Looking at getting into an FJ40, what about this one?

[alexchannell]

1977 Black Toyoto FJ Land Cruiser

I'm not very knowledgable about 40's, what are some things to look out for on one such as this?

It's a RHD, issues finding parts due to this?

Issues titleing?

Any 40 specific items to check for that could bite me down the road?

 

[rusty_tlc]

59K really?

Never seen a 60/40 bench in a 77 before but I guess it could be because it's an import.

If it already has a OH title there shouldn't be an issue registering it.

Things to look out for;
Rust, never believe that any Toyota has no rust. They had rust on them when they were unloaded from the boat.
Other than that look for general stuff like compression, condition of brakes, oil leaks, smooth shifting, ask for a cold start if you go to look at it, check the functioning of the lights etc etc. typical used car stuff.
Also take a magnet and look for rust, you can cover a lot of holes with bondo. The bottom of the doors, the rear sill, the outer edge of the front fender and the door sills are the most common location for heavy rust covered with bondo.

 

[Fast Eddy]

IMO it's overpriced by at least 2x. Check this one out as an example of what kind of original you can get for a reasonable price:

FJ40 Land Cruiser

 

[edwjmcgrath]

I'm the last guy to say that something is overpriced, but this one is.
And a 60/40 bench is stock for non-US 77.
RHD is a negative for value in the US.

 

[In2cruisers]

only reason IMO to buy RHD is if your a mail man or its a diesel....

 

[reddingcruiser]

You need to look at the bright side of things! 1) RHD is great if you're a mailman. 2) You'll be able to see the rocks you can't see from a LHD. 3) You'll probably learn to like "Fosters". etc. But seriously, pass if this is your first FJ40.

 

[chicago]

I don't think it's THAT outrageously priced...
There have been some good upgrades done and has some good parts to go with it. 2k lb winch won't help w / much...
Maybe a little high, but you might be able to talk him down.
Compare that one to the bone stock 40 that Ed posted and then start calculating the mods done and the time it would take to do all that. Plus... Full floaters f/r are a very nice bonus.
However, not everyone is looking for a modded rig, either. That makes a difference too.
Depends on what you wanna do with the rig you get if all the extras are worth it.

IMO, the rhd would be tough to get over for me.

Good luck and have fun w the purchase.

 

[Leaping Deer]

RHD isn't that hard to get used to driving. Just sucks at drive thrus and toll booths. I agree it is overpriced by x2.

 

[mudlurker]

IMO it's overpriced by at least 2x. Check this one out as an example of what kind of original you can get for a reasonable price:

FJ40 Land Cruiser

For reference's sake, the linked 'cruiser (Portland area) has been for sale at the same price for months, so it'd likely come even cheaper than that.

 

[cjgoode]

2000 lb. Warn Winch, it that is correct that will not do much.

Right hand drive is real cool, but like others said lower price. Rare does not mean more $$$. Look at a 1961 fj40 very rare compared to a 1976 not very rare. 1976 will have a greeter value.

This seems way over priced. Nice but not for that money in this market.

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

Way to much for what you're getting. Appears to have a rattle can paint job. Flat or satin can hide anything. Word of advice, try to find an original factory painted LHD one or, if you want to pay more, find one restored to the factory color. Most repaints (if not documented), are done wrong and are done so to make it sale.

 

[flaa1a]

IMO it's overpriced by at least 2x. Check this one out as an example of what kind of original you can get for a reasonable price:

FJ40 Land Cruiser

HMMMM....I like this one!

 

[chicago]

So, now im curious....
what would you guyz expect to pay for this rig that was posted and why?
It seems to me that if the rig is RELATIVELY rust free and truly has only 59K on it in addition to the mods...I wouldnt feel horrible about asking that for it. I agree that it is a bit too high, but half?
I realize that youll only get what people are willing to pay for it, especially in this economy, but im looking for a bit more perspective since its been brought up.

 

[Gruntled]

Of course it only has 59,000 on the clock, it's probably been all the way around a couple of times. Mine only has 60,000 on the clock but I know it's really 360,000 from what the previous owner told me.

 

[1973barnfind]

Nice Jeep bumper

 

[TOBASH]

only reason IMO to buy RHD is if your a mail man or its a diesel....

X2 Stupid to buy RHD if not Diesel.

Way too much money, even with the upgrades.

If it is a Diesel, (and only if it is a Diesel), then the price is acceptable.

 

[subzali]

CHECK THIS OUT!

FJ40 parts are hard enough to come by without having non-US market parts on it. Keeping that vehicle on the road will be a labor of love (think sourcing parts from other countries, possibly overseas), and not what I personally would be looking for in my first FJ40. I'd keep looking.

 

[Living in the Past]

59K really?


Rust, never believe that any Toyota has no rust. They had rust on them when they were unloaded from the boat.

Where a cruiser has spent it's life and how it was treated has the most to do with rust. I cut up a tub in the ninties that back east would have benn considered as almost rust free. These two beige cruisers both have original paint and other then surface rust where the paint was scratched are rust free. I put a dent in my 68 back in the ninties in the right rear corner. I pounded it out and never even primered it. It has surface that would need to be sanded before painting but that's it. The statement rust never sleep doesn't hold true in AZ. surface rust like a scap and rust stops. I will agree someone making the claim something is rust free I wouldn't believe it without inspecting myself since most are rusted to some point.

The beige cruisers the one on the left has around 65K mile the one on the right has under 5K miles. Low mile cruisers can be found. But a 59K claim with a conversion from kilomometers to miles make me wonder.

only reason IMO to buy RHD is if your a mail man or its a diesel....

I might add to the list a LX package or a FJ4 that ends with number other than zero as in mid wheel base or troopy. But I wouldn't buy a FJ40 that was the same as what we got here in RHD.

Rare does not mean more $$$. Look at a 1961 fj40 very rare compared to a 1976 not very rare. 1976 will have a greeter value.

Not sure this is really true. The problem is not much to do a comparison. The early cruiser were imported in low number and most that have survived are in need of a bunch of work. Much easier to find a good running newer cruiser. Here is a FJ25 which was restored to a wheeler not a true restore that sold for $9K https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj25-classifieds-corner/346526-fj25s-sale.html probably pretty close to the same as this white one which I wouldn't sell for anything less than $10K. I really only know of one early FJ40 that has really been restored which is in Utah. I serious doubt you could get it for anywhere close to $10K

 

[Leaping Deer]

X2 Stupid to buy RHD if not Diesel.

Way too much money, even with the upgrades.

If it is a Diesel, (and only if it is a Diesel), then the price is acceptable.

I guess I'm stupid. My FJ45 is a RHD. I actually prefer the gas motor as its easier and cheaper to find parts for.

For me the RHD isn't a huge.deal. I would prefer LHD bit I not would have found a relatively rust free 45 in the northeast for $5500.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Where a cruiser has spent it's life and how it was treated has the most to do with rust.
....

I was exaggerating to make a point.

My point was; don't trust any claim in a for sale ad that a Cruiser is rust free, in the vast majority of cases it simply isn't true.