Fj40 market

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steelynorm

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
May 27, 2006
Threads
70
Messages
182
Looking to pick up a 40.
I don't want a rust bucket.
Just looking for a driver to be used fairly regularly around my neighborhood.
Ideally inline 6 and not a column shift.
Am I being dumb not considering SBC?

I don't need a top but it would be nice to have.
Not many average cars, its either crap or nice.

What's a reasonable budget for what I am looking for?
 
Have you looked in the classified section. Probably $20 to $30k to start. Power plants are a personal choice.
 
Its a free country for now, you can want anything. Rust free means someone did all the work and you will need to pay for that. I don't think you will find any bargains these days. I have a 72 with a 76 hardtop - nice doors. 3sp floor shift and direct lever for 4WD. It came with that and a Rochester 2bbl with a Delco distributor. I got it in 1982 and yes it is a rust bucket but I'm going to learn to weld sheet metal and fix it.
I was going to build a 283 vet motor for it and change to a 4sp.
 
steelynorm said:
Looking to pick up a 40.
I don't want a rust bucket.
Just looking for a driver to be used fairly regularly around my neighborhood.
Ideally inline 6 and not a column shift.
Am I being dumb not considering SBC?

I don't need a top but it would be nice to have.
Not many average cars, its either crap or nice.

What's a reasonable budget for what I am looking for?
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Some times good looking deals pop up on the mud classifieds! every so often I come across a really good deal on FB marketplace too.
 
Maybe try and drive one that has a SBC and then a 6 Cyl and you can then be the judge
 
My first 40 is an sbc and love it. I would not let that keep you from a nice rig. I also have a 1970 with a 2f which is for sale in classifieds- the tan one.

IMG_2792.webp
 
steelynorm said:
Looking to pick up a 40.

Ideally inline 6 and not a column shift.
Am I being dumb not considering SBC?
Click to expand...
there is nothing wrong with wanting a straight 6. i enjoy how smooth they run.
 
Check FB marketplace, a few good ones there.
 
I'd probably never consider an SBC. I love the F and 2F. To me it's a big part of what makes the rig what it is. I've never driven an SBC 40 though and there are people I would consider intelligent that have them and like them so it comes down to what you like I guess. Probably worth checking one out if the price seams good. It's probably easier to swap a 2F back in than deal with a really rusty Cruiser.

As far as price, I'd say 15k to 20k would be the bottom end of decent. I always watch local classifieds and occasionally see something that looks like it could be a better deal than that, but not very often. Mud classifieds are a good place to look cause most of the sellers seem to know what they have and are pretty honest about it. Most.
 
Sbc's generally trade less than originals. Both go up value over time, if that's your concern. The quality of the conversion is important. A lot of them have been hacked. I prefer sbc's along with power steering and 4 wheel disc brakes. Preferably with a 4 or 5 speed. Overall, I'd try to avoid imports and look for a US-spec vehicle. The less rust the better, imo mechanicals are easier and more straight forward. Don't get hung up with lipstick.
 
@steelynorm I have been on Bring A Trailer for 5 purchases and sales. Bought 2 of my trucks right here on MUD….I have closely monitored buying and selling prices and as @Mark Jennings stated…prices have dropped. In the last 7 days there have been 5 different land cruisers that did not meet the sellers reserve price and as such, remain unsold. Some sellers may be over-invested in their vehicles or are hypnotized by the selling prices last winter and are looking for bigger profits.

You may find a nice FJ40 out there for a reasonable cost. And you may find that once a truck does not meet the sellers reserve, it is not off the market and by contacting the seller after the close of that auction, they may be more amenable to negotiating a price. Re-building is not a cheaper option at times. You can drop several thousand on parts in no time
 
I was in the same boat as you a few months ago. I think you'd be looking in the $25-30k range. There were a lot of rust buckets I saw on FB Markeplace from $5k up to $17k. All had quite a bit of rust plus who knows how much other work. Everything decent looking on line was in the $20's at least. Didn't have the funds to drop $25k so kept waiting. Ending up getting a score on a '77 through FB marketplace. Think I got lucky, right place, right time. Very little rust, (turns out, a bit of bondo) for $13,500. 2F engine, so far runs really well. Had a bunch of elec issues, nothing electrically worked, but got that sorted pretty quickly. Going to drop $2-3k for some minor fixes/upgrades and I'm done for now. Should have a fun summer cruiser.
 
I've had both a SBC and a 2F. SBC was always a challenge with heat. Sometimes it was vapor lock, sometimes coolant temp, sometimes the floor just got really hot over top of the exhausts. It had a modern Edelbrock carb on it and ran well in cooler weather. Higher rev limit than a 2F so easier on the highway. But lots of mods needed to fit that motor correctly.

On the other hand, I now have a 2F with the Holley Sniper EFI and Hyperspark ignition. Love it. The EFI makes this thing driveable in all weather with no hesitation and easy starts. It can idle along smoothly at low RPMs. Almost as much "useful" power as that V8. But the lower rev limit is an issue if you want to drive 70 mph on the interstate.

Overall, I'd take the 2F with EFI and think about taller tires or taller gearing.
 
I was planning on listing my blue '78 on BAT within the next month or so if you're looking for something pretty much "done". No rust, 2F, 4spd manual, and hardtop.
 
70fj40 said:
There is one in the classifieds that is owned by 65swb45, a long time Mud member/Vendor/Cruiser mechanic. I believe it is still for sale and to me would be a great buy. If I were in the market and a serious buyer I’d call him.
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I can’t believe this one hasn’t sold yet for that price. It looks to be dialed in by a very reputable member. If I was in the market for a drivable 40, this would be a no brainer.
 
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