- Location
- United States
1979 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 driver/project
I've been slowly addressing mechanical issues since purchasing this truck over a year ago and have decided that it's just not the right truck for my climate and intended use (humidity, road salt, rain, etc.). Original paint, very solid body. Original drivetrain, runs well. Manual steering.
In all, this is really an amazingly solid late-model truck with original paint. It would make for a great rolling restoration (which was my plan) or even the base for a very nice full restoration if desired.
Located in St. Paul, MN. The best way to reach me is via email: young[dot]adrian[dot]c[at]gmail.com
Asking $11,500 or best offer.
BODY:
This FJ40 has some bumps and bruises, but still wears its original 416 Dune Beige paint on the exterior, and it still shines even without a wax. The rear quarter panels and rear sill are in fantastic shape, completely solid and without the typical rot. These are original panels and have not been replaced, with the spot welds clean and visible on the rear quarter panels. The frame still has its original paint as well, and only exhibits minor surface rust in places; it's very clean, and has not been spray-painted to hide issues.
There has been no major body work performed. The front floors do exhibit corrosion and a couple of holes, but I believe they could be patched rather than replaced to maintain originality. A previous owner has patched the outside edges of the front floors with what appears to be a strip of fiberglass. Additionally, the interior rear tub has been spray painted with a non-matching beige and there are a couple other areas on the truck touched up with this same color.
The front fenders are both slightly bent from (literal) fender-benders over the years. They may be able to be straightened, but certainly replacements would address this issue as well.
I do not have the hard top or doors, but the truck has been set up for a soft top; I do have most of the soft top (doors and bows, no actual top unfortunately) and it will go with the truck. I think it's a Tiger/Kayline/Bestop type of top, definitely not factory style.
I also have a very nice 1979 hard top (color does not match) that could be negotiated as part of the sale, as well as four restorable/core doors in beige. These are not included in the asking price.
DRIVETRAIN:
The truck still has its original engine, transmission, transfer case, springs and axles. It even had its original drive plates in place of locking hubs (I installed locking hubs, but I still have these and they will go with the truck). This truck is not equipped with power steering.
The truck starts, runs and drives well. There are a few minor fluid drips but nothing out of the ordinary for a truck of this vintage. The smog pump and catalytic converter have been removed by a previous owner and I do not have them.
I am not fond of the aftermarket wheels, but they came with the truck and are serviceable. The tires have excellent tread but are old and show some cracking, so they should be replaced. My plan was to add refinished stock wheels with new tires.
INTERIOR:
The truck came from Texas (there is still a spot on the back corner where you can just make out the word 'Dallas' from an ancient dealer sticker) and spent a lot of time in the sun, and the interior reflects that. The lower dash and rollbar pads are dried out and should be replaced, but the upper dash pad is in nice shape (I imagine it has already been replaced at some point). The front seat covers are cracked and the jump seat covers are dried out. The radio opening in the dash has been cut and enlarged, but the original metal was simply bent back and I was planning on restoring this area. Interior plastics also show signs of being in the sun.
NOTES:
Due to an early season snowstorm last week (and the attendant road salt), test drives are not possible beyond my driveway at the moment. I am happy to let prospective buyers inspect the truck in the garage, and we can start it and so forth, but I can't allow it to be driven in the salt while I still own it. I understand this may deter some buyers, but there's not much I can do.
I'll be adding more photos later in the week, but I'll attach what I have on hand to give an idea of overall condition.
RECENT WORK:
I have completely refurbished the brakes, including:
- front calipers
- front rotors
- front pads
- front hoses
- front frame-to-axle hose
- new master cylinder
- rear shoes
- rear drums
- rear frame-to-axle hose
- rebuilt or replaced all 4 rear wheel cylinders
- flushed with new DOT4 fluid
The steering has been refurbished, including:
- all tie rod ends replaced
- rebuilt center arm
- rebuilt drag link end
The front knuckles have had a complete service, including:
- all new wheel bearings and seals
- all new trunion bearings
- replaced all wipers and seals, including Marlin double-lipped axle seals
- cleaned and repacked the Birfield joints with the correct moly grease
- repacked the knuckles with the correct moly grease
- installed Aisin locking hubs and new gaskets
I have also replaced the starter solenoid and changed the oil.
NEXT STEPS (this was my plan, anyway):
- change coolant, axle, transmission and transfer case fluids
- adjust valves
- replace shocks
- replace spring and shackle bushings
- front end alignment
- address minor leaks
- patch front floor pans
- odometer does not work
- heater controls are sticky and need attention
- tires have good tread but are old
I've been slowly addressing mechanical issues since purchasing this truck over a year ago and have decided that it's just not the right truck for my climate and intended use (humidity, road salt, rain, etc.). Original paint, very solid body. Original drivetrain, runs well. Manual steering.
In all, this is really an amazingly solid late-model truck with original paint. It would make for a great rolling restoration (which was my plan) or even the base for a very nice full restoration if desired.
Located in St. Paul, MN. The best way to reach me is via email: young[dot]adrian[dot]c[at]gmail.com
Asking $11,500 or best offer.
BODY:
This FJ40 has some bumps and bruises, but still wears its original 416 Dune Beige paint on the exterior, and it still shines even without a wax. The rear quarter panels and rear sill are in fantastic shape, completely solid and without the typical rot. These are original panels and have not been replaced, with the spot welds clean and visible on the rear quarter panels. The frame still has its original paint as well, and only exhibits minor surface rust in places; it's very clean, and has not been spray-painted to hide issues.
There has been no major body work performed. The front floors do exhibit corrosion and a couple of holes, but I believe they could be patched rather than replaced to maintain originality. A previous owner has patched the outside edges of the front floors with what appears to be a strip of fiberglass. Additionally, the interior rear tub has been spray painted with a non-matching beige and there are a couple other areas on the truck touched up with this same color.
The front fenders are both slightly bent from (literal) fender-benders over the years. They may be able to be straightened, but certainly replacements would address this issue as well.
I do not have the hard top or doors, but the truck has been set up for a soft top; I do have most of the soft top (doors and bows, no actual top unfortunately) and it will go with the truck. I think it's a Tiger/Kayline/Bestop type of top, definitely not factory style.
I also have a very nice 1979 hard top (color does not match) that could be negotiated as part of the sale, as well as four restorable/core doors in beige. These are not included in the asking price.
DRIVETRAIN:
The truck still has its original engine, transmission, transfer case, springs and axles. It even had its original drive plates in place of locking hubs (I installed locking hubs, but I still have these and they will go with the truck). This truck is not equipped with power steering.
The truck starts, runs and drives well. There are a few minor fluid drips but nothing out of the ordinary for a truck of this vintage. The smog pump and catalytic converter have been removed by a previous owner and I do not have them.
I am not fond of the aftermarket wheels, but they came with the truck and are serviceable. The tires have excellent tread but are old and show some cracking, so they should be replaced. My plan was to add refinished stock wheels with new tires.
INTERIOR:
The truck came from Texas (there is still a spot on the back corner where you can just make out the word 'Dallas' from an ancient dealer sticker) and spent a lot of time in the sun, and the interior reflects that. The lower dash and rollbar pads are dried out and should be replaced, but the upper dash pad is in nice shape (I imagine it has already been replaced at some point). The front seat covers are cracked and the jump seat covers are dried out. The radio opening in the dash has been cut and enlarged, but the original metal was simply bent back and I was planning on restoring this area. Interior plastics also show signs of being in the sun.
NOTES:
Due to an early season snowstorm last week (and the attendant road salt), test drives are not possible beyond my driveway at the moment. I am happy to let prospective buyers inspect the truck in the garage, and we can start it and so forth, but I can't allow it to be driven in the salt while I still own it. I understand this may deter some buyers, but there's not much I can do.
I'll be adding more photos later in the week, but I'll attach what I have on hand to give an idea of overall condition.
RECENT WORK:
I have completely refurbished the brakes, including:
- front calipers
- front rotors
- front pads
- front hoses
- front frame-to-axle hose
- new master cylinder
- rear shoes
- rear drums
- rear frame-to-axle hose
- rebuilt or replaced all 4 rear wheel cylinders
- flushed with new DOT4 fluid
The steering has been refurbished, including:
- all tie rod ends replaced
- rebuilt center arm
- rebuilt drag link end
The front knuckles have had a complete service, including:
- all new wheel bearings and seals
- all new trunion bearings
- replaced all wipers and seals, including Marlin double-lipped axle seals
- cleaned and repacked the Birfield joints with the correct moly grease
- repacked the knuckles with the correct moly grease
- installed Aisin locking hubs and new gaskets
I have also replaced the starter solenoid and changed the oil.
NEXT STEPS (this was my plan, anyway):
- change coolant, axle, transmission and transfer case fluids
- adjust valves
- replace shocks
- replace spring and shackle bushings
- front end alignment
- address minor leaks
- patch front floor pans
- odometer does not work
- heater controls are sticky and need attention
- tires have good tread but are old
