It would be easy and understandable if our Barn Finds readers looked at this 1980 Toyota Land Cruiser and thought it was just another FJ40. However, it is the FJ40’s cousin, the BJ42. It spent years serving as a taxi on the Canary Islands but has spent the past seven years serving as the seller’s regular driver on local shores. It is great condition for its age, and the legendary engine should ensure it occupies its rightful place on our roads for many years.
Toyota launched its J40 Land Cruiser range in 1960, with the vehicle undergoing evolutionary changes before disappearing from most markets in 1984. This 1980 model is a BJ42 that came into the seller’s care approximately seven years ago. It is a survivor that worked for a living with its original owner and still sees regular use today. It isn’t perfect, and the seller actively encourages in-person inspections. That suggests they have confidence and feel there is nothing to hide with this beauty. The photo quality is poor, but the paint shows age, and the panels sport visible bumps and bruises. However, the paint retains a pleasant shine, with no matte areas or other significant problems. The Cruiser is presentable, and the lack of apparent rust issues could allow the winning bidder to pursue the preservation path. The trim looks acceptable for a survivor, and there are no evident glass flaws.
It is a shame the seller doesn’t supply better engine photos because what occupies this Land Cruiser’s engine bay is its defining feature. Powering this Toyota is the company’s legendary 3,432cc “B3” diesel four, producing 90hp and 160 ft/lbs of torque. A four-speed manual transmission feeds the power to the road via a dual-range transfer case. The power and torque figures don’t sound impressive, but they allow this classic to climb into inaccessible areas effortlessly due to the low-end torque delivery. The seller claims these engines can easily clock 500,000 miles with no problems, and while I have never seen one do so, it is a claim I have heard previously. Potential buyers should consider this classic a turnkey proposition that runs and drives well. The seller slips behind the wheel two or three times per week. They supply an embedded video in their listing featuring the engine running, which sounds crisp and clean.
This classic’s interior is typical Land Cruiser fare from this era. That means the new owner receives vinyl trim and plenty of painted steel. “Hardy” is the best word to describe a Cruiser’s interior because the upholstered surfaces can cope with almost anything thrown at them. This Toyota proves that because despite spending years as a taxi, the seats look excellent. The painted surfaces are clean, and there are no issues requiring attention. The door-mounted speakers suggest there might be a radio hiding somewhere, but this doesn’t rate a mention in the listing.
The seller listed this 1980 Toyota Land Cruiser BJ42 here on eBay in Atlanta, Georgia. Nineteen bids have pushed the price to $6,433, although that falls short of the reserve. However, the bidding and viewing history of the seller’s listing suggests many people are contemplating making a play for this classic. Are you in that group?
Looks like a fine rig. The diesel is appealing for some crawling. Let the rich posers keep their perfectly restored show trucks, I’d use this one as Toyota intended.
At $6grand, I figured it was the “oil motor” that was holding back buyers, but at over $10g’s now, that doesn’t seem to be the case. When these came out, diesels were not a big draw for Americans. Fact is, I never recall seeing any at all. They all had the Stovebolt 6 knockoff, the “F” series, made from 1949 to 1992, and did just fine. Living in colder climates, where most of these were sold, diesels had their limitations, plus we take for granted today, diesel is sold at all stations, but in 1980, that wasn’t always the case. You had to fuel up at those stinky, crime-ridden, filthy truck stops, where guys like me hung out,,,Still, the diesel may have been okay for the Canary Islands, but just doesn’t have the zing for I-70, trust me.
Good one, Howard about truck stops. One thing I learned from making cross country trips here and in Canada is that if you want decent food look for the places where all the big trucks are. Also if a place has a lot of old people cars in the parking lot.
There was a mistaken fallacy about that, truth be known, it wasn’t the food so much, just a good place to turn the truck around. The days of the “mom & pop” truck stops, are now replaced with “travel centers”, and much more user friendly. There was a place in Appleton, Wis. on Hy.41 called the Moasis, and had the most dynamite roast beef and mash potatoes, AND they’d fill your thermos, price? $3.95.