Worth it?? (2 Viewers)

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I like this one, not sure if I'd go FST. Looks like it might have some good bones, fairly original all around. Cut fenders though.

 
Hell, I’ll add my 2 cents. I looked for about 4 weeks on internet searches and then found IH8MUD. It was in the classifieds and 3000 miles away

EDIT: I like the red one also just above that @majdomo posted…I don’t know if I’d do a factory soft top either. Weather here kinda dictates a hardtop in winter ..BUT, I NEVER TAKE MY 40 OUT WHEN ITS WET OR SNOWY
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DMac3317,

When you're looking at a used vehicle type that you aren't really familiar with, and especially one that's 40 plus years old, it really helps to have a benchmark to compare things to, so you can see what's right, and what isn't.

There are very definitely other forum member's builds that are very impressive, as well but the one that comes to mind for incredible attention to detail and darn near flawless execution is dmaddox's thread. Here's a link to the first page of the thread:


You don't need to read through the whole thread (though it's a great read), but look at the photos and pay attention to the comments pb4ugo and others made. You'll see that the linked 1976 machine has some significant flaws, and generally sloppy workmanship that will be a lot of work to correct. And we haven't seen under the hood or the underside

I think you can do better.

There is a tendency to hurry, and I am certainly guilty of that, but take your time and you'll find the right FJ40.
 
Hell, I’ll add my 2 cents. I looked for about 4 weeks on internet searches and then found IH8MUD. It was in the classifieds and 3000 miles away

EDIT: I like the red one also just above that @majdomo posted…I don’t know if I’d do a factory soft top either. Weather here kinda dictates a hardtop in winter ..BUT, I NEVER TAKE MY 40 OUT WHEN ITS WET OR SNOWY
View attachment 3880501

Kind of funny as years pass. The FJ40 was created for harsh weather and roads. Now they seem to be garage queens. Nothing wrong with it but to me "what a change".
 
I like this one, not sure if I'd go FST. Looks like it might have some good bones, fairly original all around. Cut fenders though.

FST isn't my first choice but will consider if price is right. Appreciate the lead. Thanks
 
Hell, I’ll add my 2 cents. I looked for about 4 weeks on internet searches and then found IH8MUD. It was in the classifieds and 3000 miles away

EDIT: I like the red one also just above that @majdomo posted…I don’t know if I’d do a factory soft top either. Weather here kinda dictates a hardtop in winter ..BUT, I NEVER TAKE MY 40 OUT WHEN ITS WET OR SNOWY
View attachment 3880501
Nice looking rig. Thanks.
 
Just throwing this out there - I think the FST fj40s are the coolest ones. I love the tailgate and the ease of taking the top off. You need at least two people to get the hard tops off.
I prefer a combination.

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Thanks! I was somewhat serious about selling it and thought about a 70 series but haven’t done much research on it yet. On the 70 series that is. I’m also still currently working on the 40.
I can understand the pull of another series, and a 70 would be a cool rig, but i cant think of any cruiser that is gonna top the look of that beauty. Only thing that would be prettier is seeing it out of that garage!
 
Rear 1/4 are cut for the flares, missing the rubber pads on the windshield hold downs, make sure the strange rear bumper isnt welded on. Gauges cluster, ashtray, inside gas filler cover and glove box door should be silver. It's also missing the lower portion of the gas filler cover. You need pics of the engine compartment and underneath. Things were not removed when it was painted which is a sign of possible short cuts. Overspray. It's missing the under dash fan/heater duct between the fan and heater. The frt seat brackets are not correct and look iffy and i dont think the seats are correct. I think it has more miles on it than odometer is showing. Take a magnet and look for filler. Lift the Mats and see what's under them. Do they have b4 paint pics?
I agree. That rig just looks twisted to me. Something's not right about it.
 
Seems like a lot of rust for a California/New Mexico truck. Especially for 23k.
My gut says it is 8k overpriced.
However it does look nice, complete and mostly original.
 
Thoughts on this one?
I bought a 2/80 40 end of last year that lived it's entire life in Nevada desert. It has very minimal rust overall, but has rot in the exact same place as that '79, even the doors. Drivers floor has holes in it just like that one, the original drivers door is rusted at the bottom just like that one, and the rear of the tub is rusted at the sill area. They all seem to rust in the same place due to the way that Toyota laminated the body panels and structural supports. Doors rust if owners don't keep the drain holes cleared at the bottom of the door just due to dust and debris accumulation and moisture over the last 50 years. My personal opinion on that truck is I wouldn't let that rust scare me if it doesn't show to be in a lot of other places, like the body supports & frame. From what is shown in the photos, frame looks clean.

If I was buying anther 40, it would take a lot for me to buy a non-original paint truck (ie smoking good deal). I want to see all the flaws, I don't want them hidden by shoddy body work and shiny paint. Unless documented by seller, expect to go through all the mechanicals, regardless of purchase price. Do not buy a South American truck, regardless of price.

For discussion and a point of reference, I paid a fraction of the price of that blue one for this one. It has a SBC that was not "running", is not registerable in my state due to smog laws, and has the mis-matched hard top and doors. The seller did not advertise why the engine was not running, and also did not advertise he had the original doors and ambulance doors and some other misc parts. The carb needed a throttle cable......thats it. Runs great other than needing some carb tuning.


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