Introduction/advice (1 Viewer)

[joeyrojas92]

Hello,
My name is Joseph
I’m from Brooklyn NY but I am currently living in Ecuador.
I see fj40’s, fj45’s being driven daily here, they run strong and many still used as work cars.

I am in the market for one and came across an FJ43. Which is really rare for Ecuador in my 3 years here I haven’t seen 1.(besides the one I want to purchase)

The question I have is, if a fj43 has the frame marked as fj40xxxxx. Could the car be an fj40 that was converted to an fj43? Or can an fj43 have fj40 on the vin?
I asked the seller if he did the conversion and he said no, he purchased the car that way and it’s been that way for years.

I attached pictures of the car pre-restoration

Any insight would help

Hopefully I buy this car soon and I’ll be very active on this forum. Thank you

 

[joeyrojas92]

The car pre restoration

 

[CruiserInProgress]

Welcome. I can't help you much with the VIN question, but she sure is pretty!

Fyi, I did a quick search here using the terms: FJ43 VIN frame, and found a thread about a 1980 FJ43 from Columbia. It had a matching FJ43 VIN on the frame.

While looking, I also read a couple of stories about VIN plates in different locations based on year / country of origin, and some challenges getting non-standard titles/registrations to pass VIN inspections in at least some US states.

This is not my area, so I'm sure other members can add to the discussion.

Good luck!

 

[charliemeyer007]

It looks OEM Troopy to me, but I know nothing. 40 to 43 is like a frame stretch and perhaps you could look for fish plates on the frame in the area around the front of the rear axle.

How much are the asking in US$. I think if you poke around on Sor.com they have a library with all kinds of pic's and info. Their parts list have application dates some times assembly drawings which can be very helpful. Prices, we call them $or but then again. At the top there is a vendor section most are good, some way better than others.

Take a magnet and look for bondo. Drive it in every gear both up and downhill. On the flat apply the brakes with your hands off the wheel - does it stop straight.

 

[FJ404345]

It's most probably a 40 made 43, so just an extended 40

Maybe it's a home made 43 in Ecuador, or they imported parts from Colombian manufacturers

 

[pb4ugo]

I'm not that familisr with frame #'s on 43's. I agree with Charlie, my guess is somebody stretched a 40 frame and put a 43 body on it. It looks better now than b4 the restoration.

 

[wimberosa]

If they just stretched a 40 frame (and they did it correctly...see prior responses about fish plates on frame)
I can't see how that's a disqualifier for purchasing it. The truck looks pretty nice visually. I think your
deeper concerns, that should be investigated clearly, are how it stands up mechanically. Finding someone you trust that knows these rigs and go through it thoroughly...would be a super positive thing.

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

Are the hard top windows, correct? The back side window being squared off, I don't see any on my quick google search matching this. They all look rounded or one larger sliding window.

The other item that seems like it could be out of place is the lack of ribbing behind the front seats on the tub.

 

[South Texas 97]

What year does it show on the plate - the plate should be somewhere in the engine compartment. on the firewall, or under the battery tray.

As stated, some photos of the frame under the drivers side seat area, before the spring hanger, will tell you if it has been stretched.

Looking at the pre-resto photo - it does look pretty stock - I remember those from working in Ecuador in the early 80's.

 

[Living in the Past]

The rectangular hole for brake seat belt warning lights believe started 9/77. I would look at Spextoer Off Road VIN chart for the FJ40. Cowl attachment to the rest of the tub changed 1/79. If the VIN is between 9/77 and 1/79 most likely a 78 model stretched.

 

[joeyrojas92]

My main concern with not buying the car would be not being able to import it to the USA once I leave Ecuador.

Does anyone know if that would be a problem? Or would it just be imported as an Fj40?

The car is completely rebuilt, the engine, the frame was sand blasted and given a protective coat, has hydraulic steering and a/c. It is from 1979

 

[charliemeyer007]

Importing it is one thing, being able to license it for on the street is another.

How much are they asking? Just curious, I already have my 40 since 1982

 

[JohnnyC]

it would depend on what the title and paperwork says... if frame says fj40 and title says fj43 and the stamped vin tag doesnt match the frame.... then that will be an issue imho

if everything says fj40..... frame says fj40... stamped vin tag says fj40 .... tag and title match, then it will not be an issue as its an fj40 (just a modified one.... heavily modified)

what does the title and vin tag say?

btw it is a nice looking cruiser.... but.... seems to be kinda sketchy body work wise

would you be driving winter and summer? winter driving will bring out the worst on bad body work

 

[pbgbottle]

real Fj43 the VIN will start with a FJ43. Looos good. I like the 43. Could be a FJ43 with swappped VIN. Like JohnnyC said check it all matches. If all FJ40 on all the paperwork firewall or door jam. Plates and frame. Check the frame I’d be interested on what the frame says. Front passenger side frame horn.

 

[pbgbottle]

 

[pbgbottle]

This one has been screwed on

 

[joeyrojas92]

it would depend on what the title and paperwork says... if frame says fj40 and title says fj43 and the stamped vin tag doesnt match the frame.... then that will be an issue imho

if everything says fj40..... frame says fj40... stamped vin tag says fj40 .... tag and title match, then it will not be an issue as its an fj40 (just a modified one.... heavily modified)

what does the title and vin tag say?

btw it is a nice looking cruiser.... but.... seems to be kinda sketchy body work wise

would you be driving winter and summer? winter driving will bring out the worst on bad body work

What’s sketchy about the bodywork? I don’t have the eye to catch that. It all says fj40, title, frame stamp and metal plaque all say fj40

 

[charliemeyer007]

Well its clearly not a 40, what ever they want its not worth going to jail or throwing your money away.

 

[wimberosa]

Ok. Its a 40. A heavily modified 40 but its still a 40. People do mods to their rigs all the time. If all the paperwork, plates, and frame stamps match then it seems plausible it might work. I'm not spotting a lot of
body work errors under that paint....but its almost impossible to spot body trouble from photos. The only thing I see off hand is that the rear wheel wells (inside) look like they are not stamped with ribs (or perhaps partially stamped). Then you have raptor liner or equivalent in that area and in the foot wells. That might be covering some ills...but again...take it to someone you trust who knows these rigs.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

It looks like a stretched 40 with a Colombian hard top.

If the VIN reads FJ40xxx, then it is a clean vehicle that was modified.

The fuel tank suggests it is a pre-1979 model year truck. Did the seller mention the year?

Make sure the stamped serial numbers and the documents say FJ40. Otherwise, there might be something shady with this truck.





Juan