Here's the background:

I purchased a 1970 FJ40 about three years ago. I spent approximately 1 year tearing the truck apart, bringing it down to metal, repainting and putting it all back together. The engine is pretty rough (leaking oil, burning oil, and losing compression - naturally as it is from the 70's). I have approximately 3000 into the truck. Here are a couple of pictures,




The trade:
my friend has got an 88 4 Runner that he has offered to trade me for the landcruiser - the 4 Runner's body is in fairly rough shape, and has a fair bit of rust on it. However, the engine has been overhauled (new pistons, rings, bearings, gaskets ect) and runs excellent!

I love the landcruiser but it is not practical for long drives. I think I would like to do the trade, but am wondering if it is a good idea? Any suggestions? I will be putting on new fibreglass panels and repainting if I do the trade...I just don't know what I should do as I do not have the ability to overhaul the landcruiser's engine, nor the finances.

Thanks,

 

Keep the land cruiser. Those things have a profuse resale value in any condition, i saw a couple sell for 11-14 thousand here a little while ago and they didnt even have fresh paint or anything. Im sure you could spend a bit more to rebuild the engine and sell that thing for enough money to buy a much nicer 4runner... just my .02

 

agreed, a rough 88 4runner is not of equivelant value to an FJ40 even if the motor is on the way out. if it were in great cosmetic shape with a new motor, I'd say go for it, but once the body start down that path to direpair they'er hard to get back into shape...

 

I think you'd be crazy to trade the land cruiser as an even trade. It's a very nice land cruiser and you've put lots of time and money into it. Like apalmer1 said, you could spend a little money and rebuild the engine and then sell it if necessary to buy a nicer 4runner. I'd keep it but I am not in your shoes. That's an awesome looking 40!

Cheers

 

keep the FJ40! no way i'd trade that beauty, even if the motor threw a rod through the hood.

 

Don't do it! (esp if the 4runner is a V6!)

You'll be kicking yourself while you're driving around in the 4runner, everytime you see another landcruiser (which wont be very often because they are getting rare),

Do you think you'll ever be driving around in the landcruiser and see a 1st gen 4runner and think "I could be driving that instead"? I don't think that'll happen, and if you don't have the finances to fix the 'cruiser now then you probably wont have them to fix the 4runner's body anytime soon either

so: "4runner that runs nice and looks like doo-doo" VS. "sweetass landcruiser that runs a little like doo-doo, and that I have put a bunch of time into personally to make it look tits"


Keep the landcruiser. Is it your only vehicle or something? If it is, then either fix what you can to keep it on the road and reliable, while doing what you can to make it better suited to your needs, or just go buy a little 2wd toyota to get you around until you have the finances to really fix up the 'cruiser, you can get those thing for $500-$1500 all day long, just like rusty 4runners, and unlike sweet Landcruisers

 

You all make very good points, I really want a 4Runner though, don't know why, but I think they are very cool trucks. Don't get me wrong, I love the landcruiser, it's been great. Maybe I should just park it, and wait a while till I can afford a 4Runner as well...

I appreciate the comments and feedback.
Thanks.

 

Keep The Fj!

 

the 4runner would be a better daily driver but the FJ40 has the cool-factor that the runner doesn't. if you were to regret it, it can be tough to find another nice FJ40 to replace it for a reasonable price whereas first gen 4runners are somewhat more plentiful.

also, if you were to trade and something went wrong with either vehicle, it can hurt/ruin a friendship

 

dont lose the FJ! My dad kicks himself everytime he sees one for getting rid of his '74. Hell, sometimes i kick him for it too!

 

dont lose the fj. i get pissed at my dad every time he tells me i could have had a 81 isuzu diesel 4x4 4speed. i could have turboed it and converted it to biofuel and it would have been cheaper to fuel then a bicycle. to this day i have never seen a truck like it or even similiar

 

Would swap you my 87 AZ 4Runner (No Rust) in a heartbeat for a disfunctioning FJ40. Love those FJs, totally doesn't seem like a fair trade to me. But if you don't want to put the money into fixing the engine - I see why you are considering it as the easy way out.

 

I agree with everyone else. That fj is a beauty. If you need a practical car, invest in an older camry or something but keep the fj if you like it. I'd trade my pu for your landcruiser.

 

what do u want for the FJ???

 

need you even ask. keep the fj

 

yeah, your right.. had to ask?? keep it!!!!!!!!!!

 

Hell, I'll trade you 2 4Runners in good shape that run great for the FJ right now! I agree with the rest here, keep the FJ40!!! I sold mine about 7 years ago for a 1996 F350 4x4 crew cab and it still was not a fair trade, I regret getting rid of it everytime I see a nice FJ.

 

KEEP IT

id trade my truck straight across for a decent 76-82 fj40 anyday. Dunno about a '70 but maybe =p

 

I am new to this forum, and I know this is an old post, but I am in a similar situation and need some opinions please. I have a 2000 Nissan Frontier crew cab 4x4 in good condition and have been offered a possible even trade for a 1978 FJ40 with a 99 5.3 Chevy vortec fuel injected v8 mated to a 4 speed tranny with granny gear. Motor and tranny have less than 500 miles since rebuild. The body is decent on the fj with minor rust, decent interior with recovered front seats with side jump seats in the rear. Comes with hard top and doors as well as a soft top that is missing a few hardware pieces. The fj has custom exhaust as well. I am 51 years old, am married, and have a 17 year old son. If I trade, the fj becomes my daily driver. I have had several Jeeps in my day so I am familiar with the basic platform. I am not sure if it is a responsible decision to trade, but it is so tempting. Please help me with some unbiased opinions. The expired youth in me wants the fj but the old fart in me that I really am says NO!. Any opinions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. PS, the fj has power steering and brakes.

 

^I would do it without hesitation. Not knowing full condition if either vehicle I'd guess the fj is more value, esp if in good condition. It might be a good project for you and your son. It won't be anything like your Nissan or jeeps, it will likely be better than all combined.