1979 FJ40 $14900 Thoughts?

Any thoughts if she is worth what the seller is asking? If there is any other feedback regarding things you are seeing in pictures let me know. I am interested in buying her? Thanks for your opinions.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4386616456.html

 

[3_puppies]

seems high with the rust issues. would want to see what is under the carpet and under the front mats.

 

[Poser]

seems high with the rust issues. would want to see what is under the carpet and under the front mats.

Strongly agree.

Get A LOT of pictures and go look at it in person...or, find someone you trust to go look at it.

 

[Tonka08]

Well here is some more pix I was obtained from the owner. I see the rust in the normal trouble spots but it doesn't look bad. But maybe Im being naive.

 

[Tonka08]

I plan to go look at her in a few days. Does anyone have specific areas that I should give extra attention to when I inspect her? Im not a gear head but know some basics.

Is there anyone in this community that happens to live in the area that any of you would recommend that may live close to the Prosper/Frisco - Dallas area that would assist in helping me look her over so I make sure Im not getting hosed? I sure can use the help. Thanks

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Here's the Russian ad http://inrussia.us/index.php?option=com_ebay&task=showitem&itemid=251493699083

If you search (google, duckduckgo, etc.) for "214-551-6527 FJ40", you'll see a number of FJ40s that he's recently advertised 'for sale'.

Here's the eBay auction (closed - didn't reach reserve) for the '79 you are looking at http://www.ebay.com/itm/Awesome-Ori...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

He's (Paul Davidson) a member of the https://fulfillment.lfg.com/CF/LFG/EF/33935/LAP-IRS-MAP002_Z25_VIEW.PDF

I'm not saying any of this means its not a legit sale and he's not a legit seller - just saying, there is information out there and all of it should play into your decision.

HTH

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I plan to go look at her in a few days. Does anyone have specific areas that I should give extra attention to when I inspect her? Im not a gear head but know some basics.

Is there anyone in this community that happens to live in the area that any of you would recommend that may live close to the Prosper/Frisco - Dallas area that would assist in helping me look her over so I make sure Im not getting hosed? I sure can use the help. Thanks

IMHO The price is probably realistic, if this 40 is everything he's advertising - but, I would suggest you have an expert inspect it for you.

If you can't find anyone in Dallas to do an thorough inspection, I would suggest you contract Tony Marino at http://autoinvestigation.com/- he's in Dallas and I hired him ($250) for a comprehensive inspection when I bought my '78 in Sherman, TX (just north of Dallas).

If you contact Tony, you should have a list of specific items you want him to concentrate on - he will do a full inspection, as well as concentrate on your items of concern.

I don't know what, if any, emissions requirments you have, but remember, catalytic converters came into play on 40s in 1979. If it matters to you, you would want to be sure there are no issues with it.

HTH

Good luck!

 

[Tonka08]

Ya thanks guys, I appreciate the heads up. I know he buys them and does quick flips to make a buck, but it doesn't look like he's hiding anything as he been pretty straight forward to date. Through some research I found previous owner who sold it to him about month ago for several thousand less than he's asking now. I saw his original add on ebay as well. I also know that these FJ's seem to bring higher dollar in the dryer climates like TX, NV, AZ & CA. Im not going to pay his asking price but I think its worth a few grand less than he's asking but Ill know better after I see it in person.

 

[DTSkyCop]

For what it's worth, I bought my cruiser from a guy in Dallas,Texas. It was originally an Arizona cruiser, but that said, I was in Arizona and a long ways away. I used a mechanic in the Dallas area named Mike Dajda (Da-Ha-Da) of Dajda Do-Right Automotive. I am not familiar with the Dallas area but he is in the Richland Hills area at, 5213 Davis Blvd. Ste # E, North Richland Hills, TX / (814) 427-4857. I to alked with him on the phone several times about my cruiser and he is really easy to talk to and very knowledgeable from my conversations with him. He drives a 40 himself!! He did a vehicle inspection for me taking lots of pictures and told me his opinion about what was going to be necessary with the vehicle. When my vehicle was delivered to Arizona, there were absolutely no surprises...

You might try giving him a call to see if you can bring the vehicle by for an inspection. He was fair with his pricing. Hope this helps!!

 

[sypd]

Here's the Russian ad http://inrussia.us/index.php?option=com_ebay&task=showitem&itemid=251493699083

If you search (google, duckduckgo, etc.) for "214-551-6527 FJ40", you'll see a number of FJ40s that he's recently advertised 'for sale'.

Here's the eBay auction (closed - didn't reach reserve) for the '79 you are looking at http://www.ebay.com/itm/Awesome-Original-1979-Toyota-FJ40-/251493699083?forcerrptr=true&item=251493699083&nma=true&si=V5HWJps95ieNQx%2FzkrETsCZFjAY%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

He's (Paul Davidson) a member of the https://fulfillment.lfg.com/CF/LFG/EF/33935/LAP-IRS-MAP002_Z25_VIEW.PDF

I'm not saying any of this means its not a legit sale and he's not a legit seller - just saying, there is information out there and all of it should play into your decision.

HTH

fwiw - I talked to him earlier this year about 3 FJ40s he was selling. Story I got was he is a 40 owner, travels the western US for work, buys up 40s he sees, brings them back to Dallas, does some basic work, and sells. He's been doing it for quite a while based on my Googling and I couldn't find any complaints. I think he's legit, but he's also not restoring or really going deep on these cruisers. And he's a salesman.

$14,500 seems steep for the condition, however in my recent experience someone is going to be willing to pay.

I wouldn't have hesitated to work with him, but I definitely would have gotten a knowledgable mechanic to look at it. @DTSkyCop's guy Mike sounds like a great option.

 

[SKYS40]

I have seen it...it is not surprising that he is not sending you the trouble areas. I found the asking price TOO high for its current condition and Paul made it very clear early on that he was not willing to negotiate, so I did not even make an offer. (My budget is low 20Kish...WELL ABOVE the asking price).

If I may suggest...
Ask for transparency and to please "include" the rust/"treated" areas in the pics he sends you so that you will know what you are purchasing and thus be able to determine if you are comfortable with the areas.

Short rust list: These areas had typical surface rust but also had rust through - both rear quarter panels, entire rear sill, both rear corner panels(the vertical pieces at the end of the quarter panels...they sit on the rear sill), both sides of rear wheel wells upper and lower panels, rear bed, left front fender, driver floor pan, outside/inside rocker panels on driver side, right side ambulance door drilled holes...and that's just the body metal. Lots of other areas with surface rust but not as alarming.

I'd be happy to pin point you to other areas...mechanical, interior, seals, small accessories etc....it is worth noting that my concerns are only mine and based on what I am specifically looking for and how I intend on using it.

As for me:
I am new to MUD...but not new to reading IH8MUD forums. Although I have only had one FJ40, I did restore it; so I feel comfortable with what I am looking at and the associated costs. I recently sold it....HOWEVER, I did not realize how much my family and I would miss it. My wife and I used it as a date night vehicle and the kids and I used it for BIG smiles at elementary school drop off and pick up. Lots of wonderful memories...hopefully created again with another 40!

 

[Tonka08]

Thanks again guys, I appreciate all the help. Yeah I definitely don't want a street queen with a full bolt off rest (right now maybe in few years). Because if I spend 10s of thousands on rest I wouldn't take her off road more than likely. I don't mind a little rust as long as its surface rust or maybe little worse but not enough to crumble on the trail because its not structurally sound. I do live in the high country and & currently trail ride with my tacoma but its my primary ride so I can't be as adventurous with it nor can I deck out my taco with all body armor etc when its not economical for every other day driving on highway. Im NOT looking for a rock crawler just a reliable trail machine... mostly original land cruiser FJ40. Main means for the Cruiser is to get up in mountains to explore colorado and go hunting, fishing, hiking etc... I think as most of all you... they are the coolest vehicles ever! Ive been in market for last decade but Im extremely picky and Ive turned up the heat on the search over last year and don't have means to buy & sell via trial & error. Im not a huge gear head but I figured Id learn as I go but I don't want a huge project as my first. Thanks guys.

 

[atltv]

I put this site together: http://fj40search.com which aggregates all the posts tagged with 'FJ40' from CL. It might be a good resource during your search.

 

[SKYS40]

Tonka08 - check out Ebay 1979 FJ40 in Wyoming. The vehicle in Wyoming has almost the exact amount of rust in the rear sill corners, bed corner, quarter panels, and drivers floor... Should give you an almost indentical image of rust and rust rot that you will find in the Dallas FJ for these particular mentioned areas.

 

[Tonka08]

Tonka08 - check out Ebay 1979 FJ40 in Wyoming. The vehicle in Wyoming has almost the exact amount of rust in the rear sill corners, bed corner, quarter panels, and drivers floor... Should give you an almost indentical image of rust and rust rot that you will find in the Dallas FJ for these particular mentioned areas.

Ya Ive seen that one in Sheridan, Wyoming but what scares me off is seller listed it has changed hands several times in short period of time and it doesn't have lift or mods that one in TX has & rust on one in WY looks far worse in my opinion. Paul has sent me about 25 extra pix many include close ups of rust spots although not good Ive seen much worse. But I do agree Paul is high on his price but I value Pauls around $12.5k. Thanks for looking out and sharing.

 

[Tonka08]

I put this site together: http://fj40search.com which aggregates all the posts tagged with 'FJ40' from CL. It might be a good resource during your search.

atltv thanks for the search engine link. much easier than checking on craigs for major cities.