How far should we modify before it DECREASES the value of an FJ40?

[labartonmd]

This is not my first 4x4 build, but it is my first cruiser build....
I've decided to abandon the notion of putting a V8 in my 70 cruiser for cost considerations. I'm the kind guy who will do it right or not at all. I'm going to rebuild a 73 F motor, floor shift 3 spd and TC instead. This will not be a daily driver or rock crawler. I prefer medium to light trails. Yeah, I've become a wuss now that I've past "middle age" and feeling each year more and more. So, stock power train suits me fine.

However, I want to enjoy my cruiser with some modern upgrades and I want to know at what point should I stop "upgrading" because I'm decreasing the value instead. I have already accumulated the parts for Minitruck PS, Mini Birfields and disc brakes. I plan to switch over to a Mini booster and fresh lines and hoses as well. That's a no brainer upgrade. What I'd like opinions on are some other upgrades that I'm looking at and whether they will detract from the cruiser:

Mastercraft seats in place of stockers
Relocate fuel tank out of interior and use a Mazda RX7 tank behind the rear axle. (its a bit deep and a skid plate will be required) Floor pans will be cut and definitely not stock.
Replace fiberglas top and rusted drip rails with custom metal top welded to stock hard top sides without drip rails and non removeable
Completely remove Toyota heater and vents and replace with complete HVAC system from that Mazda RX7 and hook up to stock Toyota defrosters.
Convert upper wiper arms to non toyota wiper arms/ motor with later model motor cover in a non stock location.
Rear axle flip to gain 3" extra wheelbase. Recontour wheel well to stock opening
one piece tailgate vs custom one piece rear door like the Banderate vs weld up stock opening
tube front fenders from metaltech.
Cut dash for a CD player
weld up cowl vent to prevent rust and water leaks.
Paint a non Toyota color scheme.

That's a lot of questions but I look forward to a lively discussion.

 

[IDave]

None of these things will increase the resale value of your truck (depending on how little it was worth in the first place) in my mind, and all would decrease it to a lesser or greater extent. That is not to say you shouldn't do them. But you should do them because you are building the rig you want, not for resale.

 

[DocB]

Unless you already have a cherry and unmodified FJ, some mods increase the value to those looking to wheel it. If you don't plan on selling it soon, build it for you not so it will hold its value. Just enjoy!

 

[labartonmd]

The other option is to do a strict restoration. Keeping the stock tank in the stock location, stock floorpans, factory repaint with bedliner on the tub, OEM wipers in the stock location, etc. I can also deal with not cutting the dash. But I'd reaaly like to at least have PB/PS/AC and modern discs at the front.

 

[JohnL]

Keep it Toyota, even if its from other mods/years.

Keep all the parts. Don't bend or weld TEQ parts.

The Toy heating system works fine, just restore it. Easy and cheap.

Stay with Toy colors (use PPG or Dupont paint)

 

[Romer]

Unless you have a prestine and cherry 40, I would not worry about resale. Just don't expect to get out of it what you put into it. I've seen some nice 40's with cool non OEM paint jobs that I would value more. Using a dremel and making the dash hole slighly wider for a CD player should not impact it. Installing good comfortable seats should be fine

I agree with the above, doing the otherstuff of using a Mazda tank and cutting the rest of the metal may detract from it being a cruiser. People who modify it too far away end up with "Mutts" nobody wants.

Lifts, tires, T case's and other mods to improve its off road capabilities are the mods some would really like as well.

 

[Degnol]

You can do a lot of upgrades using later model parts and even other-than-Landcruiser Toyota parts. I run a GM HEI, minitruck PS, disc brakes, lift and love it and haven't changed anything that could not be changed back. I built the truck for me and nobody else. I want safety and comfort...well, some comfort, and security, like "Don't steal it!" unless you have a bunch of tools, time and knowledge.
Enjoy it.
Ed

 

[raoul reese]

Resale

No one makes money on these things except pure restorations, the rest of us put as much in as we can afford to keep it the way we want-like a boat it simply costs more and always takes more time than expected and you can not sell it for what you put into it. Nor should you want to it is a great treat to have one of these awesome vehicles.

 

[mallred]

I feel you really cannot go wrong doing the improvements that Toyota did to the Fj40 in the 20 years they made them. It is dependable, sturdy and fairly easy to get parts new and used. Most people looking for a FJ40 will not devalue it when it comes time to sell. In my case it is have a fun hobby with a rig does not seem to break down when I take it out and play. I spent my youth powering up 4x4s now it is just fun to get there and watch the others.

 

[Desertdave]

I guess I'd need to know which value you are interested in, the value to you, or the value to those who might potentially buy it from you. I'm assuming you mean the value to those who would buy it from you.

I've erased a lot of what I originally wrote because it sounded preachy. Basically, if you want your 'Cruiser to be widely desired by the general populace at a later date, my suggestion is 1) Do the least amount of mods you can do to make it usable and enjoyable to you.
2) Do those mods in as 'Toyota-like' fashion as possible
3) If possible, allow it to be easily 'returned to stock'

For example, if you change seats, store the old ones, and don't modify the factory brackets, use adapter bracketry that can be removed.

If you do power steering, Do the Toyota parts swap, and document the source of any pieces that aren't from your year of TLC (so the next buyer knows what they'll need to obtain repairs or replacements) Do this also for the brake work you plan - outside the 'Cruiser community
Mini truck or Chevy parts might be viewed suspiciously, unless you document that they'll need rotors for this year Hilux, and rear Calipers from that year Chevelle.

But, it's more fun to just keep it forever, and keep changing stuff as the mood suits you. Then, in 15 years, you could be like me, with a single $K digit value 'Cruiser you have a $40K receipt collection for

 

[nailbender]

If your going to do much off road the stock 3 speed gets old fast. I would suggest changing to a 4 speed, Chevy being my first choise, but a Toyota 4 speed would still be an improvment. There are still a good number of 40's on the road. Unless it's a late model and in primo shape it won't ever be worth a ton of money.

 

[trainrech]

I have a little different take on this. My 40 is worth $0.00. Note that if it is stolen I have all the receipts to recoup at least a good portion of my costs. However, I don't plan to sell it, so the modifications I've done and intend to do are for me. So, if you plan to sell it, my thought would be the restoration route. If you plan to keep it, do what makes you happy.

My $0.02.

 

[labartonmd]

These are the kinds of feedback I was hoping for to keep a focus on this project.
I have no plans for resale and no delusions of profit. It ain't my first rodeo. But the unforseen happens and I don't want to end up with a "Mutt".

Most of my driving will not tap the full potential of the stock setup, mostly on our own property (38 acres of hills and forest), So I have no plans for lift kits; just 33 x 9.50 on stock rims, a front locker and a decent winch. Some trips to Uwharrie and/or Tellico Plains. Maybe a summer vacation in Colorado.

The consensus seems to be to keep it Toyota as much as possible and make sure that any mods are reversible. It has to have AC system down south. I'm thinking that completly removing the stock system and keeping it stock mould be better than cutting it to adapt the Mazda evap unit. The reason for the Mazda stuff is that I stripped a parts car for my other recent project, an 85 RX7 GXL-SE with a later model 13b swapped in.

 

[beanz2]

It has to have AC system down south. I'm thinking that completly removing the stock system and keeping it stock mould be better than cutting it to adapt the Mazda evap unit. The reason for the Mazda stuff is that I stripped a parts car for my other recent project, an 85 RX7 GXL-SE with a later model 13b swapped in.

Swap the Mazda engine in and you can tell cruiserheads you have a 13B engine in your 40

Stock AC systems used to be rare in these parts but watch out, there is soon gonna be lots of Middle East spec parts coming to the US. Yes, LHD 40 series AC systems too.

Dave

 

[DocB]

No one makes money on these things except pure restorations, the rest of us put as much in as we can afford to keep it the way we want-like a boat it simply costs more and always takes more time than expected and you can not sell it for what you put into it. Nor should you want to it is a great treat to have one of these awesome vehicles.

True That.