1973 Toyota Land Cruiser

I am the second owner and daily driven. I bought 'Elsie' in 1989 from a maintenance man while I was going to college. I saw a for sale sign on it and I had to have it. At the time she was red with a white top. About 4 years ago. I had the bright idea to take it down to the frame and rebuild it. part by part. It took 2 years to get her back together to drive so as soon as she was running. I have been driving her and just doing the final things as I go such as the roll cage. dash board. etc. I know I will forget something but here is what I remember. I have pictures of the process that I can send you.  Elsie has been a road queen since the restoration. My handle on the mud forum is 'Runamuck'.  Please fill free to contact me for more information. but please. only serious buyers! I don't have time to respond to tire kickers. No bondo or rust anywhere. All gaskets and seals (even the top seal) are new. I have extra parts  - extra F1 later model motor. another 4 speed transmission. PTO WINCH AND ALL THE PARTS EXCEPT THE LONG SHAFT which can be fabricated. That had to be sacrificed to get it out of the donor vehicle. An extra top with sides. seat frames. long and short rear benches. extra front heater. bell housing for 3 speed and 4 speed. 4 old brake boosters that are still good. power steering pump and parts. extra axles. drive shafts. brush guard. roof rack. original locking hubs and much more. I had collected the extras over the years.  Winning bid can pick from the extra parts or take them all. Elsie is original with no modifications.  
Running Gear: Wheels - Brand New BFG All Terrain 33s. Tall and Skinny. New hub caps with original hub cap on the spare. Drives straight down the road.  Brakes - Manual Drums but you can see there is a new master brake cylinder which is set up and ready for disc brakes when you are ready. It brakes good and straight so I just didn't see the need to change it yet. I have donor axles that have disc brake set up that can be swapped. I have another brand new master brake cylinder just like the one on it that will go with it as well.  4WD - Works great with Warn locking hubs. Transmission -  It originally had a 3 speed (which I still have) but I swapped it for a 4 speed with a lower first gear. I kept the 3 speed transfer case and changed out the bearings and gears to match it to the 4 speed shaft. It has a spacer in it where the PTO gear goes. I got the PTO winch and all the parts. but I just haven't put the gear and set up on it yet. The rear differential is original and clean. No leaks. Clutch - The clutch and bell housing was changed for the 4 speed but the throwout bearing (which was changed as well) is already chirping occasionally. The clutch is brand new with a braided hose and new reservoir. Steering - No slack in the manual steering. I have a power steering set up that will work right on the frame with no modifications needed. I just haven't felt the need to change it. I like the feel of the road.  

Motor:The motor is the original F1 with matching VIN numbers to the frame. It was rebuilt by R&R speed shop in Huntsville. Alabama and has less than 2000 miles on it. It is very strong and she cranks right up once the gas hits the original carb. She may sputter a bit on cold days but runs great after a minute of warming up. No distributor modifications or electric fan. etc. all original under the hood. Manifold is clean with no rust. No leaks. I have synthetic oil pumping through it.
Gauges: All Gauges work even the fuel gauge. The red needle on the speedometer broke off and I lost it but a new one just pops on the end. You can still see the speed. The odometer works and will show more miles as I drive it every day. The low setting on the windshield wipers does not work but the high does. Not sure but I may just have the wires crossed.  No dome light though. New blinker signals and lights. Wired properly by ACC in Atlanta.  
Body and Interior:The body was good to start with when I bought it. But every piece was dissembled checked for rust and cleaned. There were sections of the rear tub where the sides attached and normal rust set in. I purchased a half tub from Iron Pig in Virginia and just replaced the whole bed and floor. The new half tub was not pre-drilled and I have not drilled all the holes needed for the roll cage and rear seats. The front cowl and everything else is original with no filler or rust. There are a few minor dings on the interior over the past couple of years but nothing major. The seats have been reupholstered but are original to the vehicle. I have the original long benches as well as a set of short benches for the back. Both are not reupholstered yet. All window seals are new with new gaskets and the heater will run you out. I have an extra top. hatch. and sides with good glass that will go with it if you want it.  
Shocks and Springs:       I purchased HFS 4 inch left that came with shocks as well as some tall shackles but could not get it into the garage and it was to tough for this old fat man to get in and out of. So I went back to the original shackles which lowered it just enough to get into the garage. It doesn't ride as stiff as some claim HFS have a tendency to do. I think once the PTO winch is put on and the roof rack and brush guard is on. the weight will make the ride even better.  I also have a set of bumperettes that I just have not put on. (I have been enjoying the ride. )

She is good to go for daily to long hauls. I have enjoyed it over the years but the time has come to clear out some things.  I have pictures of the process of restoring her. She's not perfect and there are several other things that you might want to do and add. They are fun things to tinker with and I know you will enjoy this one as much as I have.  

Thanks for reading and good luck in your bid. I have set a reserve price. PLEASE DO NOT BID IF YOU ARE NOT A SERIOUS BUYER OR HAVE A BAD HISTORY OR HAVE NOT PURCHASED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES ON EBAY. I WILL NOT TOLERATE POSERS. IF YOU ARE HIGH BIDDER CLOSE TO THE END OF THE BID. I MAY CONTACT YOU TO VERIFY THAT YOU ARE AN AUTHENTIC BUYER.  
Key words: FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser Antique Classic 4WD Off-Road Vehicle

Also published at eBay.com

Want to buy this car?