Need some perspective on potential 40 (1 Viewer)

[aaron9252]

I am thinking of buying a 40 that’s about 4.5 hrs away and would love some perspective on the potential buy.

I was going to spend time writing a description but during my research, via the VIN, found an old BAT listing of the vehicle that has a ton of pics and history. Since being purchased after BAT ( it didn’t hit the reserve so was sold shortly after listing), the current owner has put around 400 miles on it since this past summer. Owner needs to sell due to moving over seas.

I have never owned a 40 and after looking at marketplace, this site, BAT results, eBay, etc, the pricing is all over the place.

What’s a fair price for this vehicle in current condition?
Any major things to look for? Given the body work listed, engine work, AC, etc, the only major thing in my mind to look for is body/filler issues.

In the pics, you’ll see some concerns. Nothing too major but that’s the worst phrase to use if any of you have been burned after a buy. So I’m factoring in worse-case, taking it down to metal and repainting.

Again, open to perspectives on price and valuation. Thanks for your help!

Here’s the BAT listing:

1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 5-Speed

Bid for the chance to own a 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 5-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #154,759.

bringatrailer.com

 

[CondeCruiser]

I would stay away from it. Looks like the frame was welded under one of the body mounts. Lots of other stuff I saw that makes me say nope.

 

[Skreddy]

I didn’t look at all the pics. It’s a Colombian “restoration”. The South American imports get a bad rap, but they aren’t all bad. I think if it’s right for you depends on what you want out of a 40? Just looking good and driving around town, this one is probably fine for that with opportunities for a little tinkering. Also depends what they are asking. The market seems to be softening, and if they are anywhere close to the $30k-ish from the BAT listing, I think there’s better out there for the same or less money.

Put a want ad in the classifieds here.

 

[aaron9252]

I didn’t look at all the pics. It’s a Colombian “restoration”. The South American imports get a bad rap, but they aren’t all bad. I think if it’s right for you depends on what you want out of a 40? Just looking good and driving around town, this one is probably fine for that with opportunities for a little tinkering. Also depends what they are asking. The market seems to be softening, and if they are anywhere close to the $30k-ish from the BAT listing, I think there’s better out there for the same or less money.

Put a want ad in the classifieds here.

That’s good feedback. Thank you

 

[aaron9252]

I would stay away from it. Looks like the frame was welded under one of the body mounts. Lots of other stuff I saw that makes me say nope.

Interesting, I didn’t see that. Thank you

 

[bryce112]

Couple great options in the classifieds section here. For Sale - AL: 1978 FJ40 - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/al-1978-fj40.1352493/. or For Sale - 1978 Fj40 - $25k - Boise, Idaho - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1978-fj40-25k-boise-idaho.1351514/
If I was looking I would look at these two (amongst others here). hope I copied the links correctly and not sure if they are sold or not.

 

[bryce112]

And I have nothing against the "Colombian" restorations (as well as being Colombian). I was going to purchase my cousins FJ43 which is in Medellin but after much deliberation and research, we bought our US Spec 1977 FJ40 "LilRed".

 

[EWheeler]

Couple great options in the classifieds section here. For Sale - AL: 1978 FJ40 - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/al-1978-fj40.1352493/. or For Sale - 1978 Fj40 - $25k - Boise, Idaho - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1978-fj40-25k-boise-idaho.1351514/
If I was looking I would look at these two (amongst others here). hope I copied the links correctly and not sure if they are sold or not.

I was going to link exactly those two trucks. Both solid and from reputable forum members.

 

[sogafarm]

I’ve had nothing but positive experiences buying from the Mud classifieds. Prices are usually cheaper than any other source as well as you usually get great transparency with mud members. I would look for an American market 40 as you won’t have to decipher what was stock on a foreign sold vehicle and parts are more readily available.
Just relating my personal experience.

 

[B y r o n]

I am thinking of buying a 40 that’s about 4.5 hrs away and would love some perspective on the potential buy.

I was going to spend time writing a description but during my research, via the VIN, found an old BAT listing of the vehicle that has a ton of pics and history. Since being purchased after BAT ( it didn’t hit the reserve so was sold shortly after listing), the current owner has put around 400 miles on it since this past summer. Owner needs to sell due to moving over seas.

I have never owned a 40 and after looking at marketplace, this site, BAT results, eBay, etc, the pricing is all over the place.

What’s a fair price for this vehicle in current condition?
Any major things to look for? Given the body work listed, engine work, AC, etc, the only major thing in my mind to look for is body/filler issues.

In the pics, you’ll see some concerns. Nothing too major but that’s the worst phrase to use if any of you have been burned after a buy. So I’m factoring in worse-case, taking it down to metal and repainting.

Again, open to perspectives on price and valuation. Thanks for your help!

Here’s the BAT listing:

1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 5-Speed

Bid for the chance to own a 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 5-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #154,759.

bringatrailer.com

I guess the main question is, what does the current owner want for it?

 

[sterling]

If I was in the market I would look hard at this:

SOLD - 1976 FJ40 Atlanta GA

I’ll be going back to school in about 6-7 months and funding MBA will be the sale of my 1976 FJ40. Runs drives like a tractor. Does everything it’s supposed to and it’s just a really good driver. It’s not restored. It’s not a pile of junk that’s full of rust. It has a little rust in it but...

forum.ih8mud.com

Clicks all the right boxes for me.
Honest truck at a fair price is a great place to start and make it "yours".

 

[Malleus]

^this

I know I'm spoiled, but I'd never pay more than $15k for a 40, unless it had been restored, at least to some extent, to include, and at least including, any body rot. Body damage (and I mean rust holes) is really time consuming to fix, and because you're unlikely to find a body shop to do the job right, since they all want to work for insurance companies nowadays, you're going to either pay a lot to have it done, or you have to fix it yourself.

 

[RevISK]

Isn’t @mattressking ’s Olive for sale?

 

[sogafarm]

If I was in the market I would look hard at this:

SOLD - 1976 FJ40 Atlanta GA

I’ll be going back to school in about 6-7 months and funding MBA will be the sale of my 1976 FJ40. Runs drives like a tractor. Does everything it’s supposed to and it’s just a really good driver. It’s not restored. It’s not a pile of junk that’s full of rust. It has a little rust in it but...

forum.ih8mud.com

Clicks all the right boxes for me.
Honest truck at a fair price is a great place to start and make it "yours".

Yep that’s a good one for under 10k. It even has the hard top included. It just needs a little love to make her purdy!

 

[cbmontgo]

I agree with what is said above. Something is also off about the fitment of the hood over the aprons and front bib. I would bet that it lived a rough life at some point and was patched back together before the "restoration".

 

[aaron9252]

I guess the main question is, what does the current owner want for it?

$32k. Was trying to get perspective without biased opinions once seeing the price. But from what I’ve seen and the comments here, I’ve decided to pass. Really appreciate the feedback.

 

[sogafarm]

$32k. Was trying to get perspective without biased opinions once seeing the price. But from what I’ve seen and the comments here, I’ve decided to pass. Really appreciate the feedback.

I think you made the right call. Plenty out there for better prices. A little patina and patience pays off.

 

[Skreddy]

$32k is “I hope I can dump this one before the market falls all the way out”.

Good choice to keep looking. Don’t be afraid to look nationwide and ship. Mattressking’s has been mentioned: buy a plane ticket and have an awesome cross country road trip back home in it!

 

[RevISK]

$32k is “I hope I can dump this one before the market falls all the way out”.

Good choice to keep looking. Don’t be afraid to look nationwide and ship. Mattressking’s has been mentioned: buy a plane ticket and have an awesome cross country road trip back home in it!

Buy me a ticket and I’ll bring it to you. I love that 40

 

[cbmontgo]

$32k. Was trying to get perspective without biased opinions once seeing the price. But from what I’ve seen and the comments here, I’ve decided to pass. Really appreciate the feedback.

Good call. I looked over those BAT pics in more detail tonight and there are lots of issues with that 40.