For Sale 77/79 FJ40

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Location
United States
This FJ40 is not currently on the road AND it is not a numbers matching truck. The title and two VIN plates on the truck match (233233), and the number stamped on the frame is 233233. BUT, during a couple of months research and advise from knowledgeable people on this site, it is not a factory stamp. Someone prior to me buying it for my son in 2005, altered the frame number, and used their own metal stamping tool, so it shows 233233.

There are a couple of reasons why this could happen. One reason is not a good one, and the other is worse. We have been working with the VA State Police, DMV, and the local Sheriff’s Department to try and track down the previous owner(s), but it has proven unsuccessful. I’ve been informed by law enforcement the we have done all we can do. My son wants to sell his 1979 FJ40 titled as a 1977.

It was my sons first vehicle and he drove it all through high school and part of college. It has been sitting for a few years because it needs a tub.

It has the original 2F in-line 6 cyl. with Weber carb, headers and 4 speed transmission with 4WD. I put a battery in it and used an auxiliary fuel tank and it started right up. It’s always been a really good truck. Even now you could drive it down the road. Brakes and everything else work just fine.

Some features include:
- Locking center console
- Roll bar
- Rear fold down seats and seat belts in good shape
-Front disc brakes
-Power steering
-Hinged spare tire carrier
-Removable top with headliner in good shape
-Driver and passenger doors in good shape – no bottoms rusted out
- Frame and body mount brackets are all good
-The only issue with any of the seats is the wear on the edge of drivers seat
-All seat belts work, front and rear
-Roof rack

As you can see, the tub and amby doors are toast. The fenders would need some metal work, but I think whatever is left looks ok.

We are not into parting this truck out, so looking for someone to buy it as it is, with a title and a full disclosure of the VIN issue, signed by both parties. We believe that is the fair thing to do.
Asking $6,000 $5,500

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“There are a couple of reasons why this could happen. One reason is not a good one, and the other is worse.”

what are the two scenarios - was it was stolen..? What are the state police opinions about it? Do they provide the vin issue statement to sign?
 
toomanytoyzz - I understand about the asking price. I believe my son's thinking is that it does have some parts on it that are in really good condition: seats with headrests, jump seats, doors with no rust, tire carrier, 2F, etc. When he looked at the prices for them they added up to a good amount. That's the basis for the asking price (but he does love the truck). He (we) are obviously disappointed about the VIN issue and just trying to do the best we can. We had it posted in the parts section, but were advise to move it here. Guess we can remove it completely so we don't upset anyone.

swamp-thing - The two scenarios we learned were:
1. It may have been stolen. The head of the Land Cruiser in Salt Lake said that is the most likely reason to alter the frame number.
2. When I asked a person on this site what another reason could be (so my son would quit telling his friends that his dad bought him a stolen vehicle), he said some of these 40's go through various transformations. It could be that it was imported and altered to avoid customs and DOT issues.

The state and local law enforcement said we've done all we can do and there's is nothing else legally required. We bought this truck in 2005 this way, and titled it this way, and drove it for many years. I can only speak for VA, but a new owner could take the title to the DMV and get it titled and registered without any issues. Can't speak for other states.
 
Your son may need to be a bit more realistic with his price.

Seems like it could be a decent project though, once the major looming questions are sorted.
 
OK, we want to be realistic. Under the circumstances, what do you feel like a realistic asking price should be?
Here are some of the parts on the truck (not all) and prices listed on CruiserParts and CruiserCorp and some others (not ebay). Even at .50 on the dollar its over $6000. I know toomanytoyzz would be interested at $800, but I don't think that is realistic. :)
Please give us some guidance.

2F
1700​
starter
175​
radiator
360​
4 spd trans
500​
transfer case assemblies
550​
power steering
1500​
front doors, 600/ea
1200​
top
front seats, 500/ea
1000​
headrest, 200/ea
400​
rear seats
100​
seat belts
100​
instrument cluster
400​
spare tire carrier
500​
roof rack
tuffy box
roll bar
350​
rear axle
1200​
electronic ignition (dist, coil etc)
400​
heater assembly
400​
hood
900​
windshield frame
600​
total
12335​
 
Unfortunately (or fortunately for byuer) you can't sale whole truck as sum of parts. It will take years to sold all parts at listed price.
For example, I have tracking someone sale,.. 2f engine for 700$ asking price.. it take 3-4 months to sold. Windshield frame for 200$ can't sale in 3 month now,.. another one for 450$ same story.
 
OK, we want to be realistic. Under the circumstances, what do you feel like a realistic asking price should be?
Here are some of the parts on the truck (not all) and prices listed on CruiserParts and CruiserCorp and some others (not ebay). Even at .50 on the dollar its over $6000. I know toomanytoyzz would be interested at $800, but I don't think that is realistic. :)
Please give us some guidance.

2F
1700​
starter
175​
radiator
360​
4 spd trans
500​
transfer case assemblies
550​
power steering
1500​
front doors, 600/ea
1200​
top
front seats, 500/ea
1000​
headrest, 200/ea
400​
rear seats
100​
seat belts
100​
instrument cluster
400​
spare tire carrier
500​
roof rack
tuffy box
roll bar
350​
rear axle
1200​
electronic ignition (dist, coil etc)
400​
heater assembly
400​
hood
900​
windshield frame
600​
total
12335​

I don't want to rain on your parade but some of those prices are un-realistic, things may be listed for that on websites but my WAG is they don't sell 1 in several years.
I've sold parts for almost 20 years now, this is just my experience and knowledge
Hood-$900? 100-200
rear axle $1200? 200 maybe
front seats $500 each? maybe 500 for both with the headrests
spare tire carrier $500? maybe 100
windshield frame $600 if it is good, no rust underneath on the seal
2F $1700 only if it was rebuilt with receipts 500-700 is more likely and that is complete with the coil and distributor
radiator $360? I can buy a brand new one from Toyota for less
instrument cluster $400, maybe 100-200
power steering $1500, it is not stock, 200-300 maybe
 
"I don't want to rain on your parade..."

Thanks 3 Puppies. I don't feel like I'm at a parade, so appreciate any constructive criticism. Thanks for your help.
 
"I don't want to rain on your parade..."

Thanks 3 Puppies. I don't feel like I'm at a parade, so appreciate any constructive criticism. Thanks for your help.

it may be worth more in parts than it is as an entire rig, but if you don't want to deal with parting it out and want to sell it whole, my guess on price would be start at $2000 and go down to $1500.

I've parted rigs for 20 years and I still have some stuff on the shelf from the late 90's and early 2000's. I have the space and time to do it.
 
Bluzer
I don’t think you’re being unrealistic by asking 8k OBO for your rig. I suggest listing the Cruiser on eBay, you’ll get more exposure, and you won’t get ridiculed, pestered and criticized. It’s obvious you’re in full disclosure and you’ve tried to do all you can in regards to the Vin number.
List it as fixed price (8k to start) or best offer, and let people make you offers on EBay. I bet you can get 7k out of it. Best of luck, & stay persistent you’ll sell. If not, keep it and fix it up with your son. That’s cool your son loves it.
 
Thanks for the picture.
That is clearly not the factory stamp.
It's a shame you can't at least get some accurate history on it.
GLWS
 
Thanks for the advise/encouragement bigred. We're mulling things over now - which is what we've been doing since listing it months ago and being informed of the VIN issue.
If I had the time, I would buy it from him and replace the tub and enjoy it for the rest of my life! I really like it too!
 
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