The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of those legendary vehicles that needs no introduction. Absolutely rich with history, it’s one of Toyota’s longest running models and continues to be of high interest to motorists, enthusiasts, collectors and off- roaders alike. This 1979 FJ-40 has been stretched 2 inches with a custom frame, modified with a shortened top and transformed into an FJ-45 cab truck by a professional custom shop, the entire build taking more than two years to complete. Powered by an aluminum LS engine with a 4L60E automatic overdrive transmission and ceramic coated headers, its driver benefits in a multitude of ways with power steering, power disc brakes, reclining Corbeau bucket seats with Corbeau Racing three-point harnesses, an Ididit tilt steering column with a Lecarra steering wheel perched at the top, Vintage Air, HID headlights, LED dash indicator lights, custom dash insert with Auto Meter gauges, EZ Glide power windows, a Pioneer AM/FM/CD/DVD entertainment system with Sirius satellite, Bluetooth and iPod capabilities, and Lokar pedals, to name just a few improvements. The chassis and 4-wheel drive system read like the stuff of legends: HD Warn lock-out hubs, a Driveline Tech driveshaft, shocks, springs, mounts and gas tank by Tanks Inc., a Split FJ-60 4-wheel transfer case, Old Man Emu 4-inch lift and Pro Comp wheels wrapped with 33x12.5x15 BF Goodrich tires. The factory tinted glass is wiped easily by Detroit Speed electric wipers and the entire body is lined with Rhino Lining. Its one-off custom roll cage, a Smittybilt 10,000-pound winch with synthetic rope cable, custom front and rear bumpers and much more all come together to make this custom FJ-40 a certain one-of-a-kind that would likely cost a king’s ransom to build from scratch. Interestingly, when Toyota first offered the Land Cruiser for sale in the U.S. in 1958, only one was sold—literally, one Land Cruiser was sold in 1958, its first year in the U.S. In 2019, Toyota celebrated the 10 millionth Land Cruiser sold, affirming the legendary status of the brand on a global scale.
