FJ43 for sale on Craigslist Thoughts

[chichiflys]

Toyota FJ43 Land Cruiser - link to CL ad

I had a '78 40 series a decade or so ago, so "just" have my '85 60. I miss the old girl and came across this ad (perhaps the Cruiser Gods were trying to tell me something) - Other than the 2x price of what I think it's worth - any thoughts? I'm not sure how much "premium" a 43 series brings. He sent me extra pictures that didn't reveal much, claims the engine is rebuilt, suspension "redone" and no leaks (fresh paint as well). It's a 2-hour drive to see it, so I was hoping for more pics from the seller. Interior looks nice and body appears rust free (but I know a fresh coat of paint can hide some cancer). Engine seems de-smogged. I question the suspension "re-do" - front springs look flat and front shackles don't look right....

 

[bikersmurf]

Those springs look original. The fronts are sagged out and rusty. With extended shackles on the front handling will suffer.

Based on the info on the springs, I'd be somewhat concerned about their definition of a "Fresh Engine".

I'd want to see some pictures from before the paint job and to know how it was done.

Engine likely never had Smog as it has come from Costa Rica or some other country... Not North American Spec. It likely has had a hard life and will need a lot of work to make it a solid & reliable rig.

If you're serious, I'd go for the drive. Too rich for my blood. I'd wait and see if it's still for sale in a few months. Come fall, the price will drop if someone else doesn't snap it up thinking it's a deal.

 

[chichiflys]

Thanks for the confirmation. I didn't like the look of the straight up and down shackles. I figure they have a $10-12k truck assuming the body was in good shape before the paint....but yeah I think it would need proper suspension help and probably tranny/transfer case love and possibly a birfield rebuild to get her tip/top? Interior does look nice, so that is one less thing to worry about. I'm sure someone here will purchase it in the upper teens - lots of $$ in the DC area, just waiting to be tossed at something. Unfortunately, not in my pocket.

 

[pjohnson]

Cruiser prices are pretty inflated for anything older than an 80 series. This has caused a flood of south american cruisers with just enough done to make them look pretty.

 

[Living in the Past]

Columbian import with that top. 84 had insert dash, different steering wheel and a odometer that went up to 99999.9. this one looks like it doesn't have the last digit. Because of its market it doesn't have a heater. Someone will probably know but think by 84 a Columbian cruiser would have the insert.dash and late steering wheel.

 

[roma042987]

I'd run from that one. As bad as it looks in photos it's bound to be much worse in person. I'd be surprised if it even has disk brakes up front. I have a Costa Rican bj40 in the driveway that looked nice in the photos but I didn't pay anything for it. That cruisers had a rough life.

 

[steffan]

i guess new (longer) shackles are a 'lift kit'

 

[bikersmurf]

I'd hazard a guess that it has had a couple years taken off it's age when imported... cus 84 is more rare.

 

[White Stripe]

If it has new paint then they should have restoration pics, because nobody in their right mind gets a 40 painted without getting pics along the way. I would look at those. Personally, I would just buy a 40 with a front clip, motor, and axles that are good. Then have aqualu send you a fj43 frame and 3/4 tub and you have yourself a fj43.

 

[bikersmurf]

If I had a budget near 24k I'd be looking at this one in your area 1964 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser....matching numbers, low mileage

 

[chichiflys]

Ooh - nice find bikersmurf. Unfortunately I don't have that kind of play money....that '64 definitely looks like a better truck though. Maybe I can sell a kidney? I asked for some specifics on the "suspension upgrade" on the 43 but haven't heard back. I think they are just looking for someone with money to burn. Oh well.

 

[brian]

not even for half the price.

 

[bikersmurf]

Ooh - nice find bikersmurf. Unfortunately I don't have that kind of play money....that '64 definitely looks like a better truck though. Maybe I can sell a kidney? I asked for some specifics on the "suspension upgrade" on the 43 but haven't heard back. I think they are just looking for someone with money to burn. Oh well.

I haven't got any money... much less that kind of money. If I did I'd certainly be checking that one out. A few g (that I also don't have) would make me super happy with mine.

A 'Murphy bed' in the other rig comes first. Also painting its frame, swapping fuel tanks, swapping exhaust, and... I hate old trucks sometimes... it's less than 1/2 the age of my 40.

 

[aljollano]

Columbian import with that top. 84 had insert dash, different steering wheel and a odometer that went up to 99999.9. this one looks like it doesn't have the last digit. Because of its market it doesn't have a heater. Someone will probably know but think by 84 a Columbian cruiser would have the insert.dash and late steering wheel.

This is true.
Insert dash and newer steering wheel were on from 83 on in Colombian market.
Drum brakes all around were very common in all years.

A.J

 

[Living in the Past]

This is true.
Insert dash and newer steering wheel were on from 83 on in Colombian market.
Drum brakes all around were very common in all years.

A.J

Thanks, I thought so. Believe RHD started in 82 for the insert dash and 83 for LHD in most markets if not all markets. 81 model started the last style steering wheel in the US and figure by 84 most if not all markets had it. Drums on the front axle were common for many markets long after the US got them with the 76 model. Australia was the 83 model. But they didn't have a collapsible steering column at all at least not on 45/47 series.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

It looks like a 1982 Colombia spec, Soft Top Land Cruiser.

The dash insert was available starting in 1983 for LHD markets. The steering wheel with the Land Cruiser badge started in 1982. The wheel on this one was likely transplanted from an earlier model.

Worse yet, it might be a 1980 or earlier model year modified to look younger than it actually is.

Front clip looks suspicious. The Toyota badge is not model year correct. The bib and fenders appears to have suffered at least a couple collisions and questionable bodywork.

No heater, as is usual on Colombian trucks, but A/C. Suspicious.

Dash controls and glove box bolt have been replaced.

Springs look original, not so the shackles.

The engine looks clean, not fresh. Was it visited by the degreaser fairy?

I would run from this truck. Not worth the asking price.





Juan

 

[SugarBear]

There are some questions that you would want to sort out (what year is it really, does the frame number match) & I would definitely want to fix the shackle angle, but I'm going to say this truck is easily worth the asking price if it is as clean underneath as it looks.

The MWB brings a pretty solid premium price wise, due to rarity & improved road comfort & hauling capacity. Although not an, "OEM" top, that roof was likely built in Colombia & sold with the truck when new. They are quite common there & I don't think they hurt the value.

If I were thinking of buying I'd want to do more research & be pretty through to make sure I believe what they are claiming. But the truck doesn't look bad at all & the MWB will always be more valuable than a SWB here in the USA.

 

[Chico4117]

I have been very interested in this FJ43 for sale. Ive contacted the seller and he has sent me back the following pictures and videos. The rig looks super clean. This would be my first FJ land cruiser purchase and I don't want to screw this up. If there are clues from the video that proves this is something to stay away from please let me know.

84' FJ43 for sale

• Chico4117
• Aug 1, 2017

1984 FJ43

84' FJ43 for sale

• Chico4117
• Aug 1, 2017

1984 FJ43

84' FJ43 for sale

• Chico4117
• Aug 1, 2017

1984 FJ43

84' FJ43 for sale

• Chico4117
• Aug 1, 2017

1984 FJ43

84' FJ43 for sale

• Chico4117
• Aug 1, 2017

1984 FJ43

84' FJ43 for sale

• Chico4117
• Aug 1, 2017

1984 FJ43

84' FJ43 for sale

• Chico4117
• Aug 1, 2017

1984 FJ43

84' FJ43 for sale

• Chico4117
• Aug 1, 2017

1984 FJ43

84' FJ43 for sale

• Chico4117
• Aug 1, 2017

1984 FJ43

84' FJ43 for sale

• Chico4117
• Aug 1, 2017

1984 FJ43

 

[Chico4117]

A couple more...

84' FJ43 for sale

• Chico4117
• Aug 1, 2017

1984 FJ43

84' FJ43 for sale

• Chico4117
• Aug 1, 2017

1984 FJ43

84' FJ43 for sale

• Chico4117
• Aug 1, 2017

1984 FJ43

 

[Chico4117]