Vehicle Description
If you've been paying attention, you'll notice that we're not the
only ones selling Land Cruisers like crazy. Trucks like this 1972
Toyota FJ40 are some of the hottest things on four wheels right now
and if this one looks affordable, that's only for the moment. With
the right look, the right colors, and the gear, it's still a lot of
fun off road, but it can also be a wise investment.
Apparently the best shape for a 4x4 is a two-box design with sharp
corners, and Toyota has been doing it successfully for decades.
You'll note that this one wears gorgeous bright red paint for a
high-impact look and the flat bodywork is remarkably free of
damage. Clearly this one hasn't been crawling through the jungles
of Burma, but rather lived an easy life on pavement somewhere in
the warm southern US. Typical Toyota build quality means these
trucks are virtually indestructible, but just for good measure
someone spent quite a bit of time and effort, not to mention money,
getting it back into shape. There's an appropriate shine that's not
so glaringly perfect that it looks domesticated, and the simple
bumpers, distinctive white-framed grille, and rubber fender flares
all reinforce the ready-for-anything vibe. The winch on the front
suggests that this truck is up for anything and it's hard to beat
the look of something that treasures function over form like this
FJ.
The interior of this FJ has been upgraded as needed to make it
functional without losing its character. Aftermarket front buckets
are a lot more supportive than the original flat chairs, and that
makes a big difference when you're crawling through the mud. Sure,
everything is pretty basic inside, but the FJ does it with style,
offering a bright red dashboard with black pads, an easy-to-reach
shifter, and zero-maintenance floors. The rear bench is newer and
there's plenty of room for four inside, plus their gear in the
cargo bay. The cleverly designed dash allows easy construction of
both right-hand and left-hand drive trucks, with the white
instrument panel holding a speedometer and auxiliary gauges that
are easy to read. Controls are easy to decipher and everything
works as you'd expect from a Toyota. The full cage is reassuring
when you're in the rough and it comes with a full set of weather
equipment, including doors and top.
The 3.8-liter inline-six has served on at least six continents over
the past 50 years and remains one of the most reliable and sturdy
machines yet conceived by man. It's also pleasingly torquey and
smooth, so you won't regret sitting behind the wheel for a few
hours. The point of the FJ isn't all-out speed, so it's fairly
stock under the hood, with an aftermarket air cleaner, a giant
aluminum radiator, and brightly colored plug wires, but nothing
that will interfere with its reputation. You'll note there's a
modern dual reservoir master cylinder, which powers a set of front
disc brakes, a worthwhile safety upgrade. A 3-speed manual
transmission, 2-speed transfer case, and heavy-duty axles provide
the go-anywhere part of the FJ's resume, and the suspension, while
capable, is still civilized enough to use every day on your
commute. There's a recent exhaust that has the right sound and it's
fitted with big 33x12.50-15 off-road radials on shiny chrome
wheels.
Make no mistake, FJs are more than just Japanese Jeeps, and the
market is speaking. Will this be the one you finally take home for
yourself? Call today!