Toyota Land Cruiser BJ42, 1982 (like FJ40)

So I imported this BJ42 from New Zealand(its right hand drive)about ten years ago (it is now registered in Michigan).

When I got it, I drove it for a summer and then did a poor-man’s frame-on restoration that basically included taking much of the vehicle down to bare metal and painting it (I painted it the same color, painted POR15 primer on much of it). I did some mechanical servicing to make sure everything was safe (drivetrain; replaced seals, a couple bearings and brakes; drum brake cylinders, shoes, springs, and tie rod ends). During this process I also put new rubber everywhere I could, from windows and doors, to the wheels on the road. To make it safer I put in a MetalTech roll cage with fame tie-ins. I put some nifty rear taillight protectors on as well.

One winter I forgot to put mothballs in it while it was put away in the pole barn. Mice made a home in my seats but the drivers side seat needed love anyway so it was no real loss. I got the seats re-upholsteredwith a heavy-duty, UV-resistant fabric and also installed heating pads in the drivers seat for those cold spring and fall mornings.

So my plan for the Cruiser was to outfit it for over-landing. Like building anything, start with the foundation. One of the things that makes this a rare rig here in the states, and something that makes most Land Cruiser fans drool is the full floater rear axel. So for an expedition rig, it’s a pretty cool feature. If you don't know the benefit of this feature then chances are, you will never enjoy it, so don't worry about it. Holding the rear axel is another great upgrade; Old Man Emu Dakar heavy-duty leaf-springs in the rear. These babies can hold some weight. The kind of weight that would come from filling the rear cargo area with over-landingaccoutrements. Anyway, if you wanted to do that sort of thing, this has the rear axel and rear springs to do it with.

Oh, the other dynamite thing about a BJ 42 for over-landing is the 3B diesel engine. It’s a four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine mated to a four-speed (4) transmission with your usual land cruiser gear box for this era. Now you’re not going to set any land speed records with this thing, but you are going to get some phenomenal fuel mileage at low RPM. The exact mileage is unknown as the odometer stopped working well before I got it.

The bottom of the ambulance doors rotted out so I bought some skins and fixed the both bottoms. The bottoms of the driver and passenger doors are in good condition. The top is in fair condition.

What else are you gonna get with this? A 3B engine manual… a FJ40 Haynes repair manual… some rear jump seats… and all the other stuff that I have sitting around from this thing (anything original that I may have replaced with non OEM items).

This truck could use some love though. There are dents, scratches, cracks, and rust. If these things bother you then I would suggest getting an aftermarket tub for it. The tubs aren't that expensive when you consider how it would change the value of the Cruiser, just look at all the other 'perfect' ones for sale on eBay. In many cases, you could make this BJ42 look as good for far less then what they are asking.

THE LAST PHOTO IS FROM MY RESTORATION TEN YEARS AGO.

I bet if I added up the cost of all the parts and paint that I've put into this truck over the past decade we would be around $6k, not including labor.

All the nitty gritty; You pay for shipping (I’ll help out at my end as far as communicating with the trucking company for pick up). 10% of payment is due within 24 hours of sale and you can pay for the rest any number of ways but the full amount is due within three business days, which is very reasonable.