Toyota: Land Cruiser Convertible

Hello. Thanks for stopping by.
For Sale: Factory Original Untouched, no body work, no bondo, no touch-up paint 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40. Factory OEM Canvas Convertible and Soft-Top Framing/Bows. With Soft-Top/pickup drop-down tailgate. The Land Cruiser is a blank slate ready for your vision. . .no guesswork; nothing is hidden with crappy body work, body filler, or paint.
"Factory Original" does not mean it is 100% original. I have invested and installed a lot of new or rebuilt parts which are all listed below. By "Factory Original, Untouched," I am referring to The Body, Paint, Interior, and Canvas Top.
This is the Original Toyota Canvas Top, not an aftermarket, & not a Dr. Exxxx Paki Top. The FJ40 Originally was purchased in December 1972. The Canvas Top was removed just a few months later, sometime before March 1973. It had been stored indoors safely for 39 years when I got it in 2011, and was in MINT Condition. . ..until I damaged 2 zippers during an unexpected September snow storm and rapid temperature drop last fall 2014.
There is a wordy and lengthy history, as I know it, to follow below. If you're not interested in such things, scroll down to "THE STORY IS OVER- - START HERE."
Again, One Quick Note: There is a somewhat wordy, history of the FJ40 to follow. Including the explanation of how the Mint Condition OEM TOYOTA Canvas Top (the canvas) survived the last 43 years and avoided sun damage, rot, mildew, mold, rodent damage, and basically any wear and tear at all, the clear plastic windows don't even have any yellowing. So, if you're not interested in such stories, scroll to the bottom, and read the specifics.
For Sale to Good Home Only
Unfortunately, I will not be able to complete a restoration of the land cruiser. This FJ40 deserves to go to someone who has the ambition, and the resources to restore it to its former glory. Someone that will appreciate it as much as I do, and give it the care it deserves. I always envisioned a stock restore with original paint, except with a black grille and some minor changes; power steering, some bucket seats and a console, shoulder seatbelts, Roll Bar, disc brakes and 33X9.5X15 BFG's if I could find them, 10.5's if not.
However, After driving the for the last 4 years I've changed my mind. I'll save that vision for another FJ40 project someday. I think this one should stay stock, and be as close to Original as possible. Of course the 33" skinny BFG's should still go on it! That's my 2 cents. But if you buy it, it becomes your vision.
Let it be known: I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANYONE. And/OrI won't sell it. I do not have to sell it. I will just keep driving and enjoying it the way it is, in all of its unrestored glory.
Aside from some new parts, and mechanical work. . . This is an Untouched, and very awesome Factory Original 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser Canvas Top FJ40. Low mileage: with only 66109 original miles. (there will be a few more, I'm going to drive it a bit before I sell) It has very little cancer/rust and will only need minimal body work. That's just my opinion, and I'm not an Auto Body/Paint professional. The body damage and rust isn't intimidating, I weld a bit and was going to attempt the body work myself. The Toyota purrs like a kitten, and is tuned to perfection.
The factory steel drop down tailgate was only offered on factory soft-top models and the Pick-Up (FJ45 I think???) truck models.
This Toyota was manufactured in July of 1972. In just a few short months it made its way to Bozeman, Montana, U.S.A. The FJ40 was bought and sold at a small dealership named Neibauer-Toyota in Bozeman, Montana on an early December day in 1972. I do have the Original Montana Certificate of Title issued on 1/12/1973. It was voided when I transferred and registered, but I was able to talk the DMV into letting me keep it. I haven't decided yet if I will include the Original Title of Ownership in the sale,.for it has private information of the First Owners. ***Ok, back to December of 1972: After purchase, the new owner(s) drove the Land Cruiser 120 miles Northwest of Bozeman to a small ranch near Helena, Montana where it would spend the next 39 years. After only 3 or maybe 4 months, the Original owner decided that he did not particularly like the Soft Canvas Top. He took the top off, folded it up, sealed it in a plastic bag, boxed it up and stowed it away into a closet inside his home. A rancher in Montana can fix or build just about anything out of any material. He needed a new Top for his Land Cruiser. He fashioned himself a Plywood-Top complete with stainless steel hardware/fasteners and mounted it to the existing Toyota Soft-Top framing and bows. Next, some plywood covers were cut to cover the soft doors and mounted. The entire Plywood Top and doors then got two coats of white latex exterior house paint to keep the weather out. For the next 39 years, the Toyota put on a few miles, not many, less than 1700 miles a year if you average it out. The Cruiser did take the family of four from its Montana ranch out West to California and a visit to Disneyland once in 1977 or 78. It managed to rack up only 65,xxx miles in 39 years. The wooden top kept everything dry. It even kept the factory plastic sun-visor dust covers intact, the visors not ever seeing a spec of dirt or dust in all of that time. I took them off, I had to see the sun-visors, and they are mint. At some point in time, the fj40 was either driven into a garage with the hood up, or more likely, the hood latches were not latched and a gust of wind blew the hood up whilst driving, which cracked the windshield and dented the hood. The impact put a bit of a dent in the hood, and even split it a little. Also, a barely noticeable imperfection in the windshield frame near the center. After that, a latch and padlock were installed to keep the hood down securely (now removed). Unfortunately, I didn't take any photographs of it with the wooden top, I wish I would have. It was very unique, to say the least.
In the summer of 2011 my Dad and I became the 2nd owners of the '72 FJ40 via a mutual 3rd party, a pal of my Dad. When I first saw the fj40 I thought it was more than a bit bizarre. Here sat this near perfect FJ40 with a goofy wooden top and wooden doors, all of which (the top) is painted with brushed on white house paint. "Weird," I thought. "Well we can find a real Toyota Hardtop for it," I thought some more. What's the first thing to check after unloading it from the rollback? Will it turn over with a wrench? Yes it did. Next, fluids check. All full and pretty clean. However there is a tank full of the rotten gasoline. People could smell it from miles away! It was nasty. Disconnect the fuel line at the Carb. Attached a home-made gravity fed fuel supply designed by my dad that hangs from the hood. New Battery,check. Prime the carb, check. Pump the pedal twice, check. Pull the choke out and keep one hand on choke while you turn the ignition key. The 40 fires right up and after manipulating the choke for a short time, it idles. It's not purring like a kitten, but it is idling. We next grabbed the fuel line and pumped all of the bad gas out (using the Toyota's own mechanical fuel pump) and into portable gas cans and jugs for disposal later. Next, the tank was sloshed with fresh gas, and then pumped out. Repeated again and again AND again several more times.
I had never seen a FACTORY TOYOTA Canvas Top FJ40. I didn't even know that they existed to be honestsure a BesTop topped FJ40 I've seen 100's or more. Furthermore, I never really cared for the bestop look. And up until that point, that hot summer day in 2011, I actually thought I knew something about Land Cruisers. Getting Stung with the Addiction somewhere around 1994 and 6 or 8 or 10 Cruisers later and nearly 20 years, I looked inside under the wood top and when I saw the framing and bows, I remember thinking that the rancher sure spent a lot of effort and put a ton of planning into designing and building this frame for this ug. . .I mean. . ..unique wooden top.
Next task. Remove wooden top and wooden doors. It wasn't until I removed the plywood from the doors and saw the soft doors, that I took a step back, and realized what sat before me. The rancher did not build this frame! That looks like factory. After confirmation, I was floating on cloud 9. I hurriedly dug through the glove box and found an old registration. A quick look in the local phonebook and I placed my first call to the Original owners. I explained who I was and the woman's voice on the other end was very nice. I asked "You wouldn't happen to still have the soft-top that came with that Toyota when you first bought it would you?". . .. . .. . .she replied, "OH yes, I'm sure it's around here somewhere. You should have it with the Land Cruiser; we have no use for it. You know my husband never liked that top and after a few months he took it off and built that wood top for it. I'll look around for it and ask my husband. It may take me some time to find. Call me back in a week."
That seemed like a very slow and long week. Finally day 7 came! I called her back, and she said, "oh yeah, I've found it, come on out and have a look." "Can I come now? Great! I'm on my way!" It was laid out on the cement driveway when I arrived. I couldn't believe it, it was beautiful. Sidenote: These were the nicest people you could ever meet, a woman and her adult son met me in the driveway just as I stepped out of my truck. Her son was visiting from out of town. She told me that her son had discovered "on that interweb" that these tops are extremely valuable and that she would have to charge me for it. I did not argue. We settled on a price and bid our farewells, both happier than we were before we met.
The Top was in Mint Condition. I couldn't believe it. I was speechless. It had been stored in the perfect environment out of the sunlight, away from critters, and out of the weather for nearly 40 years. It was unbelievable and I was very excited.
The rest is history. I cleaned up the Land Cruiser, which I probably shouldn't have, I should've left the patina on it, as it was pretty cool looking. I put the Canvas top on which fit like a glove. I tuned it up. Replaced quite a few parts, rebuilt this and that (all of which I will list later). Had a new windshield installed. I got it purring like a kitten, and started driving it around like a giddy teenager. It is a head turner! I get compliments EVERY single time I take it out for a drive. It is so much fun to drive. The Trans and 4x4 shifts and works flawlessly. And just like the first 40 I ever rode in, this one too, will drive itself nearly straight 90 degrees up the toughest terrain. Yes! It will drive itself up the mountain in 4 Lo and 1st gear, and you can hike beside it. I like to tell people it'll drive upside down!
It has old but very cool, weather checked tubed tires, 15X7 M+S. I have no idea how old the tires are, but I like the look of them so much and they have plenty of grab and all of the tubes hold air, so why replace them? I never did.
I removed the running boards and the spare tire carrier as I planned on beginning body work. It has very little cancer. Obviously from the pictures you can see clearly that the rear corners are ate through. The rear corner reinforcement horns behind the rear corner sheet metal are basically all gone as well. There is some surface rust on the rear sill (below tailgate) which is cracked through the paint in spots. I don't know the condition of the sill reinforcement behind the sill sheet metal. I planned on finding out, but haven't. The tub is solid, floor boards are solid. The floor in the rear cargo/rear seat area has a good dent in it. . .but it's solid, no rust that I know of. The hood could be repaired and straightened I think. . .or replaced. Not a lot of body work I don't think. It's a solid truck. And yes, it's basically a short truck. It rattles, and drives choppy like a truck. If you're looking for smooth, quiet luxury. . .please visit your local Toyota dealer and custom order your 2016 Land Cruiser, don't forget to bring $85,000.
Why am I selling? This was originally a joint investment between my Dad and me. We thought we could get it running good put a Toyota hardtop on it and make a bit of profit in the resale. After I discovered what it was, and had found and acquired the mint canvas top, I forgot about that plan. I put permanent plates on it and planned to have it forever. Which. . . I may still have it forever. Like I said before, I don't HAVE to sell it. But, times ARE tough for me, my Dad needs a new roof on his home, and I really would like to get back to working on the FJ55. So that's thtat. My Dad thinks I'm crazy, he says not to sell, that I'll never find another like it, to just drive it and enjoy it. My Dad is right; I'll never find another like it because there isn't another one like it that exists. But I think I'm ready to sell and move on to the FJ55 project that I've had for the last 17 years!
So, it may be time for YOU to enjoy and appreciate this time capsule.
For those that skipped through- THE STORY IS OVER,------ START HERE.
I will not sell the OEM Canvas Top and Frame Separate. If you're planning on buying the rig just for the top (dismantling for templates) and becoming the newest USA remanufacturer of Toyota Canvas or Vinyl Soft-Tops, cornering the market from Dr. Eshan and Paki Tops, and retiring with all of your HUGE profits from your new business that I helped create, get ahold of me. Maybe we can work something out. Actually, I'm not even sure Paki Tops is still around or in business. Anyway,
Work and Parts since 2011:
New Windshield, new brake M/C, 6 rebuilt brake wheel cylinders by me with rebuild kits from NAPA, 2 new or remanufactured brake wheel cylinders to replace 2 that I couldn't rebuild (frozen solid), new clutch slave cylinder, new starter, new plugs, new plug wires, new distributor complete w/ innards, points. rotor, etc. and cap, new coil, rebuilt Orig. Carb by me with NAPA kit, new air filter, new intake/exhaust gasket, new steering box oil seal, new rebuilt OEM FJ40 radiator, new upper and lower radiator hoses, new radiator cap, new tie-rod boots, new shocks Front &Rear, new tailpipe, 8 new turnbuckles for the soft-top to tub fasteners from either SOR or CCOT, I can't remember. (I'm still not sure how these work on the side windows, I think I'm missing some trim pieces for those three fasten points on each side window), new shift boot and handle for transfer case floor shifter, it does have new NON Toyota NON OEM general truck tail/brake-lights from Napa. (The OEM mounting brackets have been ground out to fit these aftermarket lights), I might think of more. . ..it's hard to remember when you didn't write it down thinking you'd never sell. . ..oh Yeah, it has a new set of hood bumpers rubber (set of 6) that mount on the top front of the bib and on the top of the upper fenders, black rubber bumpers to cushion the hood, New front and rear differential oil, New transmission and transfer case oil.
1F starts right up every time ---if you know how to start an old Land Cruiser--two pumps on the gas pedal and feather the choke just the right way. They're a bit finicky. If you can start one, then you can start any of them. This will even start in -20F with a warm battery. I make sure and start it and run to operating temperature every month of the year. It purrs like a kitten once it has warmed up and you have the choke all the way off. I'll drive it in the snow if it's not bitter cold. . I don't like the idea of the soft top being under the sun AND in the freezing temperature at the same time. I've lost my notes from 2011 when I did a compression check, so I don't have exact numbers, but all 6 were very close and all at or very close to 150#. Transmission is good. Clutch is good. Transfer Case is good. Brakes are good, as good as you can get with all drums anyway. . ..properly adjusted drums are perfectly fine in my opinion. 4X4 is Excellent. Manual Locking Warn Premium Hubs are good. It could probably use a knuckle rebuild kit, but I've washed them off and they do not appear to be leaking. . but then again, they are 43 years old and probably have never been done.
The OEM Toyota Canvas Soft-Top is in remarkable condition. It was stored securely out of the elements and OFF of the Toyota for 39 years, indoors. The canvas itself is in immaculate condition with no sign of sun damage, and shows signs of very little usage. There is one small piece of canvas on the outside on the top rear right above the left zipper, on the roof-top, so to say. It's about 1 ½" square. I can't see a hole underneath this piece on the inside because the piece is directly above where one of the snap flaps is located. There may be a pin-sized hole somewhere in the very top. When it rains, I have a single drip toward right rear cargo area above jump seat. It might not even be a hole, I've looked and cannot find one. . ..it just may need a new protective spray on coating. Outside (of the Canvas Top) is white, the inside is blue. I've added some removable stick on rubber bumpers (kind of) to the backs of the snaps where the top attaches to the frame bows. The snaps tend to rattle on the frame tubing, it sounds much better with those snaps covered with the soft material. The plastic windows are plastic windows. They have some scratches. But they definitely do not look 43 years old, they are clear, with no yellowing! They look really nice if you rub some plastic shiner on them.
Until last fall, all of the zippers were all in mint condition. Last Fall I damaged 2 of them. We had a quick and extreme temperature drop and snow very early and unexpected in September. I had all the windows rolled up and the 40 outside in the driveway. I foolishly decided that I needed to button up the Land Cruiser to keep the snow out. . . instead of just pulling it into the garage! Definitely was hurried in the cold and snow, and not thinking rationally! Ugh! So yeah, I damaged the two zippers on the rear window. On one side I popped the zipper off the track (left,driver's side), and on the other side (right, passenger side) I pulled too hard in the cold and slightly tore some stitching out between the zipper lining and the canvas. Less than 4 inches, roughly. (See Pictures) That sucked. But, it should be an easy repair for a seamstress I would imagine. The buckles and tie-down straps along with the roll up window straps and small buckles are all in Mint Condition.
The Soft Top Frame and Bows are perfectly straight and have no rust. There are some small holes drilled in the tubing where the previous owner had fastened his wood top. The soft doors also have small holes drilled in it where he fastened the wood and homemade latches. There are holes both through the soft canvas and the steel door frames. The doors need new weather-stripping, and so does the tail-gate. The Dash isn't perfect; it has a few cracks some damage on the passenger side. The heater box needs some work: it is missing some linkage to maneuver it to the defrost position. It needs new defrost hoses. And it needs a new rubber sealer from the heater fan inlet to the heater box. The heater core is good and does not leak. The twist-valve shut-off inside under the hood does work well. The front seats need to be recovered and possibly re-springed. You'll probably rip those out and put in some awesome bucket seats anyway! All of the lights and gauges work as far as I know, EVEN THE MAP LIGHT WORKS on the passenger side! I have 3 Original Toyota ignition keys with imprinted codes and trademarks. There are no locks. The gas cap is not original for 1972. It is from an '85 FJ-60, and it works (pressure) with that tank and that carb as tuned. I tried a '69 gas cap, and the 40 ran like crap. The latches/hood hooks to hold down the front windshield are missing from the hood. I do not have them. As I said before: Currently the running boards and spare tire carrier are removed. They DO go with the Sale. The running boards, should probably be replaced, but could be repaired if you're a purist (running board mounting channel underneath is pretty well rusted). Included are what is left of the running board mounting nuts/bolts ( 8 of them I think). Even after soaking in PB Blaster for days, quite of few of them broke. The spare tire carrier is in good condition complete with latch and hinges. The FJ40 comes with 5 factory steel wheels and 5 hubcaps; 3 solid hubcaps and two with center holes for the locking hubs. Also, it comes with 5 very cool, but old knobby weather checked 15X7 Tires and Tubes, I'm guessing from the 70's, but I don't know for certain.
I think I've covered just about everything I can think of (for now, further editing may follow), email any questions and I'll be glad to answer to the best of my ability.
HAVE A LOOK AT THE PICTURES!!! There are a lot more pictures!
They are worth a thousand words right? Unfortunately, Hopefull I can figure out how to include a slideshow in this post. Two Slide-Shows Actually. One from 2011 when I got it, and one from 2015 just a few weeks ago. I'll try to attach the slide-show at the end, and if not I'll leave a link to where they can be seen.
A couple hundred pictures = a couple hundred thousand words. If you would like specific pictures sent that I didn't photograph, I'll be happy to oblige. Just let me know what you would like photographed and I will email them directly, or through eBay. Come to think of it, I don't think they allow direct email address exchanges.
Until I can think of more we'll go right to the boring details that most everybody knows anyway, but I'm going to post them regardless. . .
The 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 Convertible:
F Series 3.9L (236.7cu in) in-line 6 cylinder, water cooled, overhead valve, gasoline engine.
90" wheelbase
4 X 4, 4 X 2
Warn Premium manual locking front hubs.
3-speed (on the column) manual transmission with synchromesh on 2nd and top gears
Transfer gear: a 2-spd, helical sliding gear with front drive selection (hi-lo)
Leaf Spring and Shock Suspension Front and Rear
The OEM Toyota FJ40 Canvas Top; a.k.a. Soft-Top or Convertible
Drop-down Tail-gate. Factory Toyota Soft-top frame and bows. Factory OEM Toyota made Canvas Top (Stored 39 years off vehicle indoors). Turnbuckle Top to Tub Fasteners X8, New OEM. Originals were Gone when I got it.
Clean, clear, and notarized Montana Certificate of Title in Hand. Just waiting to have your name written on it!!!
If you're from out of town and cannot come look at the Toyota personally, I can and will supply the names and contact information for 3 different local private vehicle inspection professionals at your request. These are inspectors that are also recommended by a little company called Copart. We do have a Copart facility here in Helena. Furthermore, I have never met these people/inspectors. They have never seen or inspec. . .. . ..well, they may have seen me driving the fJ40, it's a small town. But, they have never inspected the FJ40 and I have never met them before.
If you need the FJ40 shipped, I will be glad to work with you and your shipping provider which will all be your responsibility and your cost. I would highly recommend a closed container to protect the Canvas Top. If on an open trailer, possibly have it shrink wrapped in that white plastic wrap like you see on new boats?? Something anyway. Or, have me ship the top separately.
If you are a Land Cruiser Guru (I thought I was one but now know now that I most certainly am not one), and know everything there is to know about them. And know something that I don't, or something that I said in the Ad that is incorrect, please reply to correct me, I would appreciate it, and I will make the proper edits to my Ad. Most of what I stated is my opinion. I most certainly *may* have some facts wrong. I've only stated what I've learned and know to be true since my Land Cruiser Addiction began in the mid 90's.
As mentioned long ago in this ad, I would like to reiterate that I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. I reserve the right to cancel this auction at any time.
Thanks for Looking. I know it was probably the longest AD you've ever read and also a tiny bit redundant. I'm glad you read all the way through!
I'm seeing other 40's up here for exorbitant "buy it now" prices. One I saw is over $85,000! So, I am going to but a "buy it now" price, of what I think it's worth, but will tell you that my reserve price is much lower and near the end of the auction I will drop the reserve if the auction meets a reasonable price, and if someone REALLY wants it, they can Buy It Now.
Everyone of the fj40s up here on eBay are unique, and there isn't another one like it in the world. They are not made anymore. Every One of them is different and Unique, and beautiful in my humble opinion. They may be built to the nuts Rock Crawlers, Frame-Off Restoration, Museum quality, daily drivers, original, and again this is just my opinion; there is some junk up for auction that are way overpriced. Furthermore, maybe, the one I saw for $85K really is worth it, I don't know, it's pretty nice for sure!.
I'm going to try to post links to slide-shows of many more pictures here, hopefully it will work.
Buyer Responsible:
Winning Bidder is responsible for all shipping fees and arrangements. Any damage that maybe caused by your shipper, You and your shipper shall be fully responsible for and is between you and them, I'm out of the picture at that point! However I will work with you and help in any way that I can.
$1000 Deposit via PayPal within 48 hours of end of Auction. Full Payment is expected and due within 7 days after end of this auction. Remaining Balance after Deposit shall be paid in cash, money order, bank transfer, or verifiable Bank Cashier's Check.
I am handling this auction for my father. I will be handling the Q&A, the vehicle inspection professionals (if requested at your cost), I will help with shipping in any way that I can be of service, however, to reiterate, all shipping fees, inspection fees, transfer fees are buyer's responsibility. I will be handling the deposit, with the remaining balance to be paid to my father. We can discuss that after the end of the auction.
All Sales are Final. There are no warranties expressed or implied. There will be no returns.
Also, if you DO start a soft-top manufacturing business by disassembly of the Factory Toyota Top for Templates. I WILL NOT bother you for 49% of your business and profits, but I would appreciate a few tops and frames free of charge! :)
With all of that, I am finished for now. Thanks for looking, and happy bidding!
Thank You, and Kind Regards
Copart® is a registered Trademark. The seller(s) are not affiliated with Copart® in any way.

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