Dreaded value question…

[FJBen]

The 1979-80 crusiers in Canada usually are full of rust including the frames. Check the frame also. Are those Warn locking hubs ? It is a complete looking truck go look and touch that thing. It might be decent. Change the clutch in an afternoon and go rip it around. If it’s a first 40 and you have no spare parts it might be a bad deal but if you have tons of spare parts it may be a good deal. For a first 40 I’d say buy a nicer one Spend the dough. This could be a money pit

Definitely not my first 40 or Land Cruiser. Last
Checked I think I have owned 16? From 40, 45, 55, 60, 62, 80, 100 and my current 70 series.


It was more of am I missing something about a 79 that I didn’t know. Answer appears to be no. In my over 20 years on ih8mud I’ve learned a ton, but there are always certain gotchas with Toyota…especially the 70 series.

I’d expect an 82 or especially 83 to command a lot more, but not necessarily a 79 just because of the year and changes that were made.

I appreciate all the info, thanks!

 

[Living in the Past]

it might be a bad deal but if you have tons of spare parts it may be a good deal.

Very true. If you have a lot of parts that match the year it could take a money pit into a good deal. If not no way to judge the cost. Decent tub and good frame are the two most important parts. Those are bad and don't have spares believe I would pass unless close to free.

 

[FJBen]

 

[FJBen]

 

[FJBen]

 

[eaj71]

Still has full smog equipment…

Let him get$10k on facbook if he can….

But yeah about $5,000. Lots of good parts and such. But the whole rear end is rotted

Even if all the parts are free… it a s*** to of time to get it all back together and driveable where you could really use it

 

[brian]

I guess no one was beating down his door after all.

 

[Geezer Cruzzer]

The smog stuff is worth more than the rest of it in California. It's a rust bucket. $3K to part out. You'll spend years and 40K to get back in decent shape on the road. Pass on it.

 

[Rock40]

SO much rust. And it already has some super hack rust repair attempts. The ones you can see at least. IMO $3k is top dollar for that

 

[FJBen]

Yeah there was more rust than I thought. It’s a shame it’s sat there for 27 years rotting away.

I fully understand the magnitude of fixing this one, it’s pretty complete but the years haven’t been kind. It’s pretty much refresh everything.

IF it were cheap enough, I’d take a flyer on it just because 40s are getting rarer everyday. I’ve seen way worse rusted rigs. The doors are all good, it’s mainly the tub for rust.

It would be a long term project and not a full resto, but I don’t think I’d offer over $3k. It just needs so much.

He is a really nice older guy and he’s starting to realize it’s in worse shape than he thought.

 

[subzali]

The sun fading on the plastic knobs and stuff really gets me. But yeah what everyone else said too. Maybe he can get $10k. Good for him.

The thing about 79 is that it has some crossover stuff like large pattern knuckles but still has the smaller steering arms. In 81 the tie rods got bigger and uniform across 40, 60, and trucks. So yeah 79 has unique stuff like that but it kinda makes it more of a pain than a benefit.

It does have an Aisan carb though, for whatever that’s worth.

 

[FJ404345]

Red and Rusty, but It definitely has some "Cruiser lean"

 

[KeepCruzin]

Perspective:
Red 40: Purchased for $4,200. Spent 30k to off-body it myself, diesel swap, transmission etc. Did not run or drive, no transmission when purchased, but cosmetically very complete.
Yellow 40: $4,000 : No rust, ran and drove onto the trailer. Came with most of the hard top. Still in my barn. Would totally sell it for $3,500-4k with all the parts.

 

[bhsdriller]

Get it cheap enough and don't touch the body, that's all overrated anyways

Running, driving and stopping as is would be a cool cruiser

 

[Living in the Past]

Perspective:
Red 40: Purchased for $4,200. Spent 30k to off-body it myself, diesel swap, transmission etc. Did not run or drive, no transmission when purchased, but cosmetically very complete.
Yellow 40: $4,000 : No rust, ran and drove onto the trailer. Came with most of the hard top. Still in my barn. Would totally sell it for $3,500-4k with all the parts.

View attachment 4218962

View attachment 4218963

If the yellow one has no rust probably because it's hidden under the diamond plate and trimmed off the bottom of the tub. Does it have a tailgate? The eyebolts one the side of the dash would be for a FST. By the pads for the windshield on the hood this is most likely a 68 model? What month, year using the VIN chart make it.

 

[KeepCruzin]

If the yellow one has no rust probably because it's hidden under the diamond plate and trimmed off the bottom of the tub. Does it have a tailgate? The eyebolts one the side of the dash would be for a FST. By the pads for the windshield on the hood this is most likely a 68 model? What month, year using the VIN chart make it.

It likely has some rust under the diamond plate. Always hated when people added it. Its a tailgate model. No idea the month or year. I think its an early 70's. Red is a 69

 

[eaj71]

Hey butthead. Heheheh. He said 69 Hehhhhehh.

 

[Living in the Past]

Clearance lights on the side started 10/69 which is the start of the 1970 model year. At that time the lights in the bib went away. Red should have an A pillar plaque with a month and year of production.

Amber reflector on the apron was 9/67-9/69. Going by the design on the pads on the hood on the yellow was 9/67-? The type on the red one started next and ran until 1/75. The tall single level pads started 9/67. Rarely see that style. Most are the style with two levels. My 68 has the single level with a 9/67 build date. If a 69 the yellow would have a plaque on the A pillar.

Easy way to tell the build date is using the VIN on the frame. A link to the date chart is in the 45 section. Sticky on the long wheel base truck has a link in the first post. The frame number is the first one for that month and year. This chart goes back to January 1964.