Vehicle Description
Toyota's legendary Land Cruiser name has an enviable status in the
automotive world. The name is synonymous with dependability and
capability, with a reputation that few manufacturers can claim to
share. Over 65 years, Land Cruisers of all kinds have been proven
in some of the harshest environments on the planet, with Jeep and
Land Rover counted among the few capable of standing
shoulder-to-shoulder with Toyota's finest. The origins of the
Toyota Land Cruiser are traced back to 1950 when the US Government
commissioned Toyota to build 100 Willys Jeeps under license to be
used by Military Police stationed in Japan during the Korean War.
Toyota obliged; however, they found plenty of room for improvement
on the older American design. In 1951 Toyota developed a prototype
4x4 which drew the best the Jeep and the British Land Rover had to
offer, combined into a well-built, thoughtfully engineered package.
Production of the "Toyota Jeep BJ" began in 1953 with the earliest
examples reserved strictly for use by Military and Police. In 1954,
a civilian version arrived, becoming the first to wear the now
iconic Land Cruiser name. Like its American and British
counterparts, the civilian Land Cruiser proved to be popular in the
agriculture and construction industries, or anyone who needed a
simple but versatile vehicle capable of handling rough terrain.
Production gradually ramped-up through the 1950s, and in 1960,
Toyota really hit its stride when the J2 and J4-series Land
Cruisers debuted with all-new body styling, an improved chassis,
and new engine options. As Alexander Wolfarth says in his book "The
Land Cruiser Legend," "The BJ lit the torch, the J2 carried it
around the globe." Even more than its commercial rivals from
England and the USA, J4-series Toyota Land Cruisers were available
with a dizzying array of body styles, chassis, and engine options.
Known to many as the FJ40, this massively popular version remained
in regular production for an astounding 24 years, earning legendary
status for its ruggedness and dependability as much as its
tough-guy good looks. In its various forms, the J2 and J4 served
with soldiers, warlords, farmers and miners on virtually every
continent on earth, adapted to handle countless jobs and earning
its legendary status one rugged mile at a time. This 1981 Land
Cruiser FJ40 hardtop is an outstanding example of Toyota's iconic
off-roader, with a high-quality restoration that features many
exceptional original components. Finished in brown with a white
roof, this truck is well-detailed, with an authentic appeal that
looks as if it just rolled out of a Toyota showroom. The bodywork
and paint are faithful to original, with careful attention paid to
avoid looking over-restored, while maintaining a high degree of
quality. Numerous details reveal the level of care lavished upon
this Land Cruiser, from the hard-to-find Toyota-branded bumper
cones to the gray-painted wheels with factory "dog dish" hubcaps.
The wheels wear aggressive Firestone Super Traction ND off-road
tires for a rugged, period correct look. The faithfully restored
interior is trimmed in original gray vinyl on the front seats,
side-facing jump seats, and door panels. The hard wearing material
is believed to be original, as it shows some light creasing that is
consistent with age while remaining supple and clean. Factory
correct fittings include the original steering wheel, gear lever
gaiters, and even the push-button "ToCars" AM radio. Latches,
hinges, and hardware still retain the gold cadmium plating and the
doors shut with precision and a solid feel. About the only
deviation from standard appears to be the high-quality, fitted
rubber floor liner in the front. Paint on the rear floor is
excellent, and the rear seats look unused since the restoration. A
similar level of quality and detail carries on to the engine and
chassis. This truck retains its original 4.2-liter 2F inline-six
cylinder engine, and as a later model, it benefits from factory
power brakes. The big six runs well, making 135 horsepower and 217
ft-lbs of torque at just 1800 rpm. The engine is very
well-detailed, with an authentic and clean presentation that
doesn't appear over-restored. Power is sent through a four-speed
manual gearbox and two-speed transfer case with manual locking
hubs. Riding on on high-quality Dobinson suspension from Australia,
the chassis is exceptionally clean, with gold cad-plated hardware
from front to rear. The Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser is one of the
world's most iconic vehicles. From African Sands to South American
jungles to snowy runs to the shops, Land Cruisers have seen drivers
through it all. With a high-quality restoration and authentic,
factory-fresh feel, this is a prime example for collectors and
off-road enthusiasts alike, ready to live up to the legend.
