Dealer 1978 40 - looking for feedback

At the risk of being a PITA, wondering if you guys would take a look at this 78' and provide some thoughts about what looks good and what doesn't. I know these trucks decently well, but not in the way that many of you know them. This group spins circles around me on what's original, what's not, what to look out for, what to ask about, etc.

Here's the link to the dealer's listing: Used 1978 Toyota FJ40 for Sale in Salem OH 44460 JK's Galleria Of Vintage, Classic And Pristine Cars

I do not intent to pay their asking price. Price is still TBD.

Here's what I'm told by the dealer:
-They took the 40 in trade from a local collector (likely story).
-It was restored ~10 years ago. It's a restoration company that all of us on here would recognize, but I'd like to talk with the resto company first and see if they will confirm that they did the work before I mention their name.
-Miles of 58k are original...speedo hasn't turned over and was not reset during the restoration.

Opinions on price are of course welcome...but that sometimes turns into a rabbit hole given its subjectivity. Let's not fully traverse the rabbit hole

For anyone that takes a couple minutes to look at the pictures and give some thoughts, many thanks and a hat tip to you!!

Here are a handful of the images from the dealer's page...many more are on their website posted above:

 

[74bigred]

Here are the bumper cones (aftermarket) available on eBay. Put this item # 123183678920 into search bar and they will pop up. Just for looks and some protection.
May be the same ones used in 78 restore?

 

[LIGOTRELOS]

SOLD - Restored 1978 Olive FJ40 in Jackson, MS

I am finishing up a 3 year restoration on my 1978 FJ40. I have documented the entire process here on mud: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/my-1978-nut-and-bolt-frame-off-restoration.951741/ Just about everything I could do on this truck was done. It was a complete, true, frame off restoration...

forum.ih8mud.com

For Sale - Florida 1974 FJ40

Fellow Mud Members, Unfortunately I am going to sell the pride of my fleet. It's a (Sep) 1974 FJ40 with an F1.5 that is in really great condition. Mileage is 59,169. To my knowledge, all original with a restoration/mechanical refresh about 5 years ago and I have kept it in it's original...

forum.ih8mud.com

Overton has nice rigs and he can assist with shipping. Not his first rodeo.
These are also nice and a little closer to Texas.
No affiliation.

 

[ionyota]

SOLD - Restored 1978 Olive FJ40 in Jackson, MS

I am finishing up a 3 year restoration on my 1978 FJ40. I have documented the entire process here on mud: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/my-1978-nut-and-bolt-frame-off-restoration.951741/ Just about everything I could do on this truck was done. It was a complete, true, frame off restoration...

forum.ih8mud.com

For Sale - Florida 1974 FJ40

Fellow Mud Members, Unfortunately I am going to sell the pride of my fleet. It's a (Sep) 1974 FJ40 with an F1.5 that is in really great condition. Mileage is 59,169. To my knowledge, all original with a restoration/mechanical refresh about 5 years ago and I have kept it in it's original...

forum.ih8mud.com

Haha, believe me, I’ve looked many times. Both nice examples in their own right.

I definitely appreciate your comments and the links!

 

[Drake2]

Based on the "before" pictures you should bring a magnet if you go look at it in person.....maybe bring a lot of magnets. Request to see receipts for what was used to repair all the sheet metal that was rotted....did they patch pieces in or do actual panel replacements. In fact, I guarantee whoever did the resto will have "in process" pictures. I would not buy unless I saw how the resto was done.

 

[Dedtruk]

They did a nice job painting the u-bolts.
And what the heck are the bolts/threaded rod coming out of the rear u-bolt plates.

Those are spring center pins, well, probably regular ole bolts pretending to be spring center pins. The fact that the pins were replaced with incorrect parts makes me leery. Missing axle bumpstop on driver's rear side, goofed-up brakeline going over rear diff, the Dagmars on the bumperettes ... for $55K? Nah. But all this is elementary as Overton nailed it. Bravo, sir.

 

[ionyota]

I appreciate all the comments guys.

Just to try and put a bow on this thread...

-I ultimately wasn’t able to determine who did the resto.
-The last listed seller I could uncover is Dallas Motorsports - they sold it 10/2017
-I called them but they didn't know the vehicle’s history or who did the resto.
-After my attempt at some of this research I talked to the dealer that is currently selling the truck after much back and forth via text about the truck and it’s blemished history. At the end of the day they told me they need to get about $40.5k out of it “to make a few bucks.”
-I told them no thanks. That’s still pretty far off from what’s it’s worth to me given the history, the donor truck and the shoddy resto.

 

[TheHardWay]

Congrats for not letting emotions get in the way here. You'll thank yourself in the morning...