Monday 20th February 2017

Toyota FJ40: PH Carpool

A Midlands chap explains why a Land Cruiser is his choice of off-roader!

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Name: Mr. White
Car: 1985 Toyota FJ 40 (BJ42 to be exact)
Owned since: 2015
Previously owned: Everything from a 1989 Mini (my first car), Suzuki Jimny, Daihatsu Fourtrak x3, Peugeot 306, Peugeot 205, Nissan Primera x5 including GTs and a diesel, Isuzu Bighorn, 1994 Subaru Legacy twin-turbo, Toyota Yaris, FJ60 Land Cruiser, Honda Civic Type S and plenty of sheds in between.

Why I bought it:
"Even though I grew up in the Midlands and lived near Solihull, I never got the Land Rover thing! Also growing up in my dad's garage with him and his mechanics telling me how great they were until they went wrong, and their next words would be to buy a Land Cruiser.

"After living in Australia for a spell and seeing these old things kicking about, I always liked the looks and quirky features like the curved rear quarters glass and kick vents in the footwell. The fact that they didn't seem to die was also a benefit and I tend to be rough on cars. My favourite book is about a couple of guys who drove one round the world in the 50s/60s called 'Who needs a road?' Anyhow, this one came up from a mate who owned it for the last 20 years so I bought it."

What I wish I'd known:
"I hadn't seen it for a couple of years and was told it had a WOF (NZ's version of an MOT) so I thought 'how bad could it be?' Terrible is what, not sure who the tester was but I think his last name was Wonder! You could see the rust from Mars!"

Things I love:
"The utilitarian styling, the kick vents, the barn doors at the back for starters. It's still rough even after all the work I have done, but I like it this way, I am not so bothered when I scratch it off roading."

Things I hate:
"As a good friend recently said to me 'Hate is a strong word', I don't hate but I am not a fan of leaf springs all round, drum brakes all round and no power steering. But, I do hate rust!"

Costs:
"4x4 tyres and the oils in all the diffs and boxes get a bit pricey. The engine holds seven litres and the diffs and boxes hold another five or six. Fuel is reasonable at around 25mpg-plus! That isn't bad for a 1985 3.4-litre diesel."

Where I have been:
"Mostly around Canterbury in New Zealand with lots of backroads and campsites."

What next?
"I would love a newer 'Cruiser' but can't justify anything yet, maybe a Land Rover one day. When Toyota buy them out."

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Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at [e-mail]!

[tahicks2003]

"Terrible is what, not sure who the tester was but I think his last name was Wonder! You could see the rust from Mars!"
Love it!!

[DoctorX]

I'd have one of those over a Defender any day. Very cool.

[Vroom101]

That's a lovely looking old thing. Did they ever sell them in the UK I wonder? Don't think I've ever noticed one here.

I'd imagine pootling around in one of those at a sedate pace is quite refreshing

EDIT: Maybe until you had to brake in a hurry

[hornetrider]

I've seen a few of things on eBay in the UK and they are ridiculously expensive. Cool in a way an old Landy isn't if you ask me.

[Fetchez la vache]

Yep Lovely. As hornetrider said above - they're making top money these days - look after it

[hornetrider]

There is only one at the moment and it's a fully restored beauty. 17.5k.





http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Landcruiser-BJ40-...

[hod6e]

You should look for a 1984 BJ42 LX as they have a 5 speed box ,rev counter and big servo ventilated front discs among other things. I've done 60,000 miles in mine and wound not part with it. I also have a 1979 BJ40 low milage original and a 1984 HJ 45 LWB pick up restored.
plus a BJ 74. All from Australia no rust! THere's a saying in OZ , if you want to go into the Outback go in a Land Rover but it you want to come out again go in a Land Cruiser. By the way they stop making the BJ series in 1984.

[hornetrider]

hod6e said:

You should look for a 1984 BJ42 LX as they have a 5 speed box ,rev counter and big servo ventilated front discs among other things. I've done 60,000 miles in mine and wound not part with it. I also have a 1979 BJ40 low milage original and a 1984 HJ 45 LWB pick up restored.
plus a BJ 74. All from Australia no rust! THere's a saying in OZ , if you want to go into the Outback go in a Land Rover but it you want to come out again go in a Land Cruiser. By the way they stop making the BJ series in 1984.

Quite simply epic lurking. Bravo, sir.

[Robert-nszl1]

Not historically interesting like those very cool Landcruisers but I've always had a bit if a soft spot for the FJ Cruisers. Given how bland much of Toyota's offer is these days I've often wondered why they never sold it here.

[Cable]

Lovely vehicle

I had an HJ60, and wish I never sold it. I've been pondering one of these or another 60 again, but as mentioned, prices for both have gone or dramatically, particularly the 40s. I'm tempted to import from Oz this time, despite the shipping costs...

The leaf springs are rather unpleasant for daily driving, but the rest of the vehicle more than makes up for it. Even my wife wishes I hadn't sold the 60.

I love how heavy duty everything about these are. The axles are the size of trees, and the transfer box is larger than most modern engines!

[RED_P47]

hornetrider said:

Quite simply epic lurking. Bravo, sir.

I just wanted to say I am also a lurker lol

[RED_P47]

hod6e said:

You should look for a 1984 BJ42 LX as they have a 5 speed box ,rev counter and big servo ventilated front discs among other things. I've done 60,000 miles in mine and wound not part with it. I also have a 1979 BJ40 low milage original and a 1984 HJ 45 LWB pick up restored.
plus a BJ 74. All from Australia no rust! THere's a saying in OZ , if you want to go into the Outback go in a Land Rover but it you want to come out again go in a Land Cruiser. By the way they stop making the BJ series in 1984.

I have a BJ40 advertised on here and 3 others which i'm currently working on including one project with disc brakes all round and 4 link suspension and shock/springs.

[rob.e]

Mr White said:

"..kick vents in the footwell. "

What do those look like then? Interesting idea.

[diluculophile]

Love the looks of these things.

Had a spell of trying to find one in the UK.

What I discovered was that I don't think they were ever sold here, although I think they were in Ireland.

Massively expensive to buy, when you do find one.

I think there are a few places in the world that they are quite common - I remember finding out some island or other had plenty (can't remember which), but they were no longer cheap as folk had caught on.

Good to know they exist in Auz - might end up there at some point.

[amokwa]

hornetrider said:

Quite simply epic lurking. Bravo, sir.

[powerstroke]

F means F petrol six B means b diesel four J for jeep !!!
So should be titled BJ 40
If you wanted a petrol then shop in the middle east or the USA
Mix of both in Aus
mostly diesel in europe ...

[Cable]

powerstroke said:

F means F petrol six B means b diesel four J for jeep !!!
So should be titled BJ 40
If you wanted a petrol then shop in the middle east or the USA
Mix of both in Aus
mostly diesel in europe ...

'H' also denoted diesel, such as HJ45 or HJ60, which were straight six diesels.

[Vroom101]

I wonder if it's possible to stick a V8 under the bonnet of one?

Y'know, just because...

[Cable]

Vroom101 said:

I wonder if it's possible to stick a V8 under the bonnet of one?

Y'know, just because...

Of course! I believe a popular mod in Oz is to drop an LS V8 in.

[Vroom101]

Cable said:

Vroom101 said:

I wonder if it's possible to stick a V8 under the bonnet of one?

Y'know, just because...

Of course! I believe a popular mod in Oz is to drop an LS V8 in.

Sounds fun!