Hello all and thanks for the great forum.
Although I'm new to this site and revisiting the Landcruiser passion after 25 years, I have been blessed or cursed with restoring not one but two of these beauty's.
My first car was a toyota and have owned several over the years. My father now to old was into the diesel movement in CA back in the early 80's. I spent many hours on the I-5 going down to long beach picking up import toyota motors for our family business. I never realized how much the motors I just piled up would be worth.
Anyway I have inherited a project and now I'm under pressure to finish or sell off two and 81 fj60 with a NEW 12ht and 5 spd waiting to be installed, but the truck sat in the CA desert for 20+ years be cause the trans burned up doing some heavy towing. It was uncovered and needs complete restoration. At least it's not rusty! In anticipation for this I bought a 83 FJ 60 with a bad motor so I could trans plant the good motor into which was now junk so I had to rebuild the old one. Couple that with a small rust in the qtrs that I need to fix, a dented rear light bucket, stolen tailgate from where it was sitting and it's a giant mess. Then I need to sell it.
So my question is this: Do I restore the 83 which I'm very capable in doing, paint it and install the new engine to sell or do I just post the whole package of both for sale and get back to the mustang restoration habit I'm more comfortable with. If so what would that package be worth. I have invested 1800 in the 83 and the 12ht with 5spd is worth a boatload, but the 81 even low mile at 81K, it needs interior, diesel conversion finished, paint and many refresh operations performed from sitting. Not to mention nobody makes half the parts I need or they are not easily found. Is it worth it or what is it worth?
Although I'm new to this site and revisiting the Landcruiser passion after 25 years, I have been blessed or cursed with restoring not one but two of these beauty's.
My first car was a toyota and have owned several over the years. My father now to old was into the diesel movement in CA back in the early 80's. I spent many hours on the I-5 going down to long beach picking up import toyota motors for our family business. I never realized how much the motors I just piled up would be worth.
Anyway I have inherited a project and now I'm under pressure to finish or sell off two and 81 fj60 with a NEW 12ht and 5 spd waiting to be installed, but the truck sat in the CA desert for 20+ years be cause the trans burned up doing some heavy towing. It was uncovered and needs complete restoration. At least it's not rusty! In anticipation for this I bought a 83 FJ 60 with a bad motor so I could trans plant the good motor into which was now junk so I had to rebuild the old one. Couple that with a small rust in the qtrs that I need to fix, a dented rear light bucket, stolen tailgate from where it was sitting and it's a giant mess. Then I need to sell it.
So my question is this: Do I restore the 83 which I'm very capable in doing, paint it and install the new engine to sell or do I just post the whole package of both for sale and get back to the mustang restoration habit I'm more comfortable with. If so what would that package be worth. I have invested 1800 in the 83 and the 12ht with 5spd is worth a boatload, but the 81 even low mile at 81K, it needs interior, diesel conversion finished, paint and many refresh operations performed from sitting. Not to mention nobody makes half the parts I need or they are not easily found. Is it worth it or what is it worth?
You are correct but I'm now committed to both builds. I cut the qtrs of the gasser and found some ok but not great one on a body I traded for. The 2f now will be fully rebuilt in a week I should be able to paint it and get it sold. The motor mounts for the 12ht are going to be a little more work since they will have to be made from scratch but all is well. My other dilemma is where to find the 12v starter and alt for a reasonable price. I don't want to remake the motor mount blunder again.
