FJ-40 with Aluminum Tub resale value (1 Viewer)

[togntime1]

Does anyone have an experience or knowledge of selling a 40 with an aluminum tub. I'm doing a resto on a 12/73 and I'm considering a 3/4 Aqualu. Sure, I'd prefer steel, but aftermarket steel tub isn't in the budget, and I doubt I'll find a used one thats workable for my level of expertise. I'm just wondering what aluminum tubs do for resale?

 

[brian]

Steel will bring more.
The alum tubs look nice on the exterior, but the interior lines look nothing like the oe tubs did/do.

 

[1969FJ]

I believe an original steel will always bring the best prices just because original, numbers matching , always will. That said, there are a lot of people who feel the Aluminum is a better deal because of the rust issues with steel. So, there is a crowd who would embrace aluminum and if you need a tub, I certainly would not reject an aluminum one. Now, if you are doing a restoration to try and flip for profit, I would use steel.

 

[White Stripe]

From what I have seen it depends on the quality of the work-whether steel or aluminum or fiberglass-that affects price. Not so much the material of the body. I drive my cruiser a lot, and I got tired of chasing rust. So I went with aluminum. One of these below is steel and one is aluminum. If a nice job is done on the aluminum tub it can look pretty nice.

 

[Living in the Past]

One of these below is steel and one is aluminum. If a nice job is done on the aluminum tub it can look pretty nice.
View attachment 1787905 View attachment 1787907

Neither look completely original. Guessing a picture of the rear sill if the metal is original could tell the difference. How about a picture if the interior and transmission hump. As was brought up thoses are easy to tell apart.

 

[1969FJ]

I cannot tell the difference.

 

[Living in the Past]

I cannot tell the difference.

Mustard color does not the A pillar seam. White has the A pillar seam and can see where the B pillar seam should be. Mustard has the correct running board and rear corner reflectors. White has aftermarket running boards and no rear reflector. Can't see the spot welds over the wheel wells on either.

 

[S4Cruiser]

Guessing the white one is an aluminum tub? I had a 40 with an aluminum tub and I think they have their place. Also, I wouldn't have an issue buying one in the future. Just depends on what your goal / preference is.

 

[Varty Yo]

If you plan to keep it forever go aluminum and never worry about rust. Piece of mind knowing you never have to worry is enough in my books. The right buyer will pay for overall condition of the 40.

 

[1969FJ]

Neither look completely original. Guessing a picture of the rear sill if the metal is original could tell the difference. How about a picture if the interior and transmission hump. As was brought up thoses are easy to tell apart.

So , Mustard is aluminum and white is steel ? I have an original FJ40 steel, and did not notice this at all.

 

[bikersmurf]

I’d not hesitate to go with aluminum. If you’re worried about it, modify an original transmission hump to fit the Aqualu tub. In a few years when the new steel tub has rusted, the aluminum tub will be worth more

 

[Living in the Past]

So , Mustard is aluminum and white is steel ? I have an original FJ40 steel, and did not notice this at all.

Wasn't saying that. Was saying neither was 100% original. One picture of each is not a fair way to tell. If I seen each in person betting tell without looking inside.

I’d not hesitate to go with aluminum. If you’re worried about it, modify an original transmission hump to fit the Aqualu tub. In a few years when the new steel tub has rusted, the aluminum tub will be worth more

Depends on the location. Have a 73 FST that had two small rust spots in the rear corner. Been watching for twenty-four years to see if they will grow. Nothing so far. Have four more FJ40s and another 62 FST tub that are all in better shape. All can see the original spot welds over the wheel wells since none have ever had any repairs. Biggest issue I have is filling in holes from POs. Not many advantages of living in the Southwest but lack of rust is one of them.

It also sounds like the OP is planning on flipping once restored so rust down the road won't be his problem. He is asking about resell value not which will hold up better.

 

[Martyt]

Wasn't saying that. Was saying neither was 100% original. One picture of each is not a fair way to tell. If I seen each in person betting tell without looking inside.

John, you will have to live a Very long time for rust to appear in AZ. For me, I would want the steel tub; not for resale mind you but rather knowing it’s the original— it can be a little (very little) rusted but that would not matter to me. And yes, patina appreciation is my favorite thread even though OregonFJ decided to do a repaint (sorry for the “semi-hi jack”)



Depends on the location. Have a 73 FST that had two small rust spots in the rear corner. Been watching for twenty-four years to see if they will grow. Nothing so far. Have four more FJ40s and another 62 FST tub that are all in better shape. All can see the original spot welds over the wheel wells since none have ever had any repairs. Biggest issue I have is filling in holes from POs. Not many advantages of living in the Southwest but lack of rust is one of them.

It also sounds like the OP is planning on flipping once restored so rust down the road won't be his problem. He is asking about resell value not which will hold up better.

 

[SteveH]

An aluminum-tubbed 40 did pretty well on BaT lately, so they aren't a total pariah.

 

[ryanwk628]

Resale value of one with a 3/4 tub? More than one with a lot of rust. I just saw one with an Aqualu tub at a car show, and I was probably the only person who knew. Put a mat in the back to cover the smooth floor and 99% of people wont know. Many people getting into Land Cruisers dont know much about them when they do, they buy them because they are cool so if you're building that $25k truck with some mods/"upgrades" go for it. It will save a ton of time over chasing rust.

 

[White Stripe]

Mustard color does not the A pillar seam. White has the A pillar seam and can see where the B pillar seam should be. Mustard has the correct running board and rear corner reflectors. White has aftermarket running boards and no rear reflector. Can't see the spot welds over the wheel wells on either.

The wrong turn signals on the white 40 fenders drive me nuts. If your gonna go with the old front grill, it looks wierd with the wrong fender lights.

 

[White Stripe]

In the above pics I posted, the yellow one is steel, white is aqualu.

 

[AlaskanWheeler]

My personal preference would be fiberglass only because the interior lines are more appealing to me...

 

[Living in the Past]

In the above pics I posted, the yellow one is steel, white is aqualu.

View attachment 1788618 View attachment 1788620 View attachment 1788621

Is the mustard one yours? Didn't make a guess because could tell neither was original. Restore ones generally loose some of the original details like seams covered and spot welds filled. No one mentioned the bezel on the mustard or the fact it has two hooks on the front. The second hook I'm debating using on my 79. Not correct but have a number of spares in my parts collection.

 

[White Stripe]

Is the mustard one yours? Didn't make a guess because could tell neither was original. Restore ones generally loose some of the original details like seams covered and spot welds filled. No one mentioned the bezel on the mustard or the fact it has two hooks on the front. The second hook I'm debating using on my 79. Not correct but have a number of spares in my parts collection.

No not mine, just found it in a for sale ad.