zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
For $18,000, This FJ Is Kind Of One Of A Kind
For $18,000, This FJ Is Kind Of One Of A Kind-August 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:10:06

The seller of today's FJ60 describes it as one of a kind, owing to its well-considered modifications. You'll need to decide what kind of price it is: ?

When first introduced, Toyota's Land Cruiser was little more than a commissioned knock off of the Willys Jeep. It also suffered the unfortunate designation BJ, which must have made junior high a miserable experience.

The following 20-series gained some civility, but was still mountain goat-like in its muck-ability, and it was this series that first saw the model line fissure into two models, the open short truck and a new station wagon with 4 swingers for doors.

Every ensuing update brought with it greater refinement and offered features, but it wasn't really until the 80-series that the Land Cruiser made the switch from serious off-road contender to inclement weather on-road master. The modern 200-series is today far more a luxury truck than something you'd wash out with a hose. That role has been played since 2007 by the Prado-based and retro freak-show FJ40 Cruiser, although this is the last year that Toyota will offer that sightline-impaired truck.

For those Toyota fans who value capability and unflinching ruggedness over automatic climate control and a ride that won't upset your bone china cup of Earl Grey, the panoply of earlier Land Cruisers is the only option. Fortunately, it's also a rich one and there does seem to be quite a number of Land Cruisers of the more macho ilk on the market.

That number includes this , which the seller is describing as one of a kind owing to its interesting and potentially appealing modifications. Possibly the most notable of those mods is the switch to a 5-speed with the addition of an H55 box.

In explanation the seller says "If you know anything about the FJ60, you know that the H55 5-speed was not offered as a factory option in the U.S. market for the FJ60 and the OEM cable locking differentials were not offered on FJ60's in the North American market in 1987. You most likely will not find an FJ60 for sale anywhere in the U.S. at this time set up with these rare OEM options."

Well, I'll be the first to admit that my knowledge of Land Cruisers does not extend to that level of model and feature granularity, but I can attest to knowing that the H55 is one stout box, being fully up to the task of handling the 210 ft-lbs of torque the 4.2-litre 2F six produces. I also know that finding one to bolt into your FJ60 isn't going to be cheap.

It's a good thing then that this blue over diamond plate FJ already comes so equipped. Also in the plus column are new upholstery, WARN front and custom rear bumpers, a snorkel intake, and a pretty substantial roll cage inside. Mileage is said to be 177,000 which considering this is an '80s Toyota, means it's likely just getting warmed up.

Despite that reputation, there's also a whole lot of replacin' goin' on mechanically, what with a recently rebuilt head, GM alternator, dual battery set up, and new suspension bits touted in the ad. There's even more, but just those highlights should have both your eyebrows arching in approval.

The seller says that he has only owned this apocalypse mobile outpost for just a couple of months, and that his hips don't lie when it comes to not being able to do the manual dance anymore. I'd think that'd be something you'd figure out before making such a purchase, and I might just ask him about that as the truck is advertised as being walking distance from my house.

What I won't ask about is the price because by the time I could get around to walking over there, you will all have weighed in and settled the question of whether $18,000 is a fair price for this rough and ready FJ. In fact, let's do that right now. Do you think that eighteen grand for this one of a kind Land Cruiser is a deal? Or, does that price mean that, in this case, FJ stands for Effing Joke?

You decide!

, or go if the ad disappears.

Help me out with NPOCP. Click to send a me a fixed-price tip, and remember to include your kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
The New Kia Sportage Has Lovably Complex Looks
The New Kia Sportage Has Lovably Complex Looks
The 2022 Kia Sportage is “all-new” in Kia’s words, which is marketing but usually “all-new” also indicates that it is a new generation, itself also marketing but a form of marketing we have generally agreed to accept, given that there frequently are big differences between generations of cars. This...
Aug 26, 2025
How Long Does A Used Car Have To Sit Until The Dealer Comes Down On Price?
How Long Does A Used Car Have To Sit Until The Dealer Comes Down On Price?
As Jalopnik’s resident car-buying expert and a professional car shopper, I get emails. Lots of emails. I’ve picked a few of your questions and will try to help out. This week we are discussing how long a car has to sit on the lot before a dealer will wiggle...
Aug 26, 2025
At $19,500, Is This 1993 Range Rover County LWB In It For The Long Haul?
At $19,500, Is This 1993 Range Rover County LWB In It For The Long Haul?
Today’s Range Rover has the long wheelbase body and an even longer list of updated and replacement parts. Let’s see if its price makes it something you might long to own. When you consider the number of transverse-engine, front-wheel-drive cars that automakers have pooped out over the years, it’s...
Aug 26, 2025
That Rolls-Royce From The Hyundai Dealer Has A Pretty Sketchy History
That Rolls-Royce From The Hyundai Dealer Has A Pretty Sketchy History
Thanks to some sleuthing by readers and my own digging, the history of that has been found out. And it’s interesting as hell. Depending on what you read, the Rolls in question has changed hands a lot. No matter what you read though, it’s suspect. Shoutout to VBinNV for...
Aug 26, 2025
Subprime Auto Lender Is A Little Grumpy About Its Bad Month
Subprime Auto Lender Is A Little Grumpy About Its Bad Month
Credit Acceptance, which , last week to the Securities and Exchange Commission. It disclosed, voluntarily, that Credit Acceptance’s loan volume was down 44.3 percent in May compared to last year, a startlingly high number. It’s not clear why Credit Acceptance made ; it’s possible that it merely wanted to...
Aug 26, 2025
This Turbodiesel 4x4 Mitsubishi Delica Is The Raddest Way To Go Camping Off-Road
This Turbodiesel 4x4 Mitsubishi Delica Is The Raddest Way To Go Camping Off-Road
The is famous for its glorious cabover design and off-road capability. It’s also very versatile, as the van could also be had as a camper like this one for sale. It’s probably one of the coolest ways to take a road trip into the wilderness. During my to pick...
Aug 26, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved