Seeking thoughts/opinions on this FJ73

[JML403]

Gents, like everyone else I’ve always wanted a 70 series. I have been speaking with a seller recently, who I don’t believe is on here (speak up if you are), and am really wanting to pull the trigger. My concerns are body rust. The frame is in good shape, and the owner has been throwing parts at the 3F for a couple years. Could you please tell me what you think of these few pictures? I chose them because they highlight what appears to be poorly aligned body panels, rust areas, and an obvious less than stellar respray.

Part of me wants to get it and use it as a drivable project, the other part thinks I’d be in for $15k worth of body work and paint. Would you consider it workable for the right price? Or pass and get something much cleaner body wise do to repair cost and time?

 

[JML403]

This floor is also strange.

 

[OGBeno]

South American bondo special I assume?

 

[coldtaco]

nope, nope, nope. Unless you like doing/paying for rust work. There most likely is more rust than what you see in the pictures, like the windshield frame is most likely junk, but new windshield frames are available. Unless you just want it for a beater in the bush, if the price is right.

 

[JML403]

South American bondo special I assume?

Yessir, Columbia doesn’t seem to be the go to for body work.

nope, nope, nope. Unless you like doing/paying for rust work. There most likely is more rust than what you see in the pictures, like the windshield frame is most likely junk, but new windshield frames are available. Unless you just want it for a beater in the bush, if the price is right.

Great feedback guys. I’ve never done any real rust repair, but I’m mechanically inclined and not opposed. I’d like to say, I’d be ok with a beater, but in reality I’m not. I’d have to put the effort/time and money into getting it right eventually. It’s an unrestored 86’ so certainly not expecting perfection, but am worried about the money pit factor.

What would you throw out as a number for right price? I honestly don’t think it’s worth more than 7-8k, but on the same hand it’s hard to put a value on these since they don’t hit the market daily.

 

[OGBeno]

$7-9k would be a good range. Maybe even cheaper.

 

[JuanJ]

Great feedback guys. I’ve never done any real rust repair, but I’m mechanically inclined and not opposed. I’d like to say, I’d be ok with a beater, but in reality I’m not. I’d have to put the effort/time and money into getting it right eventually. It’s an unrestored 86’ so certainly not expecting perfection, but am worried about the money pit factor.

What would you throw out as a number for right price? I honestly don’t think it’s worth more than 7-8k, but on the same hand it’s hard to put a value on these since they don’t hit the market daily.

Hello,

Came late to the party.

It looks like a Colombia-spec 73.

The rear doors suggest it was rolled some time in the past. So does the RH door. Do the doors need a little push upward to open?

As mentioned above, it appears to be a South American bondo special.

I would pass on this truck. However, 7 - 8k is reasonable given the amount of work it needs. You might need almost as much money to get into good shape.

A 3F-E upgrade would be an interesting project for this truck.

73 Series are good stuff haulers and enjoy good off-road mobility.







Juan

 

[FJBen]

Lots of rust. I would pass. You will be super deep in repair and time so just put some of that towards finding a better specimen.

 

[JML403]

Lots of rust. I would pass. You will be super deep in repair and time so just put some of that towards finding a better specimen.

I’ll keep my eyes open, seems like everyone holds the soft tops for big money resto’s. I was hoping someone would chime in and say the rust isn’t that big of a deal if you use new panels from someone like joekatana. 4-5k and your gold.

I’m slowly getting talked down from the edge...

 

[cruiserdan]

There is rust breeding everywhere and the panel fit is poor at the very best.

 

[2fpower]

Rust is like cockroaches. If you see 3 of them, you have a lot more of them lurking the dark corners!

I like a challenge, but stay 100 feet away when rust is present....

 

[JML403]

Thanks again. Sleeping on it, completelt agree with all and will certainly take the advise. Plus no one asked for the sellers contact info and ad, which may be the biggest tell of all!

 

[SNLC]

Thanks again. Sleeping on it, completelt agree with all and will certainly take the advise. Plus no one asked for the sellers contact info and ad, which may be the biggest tell of all!

For $5k I will buy it.

Cheers

 

[JML403]

For $5k I will buy it.

Cheers

Me too lol. The asking is $12K, and I’m sure he easily has that much sunk into getting it here, but as pointed out its going to take a lot to get it squared away. I bet someone out there with low impulse control will jump on it for asking price.

 

[FJ73Texas]

I’ll keep my eyes open, seems like everyone holds the soft tops for big money resto’s. I was hoping someone would chime in and say the rust isn’t that big of a deal if you use new panels from someone like joekatana. 4-5k and your gold.

I’m slowly getting talked down from the edge...

I had a soft top FJ73 and while it was not perfect, it was nowhere as bad as the one you pictured. I would avoid that one for sure.

 

[JML403]

Quick revival. Seller is highly motivated, and I’m going to check this money pit out tomorrow. For basically half the asking, I think this would be a decent project if I can get set up to do body work myself. Naturally, i got notification for a work reassignment this week, so we’ll see.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Because no one wants it.
Even at half price this thing will never shine, no matter how much effort you put into it. I would rather spend the money on a North American 60 or 80 series. Take off the spectacles that lets you see unicorns and rainbows in technicolor and think about it for few days.

 

[JML403]

Outstanding post. But if I take the spectacles off, my life is over. Work, marriage, the whole package. Just kidding. Or am I?

Because no one wants it.
Even at half price this thing will never shine, no matter how much effort you put into it. I would rather spend the money on a North American 60 or 80 series. Take off the spectacles that lets you see unicorns and rainbows in technicolor and think about it for few days.

 

[FJ73Texas]

Quick revival. Seller is highly motivated, and I’m going to check this money pit out tomorrow. For basically half the asking, I think this would be a decent project if I can get set up to do body work myself. Naturally, i got notification for a work reassignment this week, so we’ll see.

For half of the original $12K asking price then it is my opinion that it is worth it.

A lot of what appears to be factory soft top components on that cruiser is well worth half of $6K easily IMHO but I am sure you will need a new soft top and that is about $1,200 or so based off a conversation I had recently with the current owner of the soft top FJ73 that I had.

I would be looking at it as a parts rig for a nicer 73/74 that you want to convert to a soft top OEM style all proper and such. It doesn't seem to have the FST doors though.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Americans go all gooey in their underwear over 7* series. They are just reshaped 40/60 and 80 series using the same or similar transmissions , engines and lengthened ,widened, shortened frames. The HJ60 and HJ75 ARL models use an identical electrical schematic and parts.

I would be looking at getting a good landcruiser rather than a unicorn of unknown vices and temperment.