Engine swap buying advice

[dakes112]

hey guys
first things first, i have had a search of both the FAQ's and some old posts but I couldn't really find a whole lot relating to my questions. But saying that im sorry if i missed something.

So.... ive been looking at buying a 40 for the past 6 months or so and i have been waiting and patiently searching for the right car to come along. I had my heart set on a diesel so i was really after a BJ40/42. The later the year the better, and power steering and disk brakes weren't a necessity but were definitely something that i looked apon favourably as it will be my DD a couple of times a week.

After my months of searching i may have found something but i wanted all your opinions on it and whether you think its still a good car.

Its a 1976 FJ40, but it has had an engine swap to a 2H out of a late 60 series. They also brought across the power steering and the 5 speed box. They also added a small turbo, added front disks and a late 40 series rear axle with the handbrake. so it has everything im looking for, good to drive around town, enough power, 5 speed box for the highway. My only concern is has the swap and all the mods completely destroyed the value or are they acceptable mods and changes. i just don't want to overpay for a truck that if i ever want to sell (not anticipating) then nobody is going to want.

It had a full "nut and bolt' restoration 2 years ago so body wise it is in great shape too.

Id be interested in all your thoughts.

 

[4Cruisers]

Sounds like good, functional upgrades to me. For instance, my '71 FJ40 has a 4-speed and transfer case from a '78 FJ55; a '76 2F with F accessories; front disc brakes using Toyota mini-truck Birfields/knuckles, FJ60 vented rotors, and early '90s IFS calipers; and power steering using a mini-truck gearbox and Tercel pump. In the future it'll get an FJ60 oil cooler and carb cooling fan. My '76 FJ40 has an H41 low-ratio 4-speed and the 3-speed transfer case from my '71 FJ40, and power steering using the same set-up as on my '71 FJ40. In the future it'll get an FJ60 oil cooler and carb cooling fan, plus an early split hood with chrome hood ornament, hardtop sides with kick-out vent windows, 3-point shoulder harness seat belts, and a lift gate with swing-out rear doors. All of these upgrades and replacements help in one or more ways (some only cosmetic), and to me, outweigh any benefits of being all stock.

 

[mcjb]

Sounds better than stock. Good mods and still Toyota.

 

[dakes112]

Awesome. Thanks so much guys. Thats pretty much what i was thinking. Sure its not all original, but i want a car that i can enjoy and have fun in. Having a reliable and good truck to drive will outweigh what i may not have. (A stock truck).

 

[Downey]

I'd say you either want a 100 point restoration, back to show room floor new, worth $50,000 to $100,000, OR you want a rig that has been upgraded to a perfect highway/trail manageable daily driver (exactly the one you have your eye on), your call

 

[Disasterman]

Depends on your goals and objectives. My goal was a diesel but what I finally bought is basically a resto-mod with all later model Landcruiser parts on this forum. BJ3 Diesel, disk brakes, H55 5 speed etc. Although it appears pretty much perfect my objective was to use it and hopefully this gives me long term dependability and use-ability. Boy, am I happy with it!