New Member, New FJ Owner, Questions!

[CruiserFL]

Ok....so Im new to the FJ family and just purchased my first FJ40, a 1970. Its in pretty good shape. I got a 3rd party inspection and it was appraised at $15,000-$17,000, so its in very good condition. However, as usual I MUST throw more money into it so that it is perfect. Lol!

Basically, Im trying to come up with a wish list of things to do but am keeping a frame off resto in the back of my mind as a possibility so that I can just do it all at once. If I dont go that route, I would like to drop a crate engine in, upgrade suspension, new wheels and tires, and a paint job (dont really like the color).

So to all those wise to this, here is my question:

- What is the approximate cost of a frame off restoration, including adding the items on my list, of an FJ that is already in good condition but just needs some minor attention to be made perfect.....opposed to....doing the other things on my list seperatly without the frame off?

 

[cruiser enthuiser]

Welcome and congrats on the new cruiser. For this to be a valid intro thread you must post pics of your new rig!

That's a broad question about the frame-off....I think most would say it is prohibitively expensive to hire out the entire job. I'm sure it's hard to overestimate the time and energy it takes for a full frame-off and cost would vary widely depending on your personal choices. I enjoy working on my rig, even if it's frustrating at times, and plan on doing 95% of the work to restore mine....will hire out the sand blasting of the frame and body panels and a few other little things.

Good luck and have fun!

Ed

 

[JohnnyC]

lets see some pics

what does the truck have already? is it bone stock?

most people I know do a frame off to bring it back to stock.

Welcome to MUD

 

[JBeechcraft]

Welcome! This is a GREAT forum filled with tons of wonderful people and collected knowledge that is unsurpassed. Hope you enjoy this as much as we have.

BTW from Florida? In Broward county here. Love to know if you're close by.

JBeechcraft

 

[sls019]

Welcome and congrats on your purchase! Post some pics please.

 

[gb043075]

In Jupiter here, I have a folder full of receipts that you can count if you want (I don't have the heart to). Pics....

 

[ocdbeetle]

P i c t u r e s

 

[destin]

Welcome

Post some photos!

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

if ur paying $15k-17k like it was appraised at it better be in nearly perfect condition.

 

[Downey]

Welcome!!
(a) Send me all of your pay checks for the next few months and I'll find something laying around here each month that I can send to you.
(b) I'd get rid of the crate engine idea real soon. Typically $2,000 crate engines do not include the other $2,000 worth of parts that need to go with them. Your best bet is always a late model/low milage engine from a wrecking yard, and the exact language to use when buying your engine is "Engine, Tranny, Harness, Computor--nothing cut---nothing missing"

 

[Mark W]

It is appraised at 15-17K... and it needs a frame off, an engine swap and suspension conversion and a paint job????????


Mark...

 

[apeterson]

It is appraised at 15-17K... and it needs a frame off, an engine swap and suspension conversion and a paint job????????


Mark...

haha!

 

[jahf916]

Upload some pic's..

 

[ocdbeetle]

Appraisals outside the mudship are like....well.....you know.....

No telling what they based it on....

You want an accurate appraisal? Post pics.....

 

[M5driver]

Please DO NOT post any pictures! We hate pictures.

Oh, yeah - Welcome

 

[CruiserFL]

Sorry....

....it took me a while to reply. Here are some pics and the inspection report summary. It only let me upload 3. Not sure how to do more, but I have a ton. Lemme know what you would do to get her in perfect condition. Thanks.


"Robert, The condition of this would best be described as a 'Driver'; or, condition (#3) perhaps leaning to (#3+). A neat rig, it is apparent that some time and money has been spent on it, and it still presents well. That said it is showing signs of degradation from use and age. The interior is in nice condition with little wear and tear noted. The engine compartment is clean and shows some upgrades, but has a bit of an 'amateurish' level of workmanship about it (note engine compartment wiring). The paint and cosmetics are showing wear and tear and some filler is noted also, although the truck appears to be currently solid. The undercarriage also shows some time and effort has been spent, but there are lots of leaks which shows deferred maintenance has been happening. So it just comes down to what you're looking for and what the Seller is asking you to pay; just be aware that more money will need to be spent in the not-too-distant future (almost immediately with those leaks) to keep the truck in its current condition. As far as figures go on this we feel that given its current condition you're doing OK if you're talking numbers in the $15,000 - $17,000 range. We got you over 85 photos! So please be sure to review them all thoroughly, as well as the written report and notes before making your decision."

 

[CruiserFL]

Welcome! This is a GREAT forum filled with tons of wonderful people and collected knowledge that is unsurpassed. Hope you enjoy this as much as we have.

BTW from Florida? In Broward county here. Love to know if you're close by.

JBeechcraft

Im up in Boca Raton.

 

[CruiserFL]

It is appraised at 15-17K... and it needs a frame off, an engine swap and suspension conversion and a paint job????????


Mark...

It doesnt "need" any of those things per-say. I just want a better suspension, better engine, and different paint color. Basically just wants, not needs.

 

[CruiserFL]

Here's some more.....

pics....

 

[CruiserFL]

whoops....

still cant upload more than 3