It seems the 60 we were talking about is a mud members, therefore I would give it more value based on they likely knew what they were doing.
For Sale - 83 FJ60 with Vortec Swap
build up
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=QlFHNTFxbEtjY2kxWnkzbkxzUWRZcFFyZVo0bnVR
This might be a bargain now that there is a documented history.
Mechanically, this is a bargain, my personal issue is I dont want to have rust or have to have the bodywork done to keep it from spreading. If this truck was a rust free body, it would be a slam dunk. It is small amount I realize, but where there is some, there is more. It would be more within the scope of what i would do to drop a new EFI on a small block, or hire out to a third party to add this or that, but body work is a bigger project than I am after. Really, I want something I can drive now and no project at all, hence the title of this post.
However, I have not yet found the perfect FJ60 yet, but I am still pouring through the emails and the information sent to me.
Here is my summary of where I see things as I have been presented with.
$15-23K - These are either clean originals, either no swap and just great shape original or mechanically refreshened trucks. Not perfect, drivers but also not professionally built by a shop. The individuals that built them up or cleeaned them up might be pro quality, that said. A few hand built V8 swaps but they are really in need of another project to bring them to a level I would like to have.
$40-45k- It seems that everyone else that has a built or restored truck wants 40k for them. These have been built and then either driven for 5000-15000 miles and many want to move onto their next project. Almost all of these are not a frame off restore or rebuild but many are close and hand built. The one that is a frame off restore has a stock but rare toyota Diesel. All of these are unique in their own way. All of these feel like what it might cost if I found someone to do the project for me, so I am thinking these are a possibilitiy, however many here would think they are too expensive. However, if I was to undertake duplicating most of these projects, starting with a solid truck and paying someone else to do it, I would be at least 50, possibly sixty or more. The proffit rig seems to be the anomaly here, however the work is over 5 years old and it is professionally done and for sale on behalf of the owner.
$50-80k - These are the trucks that were completely restored and restomodded (a word?) and on the low end, we find a more street rod LS3 based toyota, like you guys have pointed out in Atlanta. Then move on up to the Land Cruiser restorations level restomod's. Which are not frame off but as close as you can get to getting there. 65k for a "finished" and very solid rig. This is probably the price it would cost or at a discount to sending them one and giving them a list of to dos. On the higher end of this, there is a customer built Tan one with leather interior and a vortech. Nearly no miles on the truck after the restomod work. Cheaper than the receipts add up to, and a very nice rig. But just can not get my head around the price just yet.
$100K+ If I had unlimited funds I would have TLC/Icon build me the dream FJ62. Jonathan Ward is a great guy and have known him for a while and believe that he does great work. I think he is smart and resides in and services the affluent LA and Norcal markets and gets paid what he deserves. I am just not comfortable spending that much on myself for a "3rd truck" . If things change I would love to have him build a commission to my whim (and his!) Few people have his experience, knowledge and understanding in terms of building a great rig, in my humble opinion.
So where does that leave me?
I have not seen the one that compels me 100% to buy yet. I am still pondering about 4 rigs from what I have seen and found, and all over the spectrum. I want to continue to research and learn more. Fortunately work has me over the top busy so I have been takign this a bit slower than i had planned but new trucks show up and I learn more.
If I wanted to take a year and build exactly what I would want, i would most likely find a near perfect body, could be stock or known. I would have the truck prepared for a connect and cruise GM integrated off the shelf drive in and make it look like it came from the factory. I would do all the normal suspension and locker work that is well known to most. I would put in a new interior based on stock and add bumpers and gear front and rear. That would take a while either sooner paying a ton in cash or paying a lot in time. My problem is I want to find this truck that someone else wanted to do and has done it. It might well be in my inbox now. I am hoping to go through the top 5 this week and see what I am doing. The alternative is to buy something else for this summer now, and just start the project and have patience and wait till next summer for the completed project. However this defeats the idea of buying something below its replacement cost but at fair market value that I began this thread with. (/Rambling)
This thread so far has been extremely helpful for me ,thanks for the input and I welcome comments to my "as i understand it now" state of the market.
Thanks
Craig
