Looking for 1983 FJ40 - not restored

Hi,

I'm looking for a FJ40 from 1983 that is for sale. I prefer if it hasn't been restored, as I plan on doing the restoration myself.

Anyone has one for sale or can help me find one?

Thank you,

Lazaro Suarez
305-796-4276
lazaro@forkliftsparts.com

 

[mcjb]

Note the 1983 has a gas system. I would remove that. Has other Colombian "upgrades" that I loathe... seats that now sit way too high me but made for a short Colombian (I am 6 foot 3 and have to buy these trucks with the adapted seats) and has that little alarm button in the doorframe. also look at the hood tie downs they are waaay back from where the truck had 70 series blinkers on it. I think a white FJ40 with a light or medium tan soft top would look fantastic though.

How about emissions in these Colombian trucks? Especially for buyers you have had in California?

 

[fjc-man]

chas, are you talking about removing a propane fuel system that was added on to the white 40 pictured?

 

[CHAS404]

Colombia with an O! In California I think we are blocked on these later models. My 82 FJ43 here for instance has no emissions whatsoever (has the no emissions new carb too). Brand new exhaust with no cat converter. The truck enters the USA legally via EPA model year waiver. Florida and most states have a model year waiver for their inspections and registration thus no issue. California however I believe the trucks need to be pre 1975 for gasoline and pre 1997 for diesel to be waived no inspection. I dont think they care whether EPA let the truck in or not. Not 100% on this.

There is a way to convert mine I am guessing for California but you would be adding air pump, carb etc etc and I would strongly suggest do a 1974 instead.

This red 82 FJ43 originally had a gas system and a nice little tank under the longer FJ43 bed. I REALLY wanted to keep it and do a dual fuel truck but I was worried about EPA hassles importing plus mainly the perfect rear floors on this truck had 2 bolts coming through to hold the tank so we took it out.

I think that that 83 FJ40 has a tank inside the cabin. I would just remove the gas system and retune the carb. Go back to gasoline only.

I restored a 74 FJ43 for a client with F engine, 3 speed and no power steering. Actually I was impressed with how it performed versus the 2F. It was such a good running truck that I really see no issue with it. Would be tempted to change the 3 to 4 speed if one is running around in it a lot. We put AC in it and power really is no issue on flat ground. I would do that for California. I sold this truck to a Florida client for $29,000. I think that that was a deal. I think this truck would be closer to $40,000 in California value wise.

Very original truck that we repainted 80% of it and overhauled and put AC in it. It was a rare find though and I bought well and I was lucky to find the perfect client who wanted an earlier truck. Has fixed metal top that was an option in Colombia.

 

[studawg]

Coming up fer auction in 3 weeks.....



https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm?lot_id=AU1214-204550







...

That is a South American truck, isn't it? It has no dash pad, old air cleaner, and the 16" rims. Looks like a SA truck. It sold at Mecum for $45k, by the way. I think if that was a US truck, it would have brought a lot more.

 

[JQ11]

That is a South American truck, isn't it? It has no dash pad, old air cleaner, and the 16" rims. Looks like a SA truck. It sold at Mecum for $45k, by the way. I think if that was a US truck, it would have brought a lot more.

Yea, very misleading for them to include this comment in the description "Less than 300 made for the US"

 

[studawg]

Yea, very misleading for them to include this comment in the description "Less than 300 made for the US"

I know, I thought so too.

 

[N919HJ]

I sent them an email the last time they auctions that truck telling them they where misrepresenting it and they never responded. Classy!

 

[CHAS404]

I saw that $45k truck with my own eyes in Colombia. Restored by a Colombian and then sold to a USA dealer who asked high then took it to auction.

Decent restoration. very nice paint and interior. Lacked power steering. Also had the cheap Colombian battery and some of the radiator caps etc. Should be stated "around 300 imported to the USA". Many may not agree but many buyers are buying the 301st 1983 FJ40 or FJ43 or what have you... If you want a 1983 FJ40 you have one more to choose from.

Once the Colombian truck is titled in Florida or wherever it is a Florida truck at that point. And it was made in Japan also. The specs are different. Some of the Colombian specs are nicer (some like the 4.10 gearing, the longer rear benches and the vent windows) and certainly the FJ43 is nice. Some of the USA specs like disc brakes etc heat/air are nicer obviously. It is all about choice and CONDITION. Colombian restored trucks have sold into the $60,000 and now $110,000 range. FYI most of the auction houses do not know what they are selling be glad it did not say V6.

 

[CHAS404]

chas, are you talking about removing a propane fuel system that was added on to the white 40 pictured?

Would love to have a 'dual fuel' truck but in an FJ40 they put the tanks inside the rear cab and it eats up cargo space. Colombian gasoline is priced high with taxes so they run propane a lot on the bigger engine trucks.

I would remove it. Also usually there are bolt holes in the floor etc. That 83 FJ40 I posted is a good candidate but needs a lot of work. not rusty like the USA ones though.

The other 82 FJ40 in white is much nicer. Has 155,000 miles. I am talking with the seller I may buy it. Colombian spec meaning 4 speed H41 4.11 gears. 4 drums. PS. 7 passenger bench layout no roll bar (can add that). Fiberglass top not metal. Advantage is I can find later model trucks and am getting mostly original floors now no rust at all.

Now gas is $2.30 or so so it makes driving the 12 to 15 mpg 2F more tolerable.

 

[CHAS404]

Per emissions the colombian trucks have the old air cleaner as noted. no smog pump. no cat. no issue to register in Florida or most states as they have a model year waiver usually 15 to 25 years. California would need to bring in a 1975 or eariler for no inspection although California just passed something that caused some people some problems. I am 100% sure on CA yet.

 

[JQ11]

I saw that $45k truck with my own eyes in Colombia. Restored by a Colombian and then sold to a USA dealer who asked high then took it to auction.

Decent restoration. very nice paint and interior. Lacked power steering. Also had the cheap Colombian battery and some of the radiator caps etc. Should be stated "around 300 imported to the USA". Many may not agree but many buyers are buying the 301st 1983 FJ40 or FJ43 or what have you... If you want a 1983 FJ40 you have one more to choose from.

Once the Colombian truck is titled in Florida or wherever it is a Florida truck at that point. And it was made in Japan also. The specs are different. Some of the Colombian specs are nicer (some like the 4.10 gearing, the longer rear benches and the vent windows) and certainly the FJ43 is nice. Some of the USA specs like disc brakes etc heat/air are nicer obviously. It is all about choice and CONDITION. Colombian restored trucks have sold into the $60,000 and now $110,000 range. FYI most of the auction houses do not know what they are selling be glad it did not say V6.

Some folks are definitely looking for US spec ones only once you get to the coveted late years, specifically 83. Personally I would only want US spec as the Columbian ones are lacking the US roll bars and you're just always having to explain th origin etc. Same with Defender 90s in some aspect - the true NAS (North American Spec) ones go for $40-80k for nice ones these days when non-NAS ones aren't even 1/4 the value generally speaking.

That said you can't deny the recent couple of auction data points where the origin didn't seem to matter for those two. As long as folks with very deep pockets now covet these it will be win win for all selling.

 

[joekatana]

Some folks are definitely looking for US spec ones only once you get to the coveted late years, specifically 83. Personally I would only want US spec as the Columbian ones are lacking the US roll bars and you're just always having to explain th origin etc. Same with Defender 90s in some aspect - the true NAS (North American Spec) ones go for $40-80k for nice ones these days when non-NAS ones aren't even 1/4 the value generally speaking.

That said you can't deny the recent couple of auction data points where the origin didn't seem to matter for those two. As long as folks with very deep pockets now covet these it will be win win for all selling.

At the last Mecum auction 6 40 series have entered and only 2 sold! None of the FJ43's there did sell and the green Colombian FJ40 misrepresented as American spec did sell.But who knows if the new owner was/is aware that his FJ is not a true US spec?

Anyways my BJ43 is for sale so I hope these prices keep going up

Just my 2 cents

 

[N919HJ]

I saw that $45k truck with my own eyes in Colombia. Restored by a Colombian and then sold to a USA dealer who asked high then took it to auction.

Decent restoration. very nice paint and interior. Lacked power steering. Also had the cheap Colombian battery and some of the radiator caps etc. Should be stated "around 300 imported to the USA". Many may not agree but many buyers are buying the 301st 1983 FJ40 or FJ43 or what have you... If you want a 1983 FJ40 you have one more to choose from.

Once the Colombian truck is titled in Florida or wherever it is a Florida truck at that point. And it was made in Japan also. The specs are different. Some of the Colombian specs are nicer (some like the 4.10 gearing, the longer rear benches and the vent windows) and certainly the FJ43 is nice. Some of the USA specs like disc brakes etc heat/air are nicer obviously. It is all about choice and CONDITION. Colombian restored trucks have sold into the $60,000 and now $110,000 range. FYI most of the auction houses do not know what they are selling be glad it did not say V6.

I disagree with you totally. Mecum should rep their vehicles accurretly and the dumbsh*t buying it should be smart enough to know its not one of the 300 83's. You can't just add to the 300 in 2014. It doesn't work that way. The guy that bought it last year probably realized that after he got it home and that is why it is for sale again.

 

[studawg]

Should be stated "around 300 imported to the USA". Many may not agree but many buyers are buying the 301st 1983 FJ40 or FJ43 or what have you... If you want a 1983 FJ40 you have one more to choose from.

That fact should not be stated in the ad for that Cruiser at all, because it is misleading and makes one think it is a US Cruiser when it is not.

I dont understand the rest of your statement.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

That fact should not be stated in the ad for that Cruiser at all, because it is misleading and makes one think it is a US Cruiser when it is not.

I dont understand the rest of your statement.

I assumed Ebay had the market cornered on misleading ads.