FJ40 vs FJ43

[Mr Hands]

Sadly had to leave my FJ-40 in the states while I'm deployed but completely in the throws of FJ addiction.

Found a FJ43 that is pretty much good to go; few little things to do with paint and spark plugs. It looks like most of the pieces between FJ40s and FJ43s are similar/the same. Seems like there is very limited info out about FJ43s but was curious if anyone had experience/knowledge of particular issues/differences noted between the two that would be useful to know before getting to work on the FJ43.

Any info would be appreciated!

 

[South Texas 97]

holy moley, looks more like an early Lexus on the inside, amazing.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Hard to see a downside to that Cruiser.

 

[mattressking]

FJ43 is the same as a 40, just a little longer. Same 2F, without any emissions equipment. Still uses points instead of electronic like USA received starting around ‘78. The minor differences will be addition or lack of power steering, ac, heater/defrost. Yours doesn’t appear to have heat or ac for the later bezel year so it’s a pretty minimal truck. H41/h42 4spd and splitcase are likely. With all the fancy work done I’d be curious what else has been done underneath or under the hood. The electrics and hoses all seem to be sprayed with the body color so that’s not usually an ideal situation for quality control on a ‘restoration’.

Otherwise - it’s a pretty truck! Definitely post engine pictures if you can.

 

[Living in the Past]

Obviously either a 81 or 82. Will have most of the lastest improvements. Doesn't have the insert dash. Also doesn't have a H55F five but those seem few and far between in that region of the world. Of all the cruisers could import from other markets a LHD mid wheel base is right at the top of the list. If you have and of bringing it back later couldn't go wrong with a good mid wheel base. These generally are in better condition than those from South of the border.

 

[78crzr]

Wow, what a nice truck! Glad you were able to find an option there to further fuel the addiction! Congrats!

 

[Mr Hands]

Appreciate it! No heater or power steering (yet) but aftermarket A/C installed; pretty sure the summers here would be unbearable without it. Engine bay below; little dusty/dirty but probably where I'll be spending most of my time after I the inevitable mechanical/electrical fun that always needs something.

I figure most of the parts are the same; just haven't seen a lot esp. with potentially replacing suspension, etc. with OME or similar parts. Guessing I should be generally in the clear to go with same year FJ40 parts?

Re: the wiring; I have some photos from before the p/o did his work on it. Looks like it came like that prior to the new paint job.

 

[Mopdog]

Holy s*** that’s a nice truck. I feel like I did when I was 8 and got a look at the girl in the never ending story for the first time. I’m in Boise hit me up when you get it home.

 

[JohnnyC]

x5 nice truck, looks like he had a lock on the hood at some point (three holes under front lip)

most likely put the padding on the bars to reduce the flapping/slapping of the canvas... nice carpeting... he must have liked a quite truck

OEM chrome front bumper and bezel is a plus


Marines?

 

[bhsdriller]

send it

 

[Living in the Past]

Rear springs are mid wheel base only. Front share the same as the FJ40. Should have the hand brake on the rear axle. Could be a semi floating or full floating rear axle. Both desirable here in the US as they are a direct bolt on to the 40 series.

 

[EWheeler]

Did you buy this or just considering buying? Really a neat looking 40 series as others have mentioned, the interior looks very "refined". The under hood shot backs up the comments that @mattressking had about the quality of "restoration". Don't over pay for this truck because the exterior and interior are so nice and shiny. Have you looked into costs to get it back into the state?

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Nice find, especially if you are looking for a already restored 40-Series!
As other Muders said, apart from the longer wheelbase, a FJ/BJ 43 is the same as a FJ/BJ 40 (of the same market, e.g. Middle East, Europe etc).

While serving in the Middle East, a couple of years ago, visited Bahrain. Unfortunately no 40-Series trucks found!
A friend of mine, a Cruiser addict working there, inspected recently this truck and really liked it. This is the very last minute that he did not buy it, as family considerations finally kept him looking rather for a 80 or 105-Series. He told me that if you wish to contact him he would be glad about it, just send me a pm...


Demetrios

 

[Mr Hands]

Nice find, especially if you are looking for a already restored 40-Series!
As other Muders said, apart from the longer wheelbase, a FJ/BJ 43 is the same as a FJ/BJ 40 (of the same market, e.g. Middle East, Europe etc).

While serving in the Middle East, a couple of years ago, visited Bahrain. Unfortunately no 40-Series trucks found!
A friend of mine, a Cruiser addict working there, inspected recently this truck and really liked it. This is the very last minute that he did not buy it, as family considerations finally kept him looking rather for a 80 or 105-Series. He told me that if you wish to contact him he would be glad about it, just send me a pm...


Demetrios

I appreciate it; I already purchased (just couldn't say no and no one to tell me otherwise yet haha).

Did you buy this or just considering buying? Really a neat looking 40 series as others have mentioned, the interior looks very "refined". The under hood shot backs up the comments that @mattressking had about the quality of "restoration". Don't over pay for this truck because the exterior and interior are so nice and shiny. Have you looked into costs to get it back into the state?

Think I got a fair price on it; similar to the FJ40 I got midway through restoring in the states before I had to leave. The paint was done by Kanoo Performance (Instagram) (work they did on this truck), they're just about the best available in Bahrain. Intending to bring it back by to work through a few more items, including the engine and engine bay. I was initially very wary of this car because of the exterior being so nice and not wanting to fall into that trap. There's definitely work to be done, and the p/o was upfront about it, but he was detailed about what his intentions were in continuing his restorations.

One of the big benefits for military stationed overseas is that we can have the military ship cars back for us; no import fees, etc. Lots of folks do it for some of the Japanese cars when they're over there. Just a little bit of paperwork (to prove the car is over 25yrs) and I'm home free.

 

[EWheeler]

I appreciate it; I already purchased (just couldn't say no and no one to tell me otherwise yet haha).


Think I got a fair price on it; similar to the FJ40 I got midway through restoring in the states before I had to leave. The paint was done by Kanoo Performance (Instagram) (work they did on this truck), they're just about the best available in Bahrain. Intending to bring it back by to work through a few more items, including the engine and engine bay. I was initially very wary of this car because of the exterior being so nice and not wanting to fall into that trap. There's definitely work to be done, and the p/o was upfront about it, but he was detailed about what his intentions were in continuing his restorations.

One of the big benefits for military stationed overseas is that we can have the military ship cars back for us; no import fees, etc. Lots of folks do it for some of the Japanese cars when they're over there. Just a little bit of paperwork (to prove the car is over 25yrs) and I'm home free.

Right on. Love the visual proportions and functionality of the space in an FJ43 much more than the FJ40. Enjoy it!

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

I appreciate it; I already purchased (just couldn't say no and no one to tell me otherwise yet haha).


Think I got a fair price on it; similar to the FJ40 I got midway through restoring in the states before I had to leave. The paint was done by Kanoo Performance (Instagram) (work they did on this truck), they're just about the best available in Bahrain. Intending to bring it back by to work through a few more items, including the engine and engine bay. I was initially very wary of this car because of the exterior being so nice and not wanting to fall into that trap. There's definitely work to be done, and the p/o was upfront about it, but he was detailed about what his intentions were in continuing his restorations.

One of the big benefits for military stationed overseas is that we can have the military ship cars back for us; no import fees, etc. Lots of folks do it for some of the Japanese cars when they're over there. Just a little bit of paperwork (to prove the car is over 25yrs) and I'm home free.

Great news, congrats mate and enjoy!

 

[Mr Hands]

Holy s*** that’s a nice truck. I feel like I did when I was 8 and got a look at the girl in the never ending story for the first time. I’m in Boise hit me up when you get it home.

Will do! Not sure what my next duty station is but when it is back in Boise I'll let you know.

Right on. Love the visual proportions and functionality of the space in an FJ43 much more than the FJ40. Enjoy it!

Will do; appreciate it! My friends are definitely excited to not be crammed in the back with all of our climbing gear.


To all: Thank you very much for the info; copy on the wheelbase, electronics, etc.! Looking forward to getting this truck up to snuff, even with a lot of the fun stuff already done.

Thank you again.

 

[plink01]

Did you buy this or just considering buying? Really a neat looking 40 series as others have mentioned, the interior looks very "refined". The under hood shot backs up the comments that @mattressking had about the quality of "restoration". Don't over pay for this truck because the exterior and interior are so nice and shiny. Have you looked into costs to get it back into the state?

Mate I'm the opposite opinion. Over pay for this truck! As long as it runs this is a brilliant find. Middle East should have little to no rust. The engine bay looks a bit grubby but could easily be cleaned up and parts re painted.
If the driveline is tired it's super easy to rebuild the knuckles, uni joints etc.

A heater could be added without too many headaches.
I'd love to own a 43 and that looks like an awesome base to build upon, and has just enough stuff that needs doing to make a bit of a project and build it to your liking. Looks perfect to me!

 

[Mopdog]

The engine bay doesn’t even look that bad. If you got a look at the 40 and 60 series available here in the Pacific Northwest that thing is a dream starting point no matter where you look at it.

 

[mattressking]

I have no idea the price so there's that, but the engine bay is very original, just needs a quality cleaning. If it has good, even compression and doesn't overheat right now, I'd pull the trigger. I love middle eastern trucks.

So what's the deal with the A/C compressor? I see it has lines going to firewall but no plumbing in the cab?