Reader Sean M found this low mileage Land Cruiser survivor back in 2018. He bought it from a family member of the original owner. Clearly, the original owner took good care of this 4×4, with it showing minimal wear and tear considering what this rig was built to do. Sean has done all the work needed to make it a nice driver but has decided to move it along. So, if you’d love to have this sweet truck, be sure to take a closer look!
Body Condition: The body is in great condition.
Mechanical Condition: The following work was done to get it back in running condition. The gas tank was removed, cleaned out, and sealed. The fuel pump was replaced (the original comes with it) and the carburetor was rebuilt. The radiator was also replaced. The brake master cylinder was replaced along with wheel cylinders. The oil was changed and a new battery was installed. The bulletproof 6 cylinder engine fired right up when I got it.
Seller’s Listing: Here on eBay
- Location: New Lenox, Illinois
- Mileage: 30,000
- Title Status: Clean
- VIN: FJ4059985
List your car here on Barn Finds for only $50!
eBay link not working……..
Here it is:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F202746000530
Wow! :-O
INCREDIBLE CONDITION for a 50 year old Land Cruiser! …especially one that is located in Illinois!!
(Looks more like what you’d expect for a well-cared for California or Arizona example!)
I’m BETTING that someone is going to have to pay BIG BUCKS to bring this one home to their garage.
HOPING that it migrates to a state that is less “rust-prone”!
The seller bought it in 2018, but didn’t mention where it came from. It may very well have spent most of its life in a dry western state.
Steve R
Really great truck and in beautiful shape I’m sure she won’t go cheap!! These are super popular now if you can find one that hasn’t been lifted or rusted out!!
I have a question for anyone who knows these well. Some 1969 Land Cruisers have protruding front hubs that are sometimes fitted with manual locking. The ones with said hubs have floor mounted transfer case levers where ones like this do not. Are the ones like this full time 4wd with center differentials? Are they lacking a low range? What accounts for the difference in equipment?
Over time, I have not retained all of my knowledge of changes made to FJ40s. But this much I do know: it would have part-time four-wheel-drive. Some had manual locking hubs, some did not (the front hubs were always engaged). Some early ones had a dash-mounted selector for the transfet case, and if memory serves me correctly, it was vacuum-operated.
I have a ‘66 that originally had that style hub it was a manual Warn hub. Selecto matic maybe? No center diff. Older ones didn’t have birfield joints like the newer ones. I elected to go with newer axles otherwise I could verify instead of going by memory. Definitely no center diff though.
I like this Land Cruiser a lot! Sadly, I would not bring it into the Rust Belt, and I cannot afford it.
Looks a lot like the FJ Cruiser Toyota sold starting in the mid-2000s!
Your truck sounds really cool with the upgrades you did Wayne!!! I’ve always been a bronco guy ever since I got one in high school!! I friend of my got an FJ in high school and ask me to go four wheeling and show him some trails!! I wasn’t driving like a nut cause it was his first time but him and his FJ kept up everywhere we went!! He let me drive it down a couple of trails and ever since then I’ve wanted one!! I can’t believe what they go for now!! I guess it’s like all the muscle cars!! If someone had it they want it again!!
Correction to the sellers description on ebay – 1969 has the F engine (changed to 2F in 1975). The F engine was rated at 125 HP (2F at 135 HP) not 155 HP as stated. In addition to being slightly more powerful, the 2F had a better oiling system and better (non-leaking) valve covers.
Dan, you are 100% correct! (the old brain cells are still putting out good info!)
Virtually all FJ40s through 1972 came with 3 on the tree and vacuum shifted dash mounted transfer case. If I remember correctly (and I can look it up if anyone has to have that info, as I still have the factory parts micro-fische and reader) Optional manual lock out hubs started in the 1969 model year. Great looking FJ40. I wish mine was that pretty. It is getting there now as I REALLY used it for many years. My only rust spots were in the rear quarters above the rear frame. I have replaced the left one and will start on the right one this winter some time. I have had mine for over 35 years. I will never git rid of it, as it is part of the family. We had a family dog (an Aussie Shepard) that considered the Cruiser her vehicle. Made the mistake one time and started it up without her in it. She jumped up on a dinning room chair to get to the 150 year old black oak dinning room table (family heirloom) and used her claws to propel herself through the closed glass dinning room window. THAT WAS HER CRUISER! It has a 2″ chassis lift (required when doing a front shackle flip to the rear springs) and a 2″ body lift to clear the FJ55 rear fuel tank that is between the rear frame rails. (no more in the cab fuel tank) I also upgraded to a disc brake front brakes from a late model FJ55.
These could drive right through a swamp and not get stuck. Whereas domestic SUVS could not keep up.