If you've been paying attention, you'll notice that we're not the only ones selling Land Cruisers like crazy. Trucks like this 1972 Toyota FJ40 are some of the hottest things on four wheels right now and if this one looks affordable, that's only for the moment. With the right look, the right colors, and the gear, it's still a lot of fun off road, but it can also be a wise investment. Apparently the best shape for a 4x4 is a two-box design with sharp corners, and Toyota has been doing it successfully for decades. You'll note that this one wears gorgeous bright red paint for a high-impact look and the flat bodywork is remarkably free of damage. Clearly this one hasn't been crawling through the jungles of Burma, but rather lived an easy life on pavement somewhere in the warm southern US. Typical Toyota build quality means these trucks are virtually indestructible, but just for good measure someone spent quite a bit of time and effort, not to mention money, getting it back into shape. There's an appropriate shine that's not so glaringly perfect that it looks domesticated, and the simple bumpers, distinctive white-framed grille, and rubber fender flares all reinforce the ready-for-anything vibe. The winch on the front suggests that this truck is up for anything and it's hard to beat the look of something that treasures function over form like this FJ. The interior of this FJ has been upgraded as needed to make it functional without losing its character. Aftermarket front buckets are a lot more supportive than the original flat chairs, and that makes a big difference when you're crawling through the mud. Sure, everything is pretty basic inside, but the FJ does it with style, offering a bright red dashboard with black pads, an easy-to-reach shifter, and zero-maintenance floors. The rear bench is newer and there's plenty of room for four inside, plus their gear in the cargo bay. The cleverly designed dash allows easy construction of both right-hand and left-hand drive trucks, with the white instrument panel holding a speedometer and auxiliary gauges that are easy to read. Controls are easy to decipher and everything works as you'd expect from a Toyota. The full cage is reassuring when you're in the rough and it comes with a full set of weather equipment, including doors and top. The 3.8-liter inline-six has served on at least six continents over the past 50 years and remains one of the most reliable and sturdy machines yet conceived by man. It's also pleasingly torquey and smooth, so you won't regret sitting behind the wheel for a few hours. The point of the FJ isn't all-out speed, so it's fairly stock under the hood, with an aftermarket air cleaner, a giant aluminum radiator, and brightly colored plug wires, but nothing that will interfere with its reputation. You'll note there's a modern dual reservoir master cylinder, which powers a set of front disc brakes, a worthwhile safety upgrade. A 3-speed manual transmission, 2-speed transfer case, and heavy-duty axles provide the go-anywhere part of the FJ's resume, and the suspension, while capable, is still civilized enough to use every day on your commute. There's a recent exhaust that has the right sound and it's fitted with big 33x12.50-15 off-road radials on shiny chrome wheels. Make no mistake, FJs are more than just Japanese Jeeps, and the market is speaking. Will this be the one you finally take home for yourself? Call today!
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