HELP! What is a 1983 fj40 worth bone stock??

[CuriousGeorge]

I am brand new to the forum but not new to the land cruiser community. I have an opportunity to buy a 1983 FJ40 with 65K original miles. It's completely original down to the exhaust. It's a New England cruiser so it does have the typical rust/rot under the barn doors and a bit on the inside rear fender wells. The truck has been garaged for the past 20+ years and rarely driven. It's in perfect running condition and is a driver quality FJ. I'm just having a real hard time in determining what it's worth.

I recently restored an 75' FJ55 and am in the process of restoring a BJ41 that I imported from Japan. The BJ has PS/PB / AIR / PTO / 24v / and is an LX so interior is zebra striped with all interior panels covered.

Any input on the value of the 83' would be much appreciated. I did do a search on this forum before posting but was unable to find an solid answer. Thanks.

 

[warpdriv]

Does it have factory PS and/or AC? Those 2 factors would drive up the price. Got pics?

 

[CuriousGeorge]

It does have PS/PB and factory air. Seller even has door straps that are still in the original packaging. Hardtop has never been taken off. It even has aluminum hear shields still on factory exhaust pipe. My concern, as posted regularly, is the rust. My experience has been whatever rust you can see there is 10X more you can't. Im positive that the rust on this truck is limited to rear as I mentioned earlier. The barn doors are rust free.

 

[crotalusatrox]

A minimum of $15,000



...

 

[CuriousGeorge]

Ok....that's a good starting point. I can't post any pics but it's very clean. Interior looks brand new and is original. I can see all the factory glue around all the door rubbers. It has tool kit, light, and manuals. It has a build date of 6/83 on door tag.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Is it still in NE?

 

[CuriousGeorge]

Yes..still in the salt capital of the world

 

[bikersmurf]

83 is nothing special here north of the 49 th. I've seen low mileage rust free trucks for 10k so I'd not pay 15 for a rusty one... Garaged for 20 or not

 

[thecrazygreek]

If its as described, I'd pay 15 - 20k, drop 5k into it, and sell for 50k.

83 Cruiser as you described is one of only approx 50 US spec imported into USA. Worth Huge $$. It's the highest valued FJ40 in the US. IMO

 

[CuriousGeorge]

I DID IT!!!! After many, many years of drooling I found an 83' FJ40 which ended up being more local than expected. VIN is JT3FJ40C2D3364583 and truck is white with white factory wheels. Not a barn find but owner has had it in his garage since 1991 and put less than 2000 miles after purchasing it from local physician here in Boston who was original owner. Im picking up in AM and will post pics. I am most excited.

 

[cruiserjunkie]

I'm excited to see pictures too

 

[Chamba]

If its as described, I'd pay 15 - 20k, drop 5k into it, and sell for 50k.

83 Cruiser as you described is one of only approx 50 US spec imported into USA. Worth Huge $$. It's the highest valued FJ40 in the US. IMO

Most reliable numbers are 300 '83 fj40s imported to the US, but still very few. I know of perhaps 5 including my old one and that's it.

 

[CuriousGeorge]

Ok....so let's stay with the canned response of 300. Most people believe that's the magic number. But what options separate whatever the actual number was in 83'?? I would assume they all had PS/PB disc and air. Maybe an aftermarket winch that was a dealer installed option. I don't even think chrome mags were available other than on an FJ60. I would really like to find this out even more that the total number imported.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Ok....so let's stay with the canned response of 300. Most people believe that's the magic number. But what options separate whatever the actual number was in 83'?? I would assume they all had PS/PB disc and air. Maybe an aftermarket winch that was a dealer installed option. I don't even think chrome mags were available other than on an FJ60. I would really like to find this out even more that the total number imported.

Where are you? I'd like to see it.

 

[peteinjp]

My 81 bj44 had the chrome pkg which included chromed wheels as well as bumpers and bezel. So the wheels were an option in Japan.

Congrats on the purchase!

Pete

 

[Landpimp]

Rust is the killer, suspect more than you can see. A rotted out 83 is still a rotted out 83, rust is not rare.

Without pics a price is almost impossible

Many people depending on where they are from consider rust differently than others. Take BC Canada, there version of rust is much different than someone just south in Seattle, BC salts their roads, Seattle did not untill recently. I was shocked when I made a trip to BC years ago to look at 45s with minor rust, hell you could poke a hole thru the frame with a pencil...but that was normal for rigs that lived their lifes in BC, sellers really thought it was minor.....but not me. We live on the salt water in Puget Sound, I hear often...."rust must be an issue" but its not






but congrats

they did not all have PS or AC

 

[cruiserloser]

If its as described, I'd pay 15 - 20k, drop 5k into it, and sell for 50k. $$.

That would be the hardest working 5 grand in the history of putting 5 grand into a truck.

 

[thecrazygreek]

That would be the hardest working 5 grand in the history of putting 5 grand into a truck.

If its how he describes. .. easy breeey.
Your results may vary.

 

[Landpimp]

This is the 83 the OP picked up, some rot, but seen way worst, remembered last night seeing it on ebay
www.ebay.com/itm/221295572652?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

[thecrazygreek]

This is the 83 the OP picked up, some rot, but seen way worst, remembered last night seeing it on ebay
www.ebay.com/itm/221295572652?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

That's a Pretty decent rig.
Rear sill replacement, paint, repair fender, EMU suspension, 33x10.50 bfg muds, detail engine bay. New dash pad, undercoating, Redo the bearings on 4 corners, all new fluids, and flip it. Or keep it knowing you have one of the rarest FJ40s in the land.

Oh and why ebay sellers dont put "fj40" in the title is beyond me.