I guess we all got carried away and sidetracked whether poster meant FJ43s with soft tops or just soft tops in general. Mostly my bad on that.
I imported 2 FJ43s so far for 2014 since launching the business. I have 3 more in process. As far as I know I am the only US citizen doing this full time with proper businesses set up in both countries. I have an LLC in Florida that will soon be a registered Florida dealer. This company is also bonded to import. The company that I formed in Colombia is also registered as a car dealer and a Colombian export company.
I only export complete trucks and my pricing on FJ43s are $30,000 to $60,000. Mud members are price sensitive but I am confident in my pricing. 4 out of 5 of my trucks that I sold so far sold to dealers who then later went on to sell them for more money. I am now working on my 5th FJ43 direct for a client. I have 10 trucks that I purchase so far for 2014.
Per pricing having now done a frame off, a second frame off and several overhauls on FJ40s, FJ43s, Nissan Patrol and a Land Rover I see FJ40s as a minimum price of $20,000. You can find a decent one in the US for that price. FJs are classic cars and classic cars/trucks have deferred maintenance, varying levels of paint quality, interior quality on and on.
So I see a $20,000 FJ40 or especially FJ43 as a $20,000 truck that needs another $10,000 to be complete. There are plenty of guys here capable of doing those upgrades and there is nothing wrong with that. To keep my quality level high and to cover my administration and export costs so far I am around $30,000 as a business model.
I am now working on my 5th FJ43 and my 2nd FJ43 direct to a client. He was able to pick among several trucks that I was sourcing for him. His delivered price in Tampa is around $35,000 plus or minus some options.
The above truck is a later series 1979 FJ43. Has the gas tank below like the 1980s models.
Truck has original rust free floors. Probably high miles like most FJ43s guessing could 200,000 to 250,000 miles. Very nice Olive paint. We will however remove the top and repaint all the corrosion that will surely be there (the hard tops scrape the sides over time. Colombians skip this step generally). We paint any scratches and fix any dents. On the inside of the truck we will repaint the dash and sand the floors (they are textured) and paint them. Under the truck is very clean but we will sand and repaint the black frame and the leaf springs.
we are pulling the hard top off and painting inside and out.
Mechanically the truck gets about a week to 2 week overhaul including pulling all the wheels off and checking everything. I have already driven this truck for 2 hours in order to figure out what it needs.
It has a 5 speed (very nice option) and discs but the brakes need overhauling. The steering is completely off.
Truck has power steering. Truck will get new AC system.
We are installing a new interior including insulated floor mat system.
Truck get new exhaust, 5 restored traditional rims and 5 new 32 inch tires. new shocks.
I am sure I am forgetting something. From deposit to delivery should be 75 days. I was able to do that with a gray FJ43 I just delivered and sold.
The paperwork transfer process and the export process is not easy down here. It can take 30 days for me to get the truck into my name (this truck I have in my name already thankfully). I had a 2 month delay exporting my Land Rover. Still need to wait ANOTHER week. I have easily 10 buyers for that truck and have declined taking deposits until I fix the paperwork issue which we will.
So long story short I will do 5 to 7 FJ43s this year and 10 to 15 classic trucks. I have several FJ43 candidates that I am reviewing now if anyone is interested.
