Hey guys just trying to get some feedback here. I was up in northern NH today painting a house and I drove by a 78 FJ so I turned my tundra around to check it out. The sign on it says For sale needs engine work $1500.00. The guy wasn't home but it was unlocked so I looked at it and it has the original 2F in it and the frame looks pretty good for New England the body is pretty good too. It has Warn hubs and is completely stock thats really all I can get from looking at it without asking the guy who is selling it. It has the metal hard top or I guess you could say tin top. The keys were in it but the battery was dead so i couldn't get it to do so much as light the headlights. I just want to know if its worth what this guy is asking depending on the actual condition of the motor. I plan on offering $1000.00 if the motor will run but I am not sure what something like this is worth with a junk motor. I have always wanted to add an FJ to my list of toyotas that I have owned and me and my friend chris have high hopes and see some potential for a nice offroad rig in this truck let me know what you think.
i will be up there again next week and i'm sure it will still be there because everyone up there loves chevy's i will take some pics and talk to the guy to see if it runs and i will get back to you guys.
If it's mostly rust free, and complete, 1500 isn't bad. I'd do it, even if the motor is bad. (An FJ40 is the only vehicle I'll brake my "if it doesn't run, you only get a grand" rule).
Snap some pics and make us all feel bad that we can't have it.
78 is a great year for fj40's. Only year with the fine spline pinions and 411's stock. Some would argue the axles alone are worth 1g. If it's in any kind of shape $1500 is a great deal. 2f's are available for a few hundred all the time of the motor is dead - but I doubt it. Damn things are almost indestructable. Good luck - and post pics.
just remember, a 2f engine isnt the cheapest engine to find parts for..
but ask the guy if all the smog stuff works properly, OEM smog pumps are 600-700 bucks, if you dont wanna fork out that much money, you can desmog. Actually desmoging a 2f requires not only hours of work, but about 500-600 bucks to get the distributor and carburetor rebuilt properly.
Either way, 1500 for an fj40, even if it takes your a few months to get it to where you want it, grab that bitch! thats what im doing with my 60 series, i finished my desmog and and working on getting my lazy ass up and sending off my dizzy and carb for a rebuild!
Welcome to the world wide web. Parts are not that hard to come by any more. Check out IH8MUD.com, CCOT, Pirate4x4, etc. and you'll have your parts in no time for much less. Lots of folks pulling out the old six bangers for the sexy v8's. (never understood that - keep the 6 if it's still serviceable: swap it out when it's too far gone)
If the body is good like you say it is, between that, the drive train, and the axles, you could make more than $1500 in parts. '78 is the "prized year" for FJ40's, so I'd jump on it if you can. Worst case you spend a few bucks to get it running again, then flip it for a decent profit (not that I'm encouraging that type of behavior.....)
I am trying to get my friend chris to buy this now because I need new tires for my Tundra and i need to address a spot of rust on my bedside that I believe was caused by my cap I will keep you guys posted on whether or not he goes for it.
sorry if i upset you, but im not too keen on buying used 20 year old engine components, yeah a dizzy and carb can be rebuilt, but other then that, i would be weary.
all i was trying to say, if you want full proof, just look for new stuff.
as for the swaps, i dont know anyone around here in florida that kept their 4 speed when they dropped in a 350, if your gonna swap, you might as well do the whole sha-bang.
Didn't upset me any...I just want people to get accurate info.
I look at it like this....if you're buying a 30 year old vehicle, then no matter how many new parts you put on it, its still a 30 year old vehicle. Its not going to ride like new, or be as comfortable and convienent as a new vehicle.
Also, the 4 speed isn't a bad tranny, especially for a play rig. Its not great for lots of highway driving, but behind a 350 it does a pretty good job. Its a FAR improvement over the non-synchronized 3 speed thats in my '73.
If you must change transmissions, then an SM420 or SM465 can be had with some looking. Or you could just keep the 4 speed and upgrade the tranny/transfer case later.
I've only been on the FJ40 journey for a few months, and I've got LOTS to learn, but there is TONS of useful info and helpful people on ih8mud. One thing that I have learned is that you can't just go to Autozone or NAPA and expect to get the correct parts. (Actually, in this case having a mullet motor would be better, because you could at least get motor parts without going back 3 times....lol)
still considering this but my buddy is convinced that a CJ7 is much easier to get parts for and the parts are cheaper we will see because this FJ isn't going anywhere anytime soon unless we get it.
Spooney love, its all good, you where trying to make a point and i seen you "attacking" one of my guys, :thumbs:
fwiw wanabecruisin is a oldschool FJ walking dictionary
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