What's this FJ40 worth?

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black95

black95

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Found this thing in a customer's yard today. It's a 1978 FJ40. Asked him what he was going to do with it, and he said it was a project for another day......I told him he should sell it to me, and save himself the trouble, so he told me to make him an offer. I actually have no idea what it is worth. FJ40 guys got any ideas?

The seats are trash, the gauges are sun faded because it hasn't had a top on it. The tailgate is wood, and the top is long gone. Other than that, I only found one bad rust spot on the that damn rear sill.

Thought I might test my marriage and buy this thing if the price is right. :cool:
 
pictures..........
cruiser1.webp
cruiser2.webp
cruiser3.webp
 
Luke,
Still a lot of variables not mentioned, looking at the outside there is minimum rust (compared to what you see normally), the seats can be replaced or you can redo the seats (like I did), cluster gages can be replaced fairly easy.

-Just how long has it been sitting around?

- Now the questions are, does it have an F engine or a 2f engine, does the engine work?

- Does it have 3 or 4 speed transmission? Do you care about these things?

- Do the heaters work? Important for winter?

It's all stock by the looks of it...your going drop some coinage for restoration and buildup...assuming everything worked as it should (which I doubt) and it had the hard top (which it doesn't), I would say up to 1.5K to 2.5k. Now by looking at it and knowing what needs to be fixed or not....it could average from 500 bucks to 1K.

If you buy it and part it out you will get more than that out of it, which is sad.

Others can chime in with their opinions.
 
He said it had a 2f. I did not look at the transmission. I will have to call him for that. I was not planning any full restoration or anything. I think it looks cool just how it is, I would have a blast sputtering around in the woods in it.

I was thinking it would need about a grand to get it at least road worthy. New tires of course, do something with the seats, rebuild the carb, and maybe find a top. Who knows, I will probably start low. The guy's name is Jim, he says he used to work at HP with one our club members named Victor Ramsey, so he could be crooked hanging out with those types of people. :D
 
FJ005 said:
- Now the questions are, does it have an F engine or a 2f engine, does the engine work?

- Does it have 3 or 4 speed transmission? Do you care about these things?
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Ok, aside from the obvious, what are the engine and tranny differences?
 
CO_Hunter said:
Ok, aside from the obvious, what are the engine and tranny differences?
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The second version of the engine, called the 2F, was introduced in 1975. There are a few differences between the F and 2F, i.e., a larger bore in the 2F, removing one oil ring and forcing the oil to travel through the oil filter before the engine.

3 speed transmission has no syncro...so it becomes hard to shift on hills and of course you have one les gear to play with.
 
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Is the 3 to 4 a straight forward tranny swap? Luke, sorry for the hi-jack;)
 
CO_Hunter said:
Is the 3 to 4 a straight forward tranny swap? Luke, sorry for the hi-jack;)
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I'm not too sure about a straight swap, it needs a few tweaks, if the years are farther apart you need more modifications...but nothing that can't be done...lot's of 40 owners have done it.

I am researching a 5 speed for my 4 speed...:eek:
 
CO_Hunter said:
Luke, sorry for the hi-jack;)
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No worries, I'm learning too. I just recently discovered you could get a 60 with a five speed, that makes those more desirable to me too. I'm still thinking about downsizing to a rig with less lift and modifications. Think the 4runner has outgrown itself.
 
I know the owner; he is a good guy (even though he knows me). He was the facilities manager at HP when I was there and could never locate a hard top for his Cruiser. I was not aware he was interested in selling it but I have not talked to him in several years.

Let me know if you do not buy it; I may be interested.

Vic
 
Corpolite said:
yes, 60's are vastly superior in every way...
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Yes far superior :rolleyes:, now if they could only make it through a run without breaking something...:D (no offense Chuck)
 
Found out more. It is a four speed, and it has disk brakes in the front. The engine is complete, and was running when parked. I peeked under the rubber floor covering, and didn't find any rust in the footwells. It has surface rust on the underside or the fenders, but nothing rusted through.

Figured I will see if he will take 1,500--being that the top is missing. Those damn soft tops are expensive!! I'm betting he won't go that low.
 
black95 said:
Found out more. It is a four speed, and it has disk brakes in the front. The engine is complete, and was running when parked. I peeked under the rubber floor covering, and didn't find any rust in the footwells. It has surface rust on the underside or the fenders, but nothing rusted through.

Figured I will see if he will take 1,500--being that the top is missing. Those **** soft tops are expensive!! I'm betting he won't go that low.
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It's worth a try! I never like that make me an offer :censor: I think I always wind up overpaying...but 1.5k would be a very good offer...it's been sitting around...any more sitting and it wont be worth much. ( just noticed it's got armstrong steering)
 
The wooden tailgate is priceless! :)
 
Goslow said:
Does it come with the claw hammer?
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The deal is off if the claw hammer doesn't come with it. :) The wife is all over me to call and make my offer, she wants this cruiser pretty bad. I knew I married her for a reason. I will call tomorrow and see how things go.

1911: I really like the wooden tailgate too, and the step built into the bumper, but unfortunately, that's gonna have to go.
 
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