Looking to buy an FJ43. Is this legitimate?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Hello,

I am late to the party.

This truck has non-OEM power steering and AC. The air filter setup is not OEM. The speedometer is not Colombia spec, and the screws are not OEM. I do not want to go into further detail.

One can only guess what lurks below the lipstick.

Regarding hood latches, it is quite common in South America to install 70 Series indicators in 40 Series trucks. This is probably because they are cheaper. The setup requires moving the latches back in order to make room for the lights.

I think this truck had 70 Series indicators before it was "restored." During the restoration, somebody installed 40 Series indicators and forgot to move the latches to their proper position, a detail that suggests sloppy work. There is also the "this detail will go unnoticed by the buyer" argument.

I would run from this truck.

You may want to look for a Middle East spec 43 Series. Perhaps @Meshal can help you finding one in good shape.

There is also the option of a JDM 43/44/46 Series. Auction companies can help you with a proper pre-purchase inspection.

Watch closely before you decide. Do not spend money you cannot afford to lose.





Juan
 
studawg said:
Another thing to look for is the serial number on the front right outside of the frame horn, visible when looking at it from the front of the front right side tire. LCs built in Japan will have the VIN stamped in a pretty particular, unique font. LCs assembled in Venezuela will have it stamped in more traditional, basic block style numbers and letters.
Click to expand...
Did they ever make the 43 in Venezuela? I thought it was just the 40.

I got to crawl around a Venezuelan-built 40 a few years ago; very interesting differences in build quality. I assumed much of it was from the 'restoration', but then I got to see pictures of rig before and during the 'resto' and it was obvious that the build quality things were there before.

One of the very interesting differences is that the Venezuelan 40s don't have Toyota rear axles but rather Dana 60 axles with an off-centre diff to match the transfer case. Many of the screws and bolts were not the indented Toyota zinc bolts were accustomed to, but galvanised equivalent screws and bolts.
 
Chamba said:
Did they ever make the 43 in Venezuela? I thought it was just the 40.

I got to crawl around a Venezuelan-built 40 a few years ago; very interesting differences in build quality. I assumed much of it was from the 'restoration', but then I got to see pictures of rig before and during the 'resto' and it was obvious that the build quality things were there before.

One of the very interesting differences is that the Venezuelan 40s don't have Toyota rear axles but rather Dana 60 axles with an off-centre diff to match the transfer case. Many of the screws and bolts were not the indented Toyota zinc bolts were accustomed to, but galvanised equivalent screws and bolts.
Click to expand...
Yeah good question, but Im not even sure about the 43 in Venezuela or not. Yep we had some challenges when trying to service the axles on the Venzuelan cruisers at the LC shop I used to work at because they were Danas and the parts we kept in stock werent right for them, had to figure out what they were, etc... It got to the point where we just tried to avoid taking in any SA LCs in general due to their "restorations" being so difficult to untangle and sort, and especially the the Venezuelan ones because they were even worse to begin with.
 
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 love my FJ43 as well. Thank you for your input.
 
Well @bernardbar3 ,
You are the exact person we need up here to link us to Colombian FJ43 history and a parts stream.

Can you tell me why the change to 70 series front maker lights on Colombian 40 series and where this modification took place first. Was it a regional thing?
 
bernardbar3 said:
I love my FJ43 as well. Thank you for your input.
Click to expand...
And to follow up from @devo where did you get your factory hard top for your 43 in your profile picture? Did someone down there make it or is it an actual factory top with Spector slider windows?

I'm guessing yours was a factory soft top from the footman loops. Did you modify the rear sill or use earlier model ambulance doors? I'd love to see some more pictures of your 43.
 
@bernardbar3 ,
I thought I recognized you. You had your hard top made of steel and we 43 owners were hoping for way to get those imported!

IMG_0662.webp


IMG_0663.webp


IMG_0664.webp
 
FJ404345 said:
FJ43 1982 Hard Top acquired with hood locks like that

View attachment 4139917
Click to expand...
That's one way to clear the 70 series lights without having to repaint your hood I guess. I like that they used Jeep hooks instead of moving your factory ones. Are the factory ones still under the 70 series lights? Could be an easy repair.

@devo thank you. it's a factory hardtop. That's the main reason I bought it. I got scammed otherwise but I really wanted the factory hardtop and I prefer RHD. The roof cap is fibreglass, just like on a NAS 40. It's getting there, but it's basically been a complete rebuild.
 
Last edited:
It’s on FB privately for $8k less

Pay Alberto from Total Cruisers Miami
to inspect it for you

www.facebook.com

Toyota FJ -43 1979

Very nice 6 cyl antique tun very well and ready to enjoy lo
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
 
The glass and sheet metal is the only thing that might be Toyota on that unit. If I had 105k I'd buy some else.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom