Bump with more info.
I painted it myself using a single stage automotive epoxy and a spray gun in a friends garage. All surface rust was treated with phosphoric acid and scrubbed off prior to painting. The paint is not perfect as it was my first shot at painting a vehicle. But it looks pretty good. The areas where rust was deeper than the surface (sill, ambulance doors, and rear tub) was treated as best I could to at least halt the spread of rust.
The suspension is not original, but it is stock height, or pretty close to it. The engine, I am not sure as it has a donor engine in it. I was told it's low mileage, though. I had another 2F engine in it previously and this engine ran a lot stronger and smoother than the old one. So it's definitely got good compression, absolutely NO blow-by. I think the shackles are normal, and it is SUA.
I had used the 4-wheel drive a couple times over the year and a half I was daily driving it and it works great. When putting in the current 2F the clutch and all other transmission components were in such good a shape I didn't bother replacing the clutch.
All in all, it's not perfect.. It's cheap, and it has great potential for either a daily driver or a full restoration.
Personally, I snatched it up with the intent of it being a driver, and looks were secondary (when I got it it was tri-color, oxidized hood, camo fenders.. haha) Through a little persistence and elbow grease I managed to get it in at least a presentable condition (to where my girlfriend would ride in it, albeit reluctantly).
The wiring in the vehicle was done by an electrical engineer. Although that sounds great, it's the same situation as how doctors are in bad health, dentists have bad teeth.. etc. It wasn't pretty but it worked. It originally had a dual Optima setup in it that I removed as I didn't need that kind of electrical power. (Although when one of the Optimas bit the dust I was able to jump start off the other battery. Pretty cool). Anyway, it does have a 140amp alternator in it to power two batteries should you choose to go that route.
If I were to keep her, I would drop a good used donor engine in it. Re-wire everything simply, and drive the hell out of it again.
It's just not in my budget to keep her right now, though.
The 40 can NOT be driven home. It has a spun bearing and (I was told) a scored crank. It would have to be towed home.
I just got back home from Fort Sam Houston this month after being gone for 6 months. So it's probably REALLY dirty right now. I've had my Aunt move it every week and store it on plywood as to keep the tires in good shape.
I guess what I am saying is... Compared to the 40s I see going for $5k-$6k. And looking butt-ugly and stuff, it's priced well. It's not perfect. In fact it's pretty much a beater. It was my daily driver for a year and a half until last summer. But I think it's priced right for someone who wants to put in a little more money and have an awesome 40. Or for those guys who put in $20k+ for full restorations this would be a good platform I think.
