1981 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60, a first-year 4-speed with fresh clutch and A/C, priced under the FJ60 driver market

Why we picked it

This is a 1981 FJ60 with the carbureted 4.2-liter 2F six and a manual gearbox, offered by a private seller in Salt Lake City who says it is a third-owner truck. The seller lists a new clutch and flywheel, exhaust manifold, muffler, shocks, front brakes, sway bar links, an R134a A/C kit, plus a new headliner, carpet, seats and rear three-point belts. The seller says the engine runs well and all electrics and the A/C work.

FJ60 drivers with similar mileage have been selling for roughly $18,000 to $33,000, so $16,000 leaves room for the rust repair the seller discloses on the roof and tailgate. A rust-free replacement tailgate comes with it, needing paint and fitting. Mileage is listed as true mileage unknown, so buy it on condition, not on the odometer.

The value check

When we found it, the seller was asking $16,000. Comparable cars in the same condition have sold for $18,000–$33,000, so the middle of the market is about $25,500. That put this car 37% under.

Higher-mileage, largely original FJ60 drivers sold for about $18,000-$33,000 on Bring a Trailer and Cars & Bids in 2026 (e.g. $18,000 for a 233k-mile 1986, $24,500 for a 157k-mile 1986, $33,000 for a 263k-mile 1986). At $16,000 this one sits about 37% under the $25,500 midpoint, with its roof and tailgate rust already priced in by us at the low end of the range.

Where the numbers come from:

• classic.com FJ60 sold results
• classic.com Land Cruiser 60 Series market

What to check

• Seller discloses rust mostly on the roof and rear tailgate; FJ60s also rot at the roof gutters, rear quarters, wheel arches, floor pans and rear crossmember, so inspect underneath
• Small rear main (crank) seal leak per the seller
• Title status is not stated on the listing; confirm a clean title in hand before travelling
• Mileage is listed as TMU (true mileage unknown) at 185,000
• Check the 2F for blow-by, the carburetor and smog parts, and the birfield joints and knuckle seals up front

Making it drive like new

FJ60s take a restomod well: a fuel-injected 2F or later 1FZ/3FZ swap or a GM LS with an H55F five-speed, Old Man Emu or Dobinsons suspension, rear disc brakes, and an R134a A/C system (already started here). Fix the roof and tailgate rust properly before any paint or interior work.

How it ended

The listing ended on Oct 23, 2026 with the car at $16,000. We don't know yet whether it sold.