Just found a 2006 post listing FJ40 values. If we had only known how desirable they'd become. (1 Viewer)

[Alaskan Redneck]

<$1k - Parts car, not salvagable, missing engine, drivetrain, etc.
$1k-$2k - Possibly running or not, rusted or rotted out body tub, frame damage, good candidate for a trail rig only or a complete frame off restoration
$2k-$4k - Running, rough condition, needs a some work, parts missing.
$4k-$7k - Minor rust, driveable condition, not missing any major parts
$7k-10K - Good condition, all original, daily driver condition, zero to no rust
$10k - $15K - Frame off restoration, absolutely no rust, original paint, kept in a garage and sung to sleep every night, etc...
>$15K - Showroom quality restoration, better than new

What's your opinion on where prices are now? I've been watching the FJ40 market for a couple of years now, especially the <8k price range. I'd say the lower end of the range is easily 50% - 100% higher now. Certainly the middle range has doubled in value. Frame off restoration of $10k - $15K is easily in the $25- $40k range now and showroom quality is easily $50k. Tell me I'm wrong.

Yes, I know prices vary across the country and the world for a variety of factors.

 

[Pura Vida]

Bought a SA bj40 for 8k, imported it to USA for 4k, really really good condition for a SA cruiser, body only has rust in a few common places, but it isn’t bad at all. Doors close normally (sometimes on SA cruisers they don’t because there is so much bondo), original Jack, original paint (allegedly, I haven’t found evidence to the contrary), it participated in a Guinness World Record, front disc brakes, working radio, power steering conversion, and overall a really really intact SA cruiser. Luckily, I bought it just a few months before covid, and prices spiked internationally during covid. Well priced cruisers still exist, you just gotta find them

 

[Pitter Patter]

Bought my first FJ40 in 2000. It was a stock 1975 with a smashed in quarter and a moderately rusty sill. Otherwise great condition, fantastic driver, nothing wrong with it. I paid $2,800. It’s the everything bubble.

 

[JohnnyC]

original post and op:

fj40 price guide?

I know a lot of people ask what the value of a particular FJ40 is that they're looking at, or looking to sell, so would it be possible to come up with a very rough price guide just to give an idea what a particular cruiser is worth? I know there are just way too many variables to really give a...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Those days are are a faded image in the rear view…

original post and op:

fj40 price guide?

I know a lot of people ask what the value of a particular FJ40 is that they're looking at, or looking to sell, so would it be possible to come up with a very rough price guide just to give an idea what a particular cruiser is worth? I know there are just way too many variables to really give a...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Alaskan Redneck]

original post and op:

fj40 price guide?

I know a lot of people ask what the value of a particular FJ40 is that they're looking at, or looking to sell, so would it be possible to come up with a very rough price guide just to give an idea what a particular cruiser is worth? I know there are just way too many variables to really give a...

forum.ih8mud.com

Yes, that's where I found it. I'd love to hear people's opinions on where prices are now. I've been watching the FJ40 market for a couple of years now, especially the <8k price range. I'd say the lower end of the range is easily 50if not 100% higher now. Certainly the middle range has doubled in value. Frame off restoration of $10k - $15K is easily in the $25- $40k range now and showroom quality is easily $50k. Tell me I'm wrong.

 

[Pura Vida]

Yes, that's where I found it. I'd love to hear people's opinions on where prices are now. I've been watching the FJ40 market for a couple of years now, especially the <8k price range. I'd say the lower end of the range is easily 50if not 100% higher now. Certainly the middle range has doubled in value. Frame off restoration of $10k - $15K is easily in the $25- $40k range now and showroom quality is easily $50k. Tell me I'm wrong.

I just sold an unrestored 1980 hj45 with rust for 30k. I’d say 25-35k is decently kept or lightly restored. Frame off seems more like 40-45k+ at the very least. Under 10k is a rough example that is rusty and needs work. 15k is one you can drive but it’s rough.

That’s why I see on the market anyways. It’s a little out of hand

 

[JohnnyC]

<$5k - Parts car, not salvagable, missing engine, drivetrain, etc.
$5k-$9k - Possibly running or not, rusted or rotted out body tub, frame damage, good candidate for a trail rig only or a complete frame off restoration
$9k-$15k - Running, rough condition, needs a some work, parts missing.
$15k-$20k - Minor rust, driveable condition, not missing any major parts
$20k-35K - Good condition, all original, daily driver condition, zero to no rust
$35k - $75K - Frame off restoration (subjective), absolutely no rust, original paint, kept in a garage and sung to sleep every night, etc...
>$75K - $100+ Showroom quality restoration, better than new

45's or rarity add 50%

my quick assessment

 

[Alaskan Redneck]

<$5k - Parts car, not salvagable, missing engine, drivetrain, etc.
$5k-$9k - Possibly running or not, rusted or rotted out body tub, frame damage, good candidate for a trail rig only or a complete frame off restoration
$9k-$15k - Running, rough condition, needs a some work, parts missing.
$15k-$20k - Minor rust, driveable condition, not missing any major parts
$20k-35K - Good condition, all original, daily driver condition, zero to no rust
$35k - $75K - Frame off restoration (subjective), absolutely no rust, original paint, kept in a garage and sung to sleep every night, etc...
>$75K - $100+ Showroom quality restoration, better than new

45's or rarity add 50%

my quick assessment

I agree. This falls in line with my research.

 

[brian]

I used to buy 40s in better shape than yours for $500.00.

 

[JohnnyC]

i remember a few times of friends getting parts trucks (even nice not really parts) for free

"If you can get it out of my field you can have it"

now everybody thinks they hit gold with grandpa's pos thats been sitting for 30 years busted

 

[Chilkoot]

The other issue is prices for parts have sky rocketed as well. So even if you do find a cheap, decent restoration candidate the cost to rebuild has exponentially grown also. I’m not even factoring in labor to have somebody work on it other than yourself.

 

[Pitter Patter]

The other issue is prices for parts have sky rocketed as well. So even if you do find a cheap, decent restoration candidate the cost to rebuild has exponentially grown also. I’m not even factoring in labor to have somebody work on it other than yourself.

This for sure. I’m doing a complete frame off restoration but outsourcing the body paint and engine machining. Otherwise it’s my labor. Parts alone for all OEM replacements and rebuilds are insane. So are tools and consumables. Anyone seen the cost of wire wheels and grinding discs lately? I’ve squirreled away the parts receipts but haven’t kept track. Will have more $$$$ in this than a new 200 series cost. That’s a big part of what’s driving the ‘values’. I can’t imagine what it would cost if you were paying mechanics or a custom restoration shop.

Feel like an old man for complaining about how a dime bag used to cost a dime. It was inevitable. They’re making more people and more money every day, and every day there’s one fewer FJ40 due to rust, collisions and neglect. Be thank for for what you have , drive it often, enjoy a vehicle with three pedals that doesn’t have nannycam Toyota Safety Sense.

 

[kudzugypsy]

I remember seeing an unreal mustard 40 that belonged to a Toyota dealer. meticulously frame off restored for $26k back around then so that gives you a baseline
ive noticed classic car (and most collectibles) prices run up in sequence with home equity values - it’s easy money to tap into. When the #$&* hit the fan in 2008 it Was far different

whats really gone insane since then is classic bronco prices - i was buying $2000 beater broncos that easily bring $15k+ today. A NICE bronco would run @$10k…they are $75k up

 

[sogncab]

Prices seem to have gone up significantly since I bought mine in 2021.

I paid $12k.
-Wheel wells need to be replaced.
-Repair hack job for fender flares.
-Rear sill and quarters have been replaced. (Quality of work, unknown)
-Fenders are toast.
-Drive line was screwed. Everything got rebuilt. Bearings, birfields, gears, lockouts, t case, and tranny.

I've dumped another $93k into it, and parts on the shelf waiting their turn.
Things add up in hurry. I bet there's over $3k in just seals and weather stripping.

I still have paint and a list of little projects to tackle.

It's worth maybe $30k as it sits.

 

[DesertFJ40]

It's only worth what someone is willing to pay, and in today's stupid world the prices on everything have risen above the true value of their worth. The only way you can get a good deal is if you happen to find an old man that has it stashed away in the backyard and hasn't driven it in years. Like some of the stories you read about on here.

I guess, however, if you were to put me in a room with a the choice of 70k modern car and a 70k restoration land cruiser, I'd happily take the land cruiser any day

 

[suzuguru]

Not that I'm Daddy Warbucks now, but in 2005 I had just gotten out of the Army, and started a new job. Didn't have any money at all. I remember I was back home with my dad and we happened to drive through the parking lot of the local grocery store. I saw a green 40, all original and in near perfect condition, with a 'for sale' sign in the window. It was so nice, we decided to stop and look at it. You could tell it had been garage kept it's whole life. This was on a mountain in Southeast Tennessee where a number of 'upper crust' people kept 40's in the garage for snow events. The sign said $8K, which seemed like a lot back then. I have always regretted not borrowing the money to buy that. I just had no clue what the future held. I wish I had a picture of it, but that would probably just torment me even more.

 

[Skreddy]

Bought my first cruiser in high school (2001) for $800. Blue 1969, all original but had been swapped to floor shift. Otherwise all original: 4 wheel drums, no dash cuts or holes, hub caps bench seat. Drove it 6 months, sold it to a buddy for $800. He put a lift and used tires on it and sold it for $1500 and we thought he robbed the guy!
Similar time frame, buddy’s brother blew his F engine in his 1970 with lift and 33’s. A local shop just pulled a 2F for a 350 swap so he got the engine free and paid one of their techs $100 to swap in that 2F. He still runs that engine today.

I’ve had 8 FJ40’s. Cheapest was that $800 one. Before I bought my spring green 1971 I restored in 2020, I’d never paid more than $1500 for a cruiser and I’d driven every one home from where I bought it. I paid $6000 for that spring green in pieces, never heard it run and I was ecstatic at the deal I got.

If anyone has a similar, I’d gladly pay $6k again….. but the top end seems to be coming down.

 

[Pura Vida]

Bought my first cruiser in high school (2001) for $800. Blue 1969, all original but had been swapped to floor shift. Otherwise all original: 4 wheel drums, no dash cuts or holes, hub caps bench seat. Drove it 6 months, sold it to a buddy for $800. He put a lift and used tires on it and sold it for $1500 and we thought he robbed the guy!
Similar time frame, buddy’s brother blew his F engine in his 1970 with lift and 33’s. A local shop just pulled a 2F for a 350 swap so he got the engine free and paid one of their techs $100 to swap in that 2F. He still runs that engine today.

I’ve had 8 FJ40’s. Cheapest was that $800 one. Before I bought my spring green 1971 I restored in 2020, I’d never paid more than $1500 for a cruiser and I’d driven every one home from where I bought it. I paid $6000 for that spring green in pieces, never heard it run and I was ecstatic at the deal I got.

If anyone has a similar, I’d gladly pay $6k again….. but the top end seems to be coming down.
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Got any pics of the 800 dollar one?

 

[Skreddy]

I’ll try to dig some up. I was 17 and didn’t really care about taking pics back then. Pre-digital age.