Fair price for a '73 40?

[WesternMT1]

I've been lurking and FAQ-ing for a couple of weeks now, since I started looking at a 1973 FJ40 for sale in my small town. Wanted to wait until I could post some pics to hopefully get a little input.
1973, 160k, the guy tells me its pretty well all stock. Runs and sounds pretty good. Tranny shifted decent on the .5 mile spin I took it on. Going back next week for a longer drive.
As you can see, the rear sill is completely rusted and the 1/4 panels are in rough shape. The floor of the tub has some pretty significant surface(I think) rust. When I took the pics it was raining and the tub had some water in it... think I figured out the rust source. Anyway, the tires need to be replaced right away and the paint isn't great. The interior is tolerable, though seats need to be re-covered. He's looking for $4,000 without the air tank rear bumper he's got on it. Seems a little high to me. Thoughts? Thanks for helping out a newbie.

 

[Weedhopper]

Gotta see a lot more, but looks like "maybe" an $1800 truck. Lotsa rust and old drivetrain. If it drives REALLY well with no issues it might be worth looking into more.
A cruiser with rust and a great drivetrain is OK, a cruiser with a mint body and some mechanical issues is OK, but a cruiser with both issues is a LOT of work. Pick your poison. I personally bought a cruiser with some rust issues but it drives great. I can deal with the rust. I am not much of a mechanic.

 

[alkarich]

On the high side. If it were a later model with front discs, 4sp, etc that would be better. It also depends on what your plans for the truck will be. Restore? Daily driver? Wheeler?

 

[WesternMT1]

Only a light restore... just get it looking nice, no frame-off or anything. Probably would be a half-time DD, no real wheeling. Wouldn't go past maybe a 2.5" lift and 31s to keep it at least stock-ish looking.

 

[alkarich]

What would your plans be for the rust? Something you might tackle yourself?

 

[lostmarbles]

You'd get a vehicle in FAR better shape than that for similar money in this country. (Which probably explains why you folk are stealing them all )

 

[WesternMT1]

What would your plans be for the rust? Something you might tackle yourself?

I'd probably just replace the sill and maybe try to cut out the 1/4 panels and weld a patch on them. I know lots of folks on here hate it, but I might put some diamond plate over the patches until I had the $$ for paint. Not sure about the tub floor.

 

[crushr]

Rust coming thru old bondo work - I bet there's a bunch more that is still hidden.

For that money you'd be much better off to keep looking, if possible for a '76+ rig with a better tub.

 

[alkarich]

More pics of the body would be good. If it seems it can be salvaged, who knows. As for DD, front discs and the 4sp tranny found in the later years do help alot. Also you could run the 31's as it is.

 

[Poser]

1973, 160k, the guy tells me its pretty well all stock.

Ask him why the hood was replaced with an earlier one?

He's looking for $4,000 without the air tank rear bumper he's got on it......

Well he will keep looking for that 4K....

 

[WesternMT1]

Apparently I've maxed my pic allowance already... here's a link to about 10:
Flickr: strickland_alex's Photostream

 

[alkarich]

Still seems to high. I'd let this one pass and keep an eye out for a later year. Unless of course he drastically drops the price.

 

[Eshu Elegua]

$1,800.00 rig with all that you have to replace....

 

[jimhendrixx]

I would give him 15 big ones.