So I am on the fence regarding keeping the hardtop on my FJ40 or selling it. I am trying to keep the FJ mostly original but would like some updated features (power steering, disk brakes, bucket seats with center console, upgraded front and rear bumpers, and maybe a/c, etc). The FJ is a 1970 and was purchased by my father late 1969 and came with soft top. The hard top and doors were purchased several years later and he believes they are off of a 1973.
The problem I am having is that I live in central FL, aka swamp, and it is muggy 24/7. With a hard top and no a/c it will be a sweat box. I prefer the soft top look and honestly don't think that I would use the hard top. I am struggling with storing this thing and probably never using it verses just parting ways but never being ever to replace if I wanted in the future. If kept, it would have to be suspended from the floor joists in my garage and take up unnecessary room.
If I were to keep, I would need to replace the gaskets, head liner, and rain gutter along with some rust repair. Only major was in the left rear where the body, top and tailgate meet. There are a few very minor spots elsewhere. When sanding the passenger door I discovered body filler and a previous metal repair (by previous owner). The driver door appear to be intact.
I know the side windows are sliders and are not OEM but I may know where the original glass is stored.
I have attached some photos. The other side of the FJ is covered with plywood.
What is the value of these things if I were to sell and are they that hard to find if I wanted one in the future?
On a separate note, in the photo showing the roof rust, what is the L bracket under the folding seat? its about 10 inches long but doesnt seem to assist with the seat at all. My father doesnt recall adding it and believes it may be OEM (he is 74 and memory does not serve him well sometimes).
The problem I am having is that I live in central FL, aka swamp, and it is muggy 24/7. With a hard top and no a/c it will be a sweat box. I prefer the soft top look and honestly don't think that I would use the hard top. I am struggling with storing this thing and probably never using it verses just parting ways but never being ever to replace if I wanted in the future. If kept, it would have to be suspended from the floor joists in my garage and take up unnecessary room.
If I were to keep, I would need to replace the gaskets, head liner, and rain gutter along with some rust repair. Only major was in the left rear where the body, top and tailgate meet. There are a few very minor spots elsewhere. When sanding the passenger door I discovered body filler and a previous metal repair (by previous owner). The driver door appear to be intact.
I know the side windows are sliders and are not OEM but I may know where the original glass is stored.
I have attached some photos. The other side of the FJ is covered with plywood.
What is the value of these things if I were to sell and are they that hard to find if I wanted one in the future?
On a separate note, in the photo showing the roof rust, what is the L bracket under the folding seat? its about 10 inches long but doesnt seem to assist with the seat at all. My father doesnt recall adding it and believes it may be OEM (he is 74 and memory does not serve him well sometimes).
