Looking to buy an FJ43. Is this legitimate?

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Kub9009

Kub9009

Joined
May 7, 2026
Threads
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Location
Brooklyn
New to the forum and have been looking to get a FJ43. I have never owned one but would love to own hardtop one. I know that hardtops are very rare and that most 43 hardtop's were once softtops modified.

Not sure if this the correct place to post this but I stumbled upon this one. Just looking at y'all's thoughts regarding the car and the restoration.

Thanks for your help in advance
 
Welcome to the forum.

I’m no expert on FJ43s, but what I’ve learned from others is watch out for imports from South America. They’ll take a beat up POS make it “look” pretty and sell it to somebody up here who may not know what to look for.

If I didn’t know who did the work I’d pass.
 
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Would have it inspected by someone who knows the 40 series before spending that kind of money. The seller states it's a long wheel when it's a mid wheel base 40 series. Sounds more like a salesman than someone who knows the 40 series. @Chamba knows about this. Didn't spend that much but still spending more on it. If this is a Bonda Queen could expect another $20K or more on the body unless you do the work yourself.
 
Kub9009 said:
New to the forum and have been looking to get a FJ43. I have never owned one but would love to own hardtop one. I know that hardtops are very rare and that most 43 hardtop's were once softtops modified.

Not sure if this the correct place to post this but I stumbled upon this one. Just looking at y'all's thoughts regarding the car and the restoration.

Thanks for your help in advance
Click to expand...
A few things to note:

The FJ43 was never sold in the US by Toyota. So any FJ43 you see for sale here now was imported here some time after it was legal to do so, meaning after it was 25 years old. Most of these were imported from South America. Many of them coming from Venezuela and Colombia. LCs from Venezuela of this era were actually assembled in Venezuela at an assembly plant using Toyota parts shipped in kits from Japan. For this reason, I have always put Venezuelan LCs a bit below the quality and value of Japanese built LCs, even the "good" ones. I believe, although I am not certain, that LCs from Colombia were from Japan. Either way, these vehicles spent 25+ years in SA where they were really worked and used as intended, leading hard lives. Since the value of vintage LCs started to skyrocket here over the last 20-25 years or so, there has been an influx of South American LCs showing up here. These are usually vehicles that were in very bad shape, that underwent "restoration" in its home country before being shipped up here, usually to Miami. In my experience these vehicles are basketcases. They look good in pics, but nothing has been sorted, and many of the systems dont even work, sometimes even the most basic things. I would look for a North American market FJ40 or if I really wanted an FJ43, Id probably look to a company like the FJ Company in Miami who does actual restorations, but they are a lot more than $40k.

I personally wouldnt touch the vehicle you linked with a 10 foot pole.
 
The hard top on this one is a Colombian made fibreglass aftermarket top. You can see from the hood latches that it had the common Colombian modification of 70 series front lights.

They've since retrofitted the correct 40 series lights, but they've left the latches moved back about four inches to clear the 70 series that were there. This can be corrected relatively easily but it will require body work and repainting. Curious that they didn't correct that during the refurbishment.

It would be handy to know where in Colombia this truck was from. Inland and higher altitude tend not to have quite as much rust as those on the coast.

Bear in mind that, in my experience, when they rebuild these vehicles they tend to use almost exclusively after market parts. The legendary reliability of these vehicles is based on the vehicle's made with entirely toyota parts; the whole as a sum of its parts , so to speak. Chinese cars are not renowned for the reliability and nor are their parts. I would consider any vehicle 'restored' in South America to be a project vehicle unless it was done by a known, quality restorer.

It has an interesting mix of rims, which may indicate that it was done by someone who has some Toyota knowledge, but perhaps not Land Cruisr-specific knowledge.
 
I’m a fan of the 43 and a proud owner. I have owned 2 NA 40’s in my day and I couldn’t be happier with my 1981 Colombian FJ43. There are definitely 40 owners on here who fear the SA 43 and 40’s. Yep there are some bad ones for sale but like wise same with junk NA 40’s being pawned of as restored but are simply lipstick on a pig.
That said, you could do much better that the one you show here. Too much tinkering to it. Find one a little more raw so that you can see it clearly and then you will have an idea of the resto it will require. Parts, both body and mechanical are easy to come by. Except for the hard top.
The hood latches, that is an interesting subject! Was it because of the 70 Series lights or not? Even Dan at the Heritage museum couldn’t answer the question. At the the Museum they have a Saudi 43 and a Colombian 43 side by side. Both have the signal lights on the fender. The Saudi spec has the hood latches like we are used to, the SA spec has the latches moved back as if to make room for the 70 lights, but has them on the fender. Who knows, Dan didn't know! Even AJ who is an importer down in Austin never recognized the difference till it was pointed out?
The 43 is a general market vehicle and was only available in Japan, UAE, and Colombia. Never Venezuela.
I digress; keep looking! Yes hardtops manufactured by MRP for the Colombian market only are hard to find. Move on from the one above and learn a ton more about the 40 Series as you go.
You might want to reach out to AJ here on Mud to see what he has? @aljollano

PM me if you have specific questions

Drool photos for you are attached

IMG_6501.webp


IMG_4646.webp


IMG_6997.webp


IMG_5694.webp
 
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studawg said:
A few things to note:

The FJ43 was never sold in the US by Toyota. So any FJ43 you see for sale here now was imported here some time after it was legal to do so, meaning after it was 25 years old. Most of these were imported from South America. Many of them coming from Venezuela and Colombia. LCs from Venezuela of this era were actually assembled in Venezuela at an assembly plant using Toyota parts shipped in kits from Japan. For this reason, I have always put Venezuelan LCs a bit below the quality and value of Japanese built LCs, even the "good" ones. I believe, although I am not certain, that LCs from Colombia were from Japan. Either way, these vehicles spent 25+ years in SA where they were really worked and used as intended, leading hard lives. Since the value of vintage LCs started to skyrocket here over the last 20-25 years or so, there has been an influx of South American LCs showing up here. These are usually vehicles that were in very bad shape, that underwent "restoration" in its home country before being shipped up here, usually to Miami. In my experience these vehicles are basketcases. They look good in pics, but nothing has been sorted, and many of the systems dont even work, sometimes even the most basic things. I would look for a North American market FJ40 or if I really wanted an FJ43, Id probably look to a company like the FJ Company in Miami who does actual restorations, but they are a lot more than $40k.

I personally wouldnt touch the vehicle you linked with a 10 foot pole.
Click to expand...

Not sure if the twenty five years rule dates back to when these were new. But guessing most in the country came in after that rule. All these South American imports have aftermarket hard tops. Not many 43 hard tops were exported outside of JDM. Rarer to find one that is LHD. Before I wound go south of the border I would start a search in the Middle East. Would research the area as some are better for rust than others. If I had fewer cruisers and still had some life left in me I would search for one there. Ideally a 83/84 for ease of adding an H55F. At least a 8/80 with upgrades that came on later models.
 
devo said:
I’m a fan of the 43 and a proud owner. I have owned 2 NA 40’s in my day and I couldn’t be happier with my 1981 Colombian FJ43. There are definitely 40 owners on here who fear the SA 43 and 40’s. Yep there are some bad ones for sale but like wise same with junk NA 40’s being pawned of as restored but are simply lipstick on a pig.
That said, you could do much better that the one you show here. Too much tinkering to it. Find one a little more raw so that you can see it clearly and then you will have an idea of the resto it will require. Parts, both body and mechanical are easy to come by. Except for the hard top.
The hood latches, that is an interesting subject! Was it because of the 70 Series lights or not? Even Dan at the Heritage museum couldn’t answer the question. At the the Museum they have a Saudi 43 and a Colombian 43 side by side. Both have the signal lights on the fender. The Saudi spec has the hood latches like we are used to, the SA spec has the latches moved back as if to make room for the 70 lights, but has them on the fender. Who knows, Dan didn't know! Even AJ who is an importer down in Austin never recognized the difference till it was pointed out?
The 43 is a general market vehicle and was only available in Japan, UAE, and Colombia. Never Venezuela.
I digress; keep looking! Yes hardtops manufactured by MRP for the Colombian market only are hard to find. Move on from the one above and learn a ton more about the 40 Series as you go.
You might want to reach out to AJ here on Mud to see what he has? @aljollano

PM me if you have specific questions

Drool photos for you are attached

View attachment 4136366

View attachment 4136367

View attachment 4136368

View attachment 4136369
Click to expand...
I would certainly chalk yours up as an exception rather than a general rule.

Having said that, and also owning a 43, I couldn't agree more about the perfection of the wheelbase. I have owned numerous 40s, 45s and 47s but the 43 is definitely the Goldilocks of 40 series.

Toyota never, ever sold the 40 series with the hood latches moved back like they are in Colombia. Every single one of those was done after market. When they are refurbished in Colombia, some will return the latches to the factory location and others will simply leave it where it was to clear the 70 series marker light knowing that the majority of people probably never notice. But I am 100% certain, without any doubt whatsoever, that Toyota never offered that odd modification.
 
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3_puppies said:
go look at this one, it's on the island:

afsiddiqui

For Sale Post in thread 'Long Island (New York City): 1979 Toyota FJ43 - 1HD-FTE 5 SPEED'

Photo link:
ttps://photos.app.goo.gl/YzoUrP28uxyUisYRA
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My biggest concern is it's going to be easy registered. Should have a 2F but has a later diesel engine. May be easy to title and register or could be a nightmare. Some states have different areas that have different requirements. Reason so many imports in California use a different state to title them.
 
I would run from the link you posted at the start of this thread. everything has been customized, and the electrics seem especially so. anything that doesnt seem very stock will be a huge PITA if you have to t-shoot (and you will, because these are old rigs). My rig, even as a US spec had a lot of "customization" during its stint in Columbia. So many electrical issues to sort out...
 
@Chamba
No one not even Dan or AJ can substantiate that the Colombians moved the hood latches? There is a thought that hoods that were delivered to Colombia had no latches at all? What really happened?

From the LC Heritage Museum: Top SA—- Bottom UAE

IMG_5663.webp


IMG_5664.webp
 
C
devo said:
@Chamba
No one not even Dan or AJ can substantiate that the Colombians moved the hood latches? There is a thought that hoods that were delivered to Colombia had no latches at all? What really happened?

From the LC Heritage Museum: Top SA—- Bottom UAE

View attachment 4136504

View attachment 4136506
Click to expand...
Show me a part number for the hood and cowl with the latches in that location. I've known Dan for 30 years. I'm certain even he could not find that part number. I've seen many of these rigs, including in Colombia. Every single one I've seen has the filled holes where the hood latches once were. When i lived in Panama in the late 90s, the body shop which fixed the bed on my HJ75 specialized in putting 70 series markers on 40s to 'modernise' them.

Consider:
*The latch is there to fit the 70 series light.
*The 70 series light is available from '85 onward, not before.
*The 40 stopped Arakawa production in '84.
You reckon Toyota anticipated developing that 70 series light in '85 and thus added a modification to the Colombian 40s some time in the 70s (I've seen these lights on early '70s 40s from Colombia) to allow them to install 70 series lights from '85 onward? Seems plausible I suppose, but unlikely. There must be an option code for this alteration. What is that code?

Look very closely at the picture showing the hood latch moved aft. You can see evidence of bodywork around the latch on the cowl. Compare that to the other side where it's in the factory location and there's no evidence of body work. You see the sharp corners where it's attached to the cowl? Look closely at the underside of your hood and the inside of your cowls and you'll likely see exactly the same evidence.

On the hood, in the line you can see from the overhead fluorescent lights, you can actually see where the line is not perfect. That is where the hood hook originally attached.
 
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