About to get on the FSJ band wagon.......some questions

[Giviner]

Hello, this is my first post on this forum, but I have done plenty of reading in the last while. I have been a jeep guy for many years and have always planned on someday building up a J-series pickup.

I have tracked down what i believe to be a heck of a deal and was looking for some advice.

I found a 1975 J-20 with a 401 that is about a 6 hr drive away. From what I can tell it should have a D44 front and D60 rear. From the pics the body looks to be in decent shape, not a ton of rust either. The guy said he hasn't tried to start it but the guy he bought it from claims it ran fine.

Here are a few pics:

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/littletj2003/J-Series/DSC_0152.jpg

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/littletj2003/J-Series/DSC_0158.jpg

The guy wants $800 for it, which I think is a really good price.

Since i haven't owned one of these beasts before, I was looking for some advice on what to check for when I pick it up other than the usual stuff. Any particular quirks these things have that may cause some problems or any parts that are particularly hard to find that might be missing?

Any help or suggestions are appreciated!

[mattmopar440]

First off Welcome to the site

Second Check to make sure it's a 401 Rig Under the motor mounts AMC are stamped with there displacement 360 304 401

If it is a 401 Rig and the motor turns over you have a good deal on you hands for $800 and an excellent starting point J20 are and 3/4 trucks so beefed up axles springs and steering your already a step ahead of most :thumbsup:

Good luck Matt

Pic from Flint the bolts are where the motor mount would be
http://jubileejeeps.org/tech/401part1/images/401part119_JPG.jpg

[jaber]

Welcome to the land of empty pockets and unfinished projects...

I would be more worried about the rust on it. If it isnt solid, it wont last. Check for body and under frame rust, its what kills the northern herd...

[710 Burner]

Your interior shot looks to have some moisture next to the kickpanel vent. The vents get fill with leaves and debris and cannot drain, so the water comes in the vent and rusts the floor. Check that out.

[El_Diablo]

sprung over and high steer? hmm.... may want to check quality of both ;)

[DerekTJeep]

I think the best thing would be to check to see if there is a market for that strange hood ornament.

[janie]

I think the best thing would be to check to see if there is a market for that strange hood ornament.

There is. They're used to blow up turbo motors.

Back on topic. Looks like a decent rig and I don't see anything that screams out rust bucket. If it does have a 401 and the motor turns freely, I'd drag it home.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

[Casey]

It is SOA and does have cross-over steering...

And a 401?

Worth every penny of $800

[Sian09]

Looks solid! I'm looking for a camper shell like that too! Good luck!

[seventynine]

Those pics look familiar...I think that one has been posted or sold on here before.

Seems reasonable for $800. With the carpet removed you will be able to inspect the floorboards for rust pretty easily.

Looks like an original aluminum bed topper.

Dean

[Fiodh. Argus]

Welcome to the list! I would love to get a 75 j-20.

That one looks like a few weekends of cleaning and scrubbing are in order, but doesn't look too bad. Nice camper shell! As mentioned above, that spring over lift and steering should be inspected for quality and accuracy. I was wondering also if the black interior is not stock since the dash itself is red. Might mean the truck has been totally rebuilt for some reason. Definitely look underneath for rust and check the motor to be a 401. Since it's not running I would offer him less until he can get it started. Sure it may run, but who knows what's in that engine and if it's knocking, etc.

You're probably getting into a project. Sometimes it's better to wait around until a really nice one comes along and spend a bit more for it. It's gonna be spent one way or the other I think.

although, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush...

[Brizio]

Welcome and nice rig!

[mike12]

work on it have fun, its a jeep thing you know:thumbsup: mike 12. o and welcome from the east:fsj:

[anst2184]

Maybe the grill was switched at some point, but that doesnt look like the grill a 75 should have.

[seventynine]

Maybe the grill was switched at some point, but that doesnt look like the grill a 75 should have.

Yep...someone put a '79 and later Pignose grill on it. You can see where the hood bar used to be for the Razor grill that it would have originally had.

Dean

[Giviner]

Wow, thanks for all the input and feedback guys!

Yeah funny you mention the grill because it looked to me that it might not be original, especially after i saw this pic:

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/littletj2003/J-Series/DSC_0155.jpg



The guy said he might want to keep the topper but I'm not really concerned with that. I'll also be sure to give the spring over and stering a good once-over as well.

Found something else out today:

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/littletj2003/J-Series/DSC_0146.jpg

Propane injection. I've never had a vehicle with this so i'm not sure if it's a good thing or not. I can always remove it if I need to anyway.

Here is a shot of the back end too.....almost looks like the topper is too wide for the box but what do I know......

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/littletj2003/J-Series/DSC_0153.jpg

[seventynine]

That looks like a factory cap from the pics in my brochures. I think they just fit like that.

Dean

[fsjman1978]

First off welcome from NE Ohio. Looks like a perty solid truck. Just check the frame and undercarriage and make sure its a 401. Its SOA, has a 401, A SWEET hood ornament, propane injection, not alot of rust, yep sounds like a project, I mean a great deal for $800

[Giviner]

I'm thinking the propane injection would probably get removed, mainly because I don't know if there is anywhere nearby that would even fill those tanks. I know none of the service stations in town sell it and there is only one business that refills the bbq tanks........everyone else just uses the tank exchange program. Gasoline is just way easier to deal with, and much more easily available. Plus I could use the extra space in the bed.

Would removing the propane be something that is difficult to do? From what I gather it's a pretty simple setup, so it should come out fairly easily...... then I would just need to get a new carb, fuel lines, pump, etc. I am trying to find out if the original fuel tank is still in there.

[Cappicaper]

But wait...$800 Canadian...That's like $3.50 US isn't it ;)

Deal either way - get it and install it in your barn!

Propane comes out pretty easily. Take out the tank and tubes and there should be a plate up around the carb that actually delivers it.

[rockin wagoneer]

LOOKS GREAT FOR $800

[Giviner]

$800 Cdn is closer to $4 US nowadays :D

I am going to try and pick this up my next days off. Main problem i'm having now is tracking down a car hauler and tow rig. Too bad I'm only about halfway done my 6.0L swap in my TJ or that would have been perfect. :(

The one place I called today wanted $450 for the truck and $250 for the hauler for 2 days!!!!!!!

Going to call a few more places tomorrow.

I'll be sure and post up when I finally get this thing back home. :fsj:

[Artisan]

I am pretty sure someone else posted up pics of this truck in the past 6 months. I guess do a search for J20 and look for threads where guys are buying... I forget what was said, something like a business card was found in back with the name J. Hoffa, some blood stains and a few spent shell casings :D

Really though, this has been pictured here in the recent past.

[78 WIDETRAC]

That first pic has been around here before, Nice start,
When I think of band wagon I think of cheering for a team during the good times, I'm not sure FSJ's fall into the same category. if so, it may be a short ride.:D

[Giviner]

Thanks guys, I checked around but couldn't find any posts about it.........do you recall if there were any issues with it?

I know the guy i'm buying it from said he purchased it from a guy in BC, not sure how long ago that was though.

If anyone cares to track down that thread for me that would be great.

[lkmarsh]

I think the best thing would be to check to see if there is a market for that strange hood ornament.
I think he is going to need that way-cool hood ornament...that is his hood latch release. Any rhino owners do this same mod? Hmmm...