Stock or not

[Armordave]

Based on the current market which has higher resale value
1. Lifted with large wheels and tire or stock
2. Stock motor or 350 conversion

Trying to decide what to do with mine. I know there are other considerations but this one based on resale value.

Thanks

 

[447xpro]

Stock is always more valuable

 

[bikersmurf]

Stock with tall skinnies and mild lift.

 

[SuperDuperCruizer]

I agree... all original & stock; however, if the truck is due for a restoration then bolt-on upgrades don’t seem to hurt the value.

 

[murf]

Stock with tall skinnies and mild lift.

Agreed...Saddletramp (Copper State Cruisers) sold his finely restored FJ40 a few years back at RM auction in Scottsdale and it was the first FJ40 that sold for over 100K. The only mods were a OME lift with 311050r15 BFgs and a H55 5 speed transmission.

 

[TCEd]

With a stock configuration everything you're working on belongs there. I'd bet there are a lot of engine swap vehicles that never get finished correctly.

 

[bikersmurf]

I've got a SBC conversion... I've not seen another conversion (in the flesh in the last 20 years) that doesn't make me want to run away.

Stock has much less to be messed up.

 

[bikersmurf]

Double post

 

[coonassjohn]

Agreed...Saddletramp (Copper State Cruisers) sold his finely restored FJ40 a few years back at RM auction in Scottsdale and it was the first FJ40 that sold for over 100K. The only mods were a OME lift with 311050r15 BFgs and a H55 5 speed transmission.

Only problem is that he probably had $95,000 in it.

 

[tls3601]

I am not thinking he had anywhere near that into it, seriously.

 

[447xpro]

I am not thinking he had anywhere near that into it, seriously.

Do you know how many man hours it takes to create a vehicle like that, and the cost of parts , high end paint etc. Why do you thing ICON's are $160k and FJ Company trucks are $85- $200k. Sure a hobbyist could create a beautiful truck for $40k if you don't pay yourself for the 2000 hours of labor.

 

[Geezer Cruzzer]

When we started looking to replace our long gone '78 FJ40, we were looking for something that we could mod for scratch and dent in the Colorado Rockies. Didn't care if it had some patina. Unfortunately for fortunately as the case may be we ended up with a two owner 1982. Miss Scarlet was bone stock and original except for a 1997 repaint and Warn winch. 95% rust free. Never saw snow and the skid plates were virgin. So, we detailed her, had the original seats repaired, fixed the factory air, added a retro stereo, etc. We added Old Man Emu springs, stock height shackles and correct BFG tires. The first owner had put her in his airplane hanger soon after the repaint where she sat for 8 years. The second owner garaged it for the last several years when he either ran out of money or wife. He hadn't even changed the spark plugs in 12 years. Beautiful on the outside but a mechanical nightmare from sitting and neglect. We had no choice in the matter. Any mods would have been a travesty and devalued her. A vehicle can only be original once. An altered FJ40 will always be that and never increase in value. We have somehow convinced ourselves that Miss Scarlet could be considered an investment.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

I paid ~$3000 for my "V8 modded" FJ40 dead in someone's driveway. The modification was horrendous. I now have about $5500 into "re-converting" the conversion, along with around $10,000 in other repairs and conversions (saginaw steering, disc brakes, etc.). I haven't touched the body work or interior yet, and this accounts for no labor hours (I do this for fun...still trying to figure out what's wrong with me). In short, I'm approaching the $20,000 mark on restoring this rig. I would be SHOCKED if I could turn around and sell it for $12,500 once the driveline goes back in.

The #1 killer of value in an FJ40 is a V8 (non-stock engine) and saginaw steering (because of the frame modifications). Virtually anything else, from what I've seen, won't affect value too badly - including disc brake conversions, 5-speed transmission swaps, tasefully selected aftermarket seats and uppholstry, lifts, etc. Even the beautifully done LS conversions and fuel injected Vortec trucks I've seen top out around $25-$35k when resold.

Luckily I plan to be buried in mine 40-50 years from now, so resale was never a consideration

 

[Downey]

It's not like this subject hasn't been debated to death. Highly modified FJ40's are worth $20-30 grand, and owner would have that much in them. Show room floor FJ40's are worth $60-80 grand, and owner would have that much in them.

I bought a new FJ40 in 1970, it pulled my fully self contained travel trailer up Cajon pass at 20 mph, and an all wheel drive 4 cylinder Scout kicked it's ass in off road terrain. I installed a 300 h.p. 327, now pulled travel trailer up Cajon pass at 50 mph, and nothing kicked it's ass in off road terrain.

Soooooo, how do you want to use your FJ40???????

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

It's not like this subject hasn't been debated to death. Highly modified FJ40's are worth $20-30 grand, and owner would have that much in them. Show room floor FJ40's are worth $60-80 grand, and owner would have that much in them.

I bought a new FJ40 in 1970, it pulled my fully self contained travel trailer up Cajon pass at 20 mph, and an all wheel drive 4 cylinder Scout kicked it's ass in off road terrain. I installed a 300 h.p. 327, now pulled travel trailer up Cajon pass at 50 mph, and nothing kicked it's ass in off road terrain.

Soooooo, how do you want to use your FJ40???????

Not to mention you can keep up with traffic now - 0-60 in 12 seconds instead of 27!

As the OP said - "there are other considerations beyond resale value" so I think that is well established, but from a resale perspective, the V8 definitely puts a hard negative "check" in the value box.

 

[Vossie]

my own personal opinion, if i see a 40 with a chev v8 or vortec, ja, its nice. but if i see one with a toyota motor, even an modified toyota, like the lexus v8, i like it much more. i tend to be very biased towards keeping things with a toyota badge in the 40. just my $0.02

 

[coonassjohn]

I did a painstaking conversion on my '40 and I think it is one of the best around. You are correct about hacked up conversions, some people shouldn't be allowed to use hand tools. In my opinion I have added to the legend by giving her the performance she deserves. Like the man said " it all depends on what you want to do" and I AM going to be buried in mine.

 

[tls3601]

@447xpro The 40 number is much more accurate in this case. I know the owner personally. If you have the patience and skill and are willing to do lots yourself, the amount into them can be quite a bit less. In the end though they become unusable for wheeling if you want to keep them nice. That is a reality. My '78 has approached that. People enjoy them in different ways and that is cool too. Mine is used for light wheeling. Wanted a classic 4X4 to get around the Mtns and deserts.

 

[1969FJ]

When a vehicle becomes a "classic", the stock form always comes out ahead. You can hear all you want on "Mods" etc. but the stock will always come out ahead. Now, the "Modded" vehicle will also have a following , and there is the enthusiast who wants that and will pay well, but for the actual marketplace stock will always win.
Both are great , but classics , even if restored to stock condition, will command more than restomod.

 

[NHFJ]

I did a painstaking conversion on my '40 and I think it is one of the best around. You are correct about hacked up conversions, some people shouldn't be allowed to use hand tools. In my opinion I have added to the legend by giving her the performance she deserves. Like the man said " it all depends on what you want to do" and I AM going to be buried in mine.

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hey cool paint scheme you got there, love to see more of it, thanks