1979 FJ40 on eBay actually a 1978? What's it worth?

[scoobiedubes]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201090909420

Won this auction last night, but I'm concerned that this isn't actually a 1979 and therefore maybe not worth $14k. It looks incredibly clean, based on the VIN (FJ40296015) however it appears to be a 1978
http://www.sor.com/catframe.sor
The round bezel and vertical gas cap cover support it being a 1978 as well. I've sent him a few questions regarding gas tank location and if it has the optional power steering or not, we'll see.

Question is, is it still worth $14k if it's a 1978 in this condition?

 

[Poser]

Looks like a 1978 to me. (with 70 series turn signals)

 

[studawg]

Thats a Central/South American import. Personally, I don't think a 79 is any more valuable than a 78. Power steering is a plus of course, but not all 79+s had it. 79s have thinner gauge steel, higher gear ratio, etc... Put it this way, if we have a 78 and a 79 side by side, and the 79 doesn't have PS or AC, and they are in similar condition, Id prefer the 78, assuming they are the same color.

Edit: That thing doesn't have PS, or even a front driveshaft for that matter!

 

[scoobiedubes]

Video posted as well... Landpimp also seemed to indicate he thought this was a BJ not an FJ.

Thats a Central/South American import. Personally, I don't think a 79 is any more valuable than a 78. Power steering is a plus of course, but not all 79+s had it. 79s have thinner gauge steel, higher gear ratio, etc... Put it this way, if we have a 78 and a 79 side by side, and the 79 doesn't have PS or AC, and they are in similar condition, Id prefer the 78, assuming they are the same color.

Gotcha, that's kinda what i was wrestling with, other than the PS none of the rest I should care about. My guess is there's no PS. Google search indicated this one came from ecuador, it looks really clean obviously and seller indicates it's not rusty.

Video posted here
Landpimp said he thought that was a diesel, do the BJ's have an FJ vin number though?

The plot thickens...

 

[cjgoode]

The picture of the engine it is clearly a 2f gas engine. If you are happy with the price you paid, and you get what you expected quality wise I would be happy. I would prefer the 78 over the 79, like the round bezel better gears etc.

 

[studawg]

You can also clearly see that there is no power steering pump in the bay.

 

[scoobiedubes]

The picture of the engine it is clearly a 2f gas engine. If you are happy with the price you paid, and you get what you expected quality wise I would be happy. I would prefer the 78 over the 79, like the round bezel better gears etc.

I certainly would be happy if it is as described, just wish i wasn't halfway around the country so i could take a look in person.

You can also clearly see that there is no power steering pump in the bay.

good call, definitely no PS pump there...

I have a '72 right now that has 60 series PS swap done on it, drives great with 33's but i wish it had a 4 speed. Body isn't in anywhere near as good of shape as this other one though. If it had PS would be a no-brainer, but I'd also have to pay quite a bit more for a 79+ with factory PS.

 

[scoobiedubes]

Edit: That thing doesn't have PS, or even a front driveshaft for that matter!

Yeah it lists the missing driveshaft in the listing. There's enough "for parts" FJ's out here in AZ that I'm not as worried about that, though not ideal. Very strange thing to be missing though

 

[scoobiedubes]

At this point I'm leaning towards backing out based mainly on unknowns with the body. Since its a 78 and was listed as a 79 i do have an out. Anybody know someone in the Miami area that would be willing to go take a look at it this weekend or next week sometime? It's in Hialeah Gardens, FL.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Besides the fugly wheels, I'd be worried about what's hiding under that shiny paint.

 

[scoobiedubes]

Got the vehicle inspection back today and there were quite a few issues so I'm going to cancel the transaction. If anybody in the area is interested in the vehicle i would be happy to share the inspection with them so they can make a decision on their own. I'd say this is more of a $7-8,000 vehicle. Lots of rust that has been covered up, fluid leaks, non-working electrical items, etc. Quite a laundry list of items actually, glad I did my due diligence, but this is about what I had expected to be honest. Would need a pretty thorough restoration probably.

 

[antFJ]

you probably should have read this prior to bidding

"We welcome inspections. Inspections must be made prior to auctions end.

Vehicle is sold AS-IS, Where-IS. There are no warranties implied or written. All sales are final. There are no refunds or returns of any kind."

 

[scoobiedubes]

you probably should have read this prior to bidding

"We welcome inspections. Inspections must be made prior to auctions end.

Vehicle is sold AS-IS, Where-IS. There are no warranties implied or written. All sales are final. There are no refunds or returns of any kind."

Thanks for the advice. I did read the ad obviously, and that kind of thing doesn't really fly with ebay if they mis-represent the vehicle. As-is implies that they are selling it as it is listed. It is not as it was listed, therefore no issue backing out of it. Done deal. Unfortunately happens all the time on ebay.

 

[antFJ]

not saying that they aren't wrong either... but you should have done your due diligence prior to bidding. That vehicle could have very well been made in 1978 and titled as a 1979, especially it not being a US truck.

Other than that they are not required to disclose ALL issues with the truck. That's why it says sold as is... and get an inspection prior to bidding.

People need to learn to do their research prior to buying stuff... and stop running to mud every time something isn't what they thought it was because they didn't even care to check prior to pressing the buy button

also, this is the tech section... not the financial advice department

 

[3_puppies]

the actual change over to the "new" 79 was Jan 79, rigs sold sept-dec 78 sold as 79 model year even tho they were the last of the 78 generation.

so it can be a 78 rig and actually sold in late 78 as a 79 model rig.

 

[platypusREX]

Ebay auto sales do not have a binding contract due to laws that differ in other parts of the country.

 

[cbmontgo]

not saying that they aren't wrong either... but you should have done your due diligence prior to bidding. That vehicle could have very well been made in 1978 and titled as a 1979, especially it not being a US truck.

Other than that they are not required to disclose ALL issues with the truck. That's why it says sold as is... and get an inspection prior to bidding.

People need to learn to do their research prior to buying stuff... and stop running to mud every time something isn't what they thought it was because they didn't even care to check prior to pressing the buy button

also, this is the tech section... not the financial advice department

What he said.