1978 FJ40 in Atlanta, Thoughts?

[kulinap]

Not too sure I'd bay 20,000 judging from what my untrained eye has already noticed. Tires, roof liner, lift, rear bumperettes. But, if the prices comes down this may be worthwhile.

As some people are probably catching on, I'm looking for a nice FJ, but it will be used and will not sit in a showroom, it will not be wheeled. It will live in Delaware.

Thoughts or other trucks anyone sees around are welcomed!

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/4830187440.html

 

[brian]

It doesn't look bad. And nothing really stands out. But it's not 20k good either.

 

[ginmtb]

Nice screws holding those fender flares on!

 

[78fj40mg]

Not a memorable example, unfinished product, 12K at best.
Hung rear fuel cell from rear floor instead off frame, no fill spout.

 

[Downey]

(1) Aux tank is old poo poo Man A Fre tank that hangs well down below the rear frame rail, very bad departure angle. Also poo poo design that bolts through the rear floor, this design gets cracked welds/leaks where the internal tubes are welded to the tank skin.
(2) Rear hitch hangs down into the ground, radically bad departure angle, and welded to frame so that you can not easily remove it without torching.

 

[kanudude]

Looks to be missing a lot of the little parts? Makes me wonder what else is missing or not done right for $20,000. I would pass and wait.

 

[sterling]

/\ This. For 20k where is the tire carrier?

If you have that kind of budget I would pass on this one. Good luck

 

[vtgbeemer]

Something about the phrase "frame on restoration" sounds like a paint job to me especially with no underhood pics. At a glance inside, the jump seats, heater box, seat belt buckles etc. lack of headliner and the fact that the owner is flipping quick makes me suspicious not to mention what Jim said.
I agree with the $12K at best.

 

[roma042987]

interesting I don't see any holes in the rear sill for the tire carrier latch

 

[kulinap]

Gents--Thanks for the quick feedback, I wasn't convinced that was the one but I'm glad you are saying to hold... We'll hold.

Any thoughts here?

http://www.landcruisersdirect.com/cars/1978-toyota-land-cruiser-bj43-2840/

This will be available in a few months, in transit...

 

[vtgbeemer]

That is very interesting on several levels. It may have it's own challenges but I like that a lot.

 

[FJ404345]

Looks pretty straight, but not enough pics available to judge on this one

 

[jbldaddy]

I like that better, diesel. ...

 

[G-Cat]

Radically different trucks (from a future of ownership perspective).

Is this for a garage at a vacation home or an honest daily driver? Are you a do-it-your-selfer mechanically or will you rely on a pro for future maintenance?

RHD diesel is very cool. Red 40 is not a bad truck...but initial asking price is a huge turn off, for what it (appears to be) is.

 

[T2D2]

Red 40 is sold, I believe. Spoke with the owner a few days back.

 

[winnie]

based on pics, nice 43 ... not many around here ... I considered one but RHD is more and more a no, no with the insurance companies here ...

the red 40 isn't bad based on the pics, but as others have said over-priced for what it shows ...looks like its gone anyway ...

personally, I'd rather see the warts and deal with them myself, rather than buying someone else's idea of fixed up ... unless you're buying an Icon there's always something that needs done on a 30-40 year old Cruiser ...

 

[kulinap]

Red 40 is sold, I believe. Spoke with the owner a few days back.

Thanks for the heads up on the red 40. Appreciated!

 

[kulinap]

Radically different trucks (from a future of ownership perspective).

Is this for a garage at a vacation home or an honest daily driver? Are you a do-it-your-selfer mechanically or will you rely on a pro for future maintenance?

RHD diesel is very cool. Red 40 is not a bad truck...but initial asking price is a huge turn off, for what it (appears to be) is.

We will probably do some basic mechanical troubleshooting and have friends/neighbors who are always willing to lend a hand and tinker with engines. That said, anything major is going off to a professional.

This will be driven alot during the summer, fall and spring months. Winter in Delaware, it will be driven when it's reasonable outside. However, it's not a vacation car as the truck will be in our garage and can be ran regularly if not driven regularly.

Understood they are radically different but equally unique in their own ways.

 

[kulinap]

based on pics, nice 43 ... not many around here ... I considered one but RHD is more and more a no, no with the insurance companies here ...

the red 40 isn't bad based on the pics, but as others have said over-priced for what it shows ...looks like its gone anyway ...

personally, I'd rather see the warts and deal with them myself, rather than buying someone else's idea of fixed up ... unless you're buying an Icon there's always something that needs done on a 30-40 year old Cruiser ...

Thanks for the feedback. Interesting to hear the take on insurance for a truck such as this.

Also, glad to see the consensus on the red truck looking pretty good but acknowledging the price was high for what we were looking into.

Payton