Vehicle Description
In the world of serious off-roading, the Toyota FJ40 ranks right up
there with the Jeep CJ and Land Rover Defender for being the
ultimate go-anywhere vehicle. And like its competition, it's
rugged, reliable, and virtually indestructible. This beautiful 1978
FJ40 Land Cruiser has been extensively renovated and needs nothing
more than a little mud to start having fun.
The upright, boxy shape is as much function as style, with a
compact footprint to go anywhere, yet carry a lot of gear to the
most hostile places on earth. If you're an off-roading enthusiast,
you know how hard these Toyotas are to find in this condition.
Sure, they're out there, but a vast majority of them have been used
up and left for dead somewhere in the desert, so this is a truly
rare truck. Finished in familiar Toyota beige with bright white
details, this FJ looks ready to tackle Death Valley. The bodywork
is in outstanding condition, with sharply folded front fenders and
correct rear quarters and paint that's almost too nice to go
off-road. There are no signs of abuse or neglect and the
workmanship is about what you would have received in 1978 if you
bought it new. Rear fender flares have been added to cover the
slightly oversized off-road tires, and the front bumper has been
jettisoned in favor of a heavy-duty bumper and winch setup that
looks like it could pull the FJ up the side of a building. Out
back, it's got a very cool tire rack that gives the FJ its
all-business look.
The interior accommodations have also been designed for adventure,
with low-maintenance surfaces like the spray-on bedliner on the
floors and simple vinyl door panels that have a hardcore industrial
look. Comfortable bucket seats keep you in place and they're also
comfortable enough for all-day outings. There is a padded dash, and
the aftermarket steering wheel has a fat padded rim that gives you
something sturdy to hang on to while you're off road. The original
gauges keep an eye on the engine's vitals, joined by a set of
auxiliary dials underneath. The 4-speed manual transmission and
2-speed transfer case are controlled by floor shifters and clutch
take-up is easy so crawling through the mud at low speeds is a
snap. And it's pretty civilized, with a removable hardtop, steel
doors with roll-up windows, and a locking center console, not to
mention the fold-out rear seats that are a big part of the Toyota's
look.
The 4.2 liter inline-six is believed to be the original powerplant,
and offers a heavy-duty air intake system and a fresh carburetor
for reliability in the rough. There are also dual Optima batteries
for plenty of starting power and to drive that massive winch, and
it's all neatly presented as if it's never been in the dirt before.
Underneath, the suspension is augmented with Black Diamond shocks
and a 2-inch lift all around and the brand-new exhaust system has a
long-tube header and throaty muffler that gives the brawny six a
fantastic voice. The axles are filled with ARB air locker
differentials for the ultimate in traction, and the on-board
compressor can also be used to inflate tires out in the rough.
You'll be shocked by how over-built everything is, but you'll
definitely approve, especially if you plan on using this truck to
its full potential. Simple black painted wheels with dog-dish
hubcaps wear positively giant 33x10.50-15 BFGoodrich offroad
tires.
With rugged good looks and go-anywhere capability, it's no surprise
that FJ40s are highly-sought collectables that are getting more
valuable by the day. Call today!