Need an opinion on fixing or selling. (6 Viewers)

[RobxCruiser]

I have a 1982 FJ40 that was passed down from my dad. He didn't take care of the truck and allowed it to get rusty, to the point where even a scratch was noticeable. Now, it has a hole and is still deteriorating. The problem I am facing is the tough battle of whether I should sell it or keep it and fix it. The reason is the sentimental value this truck holds, but I also know that having sentimental feelings makes things more costly.

As of right now, the truck is really eaten up and has 8 years of back payments (about $1200) to the DMV that I have to eat anyway, especially if I am going to sell it. So this is the dilemma, is it worth fixing or selling (mainly for things like motor, transmission, diffs and etc)? TBH I don't have the money to fix it in one go, and I have to think about in the back of my mind if I have to move it from the backyard it's parked in.

The current status of the car is simple:
None of the body parts are worth keeping except the glass, roof, kick vents, and other minor things like handles, door mechanisms, etc.
Before it sat, it was running, driving, and did some dirt paths without issues. It passed compression and leakdown tests. I also had the carb rebuilt and all the vacuum lines redone. Changed shocks, oil pan gasket and water pump. Checked backlash on the diffs, and all were in tolerance. The transmission was switching gears like a dream, and hardly any metal when it came to doing any fluid change. I have purchased things for the truck that haven't been installed yet because of time and the 15-25 degree gradient it sits on, which blew out the passenger tires.

Things I haven't installed yet:
Brake overhaul kit with new pads, rotors, shoes, drums, calipers, wheel cylinders, brake lines, bearings, and their races.
aluminum radiator

This truck needs a lot of work, and I know that, but helpful advice is what's needed. My wife is signed on to the project, but for those who know, this doesn't mean we will toss the cash at it today.

Please take a look at some of the photos, be kind, and comment with grace!

 

[RobxCruiser]

Also, if I did sell it, how much would it be worth? I know my post is reading more like I want to keep it, but if I should tell me.

 

[liven the life]

Call me crazy but I've seen a whole lot worse than that go for way more than $1200. These things are total money pits but you also have history...most of us are just starting that part of owning a vintage LC. The cowl rust would be tough but an 82" is one of the better years and there are used parts available so if it's a money thing, you probably won't get out of it what you put in but that's not why I own mine. I just like driving it and there aren't a lot of these cruising around in my neck of the woods. Besides wrenching on these is pretty good therapy for me and there's plenty of help on mud....anyone else?

 

[msapers]

There are many other Land Cruisers out there that will be easier to deal with but none of them will be your dad's. You need to determine how important that is to you. Used/replacement body parts are available. Don't give up until you've thought it through.

 

[RobxCruiser]

Wanted to add some more photos of the truck.

 

[RobxCruiser]

I might add some more photos tomorrow

 

[RobxCruiser]

Wanted to add some more photos of the truck.

View attachment 3931584

View attachment 3931585

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Since you asked, I would sell in a heartbeat.

 

[charliemeyer007]

I'd bet there is a lot more rust that the holes you see. Go tap on the places with a coin and see if a weak magnet will stick.

Are you a mechanic, welder and body guy? Fixing that one will make you a good one but much broker one.

If you dad loved it he would have taken better care of it IMHO. Get one in better shape and pretend it was his - much cheaper to lie to yourself.

I wouldn't pay Cali a dime in back registration - part it out or throw it on a trailer and sell it in Nv, or Or. Big items like engine tranny transfer axles could be worth bucks if good, core value isn't all that high more than scrap iron. Compression numbers and vids of stuff moving could help boost the price. Look in the classified section up top to see what folks are asking for stuff - note asking price is not the same as selling price

 

[CruiserInProgress]

I like it.

It's a good year, mostly complete and stock, sounds like it may be pretty solid mechanically or will be with parts on hand.

Maybe just get it road worthy and have some fun with it for now. Definitely got some patina / character going for it!

 

[Mark Jennings]

When my dad died, we sold all of his cars except a 1974 Porsche 914…..my mom wanted to keep it for what ever her reasoning was….so I got it running, and inspected. That was 2010. Then in 2018, she called me and said come get it. My doughter (18 at the time) and I drove it from upstate NY to WA. The next year we rolled it into a friends shop and we fixed all the rust, gave it a paint job, pulled the engine and sealed up the engine and transaxle.
And we got a custom plate with my dad’s name. It doesn’t go very fast, heat a defrost suck, and it’s a bit cantankerous to get it started……but it was my dads, and it goes along with my 1968 FJ40.
I spent way, way to much $$ for the old thing…..but you know….it was worth it.
Keep the history, keep it in the family…. If it takes you 10 years bring it up to where you think it should be, so be it. I guarantee you will regret selling it.

Be Good

 

[pb4ugo]

I've never seen one quite like that. I guess I'd approach it like a Dave Ramsey test. Would you buy a FJ40 if you didn't already have one, or is it just that it's your dad's? Only you can decide, it'll be some money. You need a good frame. It sounds like it has good mechanicals and you can turn a wrench. It appears it's pretty complete. There are vendors selling complete steel or aluminum tubs, or possibly a good donor. I don't really see any salvagable body parts.

 

[RobxCruiser]

I'd bet there is a lot more rust that the holes you see. Go tap on the places with a coin and see if a weak magnet will stick.

Are you a mechanic, welder and body guy? Fixing that one will make you a good one but much broker one.

If you dad loved it he would have taken better care of it IMHO. Get one in better shape and pretend it was his - much cheaper to lie to yourself.

I wouldn't pay Cali a dime in back registration - part it out or throw it on a trailer and sell it in Nv, or Or. Big items like engine tranny transfer axles could be worth bucks if good, core value isn't all that high more than scrap iron. Compression numbers and vids of stuff moving could help boost the price. Look in the classified section up top to see what folks are asking for stuff - note asking price is not the same as selling price

I have a background as a mechanic, but everything else is new. Again, my idea for the body is to trash the body except the glass and really focus on the frame to keep that. Im thinking of using a grinder, rebuilding the brake/fuel lines, and like Johnny Cash, getting it one piece at a time.

 

[pb4ugo]

I have a background as a mechanic, but everything else is new. Again, my idea for the body is to trash the body except the glass and really focus on the frame to keep that. Im thinking of using a grinder, rebuilding the brake/fuel lines, and like Johnny Cash, getting it one piece at a time.

Thats the way to do it. Save everything, even good sections of bad body panels. I just sliced a diced 2 w/s frames to make 1. During idle time start restoring interior parts.

 

[EWheeler]

You are far better off both financially and time-wise buying a clean non-rusty CA rig, pre smog with a title, needing an engine, and transferring over the "heart" of your dad's rig - the engine and drivetrain.

Something like this as a potential starting point, its even close to you physically:

For Sale - NorCal - 1969 FJ40 - Frame + Body (Partial)

Northern California / East Bay Area. Pickup ONLY. NOT wanting to part this out yet, would like this to go whole. - 11/1969 frame and body, no title but does have 2 of 3 VIN markers. - 1967 axles, front and rear. - Warn barrel hubs. - Set of chrome 40/60 wheels. - Early steering box and wheel. -...

forum.ih8mud.com

An even better staring point a bit further south:

For Sale - Clovis, CA 1967 FJ40

**Updated** 1967 FJ40 roller. No Engine, transmission or transfer case. It just been sitting with plans for a future build but I’m happy with my current setup and building this FJ40 longer makes sense for me. I have some extra’s which include a Split Hood, Vented Windshield frame, un-cut trans...

forum.ih8mud.com

I will say that with both those rigs, they are missing so many little bits that will nickel & dime you to death that I personally would look for something more complete, but just wanted to share two examples that popped into my head immediately reading your post and looking at the condition of your dad's 40 (its wasted). You really want to find a rig that literally, just needs a drive train. Screwing with new wiring harness, finding all the little bolts and knick knacks to get the dash back together is really time consuming and will add up on the $$$'s. If you scour facebook, you can definitely find a great candidate for under $10k, likely under $5k.

 

[majdomo]

That's pretty gnarly rust. I'd get it to run, drive, and stop first. Worth more that way if you decide to sell and will give you some time to bond with it. Or not.

Then, pause. Come up with a game plan either way. Really (really) consider what you're after here. Then proceed.

I will add that it's an emotional decision as much as a financial one. Most cruiser decisions are.

Good luck!