Why did they change the year on the title. (1 Viewer)

[GrooGrux69]

Howdy everyone. I’m looking for opinions and also some help with a mystery on this FJ43 I just acquired. I got it from a classic car dealer in California that knew next to nothing about it. It has been restored and they did a pretty good job, but it seems like a Frankenstein. They did disclose that it is a 1977 but it is titled as a 1982. I am a little bothered that they did this and I honestly don’t know how. The only things that would lead someone to think it is a 1982 is the steering wheel that I can tell has been swapped out, the grill bib and the parking brake on the floor. I am thinking on changing them back (not the parking brake) and try to fix the title back to 1977 when I register it. The mystery is the dash, it does not have a dash pad. If this was originally a 1977 it should have a dash pad right? I have 2 1969 FJ40’s and they do not have a dash pads. Now this is the first FJ43 that I have owned so I am wondering if anyone knows the differences in the models, like if they didn’t have dash pads etc.. If anyone has the answers or input please comment.

 

[Living in the Past]

Is there a plaque on the firewall with a model number? There are on some on mud who could date an FJ43 off the VIN stamped on the frame. I do not have access to that info. The body looks to be at least 1/79+. Post a picture of the transmission and transfer case. Those changed 8/80 including the rear motor mount system. 8/80 other three speeds the used the transmission for the rear motor mount. 82 some markets have an interior light that worked off the front doors. But may not be on a FJ43 imported from Columbia. By the hard top that appears to be where this one is from.

That style glovebox door didn't start until 8/80.

 

[brian]

No idea why they would have told you it's a 77 when it's not.
It has the later single bolt spring pins.
It's a South/ Central American import....hope you did research on them before purchasing.

 

[Living in the Past]

It's a South/ Central American import....hope you did research on them before purchasing.

If Toyota ever imported the FJ43 to the US I wouldn't consider one from south of the border. But they didn't and other than the Middle East to get a LHD mid wheel base that is the market it's going to come from. South America is really the market if you want a LHD hard top. BJ44 and BJ46 RHD diesels is about the only mid wheel base 40 you can find with a factory made hard top. The US is being flooded with Central and South America FJ40s. Those I wouldn't consider buying. The mid wheel base that really you best option if you want a LHD and a hard top

 

[jmoss]

Sounds like the DMV is being shady/lazy by not the vin plate or frame stamp. You might run into issues with the years because of the whole California smog/ carb laws.

 

[Pighead]

I could see a used car dealer fudging the numbers to make a vehicle younger than it actually is thinking that a newer vehicle brings more money.

 

[Living in the Past]

I could see a used car dealer fudging the numbers to make a vehicle younger than it actually is thinking that a newer vehicle brings more money.

The problem would be it's not a 77. So far have seen nothing that couldn't be an 82. The seat belt/brake light on the dash started with the 78 model. A pillar seam/flange is 1/79 and newer. Would take some work to add the catch for glovebox latch. Brake clutch pedals and gas fill door are newer then 1/79. The gas door is newer than 4/79. It switched sides and hinged the opposite way 4/79. Steering wheel and bib/bezel are easy bolt on but both are newer than 77. Curious what makes it a Franken cruiser?

 

[Mark Jennings]

Dash Pad….US model FJ40 had a dash pad from 68 forward….. no sure what the SA rigs had.

 

[Living in the Past]

Dash Pad….US model FJ40 had a dash pad from 68 forward….. no sure what the SA rigs had.

Dash pad was more of a US and few other markets thing. Most imports from other markets will not have a padded dash. If they do it will be later. Some markets never had one.

 

[MOTOV8R]

At the time it was imported it was probably not old enough to be imported as the correct year. I owned an 81 troopy that was titled as a 71.

 

[GrooGrux69]

Is there a plaque on the firewall with a model number? There are on some on mud who could date an FJ43 off the VIN stamped on the frame. I do not have access to that info. The body looks to be at least 1/79+. Post a picture of the transmission and transfer case. Those changed 8/80 including the rear motor mount system. 8/80 other three speeds the used the transmission for the rear motor mount. 82 some markets have an interior light that worked off the front doors. But may not be on a FJ43 imported from Columbia. By the hard top that appears to be where this one is from.

That style glovebox door didn't start until 8/80.

Thanks boss! I will get some pictures of the drivetrain today. Here is the badge on the firewall. If you could introduce me to your wizard that would be great.

 

[Living in the Past]

Thanks boss! I will get some pictures of the drivetrain today. Here is the badge on the firewall. If you could introduce me to your wizard that would be great.

View attachment 3705021

FJ43L-KC
F = six cylinder petrol engine
J = Land Cruiser
4 = 40 series
3 = mid wheel base
L = Left hand drive
K = four speed transmission
C = ambulance doors on the back. Because there was no V after L which would be a hard top the back doors would be two piece with removable vinyl covered top half. The current top was made locally in South America (most likely Columbia). If Toyota made deal to deliver these without the back doors, bows and vinyl I don't know. If they were all there originally there would have been a lot of them somewhere. A lot of these tops were added to FJ40 and FJ43 soft tops in Columbia and sold new that way.

KO52 would be 3.70:1 diff gears.
H41 is the lower first gear four speed. US market had the H42 which is a more street friendly gear set.

 

[B y r o n]

Found this info. Scroll through the list and you will see that vehicles with similar VIN's were manufactured in the 80's

 

[3_puppies]

you're surprised you got lied to by a used car dealer that had no idea what they were selling?

it sure looks like a rig older than 1977
looks like it has the standing seam at the A piller which would be 1979+ along with the floor park brake
steering wheel, glove box door make it 1981+
does it have a trans crossmember?
how can you tell the steering wheel has been swapped out?
as stated above rest of the world rigs were setup different than US rigs, no dash pad, lower dash pads front bench seats, 4 wheel drum brakes, no smog, heater, etc

is there an issue with it actually being a 1982?
it is not a 1977 rig, they lied to you

 

[GrooGrux69]

FJ43L-KC
F = six cylinder petrol engine
J = Land Cruiser
4 = 40 series
3 = mid wheel base
L = Left hand drive
K = four speed transmission
C = ambulance doors on the back. Because there was no V after L which would be a hard top the back doors would be two piece with removable vinyl covered top half. The current top was made locally in South America (most likely Columbia). If Toyota made deal to deliver these without the back doors, bows and vinyl I don't know. If they were all there originally there would have been a lot of them somewhere. A lot of these tops were added to FJ40 and FJ43 soft tops in Columbia and sold new that way.

KO52 would be 3.70:1 diff gears.
H41 is the lower first gear four speed. US market had the H42 which is a more street friendly gear set.

Thanks Buddy. I am impressed with everyone’s knowledge. I am relieved. I am fine with the aftermarket hard top. I started poking around it yesterday and someone did an amazing job restoring it. I got it for $18k as it wasn’t running. The dealership did deceive and said the compression on all cylinders was fine. I got it running yesterday and found it has a blown head gasket Easy fix. I can’t wait to drive it. Just love the extra length. I have a Large Rottweiler that also loves Cruisers.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Yep that's a big boy. If you are happy with what you paid, and you can get plates/insurance for it so you can drive on the road then I think you did ok. I would chase the head bolt threads in the block Tap should be like $20 or so. Inspect all the freeze plugs now while you can.

 

[cruisermatt]

Looks like an 81-82 to me.
Later steering column bolt pattern, later style tab on firewall for clutch hose, swing out gas door.
Most likely knowingly clueless dealer who wanted it off their lot.

 

[B y r o n]

Yep that's a big boy. If you are happy with what you paid, and you can get plates/insurance for it so you can drive on the road then I think you did ok. I would chase the head bolt threads in the block Tap should be like $20 or so. Inspect all the freeze plugs now while you can.

DON'T use a tap. Invest is a set of thread chasers.

The difference is taps will remove material making threads sloppier where thread chasers will reform and remove debris without removing material keeping threads tighter.

 

[charliemeyer007]

I have never had issues with quality taps cutting too much but then again I learned from gunsmith's and aircraft & power plant mechanics. Not sure what tool quality you get for a buck a pop.

 

[Pighead]

DON'T use a tap. Invest is a set of thread chasers.

View attachment 3705266

The difference is taps will remove material making threads sloppier where thread chasers will reform and remove debris without removing material keeping threads tighter.

Or just make your own thread chaser with an old head bolt.