For Sale Price check on 77 FJ40?

A friend is offering a 77 FJ40 with a 350 swap, lift kit, and off road tires for $8,500 (TMU). Truck has been sitting for a few years (albeit protected in a covered shed), but we put a little gas in the tank and a hit of fuel in the carb and she started right up...gotta love a 350. Body is repainted, but I looked all over and saw no corrosion or rot, and it seemed like there was only a few spots of surface rust from sitting for so long. The friend offered to have their shop go through the mechanical stuff to make sure everything is running properly so it would be able to drive reliably and pass inspection.
A little TLC is definitely needed on the paint and body, but it should be sound mechanically. This is my first cruiser so I’m looking to get opinions on whether $8,500 is a good deal or not, thanks for the input!

Here’s a link to an album of the truck

And some additional photos of the truck in natural light

 

[Reservation Cody]

Looks to be a TBI 350 which is nice. Dana 44 rear end it seems, has cobbled up upper shock mounts. I would check the frame out and see if there is any problems with it. I myself like V8 FJ40s but alot of folks do not, so the value is not there on these converted rigs.. Looks good from the pics but need alot more to give a fair opinion on it.

Cody

 

[Jonjopop]

Looks to be a TBI 350 which is nice. Dana 44 rear end it seems, has cobbled up upper shock mounts. I would check the frame out and see if there is any problems with it. I myself like V8 FJ40s but alot of folks do not, so the value is not there on these converted rigs.. Looks good from the pics but need alot more to give a fair opinion on it.

Cody

Hey Cody, thanks for the tip! Do you think the upper shock mounts are a cause for concern? Frame seemed to be in pretty good condition.

What other details would you look for to give a fair assessment? I've checked out the truck so I'm relatively familiar with the build and might be able to provide more info. Thanks again! Would love to join the Cruiser life.

 

[SergP]

I think upper shock mounts is not really for bumpy road. Also rear quarter panel and panel under door was weld on the top of old one?
Check them from inside. Also you need to clean all rust on the chassis ASAP. A think price $8,500 OBO

 

[tstepp920]

Some funky stuff on the the DS. The door, the rocker, the "b" pillar. Can you see the dimples from the spot welds on the tub? DS fender is torqued a little. Running boards are missing. It looks like the fender flares were added without cutting the wheel wells which is good. The ambulance doors are fubar'd. The bottoms have been replaced...badly. Any photos of the interior?

 

[Jonjopop]

Some funky stuff on the the DS. The door, the rocker, the "b" pillar. Can you see the dimples from the spot welds on the tub? DS fender is torqued a little. Running boards are missing. It looks like the fender flares were added without cutting the wheel wells which is good. The ambulance doors are fubar'd. The bottoms have been replaced...badly. Any photos of the interior?

Yeah I’ve just spotted the weld marks on the bottom of the DS door and on the rear tub. I didn’t get a chance to check the rear panels from the inside so I’m unsure if this is a weld on top of the old panel or not. Noted the lack of running board and badging, and the ambulance doors are off kilter but shut fully and could just be a couple loose hinge screws. Also, I’m a bit concerned about the rear shook mounts as they seem to have been done a bit...creatively. Are these things to be majorly concerned about, or is it to be expected on a rig like this? Additionally, I attached a photo of the interior (stuff on the floor pan is just dirt as far as I could tell)

 

[SergP]

All truck have some issues. Just look at some site like this: Classic 1960-1984 Toyota Fj40's For Sale
and check what is for sale in this price category. It is also depend what you need this truck for. All question and concern what you just see here will forward back to you if after one or two years you decide to sale this truck.

 

[Reservation Cody]

Thats not a 77 model. Its 79 up. Emergency brake handle in the floor and the different steering wheel, also note the glove box door. What transmission and transfer case does it have in it now??

 

[tstepp920]

Yeah I’ve just spotted the weld marks on the bottom of the DS door and on the rear tub. I didn’t get a chance to check the rear panels from the inside so I’m unsure if this is a weld on top of the old panel or not. Noted the lack of running board and badging, and the ambulance doors are off kilter but shut fully and could just be a couple loose hinge screws. Also, I’m a bit concerned about the rear shook mounts as they seem to have been done a bit...creatively. Are these things to be majorly concerned about, or is it to be expected on a rig like this? Additionally, I attached a photo of the interior (stuff on the floor pan is just dirt as far as I could tell)

View attachment 2019968

 

[tstepp920]

The bottoms of the doors have been patched very badly. Google FJ40 images and look at doors. The bottoms are not even repro panels. They are homemade.
What are you going to use it for? If you plan on pounding rocks and slinging mud it’s fine. IMO. If you are going to “restore” it, not build a museum piece, they want too much

 

[overton]

Lot's to do here. $8500 is just the beginning.

 

[tstepp920]

Go to this ^ man's website. LOTS of good reference material.

 

[Reservation Cody]

I would give 4500 for it and make it a hell wagon! But again I like hell wagons that it really doesn’t matter if it gets scratched or dented.