1978 Toyota Landcruiser FJ40
61000 miles
This vehicle has a rare all-fiberglass body (which means no rust on the body). The vehicle is in generally good condition and runs fine. The cruiser has been garage-kept since I have owned it (5 years) and has not seen snow (and only saw rain once). The tires are in fairly good shape as are the brakes and clutch.
The cruiser has a custom wood dash and tailgate that I installed a few years ago. I have received many complements on the dash and tailgate but it is not the original factory equipment so some enthusiasts may not like this. (see photos).
I installed glass-packed pipes on the sides. The exhaust has a ‘Y’ splitter to accommodate the pipes so the pipes are functional. I also installed a 4-inch wide 4-point harness system for the driver and the passenger. The harnesses have a ‘quick release’ handle and they are secured to the vehicle frame.
I also installed a tube bumper on the front (see photos). The tube bumper presented a bit of a problem for engine access. Since the body is fiberglass, the front (hood) opens towards the front of the vehicle instead of towards the windscreen. The tube bumper got in the way of the hood fully opening. To solve the problem I installed bushings at the point where the tube bumper attaches to the bumper ram so the tube bumper would fold down. This allows enough access to the engine for oil changes, battery maintenance, etc. But for more involved engine work it would be best to remove the hood. (see photos)
The stereo system is pretty good for a cruiser. It has a Sony Radio / CD with a self-hiding faceplate. I also installed fairly large speakers in the back, an amplifier under the seat, and a sub-woofer that is installed in the back and looks like a spare fuel tank or water tank. I personally think the sound still begs for front speakers, but there is no place to put them.
I’m not much for the ‘plush’ look so there are no floor mats in the front or in the bed. The exposed floor is just the raw fiberglass and the paint is worn where your feet sit and in some places in the bed. (see photos).
The soft top is in merely fair condition. There are a few tears in the top and the doors (see photos) and the plastic windows are no longer completely transparent. I only put the top on the vehicle one time and everything seemed to fit. Since then, I installed the roll bar pads so the fit may be tight now. Also, when I installed the tailgate I did not put the mating snaps on the gate (I didn’t like the look) so the bed cover will not snap down back at the tailgate unless you put in snaps.
The vehicle has some other negatives:
1. The high suspension and large tires make for a rough ride.
- There are scratches in a few places on the body. I tried to photograph all of them so see the photos for the scratches. Also, there are scuffs on the sides where the hood comes down from the hood latches rubbing on the body when it is being closed.
- The steering is loose. Not terribly loose but I would not want to drive the cruiser cross-country without some work here.
- Other than oil and plug changes I have not done any work to the engine since I have owned the vehicle (5 years now) because it has not needed it but the carburetor does not look like it is the original. If you are familiar with the FJ40, have a close look at my photos of the engine and perhaps you can tell what is original and what was added.
- With the install of the glass-packed pipes, the vehicle would likely not pass an emissions test. I am in Ohio and here we are not required to have an emission test for vehicles more than 25 –years old so the cruiser qualifies. If your state requires emission testing for the older vehicles you may need to change the exhaust. Also, the pipes are supported in the back by a crossbar that is welded to the pipe and to the frame. This is not the greatest setup but it has held fine for me since I had the pipes installed (4 years ago).
- I included a few photos of the areas under the wheel wells and around the front and rear differentials. Everything looks to be intact but certainly not like new.
- The seats look like they are either not original, or they have been recovered. I did not do this work.
- A few years ago the front left tire went flat over the winter from a small hole. Instead of replacing the tire I had the hole plugged. It has not lost any air for three years now but still, it is not new.
You are also welcome to look at the vehicle in person. I am located in Westlake, Ohio (about 20 miles west of Cleveland).
A $500.00 non refundable deposit is due within 24 hours of the conclusion of the auction. The remainder will be due within 6 business days. I will ship the vehicle without delay after all funds have been received and cleared. You will need to setup the transportation of the cruiser.
Feel free to contact me with any questions at bandersen@northerie.com. If I do not respond promptly you may have been blocked by the spam-blocker so try my other email , dkbl8@aol.com.
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