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A non-owner from Kentucky

Ken Maguire

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Joined
Jun 21, 2018
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united_states
Hello all,

I don't own a Land cruiser, but I wish I did. There is one for sale very near me, a 1978 that is in very poor condition. They are taking offers of it. Would it be worth buying (cheap), and how hard are parts to come by? Any insight would be appreciated.
 
That's somewhat like asking how long is a short piece of string ;)

Can you link a Advert or pictures?
Not that we will try and buy it ourselves but with a better frame of reference it will be easier to answer your question, of course with a deep enough wallet anything is repairable.
If it is a 40 series, assume so from the date, then yes in my opinion it will be, depending on condition and price, worth buying.
And yes parts are available, a lot of them brand new from Toyota or specialist suppliers.

Oh and welcome to the club.

:)
 
Hi Ken and welcome,

As Julian said plus if you are getting photos also get the VIN number (on a plate on the bulkhead and on the chassis leg - front right ahead of the wheel) and that means that we will be able to tell you a bit more about it.

Read a story on the Oz forum yesterday: 40 series had been stood for 10 years, the new owners fed it gas from a jerry can via a pipe, connected a new battery and gave the tyres some air and it started and drove onto the trailer.

40s are addictive and the nuts and bolts are metric.

Parts? Just about everything is available including replica bodies in steel or aluminium, just have a look at www:sor.com or www:ccot.com

Regards,

Rodger
 
Here are the photos and some info about it. It's pretty rusted out and looks like it may not be salvageable, but others may see it as a challenge.
 

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That is a FJ40 and you are right, that will be a challenge, saying that it has one of my all time favorite engines, I have spent many happy hours driving FJ45's in South Africa, there are plenty of replacement bodies out there for that one and it appears to be complete so it should be a good candidate for restoration.

Have you seen what Icon in California do with them?

This is bad for me, I found one for sale in South Africa, Here.
 
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November 1978, 2F engine , 4speed, plus it should have factory roll bar.

It's definitely a body off restoration which, of course, is dependent upon space to do, time available, money, etc.. It does look to be very original and the only parts that appear to be missing are the headlight bezel (rounded corner one as squared ones are post 79 and won't fit), barn door hinge and an indicator/side light unit but they could be inside. Hard to tell on the interior but the dash looks unmolested. Seats? Should be a double passenger front plus one double each side in the back.

The rear body cross member looks complete which would indicate to me that the chassis rust is surface as that x/member rots first. It would also say that this has not had a particularly hard life, its just been neglected.

Bonnet, windscreen surround, roof all look to be recoverable and the cowl doesn't look too bad. You could probably get away with a 3/4 tub, side panels -upper and lower, front wing (left one looks recoverable) and barn doors.

Obviously not a quick job but a big advantage is so much original equipment in situ. IMO it is worth consideration.

Regards,

Rodger
 
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After thinking about it, it's too much of a project for me to take on now. I'm sure someone will buy and restore it. If there is anyone you know that might be interested, I can send them the contact info. It's an estate sale, and the guy just wants it off of the property. It's located in Louisville Ky.
 
Fair enough. It would be a big job.

I don't know anybody in the USA who is in the market for a FJ40 but if no-one shouts up then it maybe worth putting the information on the i8mud forum. Although worldwide its membership is predominantly based in America and it is big forum.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/ There is a classified section. it maybe worth looking there to satisfy your LC dreams.

Regards,

Rodger
 
OK. Thanks for the info. I'll let them know in case someone is interested. I wouldn't like to see it go to the scrap yard.
 
Shame, it’s just sitting there screaming “somebody buy me and fix me up”!

It would be a big job, but there’s plenty of 40s that are worse, out there...

By the way, welcome aboard Ken, happy hunting... :thumbup:
 
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