1985 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

Description

Go anywhere in the uncivilized world and you'll likely find that the only vehicles that'll get you where you want to go are Toyota Land Cruisers, also known as the FJ. As rugged as a block of iron, as agile as a mountain goat, and with Toyota's unparalleled reputation for reliability, it's no wonder these trucks are chosen to handle the jobs that no other vehicle wants to tackle. Machines like this 1985 FJ40 Land Cruiser have become highly-sought collectables in their own right, with values steadily rising each year as the vintage 4x4 market continues to grow. I've been the proud owner of an FJ40 for many years, so I speak from experience when I tell you that this 1985 model is a very special example of the world's toughest SUV.

This is a later FJ, making it one of the more desirable models on the scale which encompasses an awful lot of trucks. In fact, 1985 FJ40 models shouldn't technically exist, as Toyota stopped manufacturing them for the world in 1984, with 1983 being the final year model in the US. But there were so many of these Yotas sent to Central and South American countries back then, and a handful of them were marketed and sold as brand-new cars a year later in 1985. So yeah, this is a special piece of machinery. The design is pretty much the same one that was in production for decades, but as a suburban commuter that doesn't appear to have lived anyplace harsh, it's a lot nicer than most. Repainted in the not too distant past using a period-correct Medium Blue finish with traditional white trim and top, it looks factory correct and brighter than the usual drab greens and tans you see on the old Richard Attenborough safari shows. The slab-sided bodywork is in excellent shape and was carefully finished during the high-quality repaint, and with all those right angles and flat surfaces, you can bet there was a lot of time involved to get this Yota right. That iconic white grille up front matches the top and wheels, the gray bumpers are all stock and even have the original rubber bumperettes still in place, and the rugged look is reinforced by the rear-mounted spare tire and barn-style doors out back.

Gray buckets in front and neat folding mini-bench seats in the rear area are pure Serengeti chic with correct patterns made from durable materials that were engineered for the elements. Being a later model means more comfortable seats for the driver and passenger and a modicum of creature comforts, but the tough-as-nails demeanor of the Land Cruiser comes through loud and clear. All the gauges are functional and given that this truck was designed to be used all over the world, the secondary controls are intuitive and quite basic. Somewhat shockingly, this FJ comes equipped with air conditioning that's even R134a compatible (and it does need a charge to blow colder), and a cleverly installed AM/FM/Cassette player in the dash allows you to listen to your tunes without spoiling the rugged good looks inside. There's also a center console that adds some secure storage and a couple rubber mats protect the beautifully painted metal floors. The rear cargo area is quite spacious for either gear or passengers and with all those windows, it's bright and airy inside the cabin. But if that's not enough, the hard top and doors are removable for full open-air fun.

Toyota's legendary 2F 4.2-liter inline-six provides power, driving all four wheels through a 4-speed manual transmission and 2-speed transfer case. Lots of guys modify them, but the trucks that command big dollars are those that stick to the factory recipe and therefore offer the most reliability. It's very clean under the hood, suggesting a life on the pavement rather than the trails, and all the factory equipment is intact, right down to the original air cleaner assembly and silver Toyota valve cover. The solid and clean chassis is downright impressive and reinforces the idea that this truck has had an easy life and all the stock equipment is in place; no gaudy lift kits, no oversized springs, and no questionable mods. White 'wagon' wheels are the only way to go if you stick to the original script and with big 215/85/15 Firestone Super All-Traction tires, it's ready to climb a mountain.

If you've been paying attention, values on these trucks are really skyrocketing, with six-figure FJs becoming more frequent. Will this one ever be that valuable? Who knows, but it is certain that you'll always find friends when you're out driving it. Call today!