1973 FJ40 - I need another set of eyes

[branderbro]

Long time Cruiser junky, first time poster to this forum.

I've been interested in purchasing a 40 for some time now and I've come across this beauty. Expensive, but a looker nonetheless. I've seen it in person and it looks and runs great. But I'd like the forums expertise on any flaws and pitfalls of this vehicle. I'm aware that the back ambulance doors are not appropriate for a '73 but outside of that I havent seen any other red flags. Thanks in advance.

Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 | eBay

 

[skully3]

the bad

as mentioned the amby doors.
missing rear step
tire carrier looks correct tho
73 didn't have a roll bar nor a cover for the fuel tank inside
reverse light is not a 73
angle of the front blinkers looks odd
exhaust is not oem and mounted wrong.
wire harness in the rear looks hacked.
wrong motor, that's a 2F mated to a 3 speed
rear heater lines going thru the firewall are wrong and missing grommets
also the fact that someone would paint the drive shafts as a assembly is a red flag.
def not a "nuts and bolts" resto.
looks like things were painted over rust.


the good.

looks sharp and solid. if mixed match 40 is what your looking for maybe its for you. Can say that there has been some time and money invested in putting this together, just not a lot of attention to detail.

good luck on your search. (this means keep looking)

again depends on what your are looking for.

 

[Geezer Cruzzer]

If my feeble mind serves me correctly, that cruiser has been on and off eBay for several months. If it was worth the money, it would have already sold. At that price, the defects mentioned above should not be present. It's a hack "restoration". Click on eBay completed or sold auctions and see what has been available. Keep looking.

 

[Living in the Past]

I'll say with the spare on that side you can't open the ambulance door without moving spare first which one the advantages of the ambulance doors. If your going to put ambulance doors on I would update the sides doors and add vent windows in the hard top. Go to a 2F and leave the three speed, why? It's not a stock restore and the H42 is a better transmission. I would like to seen the edges of the tub where the ambulance doors fit. 73 the barn doors/tailgate fit against the outside. Ambulance doors are flush. Last little detail leaving the skid plate so can view the undercarriage better. It's not like it's a 4WD for off-road.

 

[Jdc1]

Ive seen this one in person as well.

Incomplete wiring

Inoperable guages

Seems like they did not pay attention to drivers floor under the A pillar and painted over rust.

Ambu doors.....

For that price range, one of Overton's trucks would be an option.

 

[Dynosoar]

73 did not have a locking fuel door (or not! I have been corrected, 9/72 is the date for the fuel door)

 

[cruiserkreutz]

73 did not have a locking fuel door

My '73 does.

 

[reddingcruiser]

Opinion Alert:

If you are willing to spend that kind of money, why not look for a solid, original and complete rig in the $15k - $20k range that needs some TLC. Then throw another $34k at it.
Paint - $12,000
Mechanical and upgrades - $12,000
Interior, tires/wheels, misc. - $10,000

Then it's yours, just the way you wanted it.

 

[reddingcruiser]

Sorry, that's only $54,000. Add $500 for a new radio.

 

[Jdc1]

I just went through the pics again. If you look at where the heater lines go through the firewall, they didn't use the correct T or grommet. At this asking price, mistakes like this are a rookie move.

 

[Tancruiser]

For 53,000 I’ll build you one.

 

[reddingcruiser]

For 53,000 I’ll build you one.

That's what I was thinking. I did it 3 years ago for less than $53,000.

 

[73fj40lc]

73 did not have a locking fuel door

Wrong, my early 73 also has a locking fuel door.

 

[Living in the Past]

Wrong, my early 73 also has a locking fuel door.

A number of changes with the 73 model one of which was the change to a smaller fuel tank and the filler door. All 73s had them.

 

[pjohnson]

My '73 does not have a fuel door.

 

[thecrazygreek]

I'll sell you my 64 that is 70% complete. And is a nut and bolt restoration. (my best one so far) I would even throw power steering on it, and fuel injection. And, You could pick the color. It already has a front axle from a 76 with factory Disc brakes, and will have a dual reservoir master brake cylinder for safety. I'm actually doing the first paint work this weekend.. (so you better hurry Will be ready by June 1.

You can see the build in my signature Horizon Blue...

Just saying...

 

[emac]

I agree with others. That is a lot of money for not restoring the dash knobs and leaving off grommets are are still available. I think of Antfj 's 71 build that was absolutely beautiful and correct. I think it sold for 34K, that was a steal. If I was going to spend big bucks for a 40 I would stay right here on MUD and keep watching and learning. You will find a better one for less money.

 

[Pete]

It's also missing a couple of heat shields in the rear along with the transmission/tranny skid plate. Did a '73 have bucket seats? I know my '71 didn't. Overall it looks like a real clean, detailed rig but it's the mix of parts from different years including the motor that turns me off. I about fell out of my chair when I saw an eBay price at $54.5K! I do like the pumpkin orange though.

 

[73FJ40]

@pjohnson :
"My '73 does not have a fuel door. "
What month/year is your '73? Trucks from 7209 onward had fuel doors ("cover sub-assy, fuel inlet box")

 

[Martyt]

Always funny reading the Ebay puffery on auctions and then read the comments of the knowledgeable folks on this site--I learn many things every day by simply reading old and new threads on this site.