eBay whats ya'lls take on this Rig (Good Deal or Bad Deal)?
- Thread starter BLACK4FJ40
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Probably not a bad buy although since it's not imported yet that's a huge risk that you can't look at it. Paint can't be that great if it's not that old and already falling off on the hood. I would assume the miles are not correct. They could be anything.
I guess having the bezel upside down is becoming standard now. Even the ones on Barrett Jackson this weekend were upside down
I guess having the bezel upside down is becoming standard now. Even the ones on Barrett Jackson this weekend were upside down
Wait
Note that it has all drum brakes and no power steering. Looks nice, I'm guessing it's accurately represented. Nevertheless, I wouldn't drop 16K on it without an inspection and drive.
Seemed like a pretty sweet deal until they got to the part about it not being in the country yet. As others have said, too much coin to drop on something sight unseen not to mention the potential headache's of import. If these folks had it available for show, they could probably ask more money. Must be a cash strapped outfit.
Not sure exactly what a BJ40 goes for relative to a US spec FJ40, I'm going to say maybe a 25% discount? If this is US spec with a 2F and all the other preferable mechanicals I think it sells for $18-20k.
This gets you the look of an FJ but I'm going to say the BIN price is a few grand too high. Swapping in the mechanicals (2F, disk brakes, ps, etc) is a $5-10k proposition (just trying to mentally back into a BJ40 fair value here), so unless you strongly prefer a diesel with downgraded interior maybe this is really only worth $10-15k, idk.
This gets you the look of an FJ but I'm going to say the BIN price is a few grand too high. Swapping in the mechanicals (2F, disk brakes, ps, etc) is a $5-10k proposition (just trying to mentally back into a BJ40 fair value here), so unless you strongly prefer a diesel with downgraded interior maybe this is really only worth $10-15k, idk.
- Thread starter
- #7
thanks fellas! these are all very good things to consider. looks like a good deal but yes it being out of the country is kinda scary.
THANKS again!!
THANKS again!!
I am uncomfortable, IU think I saw it a few months ago being offered. Something rumbles in my tummy...
Like a pretty blonde at the bar, but you just are not sure...
Like a pretty blonde at the bar, but you just are not sure...
An introduction and review. First of all, I bought the above-mentioned BJ40.
I live in Georgia, I have been lurking around here for years, original login no longer active. Past member of TLCA, just renewed. I bought a 1979 FJ40 in about 1998. Drove it around the block, then preceded to take it apart for frame off restoration. Subsequently bought 2 more, and yes took them apart as well. Seems to be a recurring issue. I enjoy taking things apart...
Fast forward to Oct 30th 2017. Timing could not have been worse, personal issues etc, but I could not resist pushing the button. YES, the buy it now button. If you mess with these things much, you realize condition trumps price. Cancer is expensive to fix. Besides, I just couldn’t get behind a 2F build. I'm a diesel guy at heart.
In my mind, I weighed all the options, called the seller, he seemed overly descriptive of the vehicle. Too many pictures to hide much, and seeing all the JUNK coming out of CR, this seemed the right option for me. Really couldn’t understand why this BJ wasn’t snapped up by someone else... kind of scared me.
I knew it was in Spain = Risk
No way to test drive = Risk
No way to inspect = Risk
Limited feedback on seller = Risk
Euro spec = Drawback
Not the desired Year = Price adjustment
Repainted = BIG RISK
The seller assured me discerption was accurate, and delivery would be within 6 weeks. Though not disclosed, it looked from the pictures the rear still was patched. But from the photos all the usual suspects looked clear from rot.
After pouring $1000's into a 1979 resto, still in boxes and unpainted bits, desiring a diesel, weighting the RISK / REWARD ratio... Yes, I Pushed the Button...
Over the next 5 months and 3 days, commutation was sparse. The seller never dodged any questions and provided updates when requests were sent. Guessing by the way things played out, my money was used to secure the vehicle. Add in a few complications, 6 weeks turned into 5 months.
The BJ landed in the Jacksonville port after making the trek across the pond on Ro-Ro shipping. Because of the delivery delay, the seller volunteered to have the BJ delivered to my door. After clearing customs, the first pickup was set for the next day or so. Failed. Driver arrived too late in the day, didn’t have proper identification to enter the port. After a week of failed attempts by the delivery company, much less provide any commutations, I called the seller and had him send me the release paperwork. I’m only 4 hours from J-ville and had business in Bwk the next day and a trip to Willie’s.
I arrived at the port by 2pm, paid for an escort service to take us in, pleased to see the BJ parked by the fence just moments from entering the restricted area. And holy sh*t what a candy store of vehicles. Unimog’s, Land Rovers, Landcruiser’s… every type imaginable. If it were a car lot… one could get in trouble, a lot of trouble.
After presenting my paperwork, I was escorted to the BJ. The seller took care to leave starting instructions taped to the dash in both Spanish and English. Unfortunately, the key was left on draining the batteries. The importing company offered a jump box, 12v vs 24v, of no help. We pushed the BJ from the parking space by fence, then pulled it up onto the rollback type trailer.
By this time, I’m very anxious to hear her start. 4-hour drive home, trying to get in before dark so I have time to fix my new toy. Disconnecting the batteries for charging, growing evermore impatient, decided to push her off. She started almost immediately, purred like a kitten. Drove her about a mile before shuttering to a stop.
The net-net, fuel contaminated with air, one battery completely dead. The gremlin turned out to be a little clear plastic line running from the last injector back to the injector pump. Yes, a small crack allowed air to contaminate the fuel. I’ve since read of the issue here on Mud.
The bottom line; Very pleased with the BJ40. Very accurately described (less rear still). Honest seller. Would do business again. He has agreed to reimburse me expenses related to the J-vill pickup. Yes, it took way too long, but I feel she was bought at a discount. I have more money in my 79’ FJ still in boxes and spread out over 2 shops.
I have now driven her over 2000km, runs smooth starts perfect every time. As for the body… Older repaint with above average application. Though not restoration quality, strongly above average. The rear still is better than thought, yes, some putty repair present, but not rotted. The worst damage is the firewall below the brake booster / Master cylinder. The brake fluid has removed the paint, with light surface rust present.
The seller disclosed the original owner rolled the odometer over 3 times. We all want and think ours is better than it is… but looking closely, I feel this can’t be the case. Or can it be. Guess we’ll never know. It’s clear the one owner truck was well taken care of, even the batteries were Toyota. Original spar tire mounted and attached. Kinda cool!
The recap! I drive her every day. She puts a smile on my face every time. While driving in Dublin, GA this past week, was introduced to another Mud member, who followed me to the parts store. I say hello Chris!
Money is only a tool, this application of it makes me smile. Nothing like driving slow in an BJ40. Future mods planed: Leaving the bezel upside down, so those in the know can tell me “hey your bezel is upside down”. Preventive maintenance, replacing a few bits with OEM parts already bought for the 1975 and 79’. And maybe re-starting a resto-mod on the 79’ and giving up on the idea of an all original restoration.
It’s been 20 years since my first introduction to the FJ40, now I can enjoy driving one every day.
Cheers all,
I live in Georgia, I have been lurking around here for years, original login no longer active. Past member of TLCA, just renewed. I bought a 1979 FJ40 in about 1998. Drove it around the block, then preceded to take it apart for frame off restoration. Subsequently bought 2 more, and yes took them apart as well. Seems to be a recurring issue. I enjoy taking things apart...
Fast forward to Oct 30th 2017. Timing could not have been worse, personal issues etc, but I could not resist pushing the button. YES, the buy it now button. If you mess with these things much, you realize condition trumps price. Cancer is expensive to fix. Besides, I just couldn’t get behind a 2F build. I'm a diesel guy at heart.
In my mind, I weighed all the options, called the seller, he seemed overly descriptive of the vehicle. Too many pictures to hide much, and seeing all the JUNK coming out of CR, this seemed the right option for me. Really couldn’t understand why this BJ wasn’t snapped up by someone else... kind of scared me.
I knew it was in Spain = Risk
No way to test drive = Risk
No way to inspect = Risk
Limited feedback on seller = Risk
Euro spec = Drawback
Not the desired Year = Price adjustment
Repainted = BIG RISK
The seller assured me discerption was accurate, and delivery would be within 6 weeks. Though not disclosed, it looked from the pictures the rear still was patched. But from the photos all the usual suspects looked clear from rot.
After pouring $1000's into a 1979 resto, still in boxes and unpainted bits, desiring a diesel, weighting the RISK / REWARD ratio... Yes, I Pushed the Button...
Over the next 5 months and 3 days, commutation was sparse. The seller never dodged any questions and provided updates when requests were sent. Guessing by the way things played out, my money was used to secure the vehicle. Add in a few complications, 6 weeks turned into 5 months.
The BJ landed in the Jacksonville port after making the trek across the pond on Ro-Ro shipping. Because of the delivery delay, the seller volunteered to have the BJ delivered to my door. After clearing customs, the first pickup was set for the next day or so. Failed. Driver arrived too late in the day, didn’t have proper identification to enter the port. After a week of failed attempts by the delivery company, much less provide any commutations, I called the seller and had him send me the release paperwork. I’m only 4 hours from J-ville and had business in Bwk the next day and a trip to Willie’s.
I arrived at the port by 2pm, paid for an escort service to take us in, pleased to see the BJ parked by the fence just moments from entering the restricted area. And holy sh*t what a candy store of vehicles. Unimog’s, Land Rovers, Landcruiser’s… every type imaginable. If it were a car lot… one could get in trouble, a lot of trouble.
After presenting my paperwork, I was escorted to the BJ. The seller took care to leave starting instructions taped to the dash in both Spanish and English. Unfortunately, the key was left on draining the batteries. The importing company offered a jump box, 12v vs 24v, of no help. We pushed the BJ from the parking space by fence, then pulled it up onto the rollback type trailer.
By this time, I’m very anxious to hear her start. 4-hour drive home, trying to get in before dark so I have time to fix my new toy. Disconnecting the batteries for charging, growing evermore impatient, decided to push her off. She started almost immediately, purred like a kitten. Drove her about a mile before shuttering to a stop.
The net-net, fuel contaminated with air, one battery completely dead. The gremlin turned out to be a little clear plastic line running from the last injector back to the injector pump. Yes, a small crack allowed air to contaminate the fuel. I’ve since read of the issue here on Mud.
The bottom line; Very pleased with the BJ40. Very accurately described (less rear still). Honest seller. Would do business again. He has agreed to reimburse me expenses related to the J-vill pickup. Yes, it took way too long, but I feel she was bought at a discount. I have more money in my 79’ FJ still in boxes and spread out over 2 shops.
I have now driven her over 2000km, runs smooth starts perfect every time. As for the body… Older repaint with above average application. Though not restoration quality, strongly above average. The rear still is better than thought, yes, some putty repair present, but not rotted. The worst damage is the firewall below the brake booster / Master cylinder. The brake fluid has removed the paint, with light surface rust present.
The seller disclosed the original owner rolled the odometer over 3 times. We all want and think ours is better than it is… but looking closely, I feel this can’t be the case. Or can it be. Guess we’ll never know. It’s clear the one owner truck was well taken care of, even the batteries were Toyota. Original spar tire mounted and attached. Kinda cool!
The recap! I drive her every day. She puts a smile on my face every time. While driving in Dublin, GA this past week, was introduced to another Mud member, who followed me to the parts store. I say hello Chris!
Money is only a tool, this application of it makes me smile. Nothing like driving slow in an BJ40. Future mods planed: Leaving the bezel upside down, so those in the know can tell me “hey your bezel is upside down”. Preventive maintenance, replacing a few bits with OEM parts already bought for the 1975 and 79’. And maybe re-starting a resto-mod on the 79’ and giving up on the idea of an all original restoration.
It’s been 20 years since my first introduction to the FJ40, now I can enjoy driving one every day.
Cheers all,
Great read, thanks for sharing.
Right on!! Welcome back! 
A BJ40 is worth more than a comparable FJ40, not less. Generally for the same reasons diesel trucks cost more than Gassers of the same model. This truck actually looks like a really good buy (or looked since Trey Cottle bought it!).
Hoping for many years of fun for the new owner! Looks like a great truck!
Super cool
