Hey fellas, We just acquired this 77 model fj40. It’s 90% original and has 21k original miles. First vintage Toyota for me. What should I be looking out for and what should I do to beef it up a bit?
77’ fj40
- Thread starter ncturkeypro
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Looks nice. 90% oem and only 21,000 miles - what was changed? I'd be looking at fluids, belts, hoses and filters.
Free manuals Land Cruiser Factory Service Manuals (FSMs) - https://www.cruisercult.com/factory-service-manuals
Coolerman electrical
Free manuals Land Cruiser Factory Service Manuals (FSMs) - https://www.cruisercult.com/factory-service-manuals
Coolerman electrical
Congrats on the purchase! Look for the unanticipated highs and lows of owning a 40. If you want general advice/thoughts on the rig, more pictures would help - including under the hood, undercarriage, etc. Any intel from the PPI?
First suggestion from me, replace the circa 1991 LC wheels with the easily available original type.
Nice-looking rig. Looks like it's been resprayed? I don't think that's a factory blue, and the silver wiper motor cover is another tell. There is some interesting badging that I've never seen on a North American 40 that gives it South American market vibes. Either way, I'd be skeptical of the mileage claim.
Anyway, post more photos so we can see what you've got!
Anyway, post more photos so we can see what you've got!
Does it have cabin heat/defrost? That is another sign its not US spec. Engine and interior pics would tell more
- Thread starter
- #6
Took more pics for everyone to check out.
- Thread starter
- #7
Couple more
my WAG is the stated original mileage is not correct
seems a US spec rig
need to get a proper hose on the valve cover to air cleaner
make sure the tube on the top of the air cleaner is sealed, looks like it is taped
not a fan of sunroofs in 40's
also not a fan of carpet in 40's as it tends to hold moisture and cause rust issues
77 should have all black interior, seats and door panels
some other things but I'll stop
seems a US spec rig
need to get a proper hose on the valve cover to air cleaner
make sure the tube on the top of the air cleaner is sealed, looks like it is taped
not a fan of sunroofs in 40's
also not a fan of carpet in 40's as it tends to hold moisture and cause rust issues
77 should have all black interior, seats and door panels
some other things but I'll stop
RevISK
SILVER Star
Seems US spec, the color does not look OE but looks sprayed very well.
Looks amazingly immaculate but something seems odd/off.
Congrats. Have you driven it?
Do you know the provenance prior to your ownership?
Looks amazingly immaculate but something seems odd/off.
Congrats. Have you driven it?
Do you know the provenance prior to your ownership?
What kind of carb is that? I would say more like 60% OEM. What do you mean by beef it up a bit?
I'd have to agree with the others: given all of the modifications such as trim, paint, badges, wheels and the condition of that engine my money is on 121,000.
BUT, mileage is largely irrelevant on 40s. Rust is the big issue. I'd take a 250,000 rust free 40 from Arizona over a 5000 mile 40 from New Hampshire any day of the week.
This one looks to have great bones. Figure out the original colour, get some factory rims and badges and maybe tinker with the interior and you'll have a stellar rig.
BUT, mileage is largely irrelevant on 40s. Rust is the big issue. I'd take a 250,000 rust free 40 from Arizona over a 5000 mile 40 from New Hampshire any day of the week.
This one looks to have great bones. Figure out the original colour, get some factory rims and badges and maybe tinker with the interior and you'll have a stellar rig.
on the inside driver side below the corner window, looks like some rough stuff painted over
do both sides above the rear wheels have dimples in the body work from the spot weld locations?
do both sides above the rear wheels have dimples in the body work from the spot weld locations?
@ncturkeypro, welcome to the site and congratulations on your purchase. It appears you are starting with a very solid US spec 40. As you'll find out these things are never done. It appears to be mostly original under the hood, with an exterior repaint. The 1st things to do is base line it, then prioritize its needs. You want it to be safe, running, stopping and steering. Change the fluids, look for leaks and check the brakes. Also check the steering components, such as tres, bushings, leaking knuckles, wheel bearings and such. Its almost 50 years old. I'm sure some service work has been neglected.
You've come to the right place. This website is the foremost authority on FJ4X Land Cruisers. Most every subject has been covered and is contained witin this site. You need to figure out how to search either here or using the internet and clicking on posts that reference this site. When you titled your post as 90% original with low miles, the members here see that as a challenge to pick it apart. Overall they've been very kind. The builder did a lot of bling stuff, but their attention to detail and finish work is lacking, which is typical. Things like polishing the knobs and getting a paint pen for their lettering, installing a lighter, rubber bumper on the windshield supports on the hood and the correct badging to name a few. We would like to see pics of the floors and underneath the vehicle would be helpful. We always enjoy pics. The members here have a passion for Land Cruisers and will want to help you to succeed in your endeavors. The things to beef it up is all dependant on what you want to do with the 40.
You've come to the right place. This website is the foremost authority on FJ4X Land Cruisers. Most every subject has been covered and is contained witin this site. You need to figure out how to search either here or using the internet and clicking on posts that reference this site. When you titled your post as 90% original with low miles, the members here see that as a challenge to pick it apart. Overall they've been very kind. The builder did a lot of bling stuff, but their attention to detail and finish work is lacking, which is typical. Things like polishing the knobs and getting a paint pen for their lettering, installing a lighter, rubber bumper on the windshield supports on the hood and the correct badging to name a few. We would like to see pics of the floors and underneath the vehicle would be helpful. We always enjoy pics. The members here have a passion for Land Cruisers and will want to help you to succeed in your endeavors. The things to beef it up is all dependant on what you want to do with the 40.
- Thread starter
- #15
Ok guys, Little more back story I have been able to piece together. My wife’s family has owned a Toyota dealership here in FL for the last 25 years. This FJ was part of their vintage collection on the showroom floor. The dealership sold this month and all the owner/family members were given the opportunity to claim a piece of the collection. We chose this blue one. The FJ was purchased from a gallery in Ohio in 2016 and has been indoors at our dealership since. It cranks immediately and runs amazing but it drives like a horseless carriage! Lol. No power steering no AC and those tires and rims in the pics have were removed before we got it. It now has black basic steel rims and much smaller tires. That needs to change! We are very seriously considering adding a Vintage Air system because it’s very hot here 7-8 months out of the year. I’ve been reading about some electric power steering systems as well. I can drive it fine w/o the power steering but the wife may struggle. I would also consider a small lift it it needs it to run bigger tires but my limited research says it’s ok stock up to about a 31” tire? 
. We don’t want to do anything crazy as far as off roading, just take it to a few car shows and have it looking sharp. As far as the mileage goes, the dealer principal, which is one of the family members, says it is 21k original miles and it showed it on the title that way as well. I have no proof other than that. I’m going to try to contact the folks in Ohio that we acquired it from in 2016 and see if I can get more info. Until then please give me some tire and wheel advice because that’s what it needs first. Also pros/cons to the AC and power steering. I’m mechanically handy but I would have to do the work in my driveway. I don’t have a shop or a lift. Thanks for reading guys and I will post more info as I get it.
. We don’t want to do anything crazy as far as off roading, just take it to a few car shows and have it looking sharp. As far as the mileage goes, the dealer principal, which is one of the family members, says it is 21k original miles and it showed it on the title that way as well. I have no proof other than that. I’m going to try to contact the folks in Ohio that we acquired it from in 2016 and see if I can get more info. Until then please give me some tire and wheel advice because that’s what it needs first. Also pros/cons to the AC and power steering. I’m mechanically handy but I would have to do the work in my driveway. I don’t have a shop or a lift. Thanks for reading guys and I will post more info as I get it.Good story; you would be fine w/ 31’s not lifted driving around Florida. (and I lifted everything over the years!) Stock hight is the easiest to climb into. A lift can be done without negatively impacting ride and steering geometry, If you do the research and spend more money; on the other hand many have been done over the years that actually diminished ride comfort and steering. (I did some of those too!)
X2 on 31's with no lift, I like stock rims with hubcaps
electric power steering is a good option especially if staying with 33" tires and under
there is really no way of knowing what the actual mileage is as the odometer is 5 digits and then starts again at zero as it rolls over
just looking at all the work that was done to the rig, seems the stated 21k may not be accurate
electric power steering is a good option especially if staying with 33" tires and under
there is really no way of knowing what the actual mileage is as the odometer is 5 digits and then starts again at zero as it rolls over
just looking at all the work that was done to the rig, seems the stated 21k may not be accurate
- Thread starter
- #18
This was the entire collection
Luckily you didn’t get the red one. You’d have to flip the bezel.
Sheeeit, who snuck into my garage?