1981 Toyota FJ40

This stunning 1981 Toyota FJ40 was registered in the UK on 1st September 2019, and since then it has had 2 keepers. The FJ is a Japanese import, which is said to be in original condition!

The vendor has owned the vehicle for three years, he purchased it from a private collection. After getting the vehicle, work was started last year to recommission it to enable it to pass the relevant MoT test. This was done at great expense, spending approximately £7,000 on parts and labour bringing the FJ40 back up to standard.

The main thing to note with this 1981 Land Cruiser is that the body is reported to be in its original condition and still looks superb. The recommissioning work carried out was largely on the mechanical side as it had been stood for some time and parts were a little stiff and seized. All of it was mechanical, so bolt off recondition or replacement as necessary was the approach to getting it back on the road.

Now with it on the road, the vendor has his eye on another project, and with limited space, it is time to let another FJ40 fan enjoy this ready to go Japanese 4x4.

Not scared of offering a full range of colours, the Toyota is believed to be finished in colour code 854 Medium Blue with a white hardtop roof. The finish to the bodywork is excellent for the age and mileage of the vehicle. There are some odd marks here and there and a few swirl marks to mention and as you would expect, but nothing that jumps out at you and for over 40 years old it’s pretty impressive.

The front bumper is nice and straight, with no knocks or dents to show, and as we move up to the headlights the grille is in good condition, as are the headlights and side/indicator lenses, with no splits or cracks to be seen. The windscreen rubber, as with all the other rubbers on the vehicle, are a clear indication that the vehicle has been stored in a warm dry area as these are in excellent condition.

Looking from the side, the Japanese 4x4 sits nice and level, and like the rest of the panels, the doors look to align as they should. The windows are in good order including the cool curved quarterer windows, none of which have any excessive scratches to point out.

The rear doors fit as you would expect with the spare wheel mounted to the nearside door. This has a new Goodyear Wrangler tyre fitted to match the other wheels, which are also in good condition, finished in grey.

Functional and practical is what it’s all about with the Land Cruiser, and really that’s all you need.

The steering wheel is the original and in good order with no excessive wear to it. The instruments are in good condition and working as they should with a clear cover. The odometer has been replaced but set to the previous reading of 63,601 kilometres, just 39,519 miles. What switches are fitted are in good condition with minimal wear to them. There has been a Pioneer head-unit fitted that does have USB and is capable of connecting to your smartphone.

The seats in the front consist of a driver's seat and a two-seated passenger seat covered in vinyl. These are both in good condition with just a very small amount of wear to the driver’s seat. In the rear are two benches that will lift and tie out of the way to give you more loading area, and these match the front seats, with no damage.

The flooring is a fitted rubber mat, in both front and rear. This is in good condition and shows the Toyota logo in the rear. The headlining is clean and shows no signs of any sagging.

This being a post-1975 model, the FJ is fitted with the 4.2 litre 6-cylinder engine which produces 135bhp and 210lb-ft of torque. The engine has been given a full service just over 50 Kilometers ago, the same time that the recommissioning work was carried out, which you can see in the paperwork section.

A brief rundown of what was done is as follows. There have been hoses on the fuel system replaced, some wiring has been relocated to stop it from fouling on the exhaust, also some other wiring issues were addressed. There has been adjustment to the wheel bearings and steering arms, new joints fitted to the prop-shaft and steering couplings and the steering box has been resealed.

The underside is in excellent condition. Finished in black there don’t look to be any areas for concern in terms of corrosion, and again, clearly this vehicle has been stored in a dry environment.

The FJ40 starts up first time and runs just as Toyota intended. It is reported to drive just as well, moving through the gears as it should, with no noises coming from the transmission or engine that shouldn't be there.

The recommissioning work was carried out by RT Mechanics in Surrey, who have done an excellent job of ensuring this FJ is back on the road with a full MoT. Everything has been checked and repaired or replaced where necessary. With that and a few other parts thrown in to finish it off, the Land Cruiser has had over £7,000 spent on it getting it into the condition that you see here, which is a true blessing for whoever becomes the next custodian of this classic 4x4.

There is a valid MoT on the 4x4, which expires on the 8th July 2022. The V5 is present along with 2 sets of keys.

This FJ40 has a great deal going for it and is sure to generate a lot of interest. The vehicle came from a collection where it had been dry stored, it is very low mileage for the age and is largely in original condition apart from the mechanical work.

If you’ve never driven one, you should! Great fun and a powerhouse of a 4.2 litre straight-six is enough to keep you entertained both on and off-road.

We estimate this Japanese 4x4 will sell for between £22,000 - £28,000

Viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.