1980 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 from Bolivia

1980 Toyota Land Cruiser Description

I bought this 1980 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 when I lived in Cochabamba, Bolivia in August 2012. It was the cleanest, straightest rig in the city, and there were many other Land Cruisers for comparison. Cochabamba is a city of nearly one million people located in the heart of South America 8,500 feet above sea level, where I lived until September 2015.
The truck had just finished being overhauled to the tune of $12,000 in Bolivia, when I saw it beckoning from a car dealership on my bus route. My wife says I bought the truck two days after arriving in Bolivia, but I’m sure it had to have been a few weeks.
Our newly formed, rapidly growing family drove this FJ40 all over the Bolivian countryside to the far-flung cities of Sucre and Tarija, to Potosi, a city at 14,500 feet above sea level, and to the flanks of 16,600’ Mt. Tunari, the peak that towers over the city of Cochabamba.
Even though work had been recently done, I had a few bits of rust cut out and replaced with metal in 2014, necessitating a repaint. You’ll notice the turn signals are different – they’re for a 70 Series Land Cruiser – a modification fairly common in Central and South America where the big FJ75 Troopy Land Cruisers are used as ambulances.
I also added the “mata burro” (literal translation: “donkey killer”) brush guard and roof rack. When having the roof rack installed, I made sure the feet rested in the gutter to support the weight and not crush in the top.
I replaced the stock springs with a 2.5” lift kit set from Hell Creek. That was quite a challenge to get imported to Bolivia. I also added power steering, and had a local shop here in TN check it out – all good. The interior is in great condition, I think the upholstery is unlikely to be original, but I don’t know. I added a stereo in the glovebox and a speaker in each of the four corners. I had a MPH gauge cluster installed here in the States, and all the gauges work. I also added seat belts before importing the truck.
I jumped through all the hoops to export the truck from Bolivia, and import the car into the States. It has a clean TN title – no legal paperwork issues for the buyer to deal with.
The truck starts great, runs great, and looks great. The idle reminds me of being at sea on a big ship, something about the lope of that original straight six 2F.
Bid to own this iconic Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 with a one-of-a-kind story from South America.
h4. MECHANICAL
* Original 4,230 cc Inline 6 2F Engine* Original 4 Speed Manual Transmission* Recently Rebuilt Alternator* Original Two Barrel Carburetor* Manual Choke - be sure to use for cold weather starts* Oil Bath Air Cleaner
h4. CHASSIS
* Durable, Durable, Durable Toyota Land Cruiser Four Wheel Drive* Front Manual Locking Hubs* Power Drum Brakes* Power Steering (added in Bolivia)* New Hell Creek Spring Kit with 2.5" Lift and Rough Country N 2.0 Shocks* 31x10.50 R15 Goodyear Wranglers* Spare Tire
h4. EXTERIOR
* Recent Red Paint Job in Bolivia* Ivory Fiberglass Top* Bolivian Style Roof Rack* Brush Guard* Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series Turn Signal Lights* New Windshield in 2012. Has Bolivian Stickers since then for Inspection, Registration, Insurance, and Petroleum Trafficking Prevention* Added a Rear Steph4. INTERIOR
* Gray Cloth Upholstery in Good Condition* New MPH Gauge* Additional Volt & Amperage Gauges (made partially redundant by a repair in the States)* Pioneer Stereo Unit in Glove Box (Plays DVD, VCD, MPEG4, MP3, CD, USB, & SD Card) with Four Speakers* Seat Belts for Six* Additional Overhead Light
h4. EXTRAS
* Folder of paperwork from time spent in Bolivia, including ownership transfers, taxes, work performed, and more - all in Spanish.* Small Bolivian Flag* Bolivian License Plate - not the original from Bolivia, believe me, I tried, but a US made replica of the original* Cool story!