- Location
- United States
1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
I purchased this FJ40 about 2 years ago from a gentleman that bought it for his wife to drive. She drove it for a few months and decided that it wasn’t the best vehicle (for her) to drive daily so I purchased it. The owner prior to them was the original owner and kept it garaged most of its life. I have taken EXCELLENT care of this FJ40 and it has been garaged since the day I purchased it. I added a few mods but wanted to keep it as original as possible. I am forced to sell due to the economy and bills that need paying. Here are the specs.
Body
In my opinion the body on this 78 FJ40 is in excellent condition compared to most. Everything on the body is original except the outside paint. The original owner re-sprayed the outside a few years ago because the original paint was oxidized. The inside is the original freeborn red paint. There was no body work done to the vehicle what so ever. It is bondo free. I thoroughly inspected this before I purchased it.
The inside is in excellent shape as well. There is very very minor surface rust here and there. Nothing is deep, just on the surface. The floor in the back has a few bubbles and the seam where the back meets the rear lip panel has a spot about 6 inches long of rust. The floor boards are solid and original. The back doors are excellent and solid. The front doors are good except for the bottom seam. There is some rust here. The top is great with a couple quarter sized spots. The seats are original but could use some attention or nice seat covers.
The underneath and frame are very solid. Very minor surface rust on some spots but that is all. Easily removed with a wire brush or wheel. Please see the pics.
I looked for a while and it was very hard to find an FJ40 in this great of shape and original as it is.
Engine & Drive train
The motor is the original and currently has 79k. When I purchased the vehicle it had around 74k. I went through the motor and performed a full tune-up. I replaced the plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and changed all the fluids. The previous owner had rebuilt the carburetor. I also replaced the original radiator with a 4 core heavy duty new one as well as the thermostat and hoses. I tested the compression in all cylinders as well and all registered in the 160’s so the motor is strong and punchy. All the smog equipment is still attached but need attention.
The only issues I know with this FJ40 and the motor is a leaking manifold gasket and the smog system. The motor runs great but sometimes idles low when it’s hot. I have been told it’s a vacuum line issue with the smog system. Other than the manifold gasket and vacuum line issue it runs great and strong. The oil pan gasket could use replacing. It leaks but very slightly. The cruiser has been kept in my garage ever since I purchased it and I’m almost positive that there isn’t even a spot from it leaking/dripping.
The 4spd transmission feels good and I have not had any issues with it other than a very slight leak that hasn’t left a drip spot either. It shifts smooth and feels strong as well as the 4 wheel drive system. Axles look and “feel” great.
Mods & Other Info
Once all the important issues were taken care of I added a few things while trying to keep it as original as possible.
The suspension is a full spring HFS (Cool Cruisers of Texas) 4” kit with shocks and greaseable shackles all the way around. This is the best lift kit I could purchase for the FJ40. I spent months researching different lifts. It also has the HFS steering stabilizer.
The wheels are from an 81 FJ40 and have been blasted and powder coated. The tires are BF Goodrich Mud Terrain 33x10.50/15’s which have roughly 3000 miles.
I recently added a new full 2.5 inch exhaust system from the manifold all the way back with a Magnaflow muffler. In my opinion it sounds excellent and is not loud at all. The sound produced is low and deep. The system also made the motor way more responsive. The shop that created the exhaust builds systems for race cars on a weekly basis so I know it’s done perfect and I watched the whole process.
The roll bar is custom that I created using another FJ40 roll bar. I simply added another bar and attached it with a straight piece in the center. I still have the original bars if you want to convert it back to the way it was. Keep in mind that this isn’t as strong as a full roll cage that attaches to the frame but is stronger than the original setup and still looks factory with the padding attached to each bar.
The front has a custom powder coated heavy duty bumper with 2 tow points. I still have the original front bumper that will be included. I also had a 3/8” thick winch plate made. The winch is a Warn M8000 that has been used about 3 times and not for pulling anybody out. The lights are Hella 500’s and have never been hooked up.
I mounted two KLH outdoor speakers in the back but never go around to hooking them up.
I pulled the factory headliner down because I was hanging and torn in places. Many people just add carpet or purchase a new kit from SOR or CCOT.
The rear tail lights are brand new with bulbs and rubber gaskets.
Also included in this sale are a Spector Off-Road Family Summer Top, a set of soft half doors, and a rear tailgate panel cover for when the top is off.
Specter Off-Road Land Cruiser Parts - Page 273 Half Doors
Specter Off-Road Land Cruiser Parts - Page 272 Bikini & Summer Tops
Purchase & Misc Info
I searched up and down for a Land Cruiser of this condition and found it with this one. This FJ40 would be an excellent candidate for a complete restore and isn’t far from being transformed. I’ve owned 8 Toyota’s and have taken great care of all. The top is currently off for the summer but can be attached if need be. I have tried to be as thorough as possible in my description. I will add further if I left something out.
$10,000 is my bottom dollar for this FJ40. The winch is not included but can be for an additional $400. I also plan to list this on Ebay today or tomorrow with my reserve set at $10k.
Please contact me here or PM with any questions you may have. Located in Athens GA. Thanks for looking! WM
I purchased this FJ40 about 2 years ago from a gentleman that bought it for his wife to drive. She drove it for a few months and decided that it wasn’t the best vehicle (for her) to drive daily so I purchased it. The owner prior to them was the original owner and kept it garaged most of its life. I have taken EXCELLENT care of this FJ40 and it has been garaged since the day I purchased it. I added a few mods but wanted to keep it as original as possible. I am forced to sell due to the economy and bills that need paying. Here are the specs.
Body
In my opinion the body on this 78 FJ40 is in excellent condition compared to most. Everything on the body is original except the outside paint. The original owner re-sprayed the outside a few years ago because the original paint was oxidized. The inside is the original freeborn red paint. There was no body work done to the vehicle what so ever. It is bondo free. I thoroughly inspected this before I purchased it.
The inside is in excellent shape as well. There is very very minor surface rust here and there. Nothing is deep, just on the surface. The floor in the back has a few bubbles and the seam where the back meets the rear lip panel has a spot about 6 inches long of rust. The floor boards are solid and original. The back doors are excellent and solid. The front doors are good except for the bottom seam. There is some rust here. The top is great with a couple quarter sized spots. The seats are original but could use some attention or nice seat covers.
The underneath and frame are very solid. Very minor surface rust on some spots but that is all. Easily removed with a wire brush or wheel. Please see the pics.
I looked for a while and it was very hard to find an FJ40 in this great of shape and original as it is.
Engine & Drive train
The motor is the original and currently has 79k. When I purchased the vehicle it had around 74k. I went through the motor and performed a full tune-up. I replaced the plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and changed all the fluids. The previous owner had rebuilt the carburetor. I also replaced the original radiator with a 4 core heavy duty new one as well as the thermostat and hoses. I tested the compression in all cylinders as well and all registered in the 160’s so the motor is strong and punchy. All the smog equipment is still attached but need attention.
The only issues I know with this FJ40 and the motor is a leaking manifold gasket and the smog system. The motor runs great but sometimes idles low when it’s hot. I have been told it’s a vacuum line issue with the smog system. Other than the manifold gasket and vacuum line issue it runs great and strong. The oil pan gasket could use replacing. It leaks but very slightly. The cruiser has been kept in my garage ever since I purchased it and I’m almost positive that there isn’t even a spot from it leaking/dripping.
The 4spd transmission feels good and I have not had any issues with it other than a very slight leak that hasn’t left a drip spot either. It shifts smooth and feels strong as well as the 4 wheel drive system. Axles look and “feel” great.
Mods & Other Info
Once all the important issues were taken care of I added a few things while trying to keep it as original as possible.
The suspension is a full spring HFS (Cool Cruisers of Texas) 4” kit with shocks and greaseable shackles all the way around. This is the best lift kit I could purchase for the FJ40. I spent months researching different lifts. It also has the HFS steering stabilizer.
The wheels are from an 81 FJ40 and have been blasted and powder coated. The tires are BF Goodrich Mud Terrain 33x10.50/15’s which have roughly 3000 miles.
I recently added a new full 2.5 inch exhaust system from the manifold all the way back with a Magnaflow muffler. In my opinion it sounds excellent and is not loud at all. The sound produced is low and deep. The system also made the motor way more responsive. The shop that created the exhaust builds systems for race cars on a weekly basis so I know it’s done perfect and I watched the whole process.
The roll bar is custom that I created using another FJ40 roll bar. I simply added another bar and attached it with a straight piece in the center. I still have the original bars if you want to convert it back to the way it was. Keep in mind that this isn’t as strong as a full roll cage that attaches to the frame but is stronger than the original setup and still looks factory with the padding attached to each bar.
The front has a custom powder coated heavy duty bumper with 2 tow points. I still have the original front bumper that will be included. I also had a 3/8” thick winch plate made. The winch is a Warn M8000 that has been used about 3 times and not for pulling anybody out. The lights are Hella 500’s and have never been hooked up.
I mounted two KLH outdoor speakers in the back but never go around to hooking them up.
I pulled the factory headliner down because I was hanging and torn in places. Many people just add carpet or purchase a new kit from SOR or CCOT.
The rear tail lights are brand new with bulbs and rubber gaskets.
Also included in this sale are a Spector Off-Road Family Summer Top, a set of soft half doors, and a rear tailgate panel cover for when the top is off.
Specter Off-Road Land Cruiser Parts - Page 273 Half Doors
Specter Off-Road Land Cruiser Parts - Page 272 Bikini & Summer Tops
Purchase & Misc Info
I searched up and down for a Land Cruiser of this condition and found it with this one. This FJ40 would be an excellent candidate for a complete restore and isn’t far from being transformed. I’ve owned 8 Toyota’s and have taken great care of all. The top is currently off for the summer but can be attached if need be. I have tried to be as thorough as possible in my description. I will add further if I left something out.
$10,000 is my bottom dollar for this FJ40. The winch is not included but can be for an additional $400. I also plan to list this on Ebay today or tomorrow with my reserve set at $10k.
Please contact me here or PM with any questions you may have. Located in Athens GA. Thanks for looking! WM
i was gonna do an h55f swap anyway, but i find i dont really need it. (i wouldnt have waited 5 more months, anyway)
