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Toyota Land Cruiser Fj40 Unique 6 Passenger 1983 Fj40 "esmeralda" on 2040-cars

Year:1983 Mileage:399
Location:

Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States

Clearwater Beach, Florida, United States

Florida Identification Number on the Title is FJ40361570. This is the frame number that you can see on the frame and the plaque on the firewall. Engine numbers and paint code are matching. Truck has antique Florida license plate.

1983 FJ40 being sold mileage unconfirmed per Florida title. Title in hand. No liens. Has approximately 300 miles since restoration.

Esmeralda is a beauty. She is a rare 1983 FJ40 and joins the 300 sold the last model year in the US.  She is named for her emerald green rare factory code 681 paint.  She was born in Japan in October of 1982 and went into service as a government fleet vehicle in Medellin, Colombia.  These fleet maintained vehicles are sought after when they are sold by the government due to their history of maintenance using original Toyota parts. She was purchased in above average strong running condition (see picture with big tires and light green paint) and given an extensive frame off, engine out restoration by a mechanic and body shop with over 20 years experience working on Toyota Land Cruisers.

I am a bilingual US citizen and oversaw every step of the process and documented the restoration with over 300 photos on both Facebook.com/volcan4x4 and Ih8mud.com.  I attempted to strike a balance between originality and modern functionality while preserving some of the unique Colombian spec options and adding back some of the desirable US spec features.  

This truck is the showpiece for the launching of my Land Cruiser restoration business. Volcan 4x4, LLC.  Please visit Volcan4x4.com.

BODY AND PAINT WORK

This was a relatively rust free vehicle from a mild snow free climate far from the ocean. We repaired two small rust spots in the front floor panels and we replaced the rear tub with a new steel unit as the wheel wells had been trimmed along with some minor rust. The doors and frame and the rest of the body was rust free. This truck appeared to have had no frame damage ever. We preserved the factory 'dimples' in the metal hardtop.

Body sanded to bare metal in show areas
6 stage paint process using PPG paint products including corrosion resistent primer, primer, rubberized textured layer under the body and fenders, two coats of correct 681 Toyota green and a clear coat
All parts painted separately in a paint booth

Chassis painted black after cleaning and sanding (please look at the photos of UNDER the truck)

All new gaskets, original Toyota glass, stainless steel bolt and screw kit, all new emblems, new headlights, and all new directional lights and OEM style antennae

Lead body man had 35 years experience

This is a zero rust truck now benefiting from modern paint technology. I have a pint of the original paint for any needed touch up.

ENGINE AND MECHANICAL (Truck has less than 600 kilometers since restoration)

4.2 liter 2F original numbers matching.  Strong running motor. Mechanic advised not to rebuild the motor due to strong running condition.  Head removed and polished. Block cleaned and painted. Adjusted the valves.


4 speed transmission overhauled along with transfer case and axles. The is the H41 transmission.
Aisin carb cleaned. new floats.
All underhood items and accessories replaced with new or rebuilt. the mechanical parts list is two pages long.
New belts, hoses, recored radiator, new starter, new waterpump, rebuilt alternator, new spark plugs and wires, 11/2013 Interstate battery
New AVM hubs, new body mounts, new steering bushings
Suspension leveled right to left and front to rear by specialist, 5 new Tokico brand made in Japan shocks, 4 new shackles, truck sits perfectly level
5 brand new BFG 31 by 10.5 by 15 All Terrain tires on repainted 15 inch original style steel rims
11/2013 alignment truck drives straight
Front discs and rear drums resurfaced/sanded along with new pads and shoes. truck stops well and straight.
manifold is polished, brand new exhaust, engine bay is highly detailed

INTERIOR

All fabric work performed by specialty shop with over 25 years experience. Please note that all the work was custom made by hand. Including seat covers and door panels. Not kits.
Beautiful new headliner with newly covered sunvisors
Seats and door panels are finished in a heavy, textured high quality vinyl a touch darker than the US spec original. It is more of a charcoal grey color. Looks great with the green.
We also covered the cushion of the armrest in matching material for the Smittybuilt lockable steel console (I did not bolt it down in case you want another model).
New 1980s style cassette deck with iphone connection and one hidden speaker under the dash 
The floor is shiny painted original green.  The floor covering is hand made high quality yet durable vinyl with highly detailed stitching.
Seat frames were sanded and painted. The cushions are all new. Two new durable rubber floor mats too.  NEW CAR SMELL.
Original style jack restored and painted (not original).
One of a kind 6 passenger layout for FJ40 (new seatbelts for 6).  We combined US Spec twin buckets with a center armrest and console yet we retained the 4 passenger longer twin Colombian spec jumps seats.
I am 6 foot 3 inches tall and fit very comfortably. The armrest fits me perfectly too.
We had a custom roll bar fabricated to fit the 4 passenger rear jump seat layout.  We kept the 18.5 inch horizontal line above the tub of the original US style sport roll bar to give her a somewhat factory profile. This roll bar is made of thicker steel and bolted to the floor in the front of the rear wheel well. The roll bar is finished in baked on textured black finish. Front seatbelts are bolted to the roll bar so you can take the top off and install a bikini top.

The 4 rear passengers can exit through the ambulance doors and use a factory original metal step.

This is a SIX passenger custom FJ40 to take friends and family to the beach or the ski resort.

ITEMS TO COMPLETE/ DISCLOSURES.  No major scratches and no door dings. I have a pint of the original paint.  Original chrome door handles slightly pitted. May want to change them.  The gaskets around the front side windows are new but not perfect.  No heat and AC. I have a source for a low profile underdash kit for $650 plus install.  This truck is Colombian/Australian spec and was not manufactured with the emissions controls that the 1983 US models came with (air pump and smog equipment).  As such, buyers need to confirm they can title the truck in states such as California. Most states such as Florida have emissions waivers for vehicles over 10 years old for instance.  The truck passed through US EPA and US DOT in order to clear the port in Miami and is titled in Florida.

FINAL COMMENTS

The six passenger Esmeralda is the unique product of a unique process whereby a bilingual US Citizen challenged local Colombian craftsman to show the US buyers the high quality of their work. They exceeded all expectations.  We also added some modern US restoration techniques being used in the Land Cruiser community.  Esmeralda was born in Japan in November 1982 and worked many years as a tough utility truck in a city in the mountains of South America.  It was only fitting that she be restored back to near new condition again in October 2013 by the same people she served.  She looks forward to another 31 years to be cherished and enjoyed by a Land Cruiser enthusiast family.

VALUE

A similar high quality restored green 1983 FJ40 soft top with well documented Colombian restoration was recently sold in early November at a live auction in North Carolina for $60,000 plus buyer's auction fee. 

My truck is currently insured at a high value through a well known classic car insurer.

Please feel free to email me with any questions.  This is a business for me and I want to sell this truck as I have new projects to work on. This truck gets a LOT of attention.  Feel free to come see her in the Tampa, Florida area.

Upon successful sale, $350 will be donated to Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa, FL and $350 to Shakira's Barefoot Foundation assisting Colombian children.









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