advice on choosing my FJ40

[1977FJResto]

I am looking at buying an FJ40. I have been looking around and have a few to choose from. The first way to go would be to buy this old one with a bent frame and a '77 for parts. Total cost for both is $1500. The second way to go is a 1982 FJ w/hard top, and all the options minus A/C for $5000. It does have some rust on left and right read corners, other than that its not bad. Factory yellow paint. Here are some pics: Anyone know the year of this?WHat way would you go?

 

[Thornton]

The question you have to ask yourself is. How much time and money are you wanting to spend ? And which route do you really want to go ? I was a glutton for punishment bought 3 over a period of about 6 yrs and finally got the 3rd one on the road by combining parts from #2 & #3. I have no idea how much the total cost was and I don't want to know. I know the trucks alone cost me $1300, $1800 & $1400. I think I would lean towards the 82 knowing what I've put myself thru. By the time you get the other 2 together and close to what the 82 has you might pass the cost difference that you are looking at now. Good Luck in which ever way you decide to go.

 

[redbone]

I am looking at buying an FJ40. I have been looking around and have a few to choose from. The first way to go would be to buy this old one with a bent frame and a '77 for parts. Total cost for both is $1500. The second way to go is a 1982 FJ w/hard top, and all the options minus A/C for $5000. It does have some rust on left and right read corners, other than that its not bad. Factory yellow paint. Here are some pics: Anyone know the year of this?WHat way would you go?

From what I've seen that is a good price for the '82 if it is running and in just decent shape. You can spend way more than the $3500 difference if you took the first option. What about pics of the '82?

 

[mikealeus]

What Redbone said "where's pics of the 82?"

 

[Eshu Elegua]

I will buy the 1982 and start driving it...i'm thinking on selling my 1980 project and save more money and buy me one that i can use right away...

 

[tyama]

Having just gotten a old fj40, I would recommend taking a clip board and making a list of everything you see that has potential to replaced in the near future- wind shield parts, rusted parts, electrical, etc... I swore I was going to do better with my newest purchase, and I still overlooked/ignored things- no wipers, chopped up wiring, bad parking brake, yadda, yadda. There are always hidden things you can't see till you get it and start tearing it apart. I had brown goo that came out from the transfer case/ diffs/tranny that was once gear oil. The drum brakes were barely there. I thought they just needed to be adjusted but will end up replacing all of them due to frozen wheel cylinders and other problems. I also found out the axle seals in the rear needed to be replaced and the front seats were shot.

The older 40's might be good if you're aware it might take a lot of time, money, and energy to get them back into shape. Remember, even if you have another for parts, it's still old parts that might not work as replacements. Best of luck!! ty

 

[1977FJResto]

The '82 is actually for sale on here by Trypset. I saw the same one on a local for sale forum and it can be bought for about $5000. I already bought a 1977 for parts, it was only $250 and has a lift, power disk brakes and shackle reversal so I figured it would be worth picking up for that alone. Its BADLY rusted. Here is the 1982, if its still available. Tried to post the pic but says Im over my size. Figure this one could be nice with the axles out of the '77 and a frame off in the future. Thanks for your opinions on this.

 

[1977FJResto]

Can anyone tell me the year of the one pictured above? Also is it worth $1250? If I go with the 1982 this will still be for sale for that price if your looking!!

 

[orangefj45]

i'd say the one in the pics is a 66 or 67. the top appears to be from a newer 40 though. hard to tell.

i'd get the 82 and fix it up. the later 40s are a lot more desireable and have better features.

 

[makomark]

I totally agree with Tayama, make a list of parts you need to put into it. I just bought my 76. I looked at least 8 other ones. When I first looked at the 76 I said no way, but considering that all the body panels were good, things really made sense. Having the hard top was important to me, many of the other ones had either soft tops or missing doors. When I added up these parts it came out more money then what I paid for the '76. Not to mention the '76 was local. So I save $800 to $1000 in shipping. Also, mine was all original so I knew that someone else hadn't mucked it up. I have taken off all the panel and am doing a frame on restoration, and I'll still have $2000 into it before I get into any mechanicals, although it seems to run fine, I know it does need some brake work. My '76 looked like Frakenstein on the surface when I bought it, but it actually looks like a swan underneath.

 

[Gusb]

I would pick a goal/schedule - try to figure out where/what you want to end up with and when.

Then I would set an overall budget.

Then I would buy something that cost maybe half the overall budget and is as close to what you want as possible. Then you can spend the balance (and of course probably more) working on it.

IMO it's important to buy enough that you can get some enjoyment immediately. Mine is pretty rough and what it needs never seems to end, but it's drivable, the exact year and color with lots of original stock stuff - what I wanted. I got a big charge right off the bat just having it, which seems to help with the restoration pain that follows down the road.

 

[tucker74]

The '82 is actually for sale on here by Trypset. I saw the same one on a local for sale forum and it can be bought for about $5000. I already bought a 1977 for parts, it was only $250 and has a lift, power disk brakes and shackle reversal so I figured it would be worth picking up for that alone. Its BADLY rusted. Here is the 1982, if its still available. Tried to post the pic but says Im over my size. Figure this one could be nice with the axles out of the '77 and a frame off in the future. Thanks for your opinions on this.

Unfortunately, the lift from the '77 isn't going to work on the '82 and it will already have the disk brakes. That late '60s body wont go on the '77 frame without some work either. I'd say go with the '82 and take what you can from the '77 and sell the rest -

Tucker

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

The '82 is actually for sale on here by Trypset. I saw the same one on a local for sale forum and it can be bought for about $5000. I already bought a 1977 for parts, it was only $250 and has a lift, power disk brakes and shackle reversal so I figured it would be worth picking up for that alone. Its BADLY rusted. Here is the 1982, if its still available. Tried to post the pic but says Im over my size. Figure this one could be nice with the axles out of the '77 and a frame off in the future. Thanks for your opinions on this.

Based on the pictures of Trypset's truck and his unwillingness to post pictures of the other side of the truck in his latest ad, I'd say his truck is not worth anywhere near $5K. Just my opinion, but then again, I don't really like rust.

 

[bsmith123]

bent frame

A bent frame would take any rig off my list straight away unless I just wanted parts

 

[1977FJResto]

All good advise. I know I would like power steering, power brakes, and minimal rust. Probibly what everyone want. Im willing to invest time and money but trying to figure out were to start. My biggest problem is waiting for the right one to come along. Im hopeing to get one and have it torn apart and back together in about a year. I have most of the tools and knowledge to do it I think. My last two restorations were a CJ7 and I just finished a 1973 Bronco. Both frame off restorations. I am a die hard Toyota fan since I had a 1980 4X4 truck in 1995 and it couldnt be stopped, it had more rust than I thought could fit on that little truck (I was living in Maine then) but a great truck. Thanks for all the input. I can get Trypsets for 4500 I think. I did see this 1977 for sale near me but it looks like it needs alot too. He wants $7000 firm

 

[Gusb]

I am a die hard Toyota fan since I had a 1980 4X4 truck in 1995 and it couldnt be stopped, it had more rust than I thought could fit on that little truck (I was living in Maine then) but a great truck.

My 80 still brings home parts for the FJ40 when it's not running.

 

[DSRTRDR]

get a truck that runs - more enjoyment right from the start

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Here are some better pics of Trypset's truck. Seems pretty rough inside and out for $4,500.



http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g211/alexdurso1/s***ty822.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g211/alexdurso1/s***ty82.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g211/alexdurso1/s***ty823.jpg

 

[1977FJResto]

So over all opinion is that the '82 trypset has is not a good deal for 4500? Do you all think that for around 5K I will find a better one? I know the economy stinks right now but I thought for the options the 82 has it would be worth it. I would still probibly put the '77 axles under it for the gears but drive train wise its got the popular fetures. I do see that the 82 looks like it needs quarters and rockers but isnt that pretty common? I cant seem to find anything close to this one for the money, especially since I can drive and get this about 4 hours away. someone sell me theirs for 5K!! JK

 

[Texx]

A rusty late model truck, as I've posted here a million, six hundred seventy thousand times, is probably above the average home resto guy. If the floors are rusted, and they are, pass, unless you have serious welding and fab skills. The earlier truck will be worse on the street and probably better off road, stock out of the box, than the late model. Personally, I only buy late model trucks, but I'm a glutton for punishment and have thousands of dollars worth of specialized tools.