Vehicle Description
As Japan's largest mass-market brand, Toyota has produced years of
reliable and appealing offerings that run the gamut from basic
compact cars to big, comfortable SUVs. And, when it comes to
restoration, the company's dedicated fans have a rich legacy of
preserving super cool classics that cause a big stir every time
they roll out of the garage. A fun head turner that celebrates
athletic ingenuity, this capable FJ40 complements Toyota's
calculated design and universal appeal with many well-planned
upgrades. And whether you're a diehard FJ fan, an old school truck
lover or just a curious buyer who's looking for something a bit
different, it's a cool collectible that's fun to drive AND look
at!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Born from practicality and wartime necessity, the Land Cruiser
began life as a reverse engineered Bantam GP that Toyota assembled
for the Imperial Japanese Army. The truck's rugged construction and
tidy proportions proved extremely useful when it came to
transporting soldiers, towing equipment and all-terrain motoring.
And eventually, circa 1953, Toyota decided to market its proven
creation directly to civilians. Dressed and ready to roll, this
clean FJ has been carefully rebuilt to preserve all the innate
appeal of Toyota's most popular SUV. Speaking of clean, the truck's
tough body panels have been bathed in a crisp coat of Nebula Green
2-stage, which is accented with a requisite white roof. Neolite H4
headlamps add a little safety. A PTO-operated winch adds a lot of
capability. Naturally, fit and finish is as good as anything that
crawled out of the factory. And overall, this road-ready cruiser
carries every indication that its high-quality reboot was a
well-planned effort.
ENGINE
Mechanically, this FJ exemplifies that comprehensive rebuild with a
correct Type F engine that wears a familiar "F" assembly stamp.
Based on General Motor's stalwart Stovebolt Six, Toyota's famous
overhead valve mill isn't a grossly overpowered piece, producing a
competent 125 horsepower. But it's certainly proven its ability to
get this compact 4x4 out of many tight situations and tow just
about any moderately sized toy its owners can imagine. At the top
of the OEM-new block, restored Dry Type induction pipes wind to a
small Aisan carburetor. At the base of that carb, a monochromatic,
"F155" branded valve cover caps factory intake and exhaust
manifolds. At the base of that cover, a traditional points
distributor sequences spark between an old school coil and pliable
plug wires. And the truck's clean engine bay is dotted with many
trail-ready essentials, including a fresh battery, a rebuilt
alternator and a proven Seiken brake booster.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Crawling under this tough FJ reveals a solid chassis that has no
fear of wet weather or weekend miles. Like its engine, the truck's
upfiitted 4-speed and factory differentials have been thoroughly
overhauled during extensive restoration. The truck's chassis rides
a solid-axle suspension that's been upfitted with Old Man Emu
shocks, springs and shackles. Upfitted power-assisted discs and
drums ensure stops are brief and confidence-inspiring. Factory
replacement pipes shuttle spent gases through a rear-mount muffler.
And at the corners of the floor, gray steelies spin 7.50-16 General
Super All Grip radials around quality AVM hubs and bright stainless
center caps.
INTERIOR
Inside this classic, you'll find a spacious and comfortable cockpit
that has enough room to be your vehicle of choice for any weekend
adventure. The professionally restored seats, a split-bench and
opposing jumps, are wrapped in French-stitched vinyl. In front of
the driver, a boxy, color-keyed dash frames clear gauges and
restored accessory knobs. Below that dash, a trio of shifters ride
thick floor mats. Opposite those shifters, Nebula Green doors frame
small handles and traditional window cranks. And the driver stays
connected to the road thanks to a factory-issue steering wheel.
Whether it's simple nostalgia or their long list of extremely
useful virtues, one thing is certain: trucks NEVER go out of style.
And when they're built this well, they seem to never fade away. If
you're in the market for something that's classic and cool, don't
miss the chance to claim this impressive FJ40!
SUMMARY
The beneficiary of a frame-off restoration
Correct 3.9 liter F 6-cylinder
Upgraded with a 4-speed manual transmission
Rare PTO driven winch
Upgraded with power front disc and rear drum brakes
Upgraded with Old Man Emu shocks, springs and shackles
Era-correct Nebula Green paint
Split-bench interior with vinyl trim
16-inch steel wheels
