Worth it?? (3 Viewers)

[EWheeler]

Reached out to the owner. Sent some additional pics and a video. Looks nice, especially if you like patina. I think it looks great but not sure about price.

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I suspect the price is driven by the lack of rust, the great patina, and the fact it is in NY where every older vehicle seems to be made up of more iron oxide than steel.

Consider the cost to get a similar condition rig from the west coast (time and transport cost).

I would value body condition over lack of disc brakes, the 3 speed, and f vs. 2f. Its much easier in my opinion to upgrade those than it is to replace body panels and paint. Plus when you do mechanical upgrades you know without a doubt the condition of the truck, versus taking the word of the seller.

There will always be mechanical issues arising. My ‘70 has been absolutely trouble free for 3 years, but just yesterday i developed a nasty exhaust leak at the header, found my clutch slave cylinder leaking, and a rear brake cylinder leaking (drums). Now i get to baseline everything and i know it will be solid for years to come!

 

[Wasatch Jay]

There are multiple threads in the 40 Series FAQ about the best model year for an FJ40. Lots of opinions about the relative plusses and minuses, but maybe worth your time to help you refine what you really want.

This is the first of the threads: Best year for a 40? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/best-year-for-a-40.16760/

I'm not a Toyota engine guy, but my impression is the 2F is generally considered superior to the other F variants. Similarly, 4-speed transmissions are preferred to 3-speeds, disc brakes are preferred over drums... and so on. I'm heavily biased, but I think the sweet range is '76-'78.

For me, the red 1977 in Bunch, OK is at least worth a phone call.

My first FJ40 was an ebay find. It was a 1974 and the previous owner poured money into it. POURED: capital letters. The list of features and modifications was long and impressive. I bought it thinking I got the deal of the century....

Except this was an example of the whole being worth less than the sum of the parts! I had a friend of a friend, who was very knowledgeable about FJ40s, look it over carefully. His advice was sell it, and buy one that you build up from scratch. You'll know exactly what was done, and how it was done.

I followed that advice and in retrospect think it was the correct course of action.

 

[brooklyn]

Haven’t posted my fj40 up yet; but east coast NYC without rust, lots of upgrades would be 30k plus. It’s a 67, 4 wheel disc brakes all around, drive line form an 85 fj60 - engine & trans, new tires, dual fuel tanks and more. If interested, let me know and I can pull together more info.

 

[Dmac3317]

T

Haven’t posted my fj40 up yet; but east coast NYC without rust, lots of upgrades would be 30k plus. It’s a 67, 4 wheel disc brakes all around, drive line form an 85 fj60 - engine & trans, new tires, dual fuel tanks and more. If interested, let me know and I can pull together more info.

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thanks for the offer. But I'm gonna hold out for something newer. Also trying to keep it on the lower end of $20k-ish. I know I'm probably looking for a unicorn.

 

[knuckle47]

I don’t think you’re looking into unicorns status… if you’re looking on BAT, probably. On the other hand, there are a few I have seen in the IH8MUD classifieds that could meet your criteria. So keep watching.

 

[kbahus]

There is some good info here too: Who Prefers the Early 40's? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/who-prefers-the-early-40s.1354330/

As everyone has said, you really need to find one or two to drive.

 

[Dmac3317]

There is some good info here too: Who Prefers the Early 40's? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/who-prefers-the-early-40s.1354330/

As everyone has said, you really need to find one or two to drive.

Good info thanks.

 

[Dmac3317]

I don’t think you’re looking into unicorns status… if you’re looking on BAT, probably. On the other hand, there are a few I have seen in the IH8MUD classifieds that could meet your criteria. So keep watching.

Everyday! Thanks.

 

[EWheeler]

Here is a late model 40 for sale by a very well known trust worthy member. Has owned, bought and sold many many 40 series.

For Sale - Bay Area California, 1980 fj40

Been storing this for a couple years now, time to free up some space. This is a us spec 1980 fj40 still wearing its a original dune beige paint! It has been sitting since 1996! I have records documenting 124k original miles.This is an interesting example as it is a California rig, but has some...

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