Stupid question: How rare are fj43's in the states?

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FWIW I like the 43 series trucks if nothing for the uniqueness and the extra room.
My painted pig comment can certainly apply to any cruiser regardless of origin, especially in todays market.

@devo is there a thread on your 43?
 
sterling said:
FWIW I like the 43 series trucks if nothing for the uniqueness and the extra room.
My painted pig comment can certainly apply to any cruiser regardless of origin, especially in todays market.

@devo is there a thread on your 43?
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Offense taken 😉😂. We’ll sit quietly in the corner, satisfied knowing that all the short buses envy our extra room.
 
@sterling
No there is not a thread on my Colombian 1981 FJ43. Only random photos that show up here on occasion.
No offense taken on the painted pig comment or as others may say “lipstick on a pig”. There are just some 40 owners who think that NA 40’s are God sends and when a 43 is mentioned can not make any other comment than to trash them. So when someone makes the pig comment is does flip the switch and it makes me remind the NA 40 owners and commenters that there are plenty, if not more POS NA 40’s on the road, in driveways, being sold unscrupulously here in NA than they want to think about. Folks post up here all of the time their ragged out 40’s they just bought! So I don’t mind tussling with that attitude when it comes a long. I’ve been a 40 series owner since 1982 when I bought my first one, brand new, so it’s not like I just fell off of the apple cart!

I’ve said enough,




devo
 
most people here thing the world got all the cool trucks and nice options.... and we got the 40 :meh:

BTW been driving mine for 30 years continuously ... mine is not a fine example of anything other than "wow that still drives?" and the next owner will say WTF
 
Thanks for all the replies.

I did indeed acquire a 1974 Fj43 LandCruiser and am in the process of returning her to factory condition, with some slight modifications for safety (disc conversion and roll cage, with kids being the catalyst for the mods).

I'm sure I'll take hate, but this was a South American example, with some genius "jungle mods", some of which I'll actually keep. The price was right, borescope and compression checked, internals solid, and my wife said that it was "adorable". Sold.

I'll document the build shortly, but thus far I have replaced the radiator, thermostat, mechanical fuel pump, water pump, throttle linkage (yes, I custom cnc'd and used yee ole lathe to fabricate a replacement), plugs, new oil and blinker fluid, etc. Up next, complete rewire of electro-digicals, suspension bushings, disc brakes, and roll cage.
 
I have several Land Cruisers since the 90's, but for me I will say they rare, I have yet to see one in person here in the U.S.. I have seen them in South America from far away while waiting to catch another flight in Bogata Columbia...I guess that might count or maybe not.
 
Dustybottoms said:
Thanks for all the replies.

I did indeed acquire a 1974 Fj43 LandCruiser and am in the process of returning her to factory condition, with some slight modifications for safety (disc conversion and roll cage, with kids being the catalyst for the mods).

I'm sure I'll take hate, but this was a South American example, with some genius "jungle mods", some of which I'll actually keep. The price was right, borescope and compression checked, internals solid, and my wife said that it was "adorable". Sold.

I'll document the build shortly, but thus far I have replaced the radiator, thermostat, mechanical fuel pump, water pump, throttle linkage (yes, I custom cnc'd and used yee ole lathe to fabricate a replacement), plugs, new oil and blinker fluid, etc. Up next, complete rewire of electro-digicals, suspension bushings, disc brakes, and roll cage.
Click to expand...
Can’t wait to follow along and steal some of your ideas for myself.
 
Slight Highjack:has anyone found a complete source for bone stock fj43's that lists differences in years,options and stock dash pictures?
Have been using "before" pics on fjco website and BAT for reference.
 
Good thought @sterling but to this day I have not found that source? Amayama sells parts specific for my FJ43-KC and list every LandCriuser ever made for the US, Asia, JDM and Europe but I haven’t been able to decipher anything. And I haven’t taken the time. I’ll include a couple of photos here, but maybe if you mess around on the Amayama site you may find something out?
I know compared to the NA LandCriuser imports that were guided by the DOT and EPA, the International market was not. So it seemed like the International market 40 series received a hodge podge of parts but I’m sure there was a method for the Toyota madness?
For instance: My 1981 is (mostly) the same from the windshield back as any 1981 NA 40. But under the hood when I need a distributor cap I have to order one that fits a NA 40 from 1975. I’m sure that stems from not having to meet NA EPA standards? Also, even though I have a 1981 there is still a cowl vent that was dropped from the NA 40’s way back in the 70’s at some point? And as far as I know they never came with front disc brakes that were standard on early early NA 40’s.
All said, I don’t know how to compare my 1981 Colombian 43 to those of the same vintage that were imported to Europe or the Middle East or the JDM?

The answer is lurking out there somewhere!


devo


4F- 4spd, floor
LHD- left hand drive
TPC- tarpaulin top, type C
WORB- without roll bar
GEN- general market
CBU- completely built unit

and I know my 1981 FJ43L-KC was built at the main Honshu Plant, assembly line #1 because my VIN is stamped with the A11

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My understanding is that all the markets follow the OEM parts diagrams except for the SA Land Cruisers that required considerable local content. I looked closely at a couple of FJ43s in Saudi and the parts diagrams were spot on (I use ToyoDIY FWIW). They are also spot on for my Saudi spec FJ45 Troopy that I recently imported. I think it's the SA Land Cruisers that are the mystery.
 
Isn’t the 43 and 44 Series basically the same vehicle with different powerplants?
 
Thanks @devo some great info.
Fj43 info sticky may be useful, judging the market and inquiries that may bring.
The 78 Columbian trucks I am helping with have missing dash knobs and an interesting anti theft set up involving welding metal tabs that you can run a rod through on the pedals and lock.
The mix of na 40 things that can work and what is original is perplexing.
Truck also has what I assume are 70 series turn signals added, or original on SA trucks?
The do look at home on the 43 in my opinion.
 
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My 43 has the 70 series turn indicators. it never had the turn signals on the front fenders even though the factory bracket is spot welded to to underside for the fender indicators. I recon theft is an issue down south? I’ve seen those pedal locks on 43’s and BJ’s in Costa Rica. I’ve seen were they lock the shifter also. All of my body badging is riveted to the body. I guess those were also hot items for thieves to pop off?

More photos: my original dash which left room for when I installed a heater, the rivets, and how my 43 looked in the driveway before I bought (imported) it……..

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do all 43's have the same super heavy rear spring packs? they seem a lot like 45 springs. all the ones I have driven have rode really hard compared to a 40 with the lighter springs.
 
Very cool Devo, thanks for sharing.Bonus points for the unatainable? hardtop.

@cruisermatt for spring replacement fronts are 40 and rears are 45s.
Springs on both the trucks I am helping with are so worn they are rubbing indentions on the ones the are touching, lack of spring clamps amd lots of movement.
 
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