For Sale Wanted: 76-82 FJ40: mostly original, lower miles, minimal rust.

I have been a long-time lurker on here. In my family we've had 3x FJ60s, 3x FJ80s, and a GX470 as daily drivers. I have been looking for a FJ40 for 22 years, but finally am in a position to buy one. 3 car garage, a boy to work on it with, some income, and most importantly an agreeable wife. I try to move on them, but due to my job I can't always jump when they pop up on CL or mud. I could easily find one for $20-30k, but I want to have a truck to restore with my boy: finding parts, rebuilding things, factory original restoration process, etc. A frame off candidate without much rust is appealing for those reasons. $8000 to $13000 is my range and appears to be in line with what I want to do with it. The truck will be moving to TX, will have a good life, and stay in the mud community.

Jimj's recent blue one on here would have been perfect, but no way I could get up there to Vancouver Island in time for sale.

Here is what I am looking for:
Clean
Original or mostly original
Minimal rust (the usual spots OK, but no penetration)
No major body mods (cut fenders are fine if lifted)
2F (no conversion)
Lift /wheels are fine
Lower miles preferred
Reasonable vinyl with original seats.
Good dash pad preferred
Top and doors
Power steering is optional
Located in US (or Canada)

Blue color is preferred.

Obviously not in a hurry considering I've waited 22 years, but the sooner the better!

 

[LS1FJ40]

I looked at the 79 that is near me. The motor purred like a kitten. 53,000 mile motor. The rest of the truck left a little bit to be desired. The owner had aspirations of "restoring" it but I think he had no idea what he was doing. He painted it bright white. Painted the 40 bezel black. Put fake beadlock wheels on it. The truck is rust free (minor oxidation on the frame and motor) but would require a fair amount of work to make it original looking. The body shop used filler to hide the tub spot welds. Basically they had no idea what they were dealing with and did it to Jeep standards. Owner started out at $12,900. Told me he has $14,000 in it. I told him it doesn't matter what he has in it because he won't get that out of it. He immediately told me he couldn't take less than $10,000. I told him I didn't think it was worth that either.

It drove and rode nice. Very nice. Shifted clean.

The top and doors haven't been painted yet. He has a slew of cars at his house in various stages of "restoration". He wants to sell it to have a downpayment on a used Tesla. I got the feeling there is more to this story and he needs the money...

I think it's a $7,000 truck. If anyone wants pictures I can post them...

 

[447xpro]

 

[447xpro]

 

[447xpro]

 

[447xpro]

I looked at the 79 that is near me. The motor purred like a kitten. 53,000 mile motor. The rest of the truck left a little bit to be desired. The owner had aspirations of "restoring" it but I think he had no idea what he was doing. He painted it bright white. Painted the 40 bezel black. Put fake beadlock wheels on it. The truck is rust free (minor oxidation on the frame and motor) but would require a fair amount of work to make it original looking. The body shop used filler to hide the tub spot welds. Basically they had no idea what they were dealing with and did it to Jeep standards. Owner started out at $12,900. Told me he has $14,000 in it. I told him it doesn't matter what he has in it because he won't get that out of it. He immediately told me he couldn't take less than $10,000. I told him I didn't think it was worth that either.

It drove and rode nice. Very nice. Shifted clean.

The top and doors haven't been painted yet. He has a slew of cars at his house in various stages of "restoration". He wants to sell it to have a downpayment on a used Tesla. I got the feeling there is more to this story and he needs the money...

I think it's a $7,000 truck. If anyone wants pictures I can post them...

That sound like a fair price for a rust free 79, the color shouldn't matter. I would like to see pictures if you have them.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Did you see this one?

Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

 

[teleskier]

Did you see this one?

Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40


View attachment 1129446

Thanks for the lead... I emailed via craigslist. Looks really nice and unmolested.

 

[teleskier]

I am getting closer, I think. I have som PMs sent already to a few of you, and have followed a few leads on here.

I have a question, however. The trucks I am looking at do not have tops. How hard is it to find a late model top in good condition I looked though the forums and see some parts, but want to know what I am getting into in that regard.

Thanks

 

[teleskier]

How much should factory power steering add to the value of a rig?

 

[447xpro]

How much should factory power steering add to the value of a rig?

Hard to say maybe a couple grand , that's what the parts will cost if you can find them. The heat shield is the only part i have not seen
for sale. I have three complete setups if you need one and a couple of loose boxes.

 

[LS1FJ40]

I will say this much about the power steering. Personally, I don't care for the power steering on a 40. I felt it was too touchy and temperamental for an old rig. But that is me.

 

[TheHardWay]

I drive one with a Saginaw installed. Last year I spent an hour test driving a '77 w/manual steering. I prefer the p/s. Point is, you really won't know which you'll prefer until you've driven both.

 

[teleskier]

THE QUEST IS OVER!! Thanks for helping me though this!

I was searching around the southwest on CL and found a 1980 with power steering and virtually no rust which spent its life in the Mojave. 100k miles. I changed a connection on my way home, rented a car and took a look. It is not perfect, but the lack of rust and factory power steering is what sold me - matching numbers. Only 2 areas of surface rust less than a quarter in size where the paint rubbed off. The chassis and body panels are otherwise spotless!! The bolts on the frame came out like new. Factory vinyl seats are not cracked. It was originally red, so I'll bring it back to factory colors after we have it a bit and I have some time.

I picked it up for $8400 + some $ for some rear jump seats seats.

Engine: Need a brake booster and some hoses.
Body: Need a top and factory roll bar and it is complete!
Interior - need a buch of soft goods

1980 FJ40

• teleskier
• Sep 14, 2015

 

[upperblack]

Congrats on the purchase.

 

[FletchFFletch]

Congrats!!! Man, I think you scored a hell of a deal IMHO!!!

 

[teleskier]

I think so too. Going to need a large can of elbow grease, but this is exactly what I wanted!

 

[greenbeast]

Congrats, I agree on that helluva deal!!

Glad it worked out.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Great job! You paid about $7k-$10K under market for that truck. Patience always pays off.

$8,400 for the truck
$2,000 for a soft top/bows
$500 for a Metaltech roll bar
$250 for a booster

$11,150 investment for a truck you could probably sell for $20K.

 

[NuKauBoi]

I will say this much about the power steering. Personally, I don't care for the power steering on a 40. I felt it was too touchy and temperamental for an old rig. But that is me.

I agree. I really like that mine doesn't have power steering.