The Land Cruiser 40 Series stopped production in 1984. That is over 40 years ago. Yet values are climbing, builds are still happening across Australia, and the demand for parts has not dropped, it has grown. A genuine low-kilometre FJ40 in good condition now commands serious money, and even a rough HJ47 ute with a rotted tub is worth restoring if you can source the panels.
Understanding the 40 Series Cruiser Range
Before getting into parts, it helps to know what you have. The 40 Series ran from 1960 to 1984 and covered multiple body styles and engine configurations. In Australia, the most common variants are:
FJ40: the short-wheelbase two-door wagon, petrol F/2F engine. The most recognisable and most collected 40 Series globally.
FJ45: long-wheelbase ute and wagon variants, same petrol engine family. The ute (FJ45 Pickup) was extremely popular in rural Australia.
HJ45 / HJ47: diesel versions of the long-wheelbase ute and wagon. The HJ47 ute was the workhorse choice on Australian farms and stations. Diesel parts sourcing follows a slightly different path to the petrol variants.
BJ40 / BJ42: diesel short-wheelbase variants. Less common in Australia but still running.
Parts compatibility varies between these variants. A door skin from an FJ40 does not fit an FJ45. Engine components from the 2F petrol do not cross to the H-series diesel. Know exactly what you have before ordering anything.
What Body Panels are Still Available
Body panels are where the aftermarket has invested most heavily for the 40 Series. The FJ40 in particular has a strong global following, which drives reproduction panel supply from both Australian and international sources.
Guards and Lower Body Panels
Front guards (fenders) for the FJ40 are available as aftermarket reproductions. Quality varies, look for panels with accurate flange profiles and correct mounting hole positions. Cheap reproductions often require significant trimming or drilling to fit correctly.
Rear quarter panels for the short-wheelbase FJ40 are more limited. Some reproduction items exist from US-based suppliers, but fitment often requires skilled panel work to achieve clean joins.
For the FJ45 and HJ47 utes, rear tub panels and lower body sections are the hardest body parts to source. The tub on these vehicles rusts through the floor, the tailgate corners, and the side panels. New reproduction tubs are rare. Most restorers are either sourcing secondhand tubs, having custom panels fabricated, or using steel sheet and a skilled fabricator to patch the worst sections.
Lower guards: the panel below the door sill that wraps around the A-pillar base are available in aftermarket form for several 40 Series variants. These corrode first on coastal vehicles and are one of the more commonly replaced body panels in a restoration. I Love Cruiser stocks aftermarket lower guards for the 40 Series named Right Hand Lower Guard for Toyota LandCruiser 40 Series
Bonnets
FJ40 bonnets are available as reproductions, but you need to check the mounting point profile carefully. The bonnet hinge and latch positions changed across production years and a mismatch causes alignment headaches. Pre-1975 and post-1975 bonnets are not interchangeable.
Upper Cowl Panel
The upper cowl sits between the bonnet and the windscreen base and is a known rust point on all 40 Series variants. Water pools in the cowl tray, rust works through the seams, and by the time it becomes visible from the outside, it has usually spread into the firewall joins. Aftermarket reproductions of Upper Cowl Panel for Toyota are available for the Land Cruiser 40 Series and are an easier fit than trying to patch the original.
Doors
FJ40 doors, both the early vent-window style (pre-1975) and the later fixed-glass style, have reproduction items available through international suppliers, particularly US-based specialist outlets. These are typically sold as door shells without glass or hardware, requiring you to transfer your original latches, hinges, and window gear.
For FJ45 and HJ47 ute doors, the supply situation is thinner. Secondhand originals in decent condition are the most reliable source in Australia, though fitment of replacement doors still requires attention to hinge alignment and seal profiles.
The Toyota GR Heritage Parts Program
In 2021, Toyota GAZOO Racing announced the GR Heritage Parts Project, with the 40 Series as the first Land Cruiser model included. The program reproduces discontinued genuine parts and sells them back through the Toyota dealer network.
This is significant. Toyota had not produced parts for the 40 Series for decades. The heritage program brings back reproductions of mechanical items that the aftermarket never adequately covered: brake master cylinders, steering relay rods, engine components, and driveline parts.
As of 2025, the GR Heritage Parts list for the 40 Series includes items across braking, steering, engine, exhaust, and driveline categories. New parts continue to be added. The program is primarily distributed through Japanese Toyota dealers, but parts do reach Australia through Toyota dealer networks and specialist importers.
Mechanical Parts For LC Like Running Gear
The 40 Series benefits from having shared components with later Toyota vehicles, which keeps many mechanical parts in circulation longer than the production date alone would suggest.
Brakes
The front drum-to-disc brake conversion is one of the most common modifications on the 40 Series. The conversion kits are well-supported by the Australian aftermarket and typically use components from later Toyota axle assemblies. If you are retaining the original drum setup, wheel cylinders, brake shoes, and master cylinders are available as aftermarket items, though GR Heritage Parts now also covers the master cylinder.
Rear brake components, drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, are available from general automotive parts suppliers for most 40 Series variants. These are relatively standard items that share dimensions with other Toyota platforms.
Steering
The 40 Series ran manual steering across most of its production life, with power steering available on later variants. Steering box rebuilds are a common need on high-mileage vehicles. Rebuild kits are available from specialist suppliers, though new-old-stock steering boxes are rare. The GR Heritage Parts program includes the steering relay rod, which was previously difficult to source new.
Power steering conversion kits, fitting later Toyota power steering hardware to the 40 Series, are popular and well-documented. Kits and parts for these conversions are available through Australian 4WD specialists.
Diff and Axle
Front and rear differentials on the 40 Series use components that overlap with later 70 Series applications, which helps availability. Wheel bearings, swivel hub rebuild kits, and axle shafts are generally available from aftermarket suppliers in Australia.
Constant velocity (CV) conversion kits for the front axle, replacing the original kingpin/birfield setup, are a popular upgrade and are well supported by the aftermarket. These improve reliability under a lifted 40 Series and the parts are readily available.
Engine Parts For F and 2F Petrol, and H-Series Diesel
F and 2F Petrol Engines
The F engine (pre-1975) and 2F engine (1975–1984) are still serviceable with aftermarket parts, though availability differs between the two.
The 2F is better supported. Gasket sets, timing chain kits, water pumps, carburettor rebuild kits, and ignition components are available from aftermarket suppliers in Australia. The engine is simple by modern standards, carburettor fed, no electronics, which makes most repairs achievable with standard workshop tools.
The original F engine is less well served. Some parts are shared with the 2F, but specific items like the cylinder head gasket and carburettor components are becoming harder to source new. For a running F engine, keeping it in good condition is preferable to letting it deteriorate to the point of needing a rebuild, because sourcing all the parts for a full rebuild is increasingly difficult.
H-Series Diesel Engines
The 2H diesel (fitted to HJ45 and HJ47 models) has decent parts support in Australia. The engine was used across enough Toyota commercial vehicles that the parts supply is reasonable. Injectors, glow plugs, head gaskets, and service items are available from diesel specialists.
The B and 3B diesel engines (fitted to BJ series) have a stronger international following, particularly in Japan and the Middle East, which supports parts availability.
Engine swaps into the 40 Series are very common in Australia. The 1HZ and 1HD-T diesel from the 80 Series are popular choices and are well documented. Parts for these swap engines are readily available.
Suspension Parts
The 40 Series uses a leaf spring suspension setup front and rear, a design that is simple, strong, and well-served by the aftermarket.
Leaf springs are available as aftermarket items for most 40 Series variants. Both standard replacement and upgraded multi-leaf packs are available from Australian suspension suppliers.
Shock absorbers for the 40 Series are stocked by all major 4WD shock suppliers in Australia. Old Man Emu, Dobinsons, and other brands cover the application.
Spring bushes and shackles are readily available as polyurethane or rubber replacements.
Lift kits for the 40 Series are a mature product category. Various configurations from 50mm to 100mm lifts are available with matching spring rates for different load requirements.
The one suspension item that requires care is the front leaf spring eye bush and shackle geometry. Worn or incorrect components cause castor issues that affect steering stability. Make sure replacement shackles and bushes match the correct geometry for your specific variant and year.
Gearbox and Transfer Case
Gearbox
The four-speed H41/H42 gearbox fitted to most 40 Series vehicles is worn out on many high-mileage examples. The common upgrade is a five-speed conversion using the H55F gearbox, which bolts up with a conversion kit and significantly improves highway driving.
Five-speed conversion kits are available through Australian LandCruiser specialists. Used H55F gearboxes are available through wreckers. Rebuild parts for both the original four-speed and the H55F are available from transmission specialists.
Transfer Case
Transfer case parts, including the high-low selector forks, output shaft seals, and bearing sets, are available from aftermarket suppliers. The transfer case in the 40 Series is robust and rarely fails catastrophically if oil levels are maintained.
Electrical Components
Electrical parts are the weakest area of 40 Series aftermarket support. Much of the original wiring harness, switches, and instrument cluster components are no longer reproduced.
What is available:
- Wiring harnesses, some reproduction harnesses exist through specialist suppliers, particularly in the US
- Indicator and tail-light lenses, reproduction items available for most variants
- Headlight assemblies, sealed-beam conversions, are common and give better light output
- Starter motors and alternators are available as aftermarket or remanufactured items
- Temperature gauges and instrument cluster components, limited, mostly sourced secondhand
What is difficult to find:
- Original factory radios and instrument cluster lenses, mostly secondhand only
- Body wiring plugs and connectors are often sourced by cutting connectors from wrecked vehicles
- Genuine dash padding, most restorers either source original secondhand or have custom trim made
Interior Parts
The interior of the 40 Series was basic by modern standards: vinyl seats, a rubber floor, a simple dash. That simplicity actually helps most trim work can be done by an automotive trimmer working from measurements.
Seat upholstery is available as pattern kits through automotive trim suppliers in Australia.
Rubber floor mats are available as reproduction items for most variants.
Door cards, where they existed, are limited in terms of reproduction supply. Most owners fabricate replacements from marine-grade ply with vinyl over the top.
Dashboard padding, this is one of the hardest interior items to source new. The original vinyl padding dries out and cracks. Good secondhand pieces are worth holding on to, and custom trim shops can produce replacement foam and vinyl covers where the original is beyond use.
For current stock on aftermarket 40 Series body panels including lower guards, cowl panels, and restoration parts, the full range is at Ilovecruiser Aftermarket LandCruiser Parts Australia.
