plans with it? SOA is high in a 40 and can make it go flop real easy if youre not careful.

If its what you want take it for a spin and test it out as if you ARE going to buy it.

get the engine to temp, see if it blows smoke. if you drive it.. see how it engine brakes (give you an idea on engine compression), check steering and make sure thats all good.. give it a good going over.

[RockyF75]

Yeah I didn't think to ask him about how the susp was set up. Not sure how much he'd know anyway as he bought it already modified.

Cut and turn - Thats when you rotate the angle of the diff right? To make up for the sharper drive shaft angle with the lift?

My plans for it would be dedicated trail pig, and camping in summer without a roof or doors I'm a bit far away from any decent tracks though, so it needs to behave properly on roads and highways. I don't think I'd be interested in anymore mods as far as suspension goes just maybe a bit more barwork and some lockers.

Tried searching for pics of a trac bar but couldn't find anything, will keep browsing through the members section but throw us a link if you know of anything.

[jessie928]

Yeah I didn't think to ask him about how the susp was set up. Not sure how much he'd know anyway as he bought it already modified.

Cut and turn - Thats when you rotate the angle of the diff right? To make up for the sharper drive shaft angle with the lift?

My plans for it would be dedicated trail pig, and camping in summer without a roof or doors I'm a bit far away from any decent tracks though, so it needs to behave properly on roads and highways. I don't think I'd be interested in anymore mods as far as suspension goes just maybe a bit more barwork and some lockers.

Tried searching for pics of a trac bar but couldn't find anything, will keep browsing through the members section but throw us a link if you know of anything.

offer him 4 grand cash and start from there, you may get it for 4500