Hey Fellas-
So I found a 1978 FJ40 in my area and am strongly considering purchasing this weekend. Not much of a market for these in my area so I've got slim pickins. I'm including some pics below but here is what I know so far:
-originally an Oklahoma truck showing approx. 84k miles on the
odometer (my friend and I could swear we recall seeing a zero in front of
the 84K-am I crazy?)...and I know it has at least 3 owners
-appears to be pretty much stock aside from body repairs (most not done
by current owner):
-drivers and passenger floor pans
-rear quarter panels/rocker panels have been covered with thin
aluminum and pop riveted on
-spare tire carrier added on after the fact (seems poorly done)
-doors (front and rear) have poor seals/makeshift repairs
-soft doors are clearly not intended for an FJ
The Good:
-engine starts right up and runs strong
-interior components appear to be all original and in decent shape
-has original hard doors (in pretty good shape)
-the top is in pretty good shape-good glass all around
-all electronics appear to be working except some spotty brake lights
-current owner takes the truck for pretty long rides 2 hours plus with no
problems
-condition or rears doors is pretty good despite the poor seals/gaskets
The Bad:
-obvious rust issues here...body has surface rust as can be seen in the
photos as well as some likely through rust on the rear quarter panels
-undercarriage is pretty rusty...mostly surface, some scaling, no thru-rust
that I saw but some of the frame mounts are looking a little rough
-oil pan is showing some oil underneath, but no major drips or stains on
the ground
-suspension feels pretty rough and could definitely use some love
Probably not the greatest info but this will be my first FJ and I'm new to the forum scene as well. I really want to have this for the summer and some top down cruisin'....and I also realize this is most likely not an investment/restoration piece and will probably treat it as such and most likely how the last owner did...minimal improvements but will have to maintain and make any necessary repairs. From my assessment I won't need to do much to have her on the road and cruisin' and should be able to enjoy right away. It's sad that she most likely will never be more than what she is now, but at least I can have some fun and learn more about owning an FJ. That said, I'm trying to figure out what I should be paying for her....knowing that it won't be upgraded or invested in and is likely on the verge of "money pit" status and will start needing necessary maintenance one day soon. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
So I found a 1978 FJ40 in my area and am strongly considering purchasing this weekend. Not much of a market for these in my area so I've got slim pickins. I'm including some pics below but here is what I know so far:
-originally an Oklahoma truck showing approx. 84k miles on the
odometer (my friend and I could swear we recall seeing a zero in front of
the 84K-am I crazy?)...and I know it has at least 3 owners
-appears to be pretty much stock aside from body repairs (most not done
by current owner):
-drivers and passenger floor pans
-rear quarter panels/rocker panels have been covered with thin
aluminum and pop riveted on
-spare tire carrier added on after the fact (seems poorly done)
-doors (front and rear) have poor seals/makeshift repairs
-soft doors are clearly not intended for an FJ
The Good:
-engine starts right up and runs strong
-interior components appear to be all original and in decent shape
-has original hard doors (in pretty good shape)
-the top is in pretty good shape-good glass all around
-all electronics appear to be working except some spotty brake lights
-current owner takes the truck for pretty long rides 2 hours plus with no
problems
-condition or rears doors is pretty good despite the poor seals/gaskets
The Bad:
-obvious rust issues here...body has surface rust as can be seen in the
photos as well as some likely through rust on the rear quarter panels
-undercarriage is pretty rusty...mostly surface, some scaling, no thru-rust
that I saw but some of the frame mounts are looking a little rough
-oil pan is showing some oil underneath, but no major drips or stains on
the ground
-suspension feels pretty rough and could definitely use some love
Probably not the greatest info but this will be my first FJ and I'm new to the forum scene as well. I really want to have this for the summer and some top down cruisin'....and I also realize this is most likely not an investment/restoration piece and will probably treat it as such and most likely how the last owner did...minimal improvements but will have to maintain and make any necessary repairs. From my assessment I won't need to do much to have her on the road and cruisin' and should be able to enjoy right away. It's sad that she most likely will never be more than what she is now, but at least I can have some fun and learn more about owning an FJ. That said, I'm trying to figure out what I should be paying for her....knowing that it won't be upgraded or invested in and is likely on the verge of "money pit" status and will start needing necessary maintenance one day soon. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Last edited: