Restore an 80, sell it whole or part it out?

[Arizona80]

Picked up a bit of a basket case 1992 FJ80 with 325k miles that lacked some standard maintenance from the previous owner and was pretty dirty inside. Towed it home and dove into it. Changed fluids, spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor and took the interior apart and deep cleaned it. Starts up every time and transmission seems to shift cleanly through the gears. Clean, Box A title.

Overall, it's not in awful shape, but there's definitely some things that could be addressed. I replaced a broken driver's sliding rear window assembly with one I had, and put in a double cardan driveshaft to try to diagnose a clunk when put into gear. No rust besides some small pencil eraser sized spots, and one quarter sized bubble spot on the lower tailgate. Exterior needs some attention, with a light impact on the front passenger bumper/fender area and the common Arizona sun bleaching.

It didn't have any rear seats, as the previous owner put in a very basic wood sleeping platform and sold the seats, but I have a set I salvaged from another FJ80 I can put in. Wheels and tires are in pretty bad shape, and it could probably use a front axle rebuild. It also might need a new front axle gear set, as the clunk wasn't completely fixed with the DC driveshaft. Electric windows and locks work, radio works, and the sunroof seems to work fine. There's only a few light blemishes on the door cards and there's one hole in the carpet below the driver's seat due to wear.

With all that said, should I continue to put work into it and restore it with basic parts and maintenance, sell it whole as-is or part it out? I'm sure this 80 has a lot of parts that could be used for other projects, but it also doesn't need a ton of work done to make it a reliable off-road toy. What would you do?

 

[shocktower]

Picked up a bit of a basket case 1992 FJ80 with 325k miles that lacked some standard maintenance from the previous owner and was pretty dirty inside. Towed it home and dove into it. Changed fluids, spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor and took the interior apart and deep cleaned it. Starts up every time and transmission seems to shift cleanly through the gears. Clean, Box A title.

Overall, it's not in awful shape, but there's definitely some things that could be addressed. I replaced a broken driver's sliding rear window assembly with one I had, and put in a double cardan driveshaft to try to diagnose a clunk when put into gear. No rust besides some small pencil eraser sized spots, and one quarter sized bubble spot on the lower tailgate. Exterior needs some attention, with a light impact on the front passenger bumper/fender area and the common Arizona sun bleaching.

It didn't have any rear seats, as the previous owner put in a very basic wood sleeping platform and sold the seats, but I have a set I salvaged from another FJ80 I can put in. Wheels and tires are in pretty bad shape, and it could probably use a front axle rebuild. It also might need a new front axle gear set, as the clunk wasn't completely fixed with the DC driveshaft. Electric windows and locks work, radio works, and the sunroof seems to work fine. There's only a few light blemishes on the door cards and there's one hole in the carpet below the driver's seat due to wear.

With all that said, should I continue to put work into it and restore it with basic parts and maintenance, sell it whole as-is or part it out? I'm sure this 80 has a lot of parts that could be used for other projects, but it also doesn't need a ton of work done to make it a reliable off-road toy. What would you do?

That is a great rig for some young kid, or even an old guy, I would just sell it as is and make someone really happy

 

[-Spike-]

Depends on how much you have in it. If not much, I'd wheel the piss out of it. With a 3fe motor, no lockers, semi-float rear axle, and high mileage, it's not going to attract a lot of buyers. Probably worth more to you in fun than cash.

That being said, if you want to get rid of it really cheap, I could use another beater.

 

[Arizona80]

Depends on how much you have in it. If not much, I'd wheel the piss out of it. With a 3fe motor, no lockers, semi-float rear axle, and high mileage, it's not going to attract a lot of buyers. Probably worth more to you in fun than cash.

That being said, if you want to get rid of it really cheap, I could use another beater.

I don't have much into it as of yet. I've got a 2015 4Runner TRD Pro that is completely built and a 1991 FJ80 that's completely stock. I bought this one as a parts truck for a future build I'm doing, but I think it has potential for someone out there.

 

[Arizona80]

That is a great rig for some young kid, or even an old guy, I would just sell it as is and make someone really happy

That's why I haven't stripped it down yet. I can't decide if it's worth taking another 80 off the roads when it could be a fun truck for someone.

 

[shocktower]

That's why I haven't stripped it down yet. I can't decide if it's worth taking another 80 off the roads when it could be a fun truck for someone.

Oh yeah welcome to the addiction

 

[SalladSelf]

I’d see how much you’ve got into it, Like others said... perfect for someone as a first car, or an old man rig. I’d keep it and do a little maintenance and cal it a day!

 

[Arizona80]

I’d see how much you’ve got into it, Like others said... perfect for someone as a first car, or an old man rig. I’d keep it and do a little maintenance and cal it a day!

I know how much I paid for it, but I'm not real sure on what the market is for these early year 80's. There's not many for sale around here, and the ones that are up for sale are a couple guys who are asking a lot of money for an unlocked 80.

 

[RedComet]

FWIW, these trucks (properly maintained or at least baselined) unmolested, should be rising in value pretty sharply over the next few years as parts begin to dry up. The prices my buddy in Oregon has seen for similar rigs to my 92 are getting pretty high. Luckily I live pretty deep in Chevy/Ford 4x4 country so Toyota stuff is still pretty cheap. To the right guy on the right day in the right place, you probably stand to make a pretty penny soon.

 

[amgraham]

I don't know where you're located but I sold a similar condition 91 (running and driving, minor rust, rough paint and interior, dryrotted 33s and old 2.5 OME lift, needing some good baselining) for about $3000 a couple months ago. It took awhile and I had to wade through all the $1000 "offers" online and offers to trade boats and goats and motorcycles and all kinds of crap. My mentality was ask what I wanted ($4000) and $3000 was my bottom to keep it. If it didn't sell I was going to part it or build it a little. FWIW.

 

[Red Merle]

The combo of motor and trans along with the paint and exterior condition wouldn't move the needle much beyond $5K, tops if it was in much better shape for a lot of people. That said, if I could rely on it for less than $3K, I would probably keep it, especially if you already have one that may need parts eventually. Used parts are going to be the only option for the early 80s fairly soon and having a source for parts you could pull and use and then search for replacements for the back up 80, that might be a good way to do it.

Otherwise sell it and use the cash for something else.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

At this point I think any 80 series that's rust free deserves to be driven and maintained. Rust free and a straight body are getting more and more rare. Most 80s will need a new motor, rebuilt motor or motor swap sometime in the next 10 years also so don't worry about the high mileage 3fe.

 

[Zjohnsonua]

Keep it alive. I feel bad even searching for an 80 to pull parts out of.

 

[Arizona80]

So, with what I mentioned above, do you think $2500 is asking too much for this 80? It runs well after I tuned it up, but it obviously needs some TLC to become a DD or reliable off-road vehicle. I can sell it either with the rear seats, or leave them out and ask less.

 

[Technician1985]

2500 is fair if it runs and drives well but still needs some work. I think it would be a shame to part it out and take it off the road though. It's possible it has another 100,000 miles left in it or more.

 

[Arizona80]

One last question: I swapped the front driver’s door because of some damage to the frame with a better donor door - is there a way to get the correct VIN tag made to place on the new door? As it stands now, the front door tag doesn’t match the VIN tag on the dash, and subsequently may not pass initial inspection.

 

[ccslider]

If you part it out be prepared to have a 2 year project on your hands, you will become very familiar with the USPS and ups websites for all of the shipping quotes. Then actual shipping is alot of work.

The good parts will go fast and then the rest will sit for a long time.

With high miles, no lockers and a 3fe.. you will basically have alot of people wanting the steering wheel clamshell.

 

[91FJ80Super44]

Keep it, you cannot get any land cruiser in my area for under 6,000 dollars, and at 6k they are rusted beat up pieces of crap, and it would be better to keep it anyway because it will go up in value, also post some pictures

 

[chappys4life]

With high miles, no lockers and a 3fe.. you will basically have alot of people wanting the steering wheel clamshell.

How did you you know that’s what I need for my 94 haha

 

[BreckCruiser42]

VIN tags can only be replaced through the dealer as far as I know. It's kind of a pain, you may want to check with your local Toyota to see if they'll help you.