Looking for 1983 FJ40 - not restored

Hi,

I'm looking for a FJ40 from 1983 that is for sale. I prefer if it hasn't been restored, as I plan on doing the restoration myself.

Anyone has one for sale or can help me find one?

Thank you,

Lazaro Suarez
305-796-4276
lazaro@forkliftsparts.com

 

[lazaro suarez]

i do have rebuit 2f engine and a rebilt tansmission for $1950 fob miami

 

[lazaro suarez]

Hi,

I'm looking for a FJ40 from 1983 that is for sale. I prefer if it hasn't been restored, as I plan on doing the restoration myself.

Anyone has one for sale or can help me find one?

Thank you,

Lazaro Suarez
305-796-4276
lazaro@forkliftsparts.com

i will pay good money

 

[lazaro suarez]

i will pay good money

 

[Toyrod]

I have a 79 with the square bezel if you can't find an '83.

 

[rick_d]

Lazaro

you have a hard journey in front of you. 1983 fj40s have been collector items for 20 years and most have been restored and changed hands dozens of times. You can find a japanese market truck unrestored, but i doubt you will find a factory plastic dash US fj40 easily. Expect $35K+

The 1981/1982 are the same trucks w/o the dash.

And if you do find one advertised w "factory ac and/or factory PS" make sure to have a cruiserhead who knows the stuff see images before you commit to buy. AC is really really really rare and involves all sorts of specific parts from battery tray, heater lines, and radiator and fan and fan shroud and a unique heater duct...PS, a little more common or easyretrofit but bad sellers chop off the mount to fit a mini truck box and I have seen "factory" saginaw PS pumps.

 

[CHAS404]

I agree with poster above but I wouldn't do RHD.

You won't maximize the value of your restoration time and investment. I can source Colombian LHD 83 FJ40s that are rust free and driving but the (good) condition is such that they would be $20,000 to $25,000 minimum price in Florida by the time I got them to Florida. I have not offered these because in my case it makes more sense for me to restore them in Colombia and bring them up to a $30,000 to $35,000 clean FJ40 in around 30 days or $50,000 to $60,000 frame off in about 90 to 120 days. Most of the low priced 83 FJ40s I have seen for sale in the US are "some rust" (in my eyes very rusty) and are asking $20,000 to $25,000. This is all in my humble opinion.

If you are interested PM me. I bring the trucks into Tampa and put Florida tags on them. I have 2 1983 FJ40s that I know are available right now.

Most estimates say the numbers on US FJ40s per year are roughly...

70's models around 10,000 per year
1981 I think 1000 came in
1982 around 700
1983 around 300

There is a big jump in resale value on the 81s and 82s and then especially the 1983 model over the mid to late 70s models due to those numbers above.

Colombia, Japan, Australia etc had 1984 models too.

Recent sales at auction for frame off Colombian spec 1983 FJ40s have been upper $50,000 which is in line with the US spec ones given the same condition.

Here is my 1983 FJ40 frame off I did a year ago. Also the metal tops like this one are rare in Colombia. most come with a fiberglass top or we do the traditional soft top on them.

Lazaro is on the right track however if he considering to do a full frame off restoration. Makes more sense to do that on a 1981 or up FJ40 (or better yet a FJ43). If you are trying to do an affordable truck buy the BEST truck you can find regardless of model year and stay away from restoration.

 

[crotalusatrox]

Coming up fer auction in 3 weeks.....



https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?lot_id=AU1214-204550







...

 

[overton]

You're in luck - Bust out the wallet. Here's one in need of restoration for $33K

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4776839805.html

 

[overton]

Or you can get this 82 which is about as rare and in better shape - http://myfj40.com/For_Sale/82_FJ40_BLU.html

 

[447xpro]

Wow my 82 is looking better and better

 

[greenbeast]

That appears to have been underwater in some swamp!

 

[CHAS404]

Or you buy this for $23,000... a "real survivor" indeed...

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4776839805.html

Or just contract with me I will buy a rust free Colombian 83 FJ40 (or better yet an FJ43) and comprehensively restore it. Most of my trucks are $30,000 to $40,000 and up but you will save in the long run.

Better to buy the BEST condition truck whatever the model year.

 

[oakweb]

Gems are out there, but collectors (like myself) are scanning craigslist every hour
Here's a 1981 December (1982 on title for some reason) I just got for $15k

 

[mcjb]

It was you who snaked it while I had the keys dammit! Sigh. Well played.

 

[oakweb]

Yes I saw it after it was posted on craigslist for two hours. I then started calling the used car lot at 9:50 AM until they opened at 10 AM. The guy said he had two more calls when he was taking down my information on the phone! This should've sold for $25,000 very nice rig!

 

[mcjb]

Or you buy this for $23,000... a "real survivor" indeed...

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4776839805.html

Or just contract with me I will buy a rust free Colombian 83 FJ40 (or better yet an FJ43) and comprehensively restore it. Most of my trucks are $30,000 to $40,000 and up but you will save in the long run.

Better to buy the BEST condition truck whatever the model year.

That was the same 40 as the earlier craigslist post surprisingly. It was covered in mold. It sold though.

 

[CHAS404]

Nice buy on the 1982 white FJ40. Cool. You snooze you lose. Unfortunately being a seller very few potential buyers realize how rare these trucks are to find in good condition. They forget they are classic cars and you as buyer are expected to make changes or fixes to your liking even on a near perfect truck. I guess I am adding value by hand holding some of them or making the updates (like AC for instance) to bring the price up. As soon as I sell a truck I get emails from people upset it is gone.

Here is a 1982 FJ40 I am being offered. I would ask $29,900 for it but may do a traditional soft top for that price. I have not personally seen it yet but looks to be very very original including the interior. This is Colombian spec with 7 passenger layout. No rollbar. Power steering likely 4 drums.

 

[CHAS404]

Here is the 1983 FJ40 in white that I can buy. I really have not wanted to do 'as is' quality vehicles for sale because I can upgrade them in 30 days in Colombia and add value. My shipping and paperwork costs are much higher than Europe or Australia. Also once the truck hits Florida I am limited on the work I can do on it. Also I want buyers to be happy.

If I did not do anything to it I could be at low $20ks like the craigslist trucks. This one is probably atleast 90% rust free. One of my contacts looked at it but I did not. Has front floors repaired somewhat messily and the paint is probably 5 out 10 but looks nothing like that swamp truck. It is one of my candidates to buy and upgrade but I have plenty to choose from so here you go. It needs original interior which I can actually find easily. Were I to do it I would completely repaint inside and out and do the soft top and all new original interior. New hubcaps rims and tires. I would then retail it for $35,000. Even at low $20ks I would want to go through the brakes and the driveline at least.

 

[CHAS404]

Note the 1983 has a gas system. I would remove that. Has other Colombian "upgrades" that I loathe... seats that now sit way too high me but made for a short Colombian (I am 6 foot 3 and have to buy these trucks with the adapted seats) and has that little alarm button in the doorframe. also look at the hood tie downs they are waaay back from where the truck had 70 series blinkers on it. I think a white FJ40 with a light or medium tan soft top would look fantastic though.