West Coast Classics are happy to present this very rare mostly all original and stock originally Japanese sold and US imported 1981 Toyota Land cruiser 'Medium Wheel Base' BJ44V 4 cyl 3.2L Diesel 4WD SUV, with this rare cruiser having the bullet proof 3.2L 2B Diesel engine that is known to last up to 500,000 miles and gets a great gas mileage of approx 33mpg. These diesel engines are legendary for their durability and not breaking down and this one runs excellent. This MWB Cruiser was painted with the original Toyota paint color 'Freeborn Red' T309.
There is a lot of info to be found on the Short Wheel Based (SWB) 40 series like the FJ40, BJ40 and BJ42, and even more info about the Long Wheel Based (LWB) versions BJ45, FJ45, HJ47 aka Troopie which is easy to obtain. But many people have never heard of a Medium Wheel Base (MWB) Land Cruiser, with some even claiming that these versions do not exist. Most of the time because they have never seen or heard of one, which is not strange because the MWB is the rarest of all Land Cruisers and is mostly seen in Japan.
In 1979 the BJ43 was replaced by the BJ44 which was first introduced as a soft top in 1979. In 1980 the BJ44 was also available as a V version, like this particular example, which stands for hard top. The BJ44 was only sold to the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and was sporadically imported to Russia, Australia and New Zealand. The BJ44 and BJ44V were equipped with a 3.2 liter 2B engine, with 4 speed H41 transmission. It had the drum brakes replaced with disk brakes on front and a full floating rear axle. As for the interior, the BJ44V was the first Land Cruiser with a rear seat facing forward. Previously the Land Cruisers were only equipped with two folding bench seats mounted on the side.
In 1980 the idea of adding luxury to utility truck was a JDM marketing thing only. Toyota offered luxury packages for the BJ41V and BJ44V series. In 1980 this was called the L-package and consisted of luxury upholstery, white steel spring rims, chrome trimming (bumpers, grill and license plate light covers), black hood hooks, AC, tan colored floor mats and mid console. Power steering may have also been available as a factory option by then.
The BJ44V is the hardtop medium wheelbase version of the BJ40 which itself is the diesel version of the FJ40. At 97', the wheelbase is approximately 7' longer than a comparable FJ40. In total the BJ44 is approximately 14 longer than a FJ40. The BJ44V was produced only from 1980 until 1982, which obviously makes for a very short production run for the long running 40 series. Combine this rarity with the L-Package, with which this truck is equipped, and includes such items as the chrome bezel/grille, rear bumpers and license plate light covers, 15 wheels and the cloth hounds tooth Red & Ivory interior with front buckets and center console with rear heat.
Add in the original factory A/C and radio and the result is one rare 40 series indeed. Underneath is a rust free floor but also original tan matting. The pull knobs on the dash work and are not faded or discolored. Boasting rare A/C, the rare factory radio, and the rare late model steering wheel, this should be considered a running and driving example which would make a great candidate to restore, with some obvious imperfections in the form of dings and scratches and some rust bubbling here and there, or simply a great unrestored daily driver to utilize as is.
Features mentioned and not yet mentioned:
Rare medium wheelbase-approximately 97 inches. FJ40 wheelbase is 90 inches.
Only produced between 1980-1982.
Well kept long time Japanese owners who recently imported the vehicle to the U.S with a CA title now issued.
Forward facing folding bench seat.
Rare factory spec L-Package.
Front disc brakes.
Rare original Red & Ivory Fabric/Vinyl Seats.
Factory A/C.
Factory Radio.
Front and rear heat-works.
All original glass with etching. Seals are all in good condition see photos.
No leaks.
Original L-Package 15 steel wheels.
2B 3.2L diesel.
4 speed manual transmission with hi/lo shifter.
Late model sliding side windows
Ambulance style rear doors.
Removable/convertible hardtop.
Windshield folds flat.
The Toyota Landcruiser is the longest running series for Toyota and certainly one of the finest true off road 4WD full size sport utility vehicles ever built and a legendary performer in the harshest of settings as proved through extensive testing by Toyota in the Australian outback, notorious for extreme temperatures and terrain and where it became hugely popular and Australia's best selling full size body on frame four wheel drive vehicle ever! Production started in 1954 and by 1973 over 300K Landcruisers had been sold worldwide; a true testament of their legendary capabilities! It was produced as a convertible, a Hardtop, a Station Wagon and there was a Utility Truck version.
