- Location
- United States
I just added some pics to Photobucket…. There are 8 sub albums:
http://s921.photobucket.com/user/multi-mediacorp/library/79%20FJ40%20Land%20Cruiser?sort=3&page=1
This matching numbers 1979 truck was restored in 1995 with 47,000 miles on it by Cool Cruisers of Texas (note the stainless steel fasteners) and shipped to a Lake vacation Cabin in Minnesota where it was lightly used for grocery/pizza runs in the summer (11,000 miles in 16 years) and kept in a heated garage the rest of the time. It currently resides in a garage and is taken out regularly (weather permitting, of course). What you will not find on this truck is any Rhino Liner to hide repairs… You won’t find “strengthening” diamondplate aluminum panels anywhere on this truck… the floors are solid, the panels are strong and complete. This is not a Concourse show restoration, it’s just a good honest vehicle. ,Based on research I’ve seen this truck could go for the low to mid $60K range. I’ll be listing it as “buy it now” for $49,500 but with a reserve of $47,000.
Barely broken in with under 67K original miles, it runs better and better as I have made little improvements. When I got it, it had been sitting for most of each year in a garage at a couple’s lake cabin in MN. After changing all fluids, I went about dealing with any surface rust I could find. The leaf springs were stiff and stuck together, so I applied liquid wrench for a few months intermittently. As I greased the steering knuckles and shackles, and u-joints in the front & rear drive shafts, I would apply the excess grease along the leaf springs… as the months went by, they really began to travel smoothly and since then, the new shocks have begun to break in… the combination of new rubber underneath including bushings, motor & transmission mounts, exhaust mounts and P rated new tires along with the sound proofing/insulation that accompanied the AC installation have transformed it into the smoothest quietest most civilized riding Land Cruiser I have ever ridden in & the VP of the local LandKrewser chapter agrees… he couldn’t believe it when I let him drive.
It starts immediately cold or warmed up and runs smooth & straight… It will do over 70 on the highway steering with one finger… not that I do it often, but occasionally to blow the carbon out… over 60 mph the wind noise gets distracting… it can cruise calm & cool at 60-65 all day long. It shifts really smoothly and the 4wd hi and low also work as they should.
I had looked for several years for a 79 in good condition. I like that year for the electronic ignition (still retro convertible to points), the highway friendly gearing, and the ambulance doors and larger interior space with the external gas tank. I have seen so many editions of the 40 with rust in the usual spots & some all over, even in the glove compartment. What I was finding were either rusted out or hacked up with V-8 engines or at least most of the engine bay stripped bare. This one is the most complete version I had ever seen, with all the vacuum lines, smog equipment, and even the thermostatically controlled carburetor cooling fan to prevent vapor lock. I knew what I had when I found this. I have enjoyed several years of projects and challenges with this truck, but I am now facing a set of family issues, so I have to prioritize. This has been my “fun car” and a daily fair weather driver… I won’t take it out if rain is even threatening… after all the work I’ve done, I don’t want to compromise the value of this antique, but with the rain we get in Louisiana, this is not a practical daily driver.
What’s been done since I’ve been curator of this well-preserved artifact.
AIR CONDITIONING & INSULATION – A major project combining parts from two kits. Vintage air compressor and bracket with Vintage air dryer, condenser and hoses in engine compartment marry to Old Air Hurricane unit in cab. The Vintage Air unit would have taken up most of the passenger knee room and the Old Air unit looks almost exactly like the size and shape of the original heater unit it replaced. The unit also provides heating and windshield defrost. To retain a stock look, the vent from the original heating unit has been retrofitted to become the center vent for the new system (replacing the radio which moved to the former ashtray home with a custom 3/8” aluminum bezel to match glove-box & speedo bezel.
NEW RADIATOR (brass not brittle aluminum) Four Core to boost cooling following AC installation along with a NEW WATER PUMP and all new hoses.
For heat and sound insulation, Two layers of foil sandwich insulation along with Mass Loaded Vinyl (1lb per sq’) added from top of interior firewall to floor and hump to under seats and all the way to the back. The insulation panels are Not glued, but remain removable in case of moisture.
Sound System – new “Retro Toyota” radio with line-in for playing from MP3 or Iphone sources. Four speakers added. Rear Speakers installed with clamps to roll bar (no holes drilled) and wired to back through body panel frame for clean installation. With the all the added soundproofing, it has a great sound.
LED Dash Light with switch added (incredibly helpful amenity), LEDs exchanged in instrument cluster and dome light
Hand Grips have been added above both doors to assist entry.
Flip out rear vent window hardware to match other side.
Center console fabricated from 50cal ammo box provides a much better elbow height than the Tuffy console. It does have the lock and cupholders from Tuffy worked into the design with the addition of a front tray for sunglasses, wallet, keys etc.
NEW RUBBER – motor mounts, transmission mounts, exhaust mounts, and suspension bushings (with greasable pins added to both hanging points on all four springs), new wiper blades, & new weatherstripping. All new Vacuum lines in engine compartment from carburetor, smog control, and various sensors. New Radiator hoses. New Steering tie rod boots to keep grease in place. New Shifter boots. Steering wheel centered. New U-bolts were done when the Leveling Shim by CCOT was added. These shims are made to compensate for inherent left side sag from the weight reduction when the steering gear shifted from the original designs which had left hand drive. It sits squarely now.
NEW Bilstein SHOCKS with appropriate travel for front & rear moderate lift.
New Geolander tires P265/75 R15 (P rated for a really smooth ride).
Every inch of the body and undercarriage has been gone over inside and out. Where any hint of rust was evident it was treated with 3part rust converter-encapsulater-preventative by Eastman. It was even sprayed with extension nozzles into every crevice of the frame, body, and door panels where brushes couldn’t reach. There is virtually no rust evident on this truck.
DOORS – each door taken apart and treated with 3part rust converter-encapsulater-preventative by Eastman. New window track felt channel inserts, new window felt/metal (bottom of window opening), Regulators & locks were lubricated and adjusted. Even the door open stop rattle was eliminated by the addition of rubber grommet. The doors are the only place on the truck where adhesive Dynamat panels were added to deaden their sound. They don’t ring when closing and it gives them a quiet solid feel when driving.
Roof Channel Gutter – stripped and treated with 3part rust converter-encapsulater-preventative by Eastman, then re-caulked & painted. Roof attachment points (normally seen as dobs of caulk) were fitted with custom “buttons” hollowed out disks glued over caulk points for cosmetics.
New Ambulance door lock (pesky rattle eliminated by proper re-adjustment & rubber washer).
Four New Brake master cylinders.
Towing hitch added along with wiring & plug for trailer lights. It now holds a convenient step for entry.
Bypass/Overflow hose added between transmission and transfer case to accommodate overflow should one area get more fluid while running and keep transfer case from running low on gear oil. Fresh gear oil added to both differentials. Engine oil is a mix of Mobil One 15-50 and one quart per four Mobil One V-Twin oil added to provide proper balance of zinc for solid lifter/cam/rocker coating. (the engine runs so much smoother and quieter since using this combo).
New Spark Plug Ignition wires along with plugs and OEM distributor cap & rotor and fuel and Air Filters were replaced and engine timing set.
New Windshield and Gasket (standing by in case they’re needed… the original is very slightly pitted, but I haven’t changed it out as I’m sure as soon as I did, that’s when I’d catch a rock or something.) I have a small collection of new and used parts that will come with the truck.
Windshield Washer – new hose run from glove compartment up through side of windshield frame to nozzle… the washer works fine… how many FJ40 owners can say that?
Custom plywood carpeted bed liner with hold-downs & cargo net was added to protect the pristine bed from possible scratches or dents.
Toyota Land Cruiser illustrated Repair Manual almost an inch and a half thick with extra diagrams.
Original jack & tire tools present
All receipts have been kept along with a large number of in-process before and after photos.
Email me to make an appointment to come by for a close up inspection or a test drive.
email: 3v@charter.net
