75 fj40 Is this worth it?

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Fj80oregon

Fj80oregon

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Hey guys coming over from the 80 section, this cruiser just popped up local and I have been looking for awhile. I rebuild engines and am very comfortable working on just about anything. Going to look at this now and wanted some opinions. Is this to far gone to save and make a hunting rig? Not looking for much as far as looks.

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Honest opinion - if you're a good wrench and can rebuild engines, you'll know what you're looking at and can make informed decisions. Asking an open group if it's a good idea is useless. Just sack up and do it if you're serious and regret it later. You'll quickly learn if you have the willingness to take it on.

Arrogant comment aside - it's a big project and I'd want it cheaper since that truck will need a lot to get it back on the road, assuming the motor, tcase, diffs are actually good as is and can be resealed then put to service.

That said it is pending, hopefully you got it.
 
Other than the ad, nothing about that is 1975.
But it does appear to be a fst 73 or 74.
 
Not a 1975 and you will need $15,000 to do basic restoration.

It appears to be a 73-74 Convertible Version.

I’d wait to find a post 1976 for the same $20,000 that is ready to go riding.

This tired 40 will break a back, patience and possible marriage.
 
It a 74 model. Everything points to it. Has a tailgate so most likely a FST minus the original OEM top, bows and soft top doors you expect a top to be replaced by now but doors and bows would have wanted the original parts. Only one time did I pay more than $500 for a FJ40. That was a 1970 I bought from the original owner. It was in great shape. The rest were half that much or less. Even at today's prices wouldn't pay half of what they are asking. Quick Sale I got a chuckle out of. Always somebody who doesn't know the 40 series and pays way to much. Most end up buying a nicer one and use parts off the first one. Not sure they are many parts worth salvaging.

My 68 been sitting since 2005. Here how it looks when it parked in an insulated garage in a mild dry climate.
IMG_20190822_190135850.webp
20220824_124002.webp

Because it stays dry and rust free it have seen any real damage. Rust already and parked out in a humid climate with a soft top breaking most bolts. Parts that may have been salvageable. Most likely now need to replace. The supply of good used parts has pretty much dried up. If you find them they will a lot more expensive than when the cruiser was parked.
 
mattressking said:
Honest opinion - if you're a good wrench and can rebuild engines, you'll know what you're looking at and can make informed decisions. Asking an open group if it's a good idea is useless. Just sack up and do it if you're serious and regret it later. You'll quickly learn if you have the willingness to take it on.

Arrogant comment aside - it's a big project and I'd want it cheaper since that truck will need a lot to get it back on the road, assuming the motor, tcase, diffs are actually good as is and can be resealed then put to service.

That said it is pending, hopefully you got it.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the honest input, it’s a 74 original owner and beyond trashed but I’m a dummy and bought it even if it’s just yard art at the end of the day. The hard top got thrown out along with doors and it hasn’t moved in 30 years!!! So that’s cool.
 
Fj80oregon said:
Thanks for the honest input, it’s a 74 original owner and beyond trashed but I’m a dummy and bought it even if it’s just yard art at the end of the day. The hard top got thrown out along with doors and it hasn’t moved in 30 years!!! So that’s cool.
Click to expand...

Hell yea! Now the fun begins of putting it back to work!
 
It was never a hardtop … it is definitely a FST truck … had the correct body side door hinges as well as the tailgate

Those kayline doors were nice as well with the lower window… make great 1/2 doors

Clean it up and show us what you got when u get it home
 
cbmontgo said:
Cool ole 40. Save that driver's side door. It is an original OEM (the passenger side door is not).
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It has both doors and the best top ones also. The lady said she remembers it having a hard top but that was over 20 years ago. It was her father’s and she wasn’t sure. Either way cool find.
 
I love how the add says original owner, to let you know it's been neglected by the same person for the entire time.

Hopefully you didn't pay $5K for that.
 
cruisermatt said:
I love how the add says original owner, to let you know it's been neglected by the same person for the entire time.

Hopefully you didn't pay $5K for that.
Click to expand...
Yah unfortunately the lady’s dad passed and they parked it over 20 years ago. And no I paid $500 for it. Figured it was worth that much atleast. The tires aired up and was able to roll it so should be able to fight it onto a flatbed.
 
could have very well had a hardtop.... after it was bought he could have bought one to put on... mine was originally a hardtop.... now its a FST (mostly) :meh:
 
Fj80oregon said:
Yah unfortunately the lady’s dad passed and they parked it over 20 years ago. And no I paid $500 for it. Figured it was worth that much atleast. The tires aired up and was able to roll it so should be able to fight it onto a flatbed.
Click to expand...
dang, they went down from $5k to $500? you scored big time! could make more than your money back in a heartbeat if you parted it...congrats!
 
$500 is 1990ś prices by me
 
My Dad couldn’t get $500 for our 1978 FJ40 in 1992. It only needed new transmission synchronizers and a rear differential. It was parked in our backyard until I dragged it around to the front and fixed it. It’s still here. Close call!

What a steal!!! Great find, @Fj80oregon!
 
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