[calileo]

What do you guys do when you have to sell a project in the middle of it? My mother recently became very ill and was at the mayo clinic for over a month-and there went my project and school funds.

I do have some leway to finish a few more things before I have to sell, but I don't want to put $3,000 into it if it will only sell for $2,000 more than it would now.

I am literally in the middle of my fj40 ('78). I have "finished" the rear suspension and have tacked in my mocked drivetrain (14bolt rear with f150 springs, chevy v8-th350-np205). I had a 60front lined up, but the seller was a deadbeat, so I am still sua with 4"bds springs in front with the stock cruiser diff. I removed the stock steering components, but still have them. I still have the cruiser rear, 35's are 95%, two hardtops, new floor, 95% rust free vehicle. The motor in it now is just the block, I was going to "borrow" the motor from my impala, but it looks like that is what I will have to keep.

My questions: Do you think it is saleable now?-how much?

What area would you finish up to increase the price while trying to keep costs down?
-like putting a 3/4ton 44 up front soa to match the rear.
-or putting the cruiser rear back in to match the front.

Any other suggestions? I really appreciate your input.

I am kind of stuck because any potential buyer will have a different combination in mind for their own project, but I really need to recoupe some of my money. I don't think I have the time or money to get it driveable, so I will probably have to sell it as a rolling chassis.

I know what I want to get, but I need to get $3,000-$3,500. Any chance I can get close to that now, or will I have to spend money to make money?

Thanks again for your suggestions, if I wasn't a poor student I wouldn't sell it, but please don't suggest keeping it. It has to sell one way or the other.

I have a lot of pictures if someone wants to post a couple for me.

-Caleb

 

[fj40guy]

Caleb,

You'll hate this... but NOT RUNNING, needing a motor, etc. I wouldn't expect more than $1000 if you sell it the way it is.

I'd stuff all the stock parts back under (is everything is good shape?). At least get it rolling and steerable. That will increase the chances of finding a buyer!

I've "been there, done that". With "basket case" projects there is no way to really check the tranny, xfer, gears, etc. Might be good, might not... so I wouldn't pay "top dollar". Ya, I remember one "bad starter" project vehicle I brought home in my younger days... found main bearing caps laying in the bottom of the oil pan. NOTHING was good on that vehicle... other than a body that didn't have much rust. Turned out the "clean body" was full of rust and bondo, and a recent paint job.

I remember a few nice cruiser, not street legal, but that was ready to tackle trails and sat for months with a $6,000 sale price up in your neck of the woods. Ahem, fellow list member -- wish I had the bucks for it, it was a good deal!

Ask around the local cruiser heads to get a realistic idea...

Tom :usa:

 

[rick d]

at this time you must remember this formula:
sum of parts > whole

Even if you dump 200 hours of labor getting it to stop and steer, you will not recover any of the labor end. I would part it out asap and shop around for price comps. Stuff like hard tops few buyers want to pay freight- but tubs can bring real $$. Frame is going to be a slow seller. Front axle (in good shape) has fine spline 4.11's (as did the OE rear), disks, etc and can bring $500 ($1000 disk brake front ends I do not see happening anymore). The sheet metal is the money. Good late model doors (front or rear no rust, no damage complete) will fetch $200+ each. Windshield frames are bringing that. bib, fenders, hood all less.

part part part man. be realistic on the prices. stock 4sp tranny is $50, t-case 3x that +.

and any new parts are worth far more in the box than installed.

sorry...

 

[4004ever]

definately part it out. You will start recieving funds for the parts faster than trying to find the 'right' buyer for it. IMHO

 

[calileo]

ah

I kinda feel like one of those morons on american idol that sing like sh!t and don't even realize it. I know what I would pay for it, but I am much too optimistic to let it sink in.

thanks for the honesty. I appreciate it.

True on the labor. If I didn't enjoy it so much it would be pretty upsetting how much time I already have into it. I didn't know the doors would do so well. I have new and old style doors/hardtop, so that will help.

It would be sad to see it go in pieces, but if it must.
The body is 78 from the dash forward and 71 from the floor back, and I also replaced the floor. It is rust free, but it is no longer stock; what do you think I could ask for the tub. -I have pics, but can't post them.

thanks, Caleb

 

[texican]

Tub
Greg Kemper, Shreg on here just paid $1500 for one that was clean and rust free.....Minnesota pricing, no way it would bring that in Texas.
There are a few over here that don't like it, but in your case, with your circumstances, I think the guys on the board would not mind if you posted the items in the For sale section of this forum, then put a little notice over here once you have them listed.
Butch

 

[calileo]

partin out

Thanks for the help, I now agree that parting it is the best way to get my money back. I have posted things in the for sale section before, but I always seemed to get more interest from ebay. If I didn't need the money, I wouldn't mind passing along a deal, especially to fellow enthusiasts, but I think I'm going to stick with ebay for a while. They seem to reach a lot more people. And I would rather not annoy anyone on this board by listing my stuff here all the time, I assume that most people here keep up with things on other sites land cruiser anyway.

thanks, Caleb

 

[60seriesguy]

Caleb, sorry to hear about your mom, I hope she's all right.

Rick D.'s right, part it out, and if I were you, I'd shoot for Ebay right away, don't go too high but keep a decent reserve and see where it takes you.

99% of unfinished projects don't bring much money, certainly not enough to warrant the effort. And the more modifications you make, the smaller you make the market of buyers. I know this upsets people, but two identical 1978 FJ40s where one is bone stock and the other one has a spring-over, the stock one will sell quicker and for more money, even if you spent $3,000 on the springover. That's just the way it is.

My advice, like Butch, Tom and Rick, is to part it out ASAP and shoot for a high-dollar venue like Ebay. It's time to think about yourself, I know it sucks to have to part it out, but first things first.

Good luck!