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Wanting a FJ40 RHD

Rayrey

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Joined
Dec 7, 2020
Messages
11
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uk
Hey All,

Ray here in the UK, tinkerer, Engineer and designer wanting to start a restoration for most of my life.

The time has come to find a FJ40 in need of some love.

Would really appreciate some help or support on where to look for the vehicle that would make my Life project come to life.

Thanks guys,

Ray
 
Hi Ray and welcome...

If your search is going to be in the UK only then fleabay, Gumtree, etc., but RHD were usually the Japanese home market or Australia. There are specialist companies for the Japan vehicles but I don't their names or have any experience with them. There are a number of members on here who have imported from Oz so they will hopefully give you some advice.

FJs are petrol - 4.2 l straight 6 - expect 15-17mpg but they are torquey. Bj40s are diesel, slower mostly 3L - B, 2B & 3B - but they run sleeves so no need to rebore, etc just new sleeves and pistons, etc. very reliable engines that will take a turbo.

You need patience to find the right vehicle - took me 2 years but that was 20 years ago.

When you find a 40 that has appeal get the VIN number and the model code and put the Vin into www.toyodiy.com and it will tell you the spec. if it is an early one you may have to ask on here. Significant change years are 1974 and 1979.

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Rodger
 
Hi Rodger,

Thanks very much for your response.

I think a BJ and adding a turbo might be the way to go, but I am keeping an eye out for both engine types as you say, they're not so easy to find.

I guess the other question is how much of a project I am after, and what parts are difficult / expensive to replace or repair. Are there any good reads about restoration of 40s that give an overview of what is required to refurb the various parts?

I'm more than happy for this to take me a few years but don't want to buy something with all the major components in need of replacing.

Cheers,

Ray
 
Hi Rodger,

Thanks very much for your response.

I think a BJ and adding a turbo might be the way to go, but I am keeping an eye out for both engine types as you say, they're not so easy to find.

I guess the other question is how much of a project I am after, and what parts are difficult / expensive to replace or repair. Are there any good reads about restoration of 40s that give an overview of what is required to refurb the various parts?

I'm more than happy for this to take me a few years but don't want to buy something with all the major components in need of replacing.

Cheers,

Ray
Welcome Ray, you should find all the help and info you need on this forum. There’s enough genuine enthusiasts to guide you through to getting the 40 of your dreams. You’re already in good hands. I’d love a 40 of my own one day but that’s a long way off.
Still, Lynn has her kitchen now… so no more excuses. :lol: Hmmm…
 
There are a few on EBay, one finished last night, not sure wether it hit its reserve, but was a late one with Power steering and AC, but looked to have a mountain of rust and needed the electrics all rewiring. The other RHDs are in excellent condition and over £30k, the French car websites obviously have good value LHD’s
 
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Hi Ray,

There are several threads regarding full and partial restorations in the 40 section forum on here. worth reading as they will all show you that the mechanical aspects of 40s are, in the majority of cases, very reliable. But most need bodywork as the dreaded rust gets in.

Lets start with the mechanicals: When checking one out check the chassis above the front wheels as, after a very hard life, they can crack and check the rear cross member in case it has had too much time launching boats. Most BJs are 24 volt unless from Oz then they tend to be 42s (?) and 12 volt (Oz rules). Wiring looms and electrics are very reliable unless someone has played around too much. [I read recently, on an Oz forum, about a bloke's granddad who bought his HJ47 new in 1984 and other than servicing it has not had replace any component - not even a light bulb and it's his DD and is used on his ranch]. B series engines, gearboxes, axles etc all old style engineering and built to last. Mine has a 2h, 5 speed box and axles from an early 60 series = 4L straight 6. Both engines are often referred to as 'million mile' engines.

Bodywork: Rust is the problem and the main areas to check are: front valence and wings; sills; bonnet front corners; windscreen surround, door bottoms; side panels where the inner tub joins the outer; rear doors and lower rear body cross member. Most parts are much more available nowadays than they were a decade+ ago but the ones that are hard to find are - windscreen surrounds and bonnets.
Most panels are bolted on, except rear panels to inners and rear cross member so finding one where the body has been done is good but will remove much of the satisfaction in the restoration.
Interiors - seats etc are hard to find.

Have a read of some of the resto threads and if you want more info about different models etc., just ask.

Tonytoyota may still have one for sale and I think that has a 2H etc..

Regards,

Rodger
 
Hi Ray have a look on the 40s go to page2 fj40 for sale and have a look.
 
Welcome Ray, you should find all the help and info you need on this forum. There’s enough genuine enthusiasts to guide you through to getting the 40 of your dreams. You’re already in good hands. I’d love a 40 of my own one day but that’s a long way off.
Still, Lynn has her kitchen now… so no more excuses. :lol: Hmmm…
This is great, seems like such an invaluable group that will help no end with my restoration, really appreciate the support.
 
There are a few on EBay, one finished last night, not sure wether it hit its reserve, but was a late one with Power steering and AC, but looked to have a mountain of rust and needed the electrics all rewiring. The other RHDs are in excellent condition and over £30k, the French car websites obviously have good value LHD’s
Thanks very much, I did see this one and spoke to the seller. Ideally I would like to go and view, and I guess it's sensible to see a few before I commit, very useful to have this group to give me some advice on what to look for. Definitely after a RHD long term, is it common to convert from LHD or is this particularly difficult?
 
Cannot thank you enough for this Roger, extremely useful information. Will definitely get some bedtime reading in on the restoration threads.

I'm keen to make the vehicle my own and happy to put the work in, so looking for one that needs some love. Cannot wait to find one.

Really appreciate your help.
 
Hey Tony, thanks so much for the info. Looks like a great specimen.

Will definitely be after a RHD, but assume these are harder to come by. Is converting them a viable option?
 
Hi Ray and welcome...

If your search is going to be in the UK only then fleabay, Gumtree, etc., but RHD were usually the Japanese home market or Australia. There are specialist companies for the Japan vehicles but I don't their names or have any experience with them. There are a number of members on here who have imported from Oz so they will hopefully give you some advice.

FJs are petrol - 4.2 l straight 6 - expect 15-17mpg but they are torquey. Bj40s are diesel, slower mostly 3L - B, 2B & 3B - but they run sleeves so no need to rebore, etc just new sleeves and pistons, etc. very reliable engines that will take a turbo.

You need patience to find the right vehicle - took me 2 years but that was 20 years ago.

When you find a 40 that has appeal get the VIN number and the model code and put the Vin into www.toyodiy.com and it will tell you the spec. if it is an early one you may have to ask on here. Significant change years are 1974 and 1979.

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Rodger
Hi Roger,

I think I may have found one. Any chance I could have a chat with you about it to get an opinion? Would appreciate it hugely.

Thanks,

Ray
 
Hi Ray,

No problem in talking. Although I live in Spain I do have an English number which is 0044 (0) 7779 288013. Best time for me is late afternoon ( we are an hour ahead).

Regards,

Rodger
 
Hi Ray,

What did you decide regarding Tony's 40?
I don't know if this helps but, because Mr T didn't release the annual production numbers on early BJs, they are usually listed by DVLA as '77 (if before). A while back a guide was listed and so if you get a pre 77 we can work out approximately which year and month it was built.

Regards,

Rodger
 
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