Vehicle Description
If you've been paying attention, you'll notice that we're not the
only ones selling Toyota FJ40 Land Cruisers. Trucks like this
comprehensively restored 1978 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser are the
hottest things on four wheels right now, but they really don't get
much nicer than this gorgeous example. With the right original
look, the perfect shade of classic Highbush Tan paint, a
comfortable A/C interior, and a go-anywhere drivetrain headed by a
bulletproof 4.2L Inline 6, this 4X4 is ready to scale the tallest
mountains, cross the deepest rivers, or just take you and your
significant other out to dinner in style. Either way, a Yota always
gets the job done right.
Apparently, the best shape for a rugged 4x4 is a two-box design
with sharp corners, and Toyota has been following that formula
successfully for decades. You'll note that this one wears proper
Highbush Tan (aka khaki) paint for the real adventurer look and the
flat bodywork is remarkably free of damage. Clearly this one hasn't
been crawling through the jungles of Burma (or Myanmar for that
matter), but rather lived an easy life on pavement somewhere in the
warm southern US. Typical Toyota build quality means these trucks
are virtually indestructible, but just for good measure someone
spent quite a bit of time and effort, not to mention money, getting
it back into shape when it was comprehensively, nut-and-bolt,
frame-off restored over the course of 2500 labors hours back in
2018. It's been seldomly driven since, with a reported 1,000
kilometers (give or take a few) logged on this FJ since the build
was completed. There's an appropriate shine to the top-end, driver
quality finish that's not so glaringly perfect that it looks
domesticated, and the simple bumpers, distinctive white-framed
grille, and full steel doors all reinforce the ready-for-anything
vibe. All the trim, glass, rubber weather-stripping was
replaced/restored during the build, so it seals up well and it's
hard to beat the look of something that treasures function over
form like back-to-stock restored FJ.
Much like the exterior, the interior was completely redon back to
original specs, starting with the supportive front vinyl seats.
Sure, everything is pretty basic inside, but the FJ does it with
style, and compared to the slippery chairs in a lot of vintage
trucks, these actually help hold you in place while you're playing
in the dirt. Rather than simple jump seats that no adult can
actually use, you get twin benches facing each other out back, and
they're cleverly oriented to maximize the cargo space. No frills is
taken to a whole new level with the FJ, which offers painted floors
protected by a thick rubber floor coverings, simple vinyl door
panels with analog handles, and a beautifully restored steering
wheel at the helm. The cleverly designed dash allows easy
construction of both right-hand and left-hand drive trucks, with
the white instrument panel holding a speedometer and auxiliary
gauges that are easy to read. Controls are easy to decipher and
everything works as you'd expect from a Toyota.
The 3.8-liter inline-six (aka the 4.2L) has served on at least six
continents over the past 50 years and remains one of the most
reliable and sturdy machines yet conceived by man. It's also
pleasingly torquey and smooth, so you won't regret sitting behind
the wheel for a few hours. The point of the FJ isn't all-out speed,
so it's fairly stock under the hood, including the black air
cleaner, bright valve cover, and neatly arranged wires, belts, and
hoses.You'll note there's a modern dual reservoir master cylinder
and a power booster, which powers a set of power front disc brakes,
a worthwhile safety upgrade, and the A/C compressor is a modern
unit from Vintage Air. A 4-speed manual transmission, 2-speed
transfer case, and heavy-duty axles provide the go-anywhere part of
the FJ's resume, and the suspension, while capable, is civilized
enough to use every day on your commute. There's a recent exhaust
that has the right sound and it's fitted with proper 6.50-16 tires
on the original painted steel wheels.
Make no mistake, FJs are more than just Japanese Jeeps, and the
market is speaking. Will this be the one you finally take home for
yourself? Call today!
