- Seller: Matt L (Contact)
- Location: Taylorsville, California
- Mileage: 76,103 Shown
- Chassis #: FJ55028995
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 3.9-Liter Inline-6
- Transmission: 3-Speed Manual
If we label the Jeep CJ, the Land Rover, and the Toyota FJ40 as the first “Hall of Fame” class of off-roading, the FJ55 Land Cruiser must at least deserve an honorable mention. Along with the Jeep Wagoneer, it might have actually been more influential than those titans of the terra firma, because, like the Wagoneer, it was designed as a wagon; therefore, it was a direct ancestor of the modern SUV. If a $100,000 price tag and a certain lack of authenticity are not for you, however, you may want to consider the real thing rather than one of those modern descendants. The seller of this 1972 FJ55 is presenting it as a “drivable project,” and he’s offering it as a Barn Finds Auction in Taylorsville, California.
Being a 53-year-old SUV, you will certainly be lacking in amenities when compared to a newer Land Cruiser, and there will be some interior work to do. It will need upholstery, a dash pad, and a headliner, but interior work can always wait; there’s a reason why you keep that old bedding in the closet for decades. Upholstery kits for Land Cruisers are available, but with simple bench seats, it might be worth taking to a local shop for some basic vinyl upholstery.
Regarding the basics, here’s what works:
- Headlights
- Taillights
- Running lights
- Windshield wipers
- Electric rear window
- Speedometer and odometer
And here’s what doesn’t work:
- Horn
- Backup lights
- Brake lights
- Fuel gauge
- Turn signals
The FJ55’s powerplant is the typically robust 3.9-liter Toyota “F” inline six, producing about 130 horsepower. Like the engine, the driveline was simple: a three-speed manual with a non-synchro first channeling power through a two-speed transfer case. The seller tells us that the engine “starts, idles, and runs with no blowby,” and it “doesn’t make any strange noises, smoke, or overheat.” The brakes work, but they might need some adjustment to raise the pedal a bit.
There is some typical Land Cruiser rust in the lower fenders and rockers (and there are plenty of pictures in the gallery below), but the roof seams are solid. The driver’s door has been replaced because of some “lower hinge damage” in the original door; however, that door will come with the Land Cruiser in case you have a sense of adventure and want to attempt a repair. It’s good to have a matching door. Other than the replaced door, the paint is said to be factory original and has a cool look to it.
There’s no doubt that this is a project, but with all that flat steel, there’s no reason you couldn’t fix the fender and rocker rust, replace the tires, check off the to-do list, and have a perfectly usable, rugged old Land Cruiser. The seller has already installed some new parts to help you on your way: a clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder, a set of hubcaps, and a voltage regulator. If you like your SUVs unpretentious and influential, bid now!
Bid On This Auction
Novakand000 bid $1,100.00 2025-08-26 12:29:48
dudleybeyler bid $800.00 2025-08-24 17:22:54
Matt, I have some more questions on your cruiser. If you could email me, that would be great.
John
Please post your questions in the comments here or use the link right below the first photo to contact the seller directly. Thanks!
Good morning John, what would you like to know about my FJ? Thanks!
How are the floors, what happened on the old door, hinge broke off the door and can be welded back?
condition of floors and title? Thanks again.
John
There is some minor floor rust on the drivers side floors both front and rear. I believe the door is reparable for too. Just not by me. Ha ha ha
Photos of the floors have been added to the gallery.
I owned one of these in my younger days – the vertebrates in my neck haven’t recovered. Very heavy and clumsy for off-road adventures – dependable with deplorable MPG.
What’s the condition of the frame?any photos
The frame is solid. I will be back in Taylorsville this weekend and will try and attach some more images. Thanks
Hey Rick, Josh added some images of the floor, I’ll be uploading some frame shots soon too. Thanks again!
Lovely looking Toyota FJ55 Land Cruiser. I love the early version of the FJ55 Land Cruiser.
The FJ55 is basically the same as the FJ40 underneath. The FJ55 does come with a rear sway bar where the FJ40 does not. All mechanicals are the same. By doing a shackle flip (moving the front spring shackle to the rear of the spring) helps tremendously in the ride AND steering response. Since all Toyota imported Landcruisers are CA emissions the vacuum advance is not. It’s a retard. By finding an advance off of an old Corolla that bolted on. (and with the addition of an aftermarket header and exhaust) I turned my 16 MPG (on a good day) to 20 -22 MPG. If you turn a FJ40 engine over and looked at the bottom end. You would swear that you were looking at a diesel engine. It is that robust! So if you treat it like a diesel engine and don’t rev it too hard,it will last almost forever. Change the oil, adjust the valves and call it your friend for ever. I have had both an FJ40 and a FJ55. Incredibly reliable and forgiving. One last thing the brake adjustment will take you alot longer than you anticipate. Dual wheel cylinders with adjusters on each wheel cylinder. Even being experienced in this setup, it takes me atleast 2 hours to make the adjustments once all the wheels are off the ground. BUT, I’m also really picky a out how my brakes work. Later FJ40s and 55s have front disc brakes and 4 speed fully syncro transmissions. I still have my FJ40 after 41 years!
I think I just threw away 16 nos brake cylinders that I figured I would never use. Whew! Guess I can’t buy this then.
My favourite Toyota Land Cruiser are the FJ55 and the FJ60.
My 1990 Mitsubishi Montero was a far better off-road and on-road vehicle than my 1970 Toyota FJ55. The Montero is actually a Mitsubishi Pajero: “The Mitsubishi Pajero is a legendary vehicle in the Dakar Rally, earning the nickname “King of the Desert” with 12 overall victories. Its success, particularly from 2001 to 2007 with seven consecutive wins, is attributed to its robust four-wheel-drive system, durable chassis, and smart engineering.”
I would imagine that in twenty years 1970-1990 the technology would account for a fair amount of difference and yes the Mitsubishi was a very capable Dakar champion, but in today’s world the Toyotas are vastly superior in the Dakar than any Mitsubishi competes with
My 1970 Toyota FJ55 was a lead sled, the ride was terrible and the mileage deplorable. The FJ60 was infinitely a much better vehicle. The current bid on this FJ55 is $400 which indicates the level of interest in these earlier SUVs.
Photos of the underside have been added to the gallery.
Elbert Hubbard, yes, the FJ60 is a better vehicle. Toyota made improvements as the FJ series progressed. However FJ40, 45, and 55 reliability is legendary. Some of us just appreciate the things that these vehicles did well. (Like don’t break down!) I worked at a Toyota store in the early 80s. One day everything in the dealership stopped and all the employees stared in disbelief. An FJ40 was coming in on a tow truck. No one had ever seen that before. The person driving the vehicle was not the owner. And had run it out of gas! I still have had my FJ40 for over 40 years.
They may not ride like luxury vehicles or get the best fuel economy, but so what? If you want better fuel economy, buy a Toyota Corona or a Toyota Corolla.
Does the 4×4 work and is the tittle in sellers name?
Yes the 4×4 works, and I have the title, but it’s still in the prior owners name and the release is signed and it’s ready to transfer into the new owners name.
State I live in must have notarized signature on title is title notarized
1 can get it notarized from the person on the title.
Current bid $400 – if that is what it sells for someone is going to get a bargain.
Current bid $800 reserve not met – I used my 1970 FJ55 to take my trash out to the dump, it was an excellent vehicle for that purpose.