FJ43?

[WarDamnEagle]

I looked at what I though was a factory soft top FJ40 for sale in Riyadh yesterday but was surprised when the vin showed it’s an FJ43. I thought the 43 was longer than this?

Frame and suspension look almost new. Rear seal and bed are fine. Driver’s and passenger’s floorboards have some rust through but those are the only rust issues I could find. Interior needs a lot of work.

If the gear shift knob is correct then it has a 5 speed in it.

 

[Living in the Past]

model FJ43L-KC would be a four speed. Transmission is listed as H41. The the K in the model would be a M for a five speed. Those started as a option 10/82. What year is it? How much they asking?

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Thanks. I hadn't gotten around to decoding the info. The gearshift knob looked brand new so I suspected it could be wrong. Of course they could have changed the transmission....need to find out. Also if I'm reading the plate correctly, 416 is the paint code which is Dune Beige. Looks like, therefore, it has been painted.

I will have a colleague phone to ask about price, year, kilometers, soft top, etc. I don't speak arabic and the price will triple if they know I'm an expat.

 

[ToyotaMatt]

The truck above IS a FJ43

take Note The OEM Rivets that hold the DATA ID plate on Look to be Original or at least Very Old

The Distance between The Front of the Rear Tire and the Metal Wheel well Lip is longer then a FJ40 by approx 6" inches

your photo cuts Off the Rear behind the tires , that would Confirm ?


Also check your Frame # on the RH front frame Rail to Confirm a match as well



Below are Frame # example to look for , and My 1983 FJ43L-KC to size comparison to , but the frame rail should tell the rest of the story


Looks Like a GREAT Project truck , Snatch it up before your buddies do

 

[ToyotaMatt]

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Thanks Matt. Given a higher serial number than yours, I assume this 43 would be newer? Either a later 83 or 1984 model?

 

[ToyotaMatt]

Yes the Frame Numbers are close


i noticed a Chip or Hole in the oil cap , make sure no water or sand got in the cylinder head ?

open the oil cap and use a LED Type flash light & Look HARD , for any contamination of any kind or Rust orange color


just a observation.............................

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Will do. Thanks for the photos btw, very nice.

 

[Economist LC76]

It’s interesting...
The program shows that the car FJ43-63041 was produced in 07/1979

ToyoDIY.com

It’s the same as in one of my data searches

If you take a look on the car :
The spare tire carrier is before 08/1980 version; the same as the steering wheel.

My guess it’s a mid 1979 version of FJ43. Repainted

 

[Economist LC76]

Difference

 

[Living in the Past]

It’s interesting...
The program shows that the car FJ43-63041 was produced in 07/1979

ToyoDIY.com

It’s the same as in one of my data searches
View attachment 1969793

If you take a look on the car :
The spare tire carrier is before 08/1980 version; the same as the steering wheel.

My guess it’s a mid 1979 version of FJ43. Repainted

Pre 8/80 would still have a one piece transfer case and uses the bellhousing for the rear motor mount. You will also have the hand brake on the transfer case verses the rear axle. Would update it to five speed and split transfer case if it isn't already. While not as hard as here believe finding the correct 40 series five speed is not easy there either. Not sure about your area but in the past have been told the area where the wrecking yards would be are not the safest for expats to be in the Middle East. If updated to a five speed would check to see how detailed they did the conversion.

 

[FJ43 1980]

Definitely a 1979 based on VIN and valve cover. Yes 416 is dune beige, just like my 1980 FJ43. I’d be concerned about dirt, sand and/or water getting in the head with that chipped oil cap as noted by Matt. Looks like it was painted at least twice given all the beige over spray in the engine compartment. Still worth checking out though.

 

[bikersmurf]

If you’re happy with the price, buy it.

I’d also swap in a FF rear axle if possible... a disc brake one with an e-brake, if there’s such a thing, would be even better.

 

[Living in the Past]

Difference
View attachment 1969813

This is one of those update I figure I was going to have to find until lately found the mounting points on the tub changed when they added the extra brace. Have a number of tube tires carriers already and if anything will just have the brace welded in but it is another good way to date a vehicle from the outside. The steering wheel if original would show the one piece verse split case change. The gas fill door flipping sides 4/79 is another one of those odd mid years changes.

If you’re happy with the price, buy it.

I’d also swap in a FF rear axle if possible... a disc brake one with an e-brake, if there’s such a thing, would be even better.

Not a disc brake but the short and mid wheel base both got a hand brake 8/80+. Some markets got it with a FF rear axle. Australia only got FF rear axle from the mid seventies on.

 

[Economist LC76]

The gas fill door flipping sides 4/79 is another one of those odd mid years changes.

Yes, you are right! Another difference

It’s interesting to create the ultimate year definition guide

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Wow! Thanks for all the information. I only looked at the vehicle yesterday and just haven't had time to do much research.....not sure I would have come up with all that regardless of how much time I invested. A colleague phoned about it today but didn't get through to the number. Unfortunately Ramadan starts tomorrow so it might take some time to get more information.

 

[Living in the Past]

Yes, you are right! Another difference
View attachment 1969863

It’s interesting to create the ultimate year definition guide

The 61 FJ40 carried over the larger fill/gas cap as the FJ25. Difference was on the FST it moved to the same location as the FHT. On the FJ25 FST it was forward and the fill neck was part of the gas tank.

 

[Economist LC76]

The 61 FJ40 carried over the larger fill/gas cap as the FJ25. Difference was on the FST it moved to the same location as the FHT. On the FJ25 FST it was forward and the fill neck was part of the gas tank.

So many interesting things

Sorry for the FJ43 interruption

 

[bikersmurf]

This is one of those update I figure I was going to have to find until lately found the mounting points on the tub changed when they added the extra brace. Have a number of tube tires carriers already and if anything will just have the brace welded in but it is another good way to date a vehicle from the outside. The steering wheel if original would show the one piece verse split case change. The gas fill door flipping sides 4/79 is another one of those odd mid years changes.



Not a disc brake but the short and mid wheel base both got a hand brake 8/80+. Some markets got it with a FF rear axle. Australia only got FF rear axle from the mid seventies on.

Based on this—>

Introduction and 70 Series Rear Disc Brakes Identification

First off to introduce myself: I am hopefully a soon-to-be owner of a Landcruiser 70. I live near Detroit, Michigan, but I am currently on a temporary (2yr) work assignment to Japan. I am getting ready to return this year and have been looking for a Landcruiser to bring back with me. This...

forum.ih8mud.com

It looks like the axle I’m thinking of would be off a 90+ 70 series. If I was to do it over now, I’d use a 70 series FF axle to get disc brakes & a FF axle rather than converting a 45 axle to disc brakes and still needing the T-Case E-Brake. Back in the early ‘90s, when I swapped in the 45 axle, swapping in a 70 series axle wasn’t really an option though.

 

[Living in the Past]

Based on this—>

Introduction and 70 Series Rear Disc Brakes Identification

First off to introduce myself: I am hopefully a soon-to-be owner of a Landcruiser 70. I live near Detroit, Michigan, but I am currently on a temporary (2yr) work assignment to Japan. I am getting ready to return this year and have been looking for a Landcruiser to bring back with me. This...

forum.ih8mud.com

It looks like the axle I’m thinking of would be off a 90+ 70 series. If I was to do it over now, I’d use a 70 series FF axle to get disc brakes & a FF axle rather than converting a 45 axle to disc brakes and still needing the T-Case E-Brake. Back in the early ‘90s, when I swapped in the 45 axle, swapping in a 70 series axle wasn’t really an option though.

Not sure why you would still need to use a hand brake on The case. Have two 40 series rear axles with hand brakes. One is a full floater. Have a rear axle of a 84 HJ47RV that could easily be converted hand brakes. Been driving my 68 FJ40 so long that just disc brakes in front and self adjusting drums in the back are good enough for me.