1971 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Why It's Curated: This 1971 Toyota FJ 40 Land Cruiser is for sale in Ann Arbor, MI. Few vehicles in the collector 4x4 space carry the cultural and mechanical staying power of the FJ40, and this example has been thoughtfully rebuilt rather than simply preserved. The body was fully removed for paint -- a more involved process than a typical respray -- and reassembled in Sahara tan, a color that suits the FJ40's utilitarian character without veering into showpiece territory. Mechanical upgrades are purposeful: the original 3-speed has been replaced with a 5-speed manual gearbox, improving highway usability considerably, and the front brakes have been converted to disc, addressing one of the platform's known limitations. Power steering has been added, along with an aluminum radiator -- both sensible choices for a vehicle that will actually be driven. Inside, new custom bucket seats and rear seating replace the worn originals, and a new dash with updated gauges rounds out the cabin. The odometer shows approximately 5,000 miles, unverified. The parking brake is currently disconnected and may or may not be resolved prior to sale -- buyers should confirm. This FJ40 suits an enthusiast who wants a usable, rebuilt classic without the cost or waiting list of a frame-off restoration.

Check out the pictures in the gallery & use the contact form to get in touch with us and the seller to ask questions and/or make an offer for this vehicle.

Vehicle Details:
Year: 1971
Make: Toyota
Model: FJ 40 Land Cruiser
Drive: 4X4
Miles: 5000
Mileage Verification: True Miles Unknown
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual (3 Pedals)
Number of Forward Gears: 5
Engine: 3.9 L F1
Exterior Color: Sahara tan
Interior Color: Black
State of Registration: Michigan
Vehicle Location: Ann Arbor, MI
VIN: Available Upon Request
Title: Clean

Details:

Engine & Transmission:
Engine Modifications: Yes
Transmission Modifications: Yes
3 speed was upgraded to 5 speed

Drivetrain, Suspension, Tires & Brakes:
Drivetrain Modifications: No
Suspension Modifications: No
Wheel Size and Offset: 30 x 9.5 x 15
Wheel Brand and Model: Don’t know
Tire Brand, Model, and Size: Hankook Dynapro ATM
Type of Brakes: Discs front, drum rear

Exterior & Interior:

Complete body removal and painted. Reassembled with power steering pump, aluminum radiator
New custom bucket seats. New rear seating, new dash and gauged
Interior Material: Cloth 
Interior Modifications: Yes
Working Heat: Yes
Working Air Conditioning: No

Recent Maintenance:
Oil change

Mechanical, Rust, Cosmetic Known Flaws:
Parking brake needs to be hooked up. May be completed by the time sold

Model History: The J40 Land Cruiser redefined Toyota's utility vehicle offering when introduced in August 1960, becoming the marque's iconic long-wheelbase explorer for two-and-a-half decades. The 1971 model sat midway through a production run that would exceed 2 million units globally, its formula proven successful: traditional body-on-frame construction, two-door or longer-wheelbase variants, and steadfast reliability. By 1971, the FJ40 featured Toyota's robust 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine delivering 125 horsepower paired to a three-speed manual transmission with two-speed transfer case—the dual-range low gearing introduced from the 1960 redesign a marked engineering advance over predecessors. The short-wheelbase FJ40 competed favorably against the Jeep CJ in overall dimensions while offering greater load capacity and increasingly refined cabin appointments. By 1972, Land Cruiser cumulative sales reached 200,000 units worldwide, underscoring the model's expansion into commercial, government, and private markets across developed and developing nations.