1972 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 with Wilwood brakes and power steering, early bidding on Hagerty

Why we picked it

This FJ40 already has much of the work a restomod buyer would do: Wilwood four-piston front discs with a larger booster and master cylinder, Saginaw power steering, a 3G alternator, electronic ignition, an aluminum radiator and three-point belts. The 2F six is said to have about 1,000 miles since an overhaul, and it has a clean California title in the seller's name.

The current bid is $1,500 with 13 days to go, so the price will move. We list it because comparable Hagerty FJ40s have been finishing in the $11,000 to $17,000 range, and this one brings brake and steering upgrades that cost several thousand dollars to add. Remember to add Hagerty's buyer fee to your bid; whether a reserve applies is not stated.

The value check

The current bid is $4,700. Comparable cars in the same condition have sold for $11,000–$16,750, so the middle of the market is about $13,875. That put this car 66% under. Bids usually climb in the final hours, so the discount will likely shrink.

Compared price is the $1,500 current bid plus Hagerty's buyer fee (7%, $500 minimum), so $2,000. Hagerty FJ40 results over the past 18 months: a 1979 FJ40 driver sold for $16,050 (Oct 2025), a 1972 FJ40 reached $16,750 (Aug 2026) and an upgraded 1973 with power steering and discs reached $11,000 (Jun 2026), sale status unconfirmed on both. The current bid plus Hagerty's buyer fee is far under that

Where the numbers come from:

• 1979 FJ40 sold $16,050, Hagerty (Oct 2025)
• 1973 FJ40 upgraded, $11,000 high bid, Hagerty (Jun 2026)

What to check

• The seller says the paint is not a professional job; look closely at the rust-repair areas underneath it.
• Ask what was done during the rust removal: floors, footwells, rear quarters and the windshield frame are the usual rot spots.
• The 4-inch lift and BMW power seats are owner changes; check spring and shackle quality and seat mounting.
• Reserve status is not stated on the page, and the auction is pickup in Downey, CA.

Making it drive like new

With brakes and steering done, the next steps are a five-speed swap in place of the three-speed, a better-quality leaf-spring suspension, and fuel injection for the 2F or a later engine. A roll bar and a proper top make it a daily-usable cruiser.

2 builders make a complete chassis for the 1960–84 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40. Compare them side by side, along with what it takes to stiffen the factory frame.