Worth it?? (1 Viewer)

[Dmac3317]

Been looking for years and came across this one. Seems like a decent rig. Paint needs work. Looking for any obvious problems or issues. It's about 5 hours away so I'm going off the pics/video but price seems reasonable $25k. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Video: iCloud Photos - Apple iCloud - https://share.icloud.com/photos/041L7y5c468ngtV8X2fY3TdzA

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[White Stripe]

No that's worth about 8k. That's got more mud on it than a pig in a pit.

 

[charliemeyer007]

More than I would pay, but it could be a steal. So what year >75 by the doors. 3 or 4 speed? Front brake master is low and has been for a long time. There is rust blisters at the back - could be tons of bondo everywhere. Take a magnet with you when you go look. Test every gear and the brakes both forward and reverse. Test the fans, lights, wipers. A dry and then a wet compression test would be nice.

No Apple crap here so vid is useless. Buy the rig not the story.

 

[mdsims]

Far too rough for that coin. Location can tweak price a bit but $8k is not far off.

It’s far from original. $25k to me implies some above average condition or strict originality. Front and rear doors, fender marker lights and engine place it 72-73 I think, but apron emblems are later than that, 75 and post. Tail lights are 74 and later. I guess it could be a 74. Still seems like an assemblage.

*I'm no expert.

 

[pb4ugo]

No. Way to much. Have you seen the red ones in the classified section? It might be time for some traveling.

 

[SteveH]

The rear sill is totally whacko - sheet metal where the frame should be! Not the worst I've seen, but nowhere near worth 25K.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Does it come with a case of class 3 firearms and two dozen hand grenades in the back?


If not, I see no reason that rig should be $25K.

 

[Wasatch Jay]

I agree with the above, and SteveH's comment about the rear sill area is spot on. That is a serious mess and you have no idea what is underneath, but the benefit of the doubt does not go to the seller.

You can do a LOT better.

 

[Dmac3317]

It's listed as a 74. Appreciate the input. Think I'll pass on this one.

 

[Dmac3317]

Just out of curiosity, how did you come up with $8k for the value. It seems extremely low based on what I'm seeing. '74s are going from mid-high twenties and those are ones that seem in worse shape. I can barely find a project/roller for that amount. What would be a reasonable price $20k?

 

[charliemeyer007]

How many have you actually look at and have seat time in? 5 hours away is what 600 miles round trip $100 for gas, and easy day trip this time of year. Anyway it would give you some experience evaluating rigs, asking questions and evaluating the answers, plus perhaps negotiating the price. Maybe it has a good rebuild on the drive train...

 

[charliemeyer007]

Price is location specific, some areas it could be worth more or less. Then there is purchasers bias - I already have one so I'm not paying a premium for a 74 because I don't like the doors, I have a 76 top and I like the doors.

 

[1969FJ]

Just out of curiosity, how did you come up with $8k for the value. It seems extremely low based on what I'm seeing. '74s are going from mid-high twenties and those are ones that seem in worse shape. I can barely find a project/roller for that amount. What would be a reasonable price $20k?

I agree with you. I can spend 8K quite easily on parts. This forum has many members with many years of value changes. ( I am included). Since the last year of the FJ40, 1983, values have been all over, and mostly up. Then comes the import's looking for that increase. They are also running out. There are now places restoring and/or completely converting the base FJ40 to a modern everything. I guess I am saying 20 - 30 k in modern times , running, with defects and repairable wear items , seems normal today. If you do just inflation, 5K in 1974 is now 30K anyway.

Inflation Calculator | Find US Dollar's Value From 1913-2025 - https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/

 

[pb4ugo]

Just out of curiosity, how did you come up with $8k for the value. It seems extremely low based on what I'm seeing. '74s are going from mid-high twenties and those are ones that seem in worse shape. I can barely find a project/roller for that amount. What would be a reasonable price $20k?

I think 8k is probably low also, but it's close. That thing has had multiple repaints, the rear wheel openings have been cut with fender flairs. As mentioned weird sheet metal covering the rear crossmember, it has an extra radio slot cut in the dash. Aluminum running boards. There's no telling what it's hiding.

There are better examples in the classified section for less.

 

[igotta40]

Land Cruisers are built in Japan, so maybe the seller is charging you a Trump import tariff.

 

[knuckle47]

@Dmac3317 in 2022 I paid 25k for my ‘75 FJ40 that is in fantastic condition. A few very minor parts I changed to comply more with the stock configuration ….that change cost me about $ 3500 more and my labor, . I changed all FLUIDS with premiums and upgraded fill and drain plugs

Then I started with accepted mods like headers and fuel injection and Hyperspark ignition …braking and differential gear seals cleaned the cluster, led lamps , disc brakes and it looks great. When I sell it, few will appreciate the upgrades…. Some absolutely will. I’d suggest keeping a close eye on those auctions and classifieds here. You get an idea. Several each week do not meet reserve and a private deal off-line may bring you the success you’re looking for.

I had to edit this…I don’t know if I’d had a stroke, drunk or what…. It made little sense at 1am

 

[DesertFJ40]

Once you drive an Fj40 you're gonna realize they're not a 25k rig. That being said, if given the option to drive a 25k Fj40 or a 25k modern car, I'd pick the Fj40 any day. In today's dumb car economy, I would think this vehicle in your post would be best around 10k-14k is a "good" price (assuming everything is up to par)

 

[White Stripe]

Been looking for years and came across this one. Seems like a decent rig. Paint needs work. Looking for any obvious problems or issues. It's about 5 hours away so I'm going off the pics/video but price seems reasonable $25k. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Video: iCloud Photos - Apple iCloud - https://share.icloud.com/photos/041L7y5c468ngtV8X2fY3TdzA

View attachment 3879804View attachment 3879806View attachment 3879807View attachment 3879808View attachment 3879812P

For Sale - SoCal (near Burbank): 72 FJ40 FST

Hello, I bought this FJ40 in 2017. The 40 was on a Lake Nacimiento property and had not been registered since 85. I took it up to Oregon for a while and it's now back in CA. See below for work done, price and pics. 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 Manufactured Sept 1971 Model: FJ40L Price...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[White Stripe]

Fixing botched body work can take longer than fixing a untouched body. That's why I said 8k. A body shop is going to charge you 15 to 20k to redo it all. After that it will be worth 30k. That's my 2 cents anyway. I'm not an expert at prices but that's my thoughts.

 

[mdsims]

Just out of curiosity, how did you come up with $8k for the value. It seems extremely low based on what I'm seeing. '74s are going from mid-high twenties and those are ones that seem in worse shape. I can barely find a project/roller for that amount. What would be a reasonable price $20k?

Where are you located? With enough diligence, FJ40s are not as rare as your very first post implies.

With that body work, I don’t think there is a reasonable price. It’s not just correcting what is seen in the photos, you also need to fix what was really wrong 10 years ago that lead someone to do what you see here. There’s an easy 10-15k in body work hiding on that one. Maybe more. And probably some frame work too.

You’d be better off with a good body roller, and 10-15k shop time to fix it up mechanically.

Even BAT rigs can be a better value. Prices are down, pressure is down, there will be some even better deals, maybe some distressed sales in the next year. Patience will be key.

Look at it this way, waiting a year will still be faster than trying to fix that turd!