Builds My 1978 Nut and Bolt Frame Off Restoration (1 Viewer)

[Skeet]

Another 77 FJ40 resto

Pretty good reference point

 

[DSB345]

Your rig looks fantastic!

 

[MScruiser]

Your rig looks fantastic!

Thanks, @DSB345 !

 

[FJ4013]

I’m getting closer to having to sell this thing (that has been the plan since nearly the start of this project). As soon as I finish a project, I have to find a new one. I’m sure I’ll look for another late model 40 Series too.

But for now, I need to start thinking of selling this one that’s occupied my time for the past two years.

I could use some help from you guys (and gals) as far as figuring out what this truck is worth in this current market.

I know it’s worth a good bit, but I am not sure what kind of figure to shoot for. I don’t want to be greedy, but I don’t want to sell myself short either; I need as much as I can get to try and pay off the rest of our mortgage.

Thanks in advance!

Can you give us a rough order estimate on what you have into it for parts alone? And then an estimate of man hours you have into it? Absolutely beautiful work. Your attention to detail is what I have enjoyed most in this build thread.

 

[MScruiser]

Can you give us a rough order estimate on what you have into it for parts alone? And then an estimate of man hours you have into it? Absolutely beautiful work. Your attention to detail is what I have enjoyed most in this build thread.

Hard to say how much money I have in it. Maybe $30k?

Easily 800hrs.

 

[CenTXFJ60]

Started pulling things out of the engine bay

Holy cow...did I spot a baby monitor on the 40??? If so that brings back memories. I use to do the same thing (20+ years ago) when my oldest ( @mcguirejohnson) was little. He will hate the fact I posted this but here it goes . if he was not napping then the only other way I could get free time in the garage was to let him intertain himself in the car I was building. Worked out long term. Did not mean to high jack your thread but was enjoying the read and then saw the walke talke thing and it struck a memory cord.

 

[MScruiser]

View attachment 1661346 View attachment 1661347
Holy cow...did I spot a baby monitor on the 40??? If so that brings back memories. I use to do the same thing (20+ years ago) when my oldest ( @mcguirejohnson) was little. He will hate the fact I posted this but here it goes . if he was not napping then the only other way I could get free time in the garage was to let him intertain himself in the car I was building. Worked out long term. Did not mean to high jack your thread but was enjoying the read and then saw the walke talke thing and it struck a memory cord.

It sure is a baby monitor! Ha. Gotta be productive when the little one sleeps.

And I’m sure you saw the beer glass too. A guys gotta relax when he can.

 

[FJ4013]

Hard to say how much money I have in it. Maybe $30k?

Easily 800hrs.

Thanks. The reason I ask is I want to put a legitimate value on your amazing rig. I only have one gripe about this board. I've rarely see a reasonable value assessment from board members here. I've only ever seen massive undervaluing with no substantiation.

I don't know what your efficiency skill level is but it's clear from your build thread you know what you are doing. What I mean by efficiency is would it take you 8 hours to do a knuckle rebuild or double that time like it would for me because 1) I've never done one and 2) I'm going to make mistakes, do something incorrectly and have to redo it.

So let's assume you are efficient and the 800 hours you have in your rig have no fat in those hours. I've seen labor rates on these rigs from FJ40 shops as low as $90/hr and as high as $150/hr. So 800 hours done in this range is $72,000 - $120,000 in labor alone. Throw in your $30K in parts and now the real dollar value of your rig sits somewhere between $102,000 - $150,000.

I am sure there are multiple posters heads exploding right now reading this and thinking, "No way is this FJ40 "worth" that. And this is where I disagree. There is intrinsic value in the labor and parts you have invested. Also factor in you used OEM where ever possible to maintain the originality and the value will be worth more at a future date. 800 hours is 800 hours regardless if it is time we invest ourselves or if we pay someone else to do it. There is value to that time. Especially considering your skill level.

So maybe let's say we slash the labor you have by half. And for argument's sake let's just "value" it at $50K. You're sitting at $80K with labor and parts and personally, I think that is a VERY fair and reasonable asking price. Honestly, I would list it for $100K and then go from there. You've built a very, very, nice rig.

 

[troy scott]

awesome build really enjoyed reading! how do you go about reconditioning the dash knobs? thanks

 

[MScruiser]

awesome build really enjoyed reading! how do you go about reconditioning the dash knobs? thanks

Hot soapy water and a toothbrush.

Then cover in thin coat of peanut butter, then buff the peanut butter with a clean cloth.

 

[emac]

Thanks. The reason I ask is I want to put a legitimate value on your amazing rig. I only have one gripe about this board. I've rarely see a reasonable value assessment from board members here. I've only ever seen massive undervaluing with no substantiation.

I don't know what your efficiency skill level is but it's clear from your build thread you know what you are doing. What I mean by efficiency is would it take you 8 hours to do a knuckle rebuild or double that time like it would for me because 1) I've never done one and 2) I'm going to make mistakes, do something incorrectly and have to redo it.

So let's assume you are efficient and the 800 hours you have in your rig have no fat in those hours. I've seen labor rates on these rigs from FJ40 shops as low as $90/hr and as high as $150/hr. So 800 hours done in this range is $72,000 - $120,000 in labor alone. Throw in your $30K in parts and now the real dollar value of your rig sits somewhere between $102,000 - $150,000.

I am sure there are multiple posters heads exploding right now reading this and thinking, "No way is this FJ40 "worth" that. And this is where I disagree. There is intrinsic value in the labor and parts you have invested. Also factor in you used OEM where ever possible to maintain the originality and the value will be worth more at a future date. 800 hours is 800 hours regardless if it is time we invest ourselves or if we pay someone else to do it. There is value to that time. Especially considering your skill level.

So maybe let's say we slash the labor you have by half. And for argument's sake let's just "value" it at $50K. You're sitting at $80K with labor and parts and personally, I think that is a VERY fair and reasonable asking price. Honestly, I would list it for $100K and then go from there. You've built a very, very, nice rig.

This is why I have a large shoebox full of receipts that I will NEVER add up. I also cut my hours in 1/2 to make me feel better about the amount of time I have in the project! I would guess most of us here dont do this to make money.....or even come close to it. My advice, if your passion is for the car, buy one that is restored. If your passion is for the journey, you need deep pockets and determination!

 

[onemanarmy]

meticulously restored 40s go for north of $100k now. We've all seen it. Should surprise no one at this point.

 

[MScruiser]

All new weatherstripping and packing from @Racer65.

I’m using screws to hold the packing in place while just a few drops of contact cement dry.

 

[emac]

meticulously restored 40s go for north of $100k now. We've all seen it. Should surprise no one at this point.

Dont get me wrong this is a beautiful build, and I wish 100K was realistic (as I have a ton in mine as well), but its been a while since one brought more than 50K on BAT. Some of them have been very nice rigs.

@MScruiser, I put some lube (gummi phflege) on the gasket to help them slide when installing the top. Seems to help. Cant wait to see it finished!

 

[onemanarmy]

you've got TLC/ICON and FJ company knocking on $200k and don't seem to have a problem selling

but they do have the 'name' and reputation, and bespoke extinct Rhino seat leather and aviation grade sun visors

 

[MScruiser]

Door rebuilding.

Repurposed the baby nursery as a workshop. Lol.

Cut these door hinge gaskets out of PVC

New outer handles and gaskets.

New pins and bushings. I’ll replace these bolts with JIS once the bolts come in the mail.

 

[MScruiser]

Bought new felts and wipes for the doors. New window runs and door gaskets from racer65. New latch mechanisms, new pull handles, new regulator cranks, new door cards, new door pull bezels, new plastic bushings that hold the door cards in place, all new Cadmium hardware where needed, new side view mirror gaskets, and a few other odds and ends. I have a new lockstep on order, so I am holding off on installing the door cards until they come in.

I’m reusing the mirrors that were on the truck. They cleaned up to like-new condition with some hot water, simple green, and a stiff bristled brush.

 

[emac]

yeah, nice porn! I found the window felt runs were tough to install without bending them.

 

[MScruiser]

yeah, nice porn! I found the window felt runs were tough to install without bending them.

I found it just the opposite. When you got yours, did the rubber have a few small fillet cuts in the bends? Mine did; made it painless.

 

[MScruiser]

Now to start on the hard top sides.

New gaskets and weatherstripping all around, stainless hardware on the window latches, and new dome light. The window hinges are not installed yet, as I blasted them, and am now waiting on the paint to dry.

I used the string method to install the glass. Worked beautifully.