eBay V8 ‘75 FJ40 thoughts?

what are your thoughts of this rig? Looks okay structurally, except the mismatched parts of years and wiring?
1975 Toyota FJ Cruiser | eBay



Post screen shots in minute also.

 

[cburd]

Pics

 

[CRZR45]

Looks like a lot of lipstick.. Just my 2c yellow paint over all the lines on firewall, yellow paint on a lot under dash area, rear doors have plates and nylocks holding doors on. I bet it was a rusty mess before paint? get detail pics of under tub and around sill area to know better on condition. Lots of POR15 covering something on the frame. Again just my 2c looking at the pics.

 

[oakweb]

Well POR on the frame would not worry me that much, I've not seen too many rusted out frames. Check the weakest part of the frames in the rear with a hammer.. that should tell you. Not a fan of V8's unless they drive well. Here's a list of what I can see

Cons
bad job on the exhaust, right under driver and passenger seats.
Ugly bull bar - that probably works in your favor
They drilled dash for extra guages and something above ashtray
Center console not original
Not original Bezel - for later model
You can see its a spray can paintjob on running boards
the worst - Yellow Paint job is horrible - they painted over everything, including the internal door mechanisms.

Pros
"Floors replaced" - that could be good, if whoever did it.. did it well.
Hard top looks good

I'm always amazed when I see repaints how far off the mark they are and ugly. Why paint the front emblem red? Who does that and why? Why paint it ugly yellow? I mean if I repaint, I'd go with a stock color and it would have to be perfect in all other aspects. FJ's look cool weathered, I'm going to do a blue one clear coat and just make everything else immaculate on one of mine.

 

[cburd]

Thank you gentlemen. I had similar concerns about the paint and it seems there isn’t a single seal on any opening. But I’m just not sure about a v8 just wish I was close by to drive it myself.

 

[Splangy]

Well POR on the frame would not worry me that much, I've not seen too many rusted out frames. Check the weakest part of the frames in the rear with a hammer.. that should tell you. Not a fan of V8's unless they drive well. Here's a list of what I can see

Cons
bad job on the exhaust, right under driver and passenger seats.
Ugly bull bar - that probably works in your favor
They drilled dash for extra guages and something above ashtray
Center console not original
Not original Bezel - for later model
You can see its a spray can paintjob on running boards
the worst - Yellow Paint job is horrible - they painted over everything, including the internal door mechanisms.

Pros
"Floors replaced" - that could be good, if whoever did it.. did it well.
Hard top looks good

I'm always amazed when I see repaints how far off the mark they are and ugly. Why paint the front emblem red? Who does that and why? Why paint it ugly yellow? I mean if I repaint, I'd go with a stock color and it would have to be perfect in all other aspects. FJ's look cool weathered, I'm going to do a blue one clear coat and just make everything else immaculate on one of mine.

You haven’t seen too many rusted land cruiser frames? That may be true in OK, but you never know where an eBay Landcruiser originally came from. I would be very cautious.

 

[oakweb]

You haven’t seen too many rusted land cruiser frames? That may be true in OK, but you never know where an eBay Landcruiser originally came from. I would be very cautious.

yes.. that's why I said take a hammer to known spots, hard to hide a bad frame with a hammer and a drift

 

[TCEd]

overpriced.

 

[landcruiserjunky]

overpriced.

You just described 90% of landcruisers for sale.

 

[cburd]

He’s indicated he’d take 14-15 with out exactly saying it

 

[Otis]

He’s indicated he’d take 14-15 with out exactly saying it

As others have noted, there is plenty wrong and there are appear to be too many shortcuts taken to make it look nice. I would pass on this 40 even at 14K unless you could inspect it yourself or get someone from mud to look at it for you. You could definitely do better in that price range if you take your time looking.

 

[Living in the Past]

Is there anything on this that is from a 75? The aprons looked 70-74 with clearance lights. The rest looks like could be from a 79/80. Those seem to be the two years that match the most. Plenty of bondo there too. Not uncommon to see some parts from other years but when the tub is off another year raises a question is it even a 75 or another vehicle with 75 VIN plaques. The frame and body changed in 79 and hard to switch between the early and late. Because it looks like it is a 75 VIN on another vehicle I would walk away. Even if it is on the up and up I see nothing but problems.

Besides a hammer to the frame how about a magnet to the body. Unlike a punch that will piss the seller off when it pokes a hole in the frame the magnet wouldn't cause any damage.

 

[Jungle80farmer]

I wish you

Thank you gentlemen. I had similar concerns about the paint and it seems there isn’t a single seal on any opening. But I’m just not sure about a v8 just wish I was close by to drive it myself.

I wish I lived close to you so you could drive my 71 FJ40 chevota. Mine is done right and drives great. I know most hate on V8 swapped FJ40s but when I bought mine in 2002 I couldn't afford a original 40 & I sure as hell can't afford a original one now!

 

[Jungle80farmer]

Thank you gentlemen. I had similar concerns about the paint and it seems there isn’t a single seal on any opening. But I’m just not sure about a v8 just wish I was close by to drive it myself.

Sorry I timed out flipping my tri tips & didn't finish. I could never buy a landcruiser of any kind without driving it. You have to drive them to feel & hear what's going on. Lots of stuff might look ok upon a quick inspection but once its home you get a can of previous owner worms to deal with. Mine was full of WTF moments when fixing stuff. Take your time. The right one will pop up.

 

[cburd]

Yeah the 350s don’t worry me as much as the unknown of how it was done. I agree on the driving before buying. There just seems to be nothing in the middle of the us (in Tulsa) to buy that I can find. Unless you’re looking for a 150k rig from Kansas. (Seriously there’s some dealership with a no name listed overhaul for that much right now) oh well patience right?