How bad of a deal did I get?

[cjgoode]

Here is a link to the pictures

myscrambler - The Beachbums 1980 Toyota FJ40

I got it for $1,000. I was told it runs, but no way to verify. It is a 1980 fj40. Axles have been replaced with 72's to no disc brakes. The frame is solid, the body we will call reparable, I have welded up a worse jeep body back to life. The hood, fenders and rest of the front clip look perfect. He had all new emblems for the exterior, not lights for the back. Most interior parts he had refinished and painted and look new. The seats are trashed. The windshield frame and dash pad are extremely good.

I will do all the work myself, body, engine, paint. If I can google hoe to do it I will try it. Did I get ripped or not. Looking for opinions. I am happy either way, it is a complete fj40 that I could afford. I owned a 70 fj40 with three on the tree in high school, and a 76 in college and I always wanted another one, so 25 years later I got one. I love this site, great information.

 

[Mace]

Looks like a big project, but you are halfway there anyway..

I don't think you got ripped..

Wish the stock axles were still in it tho..

 

[landcrusher909]

There is no such thing as a bad deal if you really want it. bummer that they swapped out the axles but it looks complete and what a great place to start. Sounds like you know what you got yourself into hours of wrenching, cussing , and cleaning but in the end its always worth it. Buy a star and keep posting pics and you said it This is a Great site Good Luck

 

[LC_Hamma]

It ain't that difficult to swap out for discs F & R. Mini knuckles & birfs, etc. out the front & there are a few kits out ther for the rears. Did they take the larger brake booster too? I have a few extra if you need a good one or there are other options on brake boosters, check the Tech Links. If the motor does run & the rest of the drivetrain is fully functional, I'd say you got a sweet deal

 

[toomanytoyzz]

$1000 for a mostly complete 80 is a great deal. You could part it out for much more. Just to give you an idea, I bought a 79 FJ40 over a year ago that was a total rust bucket. Not one of the body panels was salvageable, but the truck was 100% original with everything still intact. I bought it for $500 and wound up making about $2000 when I was through parting it out. You did fine .

 

[subzali]

so what are your plans for it? take it back to stock or build it?

 

[cjgoode]

My plans are to go close to stock, stock with a little lift and 33 or 35 tires and a roll cage. Other then stock original on the rest. Not sure if I will fabricate my own floor pans or buy some reproduction ones that would look correct. Comes down to money, reproduction panels do not look cheap like they are for a jeep. Other then the floor pans the rest of the body I can fix with sheet metal keeping it looking original.

My main plan is to have a reliable drivable fj40 and relive part of my youth. My son wants to go rat rod, fix it up so it is solid but still looks like old and rusty piece of junk.

 

[bsmith123]

1k cruiser

looks like a bit of work but doable since you've owned a cruiser you are a step ahead

most of the repairs for the body are covered here on the site--saw a nice floor repair where the guy hand formed ridges in it and that made it look like an oem install almost

looking forward to seeing the progress

I dont think you got ripped but of course you will pay in time and money to put it right anyway