Land Cruiser FJ40 years to avoid, and the best years to buy
Every Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 model year: which ones owners and specialists recommend, which have documented problems, which carry recalls, and what they sell for now.
Most buyers prefer 1976-and-later trucks for front disc brakes and the 4.2 L 2F. 1979 added optional power steering and A/C and taller 3.70 gears in the US. IH8MUD veterans like the '78 and would consider 1979–83 at the right price, but note that 1980-and-later bodies seem to rust more readily.
At a glance
Land Cruiser FJ40 year by year
| YEAR | VERDICT | WHAT CHANGED |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | — | J40 series launched in Japan with the 3.9 L F six, a three-speed and a two-speed transfer case |
| 1963 | — | Hagerty's date for the start of US FJ40 imports (Toyota's US pressroom says 1960); by 1965 the Land Cruiser is Toyota's best-selling vehicle in America |
| 1974 | — | Factory roll bar becomes standard on US FJ40s |
| 1975 | — | 4.2 L 2F replaces the F with a four-speed; rear barn doors on US trucks |
| 1976 | Sweet spot | Front disc brakes, on top of the 2F and four-speed from 1975. IH8MUD members say most buyers prefer 1976-on trucks for those reasons, with 1978 the coveted year |
| 1977 | — | Front door vent windows deleted; rear vent windows added to US hardtops |
| 1979 | — | Optional power steering and A/C, square grille bezels, US axle ratio raised from 4.11 to 3.70 for highway cruising |
| 1984 | — | End of J40 production in most markets, replaced by the 70 Series; Brazil's Bandeirante continues to 2001 |
“Sweet spot” means owners and specialists recommend those years; “Beware” means documented problems; “Recall” means check the recall was done rather than walk away.
What a Land Cruiser FJ40 costs (October 2026)
FJ40 prices have come off their 2016 peak but stay strong for original, rust-free trucks, while ICON-style restomods sit in a class of their own.
| Project / needs work | $3k–16k |
|---|---|
| Driver | $22k–42k |
| Excellent / restored | $55k–110k+ |
Based on 244 Bring a Trailer sales from January 2025 to October 2026 (median about $29,400). V8-swapped trucks sold for a median of about $25,300, below stock ones. ICON builds sold for $98,500–$140,000. In 2019 Hagerty put the average #2 (excellent) FJ40 at $47,375.
Recalls by year
- Fuel tank separator welds can crack ↗ 1980–1990 (NHTSA listing)
- Steering tie rod can fracture on rough roads at speed ↗ 1981
- Electrical wiring campaign ↗ 1968–1969
Best years are buyer consensus from owners, specialists and forums, not spec sheets. See all Land Cruiser years to avoid across every generation.