A favorite among off-road enthusiasts, the Land Cruiser was originally designed to duplicate the American Jeep, and was essentially a reverse-engineered copy that was immediately utilized by US military forces in Korea. In 1960, Toyota introduced the J40 series, which was eventually produced in three different wheelbase lengths and offered with a vast variety of available body styles and powertrains. The FJ and its brethren now enjoy a robust and committed community of model enthusiasts, with professionally restored and modified examples providing some of the most rewarding, better-than-factory ownership experiences.

This FJ40 hardtop was delivered new to Venezuela and was retained by two domestic owners until acquisition by the Land Cruiser experts at SGM Custom Vintage Trucks in 2017. Over the following two years, it was subjected to a complete and meticulous restoration which has produced the stunning result seen here.

To begin its restoration process, this FJ was completely stripped to bare metal. Its frame was reinforced and painted for superior corrosion resistance; meanwhile, imperfections in its body were repaired with panels replaced by newly fabricated pieces made of galvanized steel as needed. The truck was then finished in a custom-formulated shade of Axalta paint inspired by the Toyota factory Olive Green.

New underpinnings came by way of a complete Old Man Emu suspension kit and the freshly rebuilt factory four-wheel drive components. This impressive, better-than-stock setup is paired with ventilated front disc brakes and rear drums mounted within a matched set of steel wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich all-terrain tires.

The chassis’ 4.2-liter, “2F” six-cylinder engine was fully rebuilt to OEM specifications, and is now paired with a new factory-type Aisin carburetor and four-speed transmission. This FJ’s interior has been reupholstered in a black vinyl with matching carpets and rear bench seats. All of the attractive cabin features have been retained or replaced with newer improvements as needed, including an air conditioning system and modern sound system.

With its restoration completed in 2019, this fully sorted and tastefully updated FJ40 hardtop combines all the best facets of the FJ’s mechanical performance with modern cabin updates. Its utilitarian styling offers an attractive compliment to its tremendous off-road capabilities. This formidable Land Cruiser is undoubtedly well-prepared for its next excursion, and it is eminently suitable for a discerning enthusiast eager to explore all of the FJ’s most preferred environs.