Is it worth it to stay stock?

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Napster

Napster

10 Year
Joined
Jul 12, 2013
Threads
38
Messages
642
Location
Ukiah, California
Finally got my pig driving well but the transmission is starting to make some major noises. I am debating rebuilding the 3spd (on the floor) or upgrading to the 4spd. I have researched the swap and think I have a good idea of what it will take and it does not scare me.

My question is, is there any investment value in keeping a pig stock? I am not into dumping 20k into a pig to have it be worth 10k when I'm done. Is there any difference in the amount that a restored pig and a resto-mod pig in similar condition will fetch?

simple is usually right... 1973 fj55
 
My 2 cents,

If you are restoring it to sell to a collector, then leave it stock.

If you are restoring/modifying it to use and sell later to another cruiser head, put in the 4 speed and enjoy the difference.

Either way ( in my opinion ) you won't recoup all you put into it, so might as well make it the way you want.
 
4 speed will be a lot more enjoyable to drive with a syncd first gear.

Is the truck in immaculate shape, no rust, no dents, everything is original and in great shape or even decent shape? If so then I would stick to the 3 speed

If it is a driver and a truck that is still used a lot, has rust and other issues then I would put in a 4 speed so it is more enjoyable to use.
 
What Scrappy said.

Bigsal says "3 speed tranny's suck for a lot of reasons".
Get a four speed and have fun. If you're that close to having the resto-find, keep all the original parts with the rig and have them available when you sell it. The swap is really not a big deal and doesn't change much except where the shifter comes up through the cover anyway, in terms of the permanent changes.
 
Thanks for the thoughts. Mine is relatively clean with minor rust so it seems like a good candidate for a restoration. I also like the realistic, "never get your money out of it so might as well make the way you want." Great to have a group like this to bounce ideas off! Thanks.

simple is usually right... 1973 fj55
 
restomods also are great, so i see no issues in updating to a four speed (floor's already got a shifter now, so not like you're cutting an uncut tunnel for this) and disc brakes up front. still factory parts, just not for that year. it's the way toyota should've made it.
 
Napster said:
My question is, is there any investment value in keeping a pig stock?
Click to expand...


There is no investment value in Pigs. If you want to invest in an automobile, buy a Jag XK120M, or an original Cobra. You buy a Pig to drive. A stock Pig is a blank canvas, not an IRA. Make it want you want or sell it now and cut your losses.
I might have $10K in my Pig, but it's worth 50K to me because it spanks trails and makes me look like a good driver while doing it.

A 4 on the floor is better to drive than a 3 on the floor. Neither is better to drive than a 3 on the tree.
 
Thanks Pighead, that clears up my dilemma
pretty soundly! I was totally with you until this...

Pighead said:
A 4 on the floor is better to drive than a 3 on the floor. Neither is better to drive than a 3 on the tree.
Click to expand...

I'll take the floor shifter any day. Not a fan of the column shifter.

Now onto the next issue... Where is a good place to look for a 4spd, TC and drive shafts?

simple is usually right... 1973 fj55
 
Napster said:
Thanks Pighead, that clears up my dilemma
pretty soundly! I was totally with you until this...



I'll take the floor shifter any day. Not a fan of the column shifter.

Now onto the next issue... Where is a good place to look for a 4spd, TC and drive shafts?

simple is usually right... 1973 fj55
Click to expand...

One for sale right now in Classifieds. I have found that if you put it out there in a WTB add, others will come forward with parts. You should prolly just call Vally Hybrids though as Stockton is not that far away and Georg has a lot of stuff over there. Driveshafts just get reworked. No biggie on that part. TC can be the same as your 3 speed and you should just rebuild it if you have it out. Not difficult but you do need a press, or just take it to a local shop for the press part. I've done all this so you can PM me or call. 530-525-2232 since I"m relatively close.

And yes, I can understand Pigheads point of view on the 3 speed column shifter... reluctantly.
 
Lil'John said:
Pighead nails it. Cars are never an investment unless you are talking pristine and stock and even then not so much.

Anytime you deviate from stock, you limit who wants the rig.

Like Pighead, I don’t want to think how many greenbacks I’ve spent and I know I won’t even get 10% back out of that.



Georg is a great guy to deal with and he probably has dozens of 4 speeds in his storage shed. I might be able to bring one up to the Sacramento area depending upon my schedule.

The driveshafts get longer in front and shorter in rear by ~1.5 inches.

The transfercase isn’t quite the same between 3 speed and 4 speed. Externally they are the same BUT the three speed has a ten spline output shaft while the four speed has a sixteen spline output shaft. If you want to use your existing 3 speed case, you will need to get a transition gear (Georg would have those too) Or you can bolt the 4 speed tcase in with the transmission and swap driveshaft flanges.
Click to expand...

Oops forgot about the transition gear. Easy peasy.
 
Bigsal, I just emailed about the one on Craigslist but it seemed a bit pricey for a dirty and unknown condition trans. I'm going to contact valley hybrids too. Thanks for the tip. What does a 4sp go for?

simple is usually right... 1973 fj55
 
Napster said:
Bigsal, I just emailed about the one on Craigslist but it seemed a bit pricey for a dirty and unknown condition trans. I'm going to contact valley hybrids too. Thanks for the tip. What does a 4sp go for?

simple is usually right... 1973 fj55
Click to expand...

I don't know on price. Some folks will just give you one. Hit up Vett60. I know he had some extras years ago and he is in Pollock Pines.
 
I don't think you limit your market if you upgrade a pig. I think the market only gets bigger with good upgrades. Four speed, disc brakes, later 2Fs, and power steering are almost never going to lose you a buyer. I would argue v8s, fuel injection and autos will gain you as many potential customers as you lose.

All that being said my little pig is about worthless. It's almost certainly worth more in parts.
 
Napster said:
I was totally with you until this...
Click to expand...

Pighead said:
Neither is better to drive than a 3 on the tree.
Click to expand...



I had never driven a 3-on-the-tree until early this year, and now I love driving it. I don't know if it's just because it's in the '62 FJ40 that we revived, or if it's just because it's topless and doorless, but there's nothing like double-clutching up and down through the gears...I learned by reading the directions off the glovebox door.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPHQ_0MpS6w&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1PdHBgBigg&feature=youtu.be
 
is it worth it to stay stock?
in a word, NO. you'll never get more for it than you put in full stock resto or modified restoification. put in the best pieces toyota missed during those production years and enjoy the ride. disk brake front axle, power steering, modified suspension, bucket seats, full floater and some lockers. oh yeah, and some shoulder belts up front. I will stick to yoter parts where ever possible, but don't see a need to keep the beast hobbled for nothing more than nostalgia. IMNSHO, of course- your model may vary...peopel ask me what year my rig is and I have to start singing Johnny Cash tunes; it's a 73,77,82,86,89,94- but it's all stock Toyota with the exception of the right rear axle shaft and the muffler:hillbilly:
 
When I'm asked "what year is it?" my usual response is "what part?" Also appreciate the "One Piece at a Time" approach as it took owning five of these things and a whole bunch of stuff from MUD and Ebay to put mine together.
My goal was to restomod but look stock...on the outside only a mild lift and 31s on FJ60 wheels are not. Inside and underneath it's a different story with F150 buckets and shoulder belts, SBC, power steering, Ranger overdrive and front discs. All increase comfort, drivability and reliability.
Besides, it's my "going to the grave car." As with art, resale value only matters if the intent is to sell it. If you're going to use it, build it to suit your intended purpose. Mine's been over the Kokopelli and Schofield Pass, taken me elk hunting and camping and on a reasonably comfortable 2,300 mile round trip to CA and AZ.
 
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