Advice wanted: Buying an FJ with an unclean title (2 Viewers)

[HolyCityFJ40]

So I wanted to get y’all’s opinion here.

A little background: I bought a fully restored ‘78 FJ from a dealership here in South Carolina in cash about 2 months ago for about $30K.

The dealership called because they’ve been trying to transfer the clean SC title over to me over the last 2 months. Yes, we confirmed it’s clean - they sent me a copy from the previous owner when it was traded in.

Now the SCDMV is saying there were actually multiple NC titles and an SC title on the FJ and they want to put a mark (salvage or rebuilt) on the title since they don’t know what the real history of the vehicle is. The dealership mentioned they’re going to keep trying to work on the DMV to get me a clean title but if that doesn’t work, the dealership offered a couple options:

1. Offer me some cash back for the FJ.
2. Buy the vehicle back (essentially a refund).

What would you do? Any other advice here to get a clean title? Obviously love this FJ and would prefer to keep it but in the chance that they can’t get one, what are y’all’s thoughts on getting money back? Everything I’ve read is a marked title is worth 20-40% less on the resale. Picture below for reference

Thanks y’all

 

[charliemeyer007]

The door & handle appears wrong for a 78. Doesn't look like a 30K rig to me. I would take the buy back and look for a better rig without issues.
Paper work is such a PIA - its all BS and Bluesky until it actually gets sorted out if ever.
Clear title vs rebuilt/salvage on a 40 or 50 year old is worth something.

 

[Jdc1]

The door & handle appears wrong for a 78. Doesn't look like a 30K rig to me. I would take the buy back and look for a better rig without issues.
Paper work is such a PIA - its all BS and Bluesky until it actually gets sorted out if ever.
Clear title vs rebuilt/salvage on a 40 or 50 year old is worth something.

Windshield is wrong as well.

 

[HolyCityFJ40]

Sorry I should say that when it was restored, they put a <‘71 body on it. The frame and engine are confirmed from a ‘78

 

[Jdc1]

Sorry I should say that when it was restored, they put a <‘71 body on it. The frame and engine are confirmed from a ‘78

Did they leave the ‘71 Vin Tags on it? There’s a frame Vin that probably doesn’t match.

 

[HolyCityFJ40]

Nope, if you check out my build thread, there’s screenshots in there. Just want to keep this thread on topic.

 

[Jdc1]

Nope, if you check out my build thread, there’s screenshots in there. Just want to keep this thread on topic.

I personally wouldn’t deal with a salvage or marked title. Some people might. The vast majority of the guys on Mud would hesitate on that truck as a ‘78 with any type of title.

 

[middlecalf]

Windshield is wrong as well.

Quite the gap between it and the door.

 

[Jdc1]

Quite the gap between it and the door.

I Try not to look at that stuff on other people’s rigs-just not a 78 windshield. ( Not throwing shade towards @middlecalf, was texting on the go)

 

[middlecalf]

The point of my post is the OP is asking about what to do with the rig given it’s unclean title. It would appear per your post @Jdc1 and others that this rig has gone through a lot of changes in its restoration to include different year components, some of which might not be directly compatible, like the windshield and doors. Even the OP mentions a different body and frame. So wrt the title and what to do with the rig, I would never make any recommendation about that to any owner, but I would point out the discrepancies as noted in the rig and how that might point to the fact that this rig, on its way to its current configuration, very likely is in the realm of a salvage vehicle. My ‘63 45 is that way, and has a salvage title as that was my only choice for it. As far as value impact, yes, a salvage title will lower the value but the value might already be negatively impacted by the component discrepancies.

 

[B y r o n]

If you are looking for an all original FJ-40 then take the refund and continue looking. If you are just looking for a driver with a certain look or options and this meets you desire then keep it and take the discount. Just because it isn't all original doesn't make it a bad vehicle to own. It's getting harder to find all original vehicles. Are you buying it as an investment to sell later or do you just want it to drive?

 

[brian]

With it being a mutt, the branded title is almost a nonissue, as anyone looking for a clean 78 is likely to pass it over for not looking like a 78.

 

[procomsignathid]

When I got my rig there was an issue w the title. It was likely an honest mistake when the truck was imported back from SA, but the VIN was off by a single digit. Because the truck was in Colorado and it was a Wisconsin title, I had to help facilitate a lot of the paperwork and find a law enforcement officer willing to sign the WI DMV title correction paperwork.

Lucky for me there were no issues on either the incorrect or correct VIN (no indication of theft or salvage) and the dealer did all the gruntwork, handled all the document shipping costs, etc. That said, it was a huge pain in the ass and it took the better part of three months.

If you aren't emotionally attached, consider saving the headaches and finding another rig.

 

[Living in the Past]

Personally the difference between a 71 and 78 tubs alone would return for a refund. Transmission changes to just a four speed is tight. Ever plan on a five speed is more complicated. 78 has brackets for the roll bar, does the 71 tub even have them.

Just the fact the dealer did not have a clear title to transfer is enough to return it. This is the dealers headache not the OP.

 

[sofj45]

The joys of Landcruisers. I’m just surprised a dealership is willing to help, have never had that in any of my dealing with any.

Obviously it’s been pieced together but what 50- 55 year old rig hasn’t. Only thing I’d say is if you’re happy with it and everything on it is decent consider a discount. If it was a couple thousand then no but if it’s a substantial amount you may be way ahead take that money and make it what you want l, consider it a freebie as I think every used rig out there once you buy it and drive it you’ll find something that wasn’t as described or that’s not right. Take the discount and make it what you want and be happy as you drive it.

If there’s major things you don’t like and feel you got scammed then take the get out of free jail card and start the search over.

 

[TheITGuy]

As noted by another above, many of these rigs are pieced together, so I wouldn't worry a ton about that unless you were strictly shopping for an all original example in the first place. If the restore was done well and you are happy with the 40 otherwise, I'd be tempted to see what kind of discount the dealer will work out. Push them hard for a big discount. A salvage title does substantially lower the resale value, but that also might mean you get an awesome truck for a lot less money. Again, it's back to what kind of restore work was done, as the definition of "restored" varies a lot unfortunately. The gap between the window and the door is concerning in that regard, and that's just what can be seen from the single picture provided.

 

[Wasatch Jay]

While it's true many FJ40s have parts and pieces from other vehicles, in my opinion there's a huge difference between using parts from a same year rig and using parts from one significantly older. and with large differences.

A very smart guy once told me "You always need to have a backup plan". What he meant by that was you don't know what the future may hold and you may need to sell this is the future. As such, how much harder will it be to sell with a branded/salvage title? And how much harder will it be to sell with all the mismatched components? In addition to a sale being more difficult, it will also be at a significantly lower price than a similar vehicle with a good title and year matched components.

The dealer is offering you the option to return the vehicle for a full refund. That speaks highly of the dealer, and I would go that route.

 

[bhsdriller]

If you plan to keep it doesn't matter.

If you're planning on selling it eventually it does. At that point i'd get a refund on it and get another one

 

[cruisermatt]

I feel like I ask this a lot in the 40 section, what are your long term goals with this? Does this vehicle make you happy as it is? If you're going to keep it for a long time and you are happy with it, I'd think the partial refund (which you probably have some negotiating power with) and the bonded/rebuilt/whatever title would be fine as long as you can register/insure it. Put the money towards an improvment like a brake upgrade, power steering, etc.

 

[onemanarmy]

This is a title question, not FJ40 tech
.