Advice on two Fj40’s in Classifieds

[70fj40]

Lots of good advice above, not much I can add. I will say that if you buy the white one you would very likely want to do all the things to it that has already been done to the blue one. Compared to a Tacoma you won’t find the 40 a comfortable ride. Too loud, too slow and too primitive. For someone who wants a driver do yourself a favor and buy one (like the blue one) that already has the most wanted upgrades already done. Leave the white one for someone who wants to restore it to original. Of course that is my opinion only and worth exactly what you paid for it.

 

[Paul_A]

All I'll say is regardless of which one you pic, you're in for a great education.

 

[Radclerk1]

All I'll say is regardless of which one you pic, you're in for a great education.

Uh oh, not sure if that’s good or bad! Anything you see that might make this a bad decision?

 

[Wasatch Jay]

Somewhat ironically there is a 1964 FJ40 FST listed on Bring a Trailer with the auction expiring at 2:14 PM EDT. It's a No Reserve auction!

The website shows this has previously sold twice on BaT: July, 2024 for $18,250, and April, 2026 for $24,750.

There are not a lot of comments and the seller has disclosed there are some electrical issues.

Here's a link:

No Reserve: 1964 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 FST

Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 1964 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 FST at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #264,928.

bringatrailer.com

If you aren't familiar with BaT, the previous auctions are shown on the right side of the page and if you clink on those, it goes to that auction and you can read the description as well as the comments. In some cases, the comments are very helpful.

 

[onemanarmy]

selling that quick? red flags

 

[procomsignathid]

Uh oh, not sure if that’s good or bad! Anything you see that might make this a bad decision?

It's more that any FJ40 will teach you to wrench, even a good one. They are designed to last if they are maintained. Grease zerks on fittings, components designed to be taken apart and rebuilt, etc. If you have the cash and you have a local expert shop you can skip out of class, but honestly its a good way to pass the time, it's fulfilling, and you learn a ton. I hadn't planned on doing this much work to mine (thought I bought a pristine one, but I knew nothing and I bought it sight-unseen), so I've been working through my education one to-do at a time

 

[JohnnyC]

selling that quick? red flags

Or people are buying it thinking it will drive like a new jeep... but they find out quickly it drives like a Flintstones car with square wheels

more original ... more cumbersome

 

[Radclerk1]

Or people are buying it thinking it will drive like a new jeep... but they find out quickly it drives like a Flintstones car with square wheels

more original ... more cumbersome

Or people are buying it thinking it will drive like a new jeep... but they find out quickly it drives like a Flintstones car with square wheels

more original ... more cumbersome

It’s funny you say that, the whole reason I’m drawn to them is exactly for that reason, I reminisce constantly about driving with my grandfather in his old rusted out Toyotas and Datsuns from the 70’s up to our house that he was building at the time. I find myself chasing that feeling constantly.

 

[JohnnyC]

It’s funny you say that, the whole reason I’m drawn to them is exactly for that reason, I reminisce constantly about driving with my grandfather in his old rusted out Toyotas and Datsuns from the 70’s up to our house that he was building at the time. I find myself chasing that feeling constantly.

and we r the reason theres a following ... hoping at least one of my kids i can pass the torch to

 

[Wasatch Jay]

selling that quick? red flags

I think that's a common and understandable concern. The issue was raised in the comments and the seller replied "I forgot that I wasn’t 20 years old anymore. It’s a little more rustic than I was thinking and with two bad knees it is very difficult for me to drive."

As one who is as Clint Eastwood put it, "On the back nine of life", I can fully understand and appreciate the challenges of being older, and the limitations one encounters.

The seller who first sold it (in 2024) opined "I’m sorry to hear that you’re selling the rig so quickly. This is a very nice early 40 with a few nicely appointed more modern updates like power steering, front disc brakes, and smoother suspension. I really enjoyed it when I had it. GLWA and I hope it goes to a great home!" "

 

[peesalot]

If that blue one is who's I assume it was thats the one you want.

 

[71-CRUISER]

1000% buy the one with the 2F swap.

Mudrak does amazing work and it will be WAY MORE DRIVEABLE than the “survivor” which I guarantee will need work.

 

[bhsdriller]

blue 100%

 

[hj 60]

Do you have a spare car to drive when the 40 is a week offline for maintenance?
Because I think whatever you buy it will need work, and some is a weekend and some a few weeks.
I bought at the lowest of the market so a lot of work but for me it is fun to buy new parts and spend a few grand (now finishing up the welding so it can go for the return road check)
What I found is most expensive is set of tires (but almost no time needed to mount that), full exhaust (but find the right one) and all brakes around is a lot of work to press new lines and fit it all with new brake shoes, drums, cilinders.
Suspension springs is very expensive (and time to slam it loose) but the shackles are cheap.

If you need to replace the rear iron struts, those are riveted with about 20 rivets: a hell of a job to replace (grinder or blowtorch or plasma cutter)

A good indication is the parts websites and scroll trough the available parts, all parts have their place, price, time, swearwords and blood.
But the hardest is a personal time limit on buying, many will follow so just drive a few and see and hear the difference (sloppy, bouncy, grinding, pulling to one side)

 

[eaj71]

Blue

 

[Paul_A]

The blue one looks like it's got more going for it and it will be less work because you won't have to flip the bezel.